I woke up this morning and didn’t really know what to do with myself. That’s been the six years of the morning after the AP test feeling. In our district, movies are not the preferred use of class time over 20 minutes. Here are a few ideas for how to spend the time after the test and before graduation.
Since AP Government is first as an AP test, I introduce my “final” project to the students prior to the test. This way, as they move through two weeks of testing, they have the freedom to work on their final as well as study and prepare for their AP tests.
Quick note: I do not believe in final exams that are multiple-choice after taking an AP exam. If you do, that’s great! Do what’s best for your students. I create projects because I need to keep kids engaged even though they are graduating.
Also- Three is my favorite number. My parents had three girls. There are three people in my family. Three is my number.
Moot Court: Street Law provides both winter and spring cases. What they give on their own is plenty to do a moot court, however, if you are doing cases that are currently in the Court, there are usually podcasts from Constitution Center as well as great sources from different new sources. With this, you can talk about media and it’s role in policymaking. You can really make this your own.
You can see how I’ve done a few:
If you are in remote schooling, you can use whatever video chat OR phone chat, since that’s what the Supreme Court is doing. I envision the lawyers and Court members on a Google Meets and the live stream for all the “clerks” as to not crowd the screen. Whoever is the Chief will have to work with you to ensure that all justices can ask questions and lawyers can speak.
You know how much I love podcasts! I listen to them daily, and sometimes I find a good one to share with my students. Sometimes I just ask them to listen and respond, and sometimes I create assignments, like this gender discrimination podcast.
For remote learning, you can ask them to turn in a summary, participate in a discussion board, or participate in a video chat about it.
Independent Projects
My students had talked about civil rights eras they had wished they could explore more so I created this assignment.
Your assignment is to create a project that showcases the civil rights movement you chose. How you do it is up to you, but turning in a PowerPoint won’t be enough. Be creative! (Of if your students need structure you can have them record a lecture or powerpoint
Your prompt is: What do people need to know about this civil rights movement?
If you want students to work in groups, have them obtain that permission from each member.
{These weeks can be changed depending on how many weeks you have}
Week One: Choose a project to do from the list below OR create your own. Submit your proposal for approval.
Week Two: Research using the links below or share different links as you research. Submit a rough draft of your research and project to your teacher (If needed) Attend a Google Meets seminar to share your research.
Week Three: Continue your research, however, start to dive more into different resources. Ensure you cite all sources you use. Attend a Google Meets seminar to discuss your project and get feedback from classmates. This can help create a bigger list for students to look at or different civil rights eras they may be interested in!
Week Four: Submit final project
Topics (You are NOT limited to these)
- African American Civil Rights: Listen to NPR Throughline on Mass Incarceration (August 14) and watch 13 on Netflix OR Slavery By Another Name (PBS)(Episode 1)
- Women’s Rights: Watch RBG (requires payment to rent) and Hindsight: Looking Back at 100 years
- LGBTQ+ Rights: Timeline; History of Gay Rights-– I really wish the Lavender Scarehad free screenings for schools
- Differently Abled Rights: Crip Camp on Netflix, ADA Legacy Project, ADA Podcast
- Asian American Rights: Fred Korematsu podcast, Of Civil Rights and Wrongs (start video at 11 minutes) PBS Asian Americans
- Latinx Rights: Latino Civil Rights Timeline; Latino Americans Series
Even though this year was a different, there are still ways to attempt engagement with students and in future years, hopefully this will come in handy.
Best wishes after your AP tests!
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