Enrolling Now for 2026-27 School Year.
Enrolling Now for 2026-27 School Year.
AP® U.S. History Learning Coach Guide Contents Part C Unit Information11 1491–1607: Pre-colonization Unit12 1607–1754: Colonization Unit13 1754–1800: The Revolution Unit14 1800–1848: Politics, Innovations, and Reforms Unit15 1844–1877: The Civil War and Reconstruction Unit16 1870s–1900: The Gilded Age Unit17 1890s–1945: U.S. Expansion Unit18 1945–1980: The Cold War Unit19 United States of America 1980–Present Unit20 Part AWelcome to AP® U.S. History Dear Learning Coach, Thank you for partnering with CCA and investing in your learner’s education. This Learning Coach Guide is intended to help you support your learner in their AP® U.S. History course. Within this guide, you will find the goals, components, and features of the online course. Please take time to read and review this information so you understand how to help your learner interact with all the course’s elements. The Learning Coach Guide also includes information about each of the units in this course. On each page of unit information, you will discover the following. The Unit Overview will tell you what the focus, content, and skills of the unit will be. The Unit Assessment section is a place for you and your learner to preview the graded work in the course. At the start of each unit, work with your learner to look at the unit in edio and find out which types of graded work are in this unit. Write them in the box and use it as a checklist. You can check off each one as your learner completes it. The Unit Materials section tells you the materials your learner will need to complete the activities in this unit. You will also find the materials list repeated within each lesson so that your learner has exactly what they need at the right time. The Unit Discussion Questions are optional questions that you may want to ask your learner during the unit to increase home and school connections about what your learner is studying. In the Unit Notables section, you may find optional activities, career connections, or ideas to help your learner if they get stuck. CCA wishes you and your learner a terrific school year! Supporting Your Learner Your role as a Learning Coach is very important. Here are a few ways you can help your learner do their very best in the course. Help your learner know what time guided or live class instruction is scheduled for, and prompt them to attend sessions or watch recordings. Remember, it is okay for your learner to get stuck. Learning new material takes time. Encourage them to take breaks, keep trying, and even ask the teacher for help. Help your learner navigate technology. That may mean helping them type information or upload work into edio. Always encourage your learner to do their very best. Review the course syllabus for your learner’s course. Advanced Placement® (AP) courses require more from the learners than other courses. You may find that your learner needs more practice, more review, and more support to be successful when compared to non-AP® courses. Excellent AP® learners should strive for mastery. Think of athletes and musicians. They practice until they are excellent. AP® learners should follow that kind of work ethic. Maintain communication with your learner’s teacher. Part BCourse Information Course Goals In AP® U.S. History, your learner will study the history of the United States from 1491 to the present. The course is a comprehensive survey of the cultural, economic, political, and social developments that have shaped the United States. By the end of the year, your learner will be able to: analyze political, economic, and social changes that have impacted the United States from the nation’s colonization through today; read and understand a variety of historical sources; identify and evaluate how the nation and its economy, politics, and culture have both stayed the same and changed over the course of history; evaluate the causes and effects of developments in U.S. history; use reasoning techniques such as comparison, causation, and continuity and change to evaluate patterns and connections throughout history; critically think about the history and culture of the United States; and write persuasive arguments about U.S. history and use evidence to support those arguments. Course Format Lesson Components: Each day, your learner will spend 50–60 minutes completing a AP® U.S. History lesson. Some days may take less time, while other days may take a little more time. It is often common for learners taking AP® courses to spend time outside of the scheduled class time completing course reading or studying. This section will help you to understand how your learner’s course is structured in edio. Lesson Bundling: Often, learners will see a bundle of lessons within one day. A lesson bundle is a collection of lessons that stack up to equal one full class period. The first lesson in every unit is often a bundle of lessons that introduce your learner to a new unit. See the example below. Additionally, quizzes in this course often come in a lesson bundle with another lesson. Within the lesson bundles, there are different components your learner will interact with. These components will not be used every day. 1. Getting Started Lesson: There is one Getting Started lesson in this course. It can be found on Day 1 of Unit 1. This lesson includes important information about the course and contact information for your teacher. 2. Unit Overview: Each unit will include a unit overview. This describes what your learner will learn in the unit and how many assessments the unit will have. 3. Prep for Success: At the beginning of each unit, your learner will find a Prep for Success. This component offers learners tips to be successful in the course, such as study tips, important software information, safety reminders, and more. 4. Knowledge Check: There will be one Knowledge Check in each unit. The Knowledge Check is designed to check prior learning and understanding about key skills and concepts that will be taught in the unit. The Knowledge Check is not a graded assessment. Each lesson has its own components to help guide your learner through the lesson. 1. Lesson Overview: At the beginning of every lesson, your learner will see the lesson overview. This section contains lesson objectives, lesson vocabulary, materials your learner will need for the lesson, and the suggested lesson length. 2. Engage: The first section of the lesson is Engage. In this section, learners will be introduced to the lesson by making a connection to past and present knowledge and will get ready for the lesson’s instruction. 3. Discover: New content and instruction is presented in the Discover section. Your learner will interact with the lesson content through defined vocabulary terms, videos, audio, and Pause and Think activities. Your learner will be able to practice and answer questions as they work through the lesson. 