Summer Reading for AP World History

Click this link to see: Six Glasses Information, Reading Check Questions, Notes over the book, and Video Lectures by Mr. Duez over the entire book

Welcome to WHAP young Jedi. This is a monumental undertaking that you are about to embark on with, what for many of you is, your first REAL Advanced Placement class. As you have already been forewarned, this is a class that will challenge you to the highest level. Do not let the challenge deter you. You can do it. But it takes hard work.
Believe it or not, that's actually 6 Glasses being read at the beach. I kid you not.
Personally I have just finished the best year of teaching in my career. The students who have blazed a trail before you the previous three years have helped me to create a class where I am certain these things WILL happen:
1. You will learn how to work at a college level.
2. You will write more in this class than any class you have ever had before.
3. You will become skilled in the art and science of analytically thinking through difficult questions and superbly stating your answer when writing a thesis to argue a historical point.
4. You WILL be prepared for the AP World History Test on May 15, 2014. (A mere 341 days, as I write this)
5. You will learn things about the world, history, culture, conflict, and the human condition that you did not know before.
6. You will have fun doing it, but the struggle will not be easy.
The best way to prepare yourself is to get the summer read: "A History of the World in Six Glasses" by Tom Standage and have it read and understood by the first day of school. We will spend the first 10 days discussing the book, learning how Advanced Placement functions, and introducing you to the fast-paced and incredible world of AP World History.

We will have a 6 Glasses quiz on the 1st day of the second week (Mon).
The 6 Glasses test is the first block day (the following Wed/Thu).

These tests and quizzes are not meant to crush you, wean the weak out of this class, or punish those who could not understand the summer reading on their own. The quiz and test are exactly like the ones we will take while studying "The Ways of the World" by Robert W. Strayer during the school year. They are meant to support the outside of class work you will do (and that is a lot!) and prepare you for a very rigorous AP Test in May.

As I mentioned earlier, you will be ready.

The summer reading takes you through the entire course of history that we are preparing to study. It is a wonderful way to prep for the year. Good luck and please feel free to email me if you have any questions: david.duez@gmail.com

Even though it is summer, I don't mind answering emails. I would rather do so now than have confused and intimidated students on the first day of class.

Mr. Duez's Advice to Freshmen About to Enter WHAP

YouTube: Mr. Duez's Advice to Freshmen About to Enter WHAP

Published on May 27, 2015
Mr. Duez talks to freshmen students about the opportunity of taking AP World History, the summer reading, and tips on how to prepare for WHAP. 

Make the best of your summer. Come to WHAP ready to hit the ground running.

Link to all the information for the Summer Reading - A History of the World in Six Glasses by Tom Standage

Google Docs Slides Presentation: WHAP-INTRO-CURRENT-FRESHMEN

Pictures of the Year - Spring 2015

It was a great year! Thank you all so very much.

Safe travels this summer. Stop by and see me next year.

Hope to see some in AP Psychology. :)




Randy Pausch: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

Today during our last class together, I mentioned Randy Pausch and his Last Lecture. Thanks to the awesome technology our of school, I was unable to show you some of the things I wished I could first hand and with me there to discuss it with you. However, I got as much in as I could. And I wanted to share the video out with you so that you could understand more fully what I was referring to.

YouTube: Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams
Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch (Oct. 23, 1960 - July 25, 2008) gave his last lecture at the university Sept. 18, 2007, before a packed McConomy Auditorium. In his moving presentation, "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," Pausch talked about his lessons learned and gave advice to students on how to achieve their own career and personal goals.

Life Lessons from The Last Lecture:
1. People are more important than things.
2. Decide if you're a Tigger or Eeyore.
3. Never underestimate the importance of having fun.
4. Work and play well with others.
5. Live with integrity.
6. Tell the truth.
7. Apologize properly.
8. If you wait long enough, anyone will show you their good side.
9. Show gratitude.
10. Don't complain, just work harder.