4. Show: Learners will demonstrate what they have learned in the lesson through a series of practice questions. 5. Summary: This section recaps the day’s objectives and prepares learners for a future lesson or assessment. The course includes assignments and projects. These graded assignments allow your learner to show what they have learned and apply their new skills. All CCA assignments and projects include these components. 1. Assessment Overview: At the beginning of each assessment, your learner will see the assessment overview. This section contains the goals of the assessment, materials your learner will need, the length of the assessment, and directions for completion. 2. Plan: In the Plan section, learners will be introduced to the assignment or project. Learners may be provided with a review of content from the previous lessons, strategies for completing the activity, graphic organizers, and grading rubrics. 3. Do: Learners put their plan into action and work to complete the assignment or project successfully. This section also provides the grading expectations and/or rubric the teacher will use to grade the work. 4. Reflect: In Reflect, learners will think about the work they completed. They will reflect upon the experience and analyze how well they completed the task. These moments of reflection are important and allow learners to think about their learning and their work habits. In addition to assignments and projects, this course also includes quizzes, tests, and exams. Quiz: A quiz may be given at the end of a topic or the end of a unit. Test Review: Before a test, learners will have the opportunity to review the content they will be assessed on in the test. Test: A test will assess learning across topics or at the end of a unit. Exam Review: Before an exam, learners will have the opportunity to review the content they will be assessed on in the exam. Exam: An exam assesses learning over multiple units. Exams are usually seen as midterm and final exams in Advanced Placement courses. Course Features In addition, the AP U.S. History course will include lessons designed to prepare your learner for the types of questions they will encounter on the AP exam in May. In particular, your learner will complete lessons designed to develop their skills in answering the following types of questions: Short Answer Questions (SAQ): There are three SAQs on the AP® U.S. history exam. Each SAQ is a three-part question about a time period in U.S. history. There are three different types of SAQs that your learner will practice throughout the course. Long Essay Questions (LEQ): The LEQ is an essay response to a question designed to test your learner’s knowledge about a broad topic in U.S. history. The question requires students to argue a point of view with strong historical evidence. Document-Based Questions (DBQ): The DBQ requires students to read and interpret historical sources and then respond to an essay question on the theme in those sources. The question requires an analysis of seven sources and the ability to write a persuasive essay using the sources. The purpose of this question is to allow students to develop a deep inquiry on a specific historical topic. Your learner will complete at least one lesson focused on these skills in each unit. Additional exercises throughout the course will help your learner build the necessary skills for success. nit Information Part CUnit Information 1491–1607: Pre-colonization Unit Unit Overview In this unit, your learner will focus on the time period before and during European colonization of the Americas. Topics of study include the way of life of different Native American societies and the European exploration and conquest of the Americas. Unit Assessments Quiz _________________________ Test _________________________ Assignment ________________ Project _____________________ Exam _______________________ Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply. Unit Discussion Questions What did you learn about different Native American cultures? What are your thoughts on whether Columbus Day should be a national holiday in the United States? Unit Notables Your learner will work on their first document analysis in this unit. Remind them that this is a learned skill that they will practice all year. Your learner also has their first AP® U.S. History test and might need help studying for the test. Kit Materials none Household Materials notebook, school supplies such as erasers, pencils, and pens 1607–1754: Colonization Unit Unit Overview In this unit, your learner will focus on the time period of European colonization. Your learner will discuss the impact of colonization and compare the geography, culture, economy, and government of different colonies founded by Europeans in the Americas. Unit Assessments Quiz _________________________ Test _________________________ Assignment ________________ Project _____________________ Exam _______________________ Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply. Unit Discussion Questions What aspect of the writing process do you think is the most challenging? Why? How did the colonies created by the Spanish, the French, and the British differ? Unit Notables In this unit, your learner will complete two lessons designed to teach writing skills for the DBQ. This process involves research and will create a deep understanding of a historical topic. Your learner might need support as they learn these challenging skills. Encourage your learner to do their best and remind them that there will be many chances to practice throughout the course. Kit Materials none Household Materials notebook, school supplies such as erasers, pencils, and pens 1754–1800: The Revolution Unit Unit Overview In this unit, your learner will focus on the time period of the American Revolution. Your learner will discuss events leading up to the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the formation of the United States. Unit Assessments Quiz _________________________ Test _________________________ Assignment ________________ Project _____________________ Exam _______________________ Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply. Unit Discussion Questions What figure of the American Revolution did you most enjoy learning about? What were the causes of the American Revolution? Unit Notables Your learner will write their first full essay during this unit. Remind your learner that careful planning is key to success. Learners interested in this unit might enjoy visiting the Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Information on visits and tours, as well as a photo gallery, can be found on their website. Kit Materials none Household Materials notebook, school supplies such as erasers, pencils, and pens 1800–1848: Politics, Innovations, and Reforms Unit Unit Overview In this unit, your learner will focus on developments in the United States in the first half of the nineteenth century. Your learner will study changes in the U.S. economy including new innovations, the impact of revivals and reforms on U.S. society, and the growing political divisions and their impact on the nation. Unit Assessments Quiz _________________________ Test _________________________ Assignment ________________ Project _____________________ Exam _______________________ Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply. Unit Discussion Questions What differences did you find surprising between the North and the South? What innovation did find the most interesting during this time period? Why? Unit Notables Emphasize the importance of time management and revision in the writing process for your learner. They will work on both as they write and revise a DBQ in this unit. Learners interested in this unit might enjoy reading more about the decision to replace Andrew Jackson with Harriet Tubman on the twenty-dollar bill. Learners studied both of these figures in this unit. Kit Materials none Household Materials notebook, school supplies such as erasers, pencils, and pens 1844–1877: The Civil War and Reconstruction Unit Unit Overview Your learner will focus on the time period of the Civil War in this unit. Your learner will discuss the causes of the regional tensions that led to the Civil War, the Civil War, and the period of Reconstruction following the Civil War. Unit Assessments Quiz _________________________ Test _________________________ Assignment ________________ Project _____________________ Exam _______________________ Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply. Unit Discussion Questions What do you need to work on in order to prepare for the mid-term exam? What was a success of reconstruction, and what was a failure? Unit Notables Your learner will take a midterm exam at the end of this unit. Reminders about time management and studying over several days might be helpful to your learner. Learners interested in this unit might enjoy learning more about the Battle of Gettysburg, which took place in Pennsylvania, by conducting online research or visiting the grounds. Kit Materials none Household Materials notebook, school supplies such as erasers, pencils, and pens 1870s–1900: The Gilded Age Unit Unit Overview In this unit, your learner will focus on the last quarter of the nineteenth century, a time period called the Gilded Age. Your learner will study the effects of westward expansion, the formation of the “New South,” and the impact of technological advancements and industrialization. Unit Assessments Quiz _________________________ Test _________________________ Assignment ________________ Project _____________________ Exam _______________________ Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply. Unit Discussion Questions What was the impact of westward expansion on Native Americans? Tell me about your DBQ. What source did you analyze? Unit Notables Your learner will complete the first DBQ that will be graded as an assignment in this unit. You can support your learner by encouraging careful time management and planning. In this unit, your learner will also discuss immigration. This might be an opportunity to discuss your family’s history with your learner. Kit Materials none Household Materials notebook, school supplies such as erasers, pencils, and pens 1890s–1945: U.S. Expansion Unit Unit Overview In this unit, your learner will focus on developments in the United States in the period following World War II. Your learner will discuss U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War and the impact of the Vietnam War. Additionally, your learner will study the expanded fight for domestic change and civil rights. Unit Assessments Quiz _________________________ Test _________________________ Assignment ________________ Project _____________________ Exam _______________________ Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply. Unit Discussion Questions Which social movement did you enjoy learning the most about? Why? What challenges did the United States face in the 1970s? Unit Notables This unit is a great opportunity for your family to share memories with your learner. Encourage your learner to share what they are learning with family members who might have experienced some of the trends and events being studied. This is also a great unit to discuss the current state of civil rights in the United States and the impact of social movements. Kit Materials none Household Materials notebook, school supplies such as erasers, pencils, and pens 1945–1980: The Cold War Unit Unit Overview Your learner will focus on the time period between the 1890s and 1945 in this unit. Your learner will discuss the changing role of the United States in the world, including U.S. involvement in two world wars. In addition, your learner will study the political, economic, and social changes of the Progressive Era, the Roaring Twenties, and the Great Depression. Unit Assessments Quiz _________________________ Test _________________________ Assignment ________________ Project _____________________ Exam _______________________ Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply. Unit Discussion Questions What time period did you enjoy studying more: the Roaring Twenties or the Great Depression? Why? What writing skills do you believe you still need to develop? Unit Notables This is a long unit covering a broad range of time periods. Encourage your learner to review the material as the unit progresses to prepare for the unit exam. Your learner will also have the opportunity to practice all of the skills for the AP® exam in this unit. This is a great chance to encourage them to keep up the hard work. Kit Materials none Household Materials notebook, school supplies such as erasers, pencils, and pens Unit Overview In this unit, your learner will focus on recent developments in the United States. You learner will discuss the United States during Ronald Reagan’s presidency and the changes and challenges the country has experienced from the 1980s to the present. Unit Assessments Quiz _________________________ Test _________________________ Assignment _________________ Project _____________________ Exam _______________________ Have your learner identify which assessment type they see in their unit. Check all that apply. Unit Discussion Questions What do you think is the greatest challenge facing the United States today? What do you need to work on in order to prepare for the final exam? What is your plan? Unit Notables This is the final unit in the course. Your learner is preparing for the AP® exam and the final exam. Consider helping your learner with time management and studying. This unit also covers modern America. This is a great opportunity to discuss current events at home and apply them to what the learner is studying. Kit Materials none Household Materials notebook, school supplies such as erasers, pencils, and pens
Enrolling Now for 2026-27 School Year.
