Author: Histeachr@aol.com
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 1996 08:25:42 -0600
Listmembers,
I may have the opportunity to select a new text for our APUSH course. We have been using Tindall and Shi's America, a Historical Narrative, which seems to be too advanced and a little too difficult for the HS juniors I teach. I am seeking opinions of current APUSH [AP US History] teachers regarding which text they recommend. Readability is a major concern.
I am, of course, using other sources of information to make a choice, but nothing beats the experiences of sucessful teachers.
Thanks,
Alan Whitehead
Hernando High School
Hernando, Ms
Histeachr@aol.com
Author: Stephen Piscitelli 646-2224
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 1996 11:06:52 -0600
Alan,
If you have not done so, review Bailey's AMERICAN PAGEANT. Some dislike it for its slant; i found students enjoyed (?) it because of its occasional wit . Another choice, Curent's AMERICAN HISTORY: A SURVEY; a little more "dense" than Bailey, but well-written for the high school student.
Steve Piscitelli
fccj
piscits@mail.firn.edu
Author: Bill Cecil-Fronsman
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 1996 11:27:33 -0600
I am somewhat troubled by the gist of the letter that sparked this discussion. The writer asked for simplier books than Tindall/Shi because they were too difficult for 11th grade students. Isn't the assumption behind the AP course that it is supposed to be the equivelant of a college level survey? If 11th grade students can't handle a college-level text, doesn't this suggest that they don't belong in a course that is supposed to lead to college-level credit?
Bill Cecil-Fronsman zzceci@acc.wuacc.edu Department of History Office: (913) 231-1010 x1317 Washburn University Fax: (913) 231-1084
Topeka, KS 66621
Author: VOLPE@zodiac.rutgers.edu
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 1996 15:05:42 -0600
I am not familiar with the Tindall-Shi book, or its level of difficulty, but my step-daughter took a very rigorous AP History class last year at Cambridge Rindge and Latin (the public school), that used Gary Nash's textbook quite effectively. As someone who has TA'd US 101, I liked the book and the way the teacher used it. Each chapter came with an essay packet that helped the students immediately digest what they read and also worked them hard on essay writing skills and DBQs for the exam. This worked very well at teaching the kids chronology and analysis and at the same time helping them master the exam format.
The teacher never let up with the work load, and at first
the kids were demoralized, but most of them made it and did great
on the exam. From what I saw at home last year, I would encourage
you to keep your high expectations of the students and find other
ways to help them learn what they need to know and learn to push
themselves. Sort of a "Stand and Deliver Approach."
Good luck,
Andrea Volpe
Rutgers University
alvolpe@eden.rutgers.edu
Author: SusieQ@eworld.com
Date: Tue, 30 Jan 1996 08:42:13 -0600
You might explore brief college texts--these tend to be a bit dense, but they are short enough to make the reading less ponderous.
Many people like the Nash/Jeffrey.. That is in my opinion sort of transitional between a high school and college text. MY students, who tend to be snobbish, claimed it was a bit beneath them, but the proof was in the pudding. They did very well on the AP... and I could assign lots of other stuff becaues the Nash/Jeffrey was easier to read.
Author: Ericap5@aol.com
Date: Tue, 30 Jan 1996 08:42:52 -0600
Dear Bill,
I get your drift, but there are a range of textbooks that are appropriate for AP classes. The key is not just reading level, but also the way in which the text used fits the skills and training of the teacher giving the course. Take me, for example. I'm close to sixty and was trained on political and diplomatic history. The new social history initially was not my cup of tea. So I turned to textbooks, Norton, and later Nash, which did a particularly good job in social history. In the past decade I have reeducated myself in that area. Now my textbook is Brinkley's American History: A Survey, which is a well-written serviceable text that does a solid job in all areas of U.S. History.
If it is helpful, I'll print out here the list of textbooks I have included in the soon-to-be-republished Teacher's Guide to AP United States History.
Best regards,
Eric Rothschild
Author: Ericap5@aol.com
Date: Tue, 30 Jan 1996 08:43:57 -0600
Dear Alan,
I've read your note and Steve's. The text, American History, A Survey now has a new lead author, Alan Brinkley. (I used it in college over forty years ago--Current was the lead author then.)
Steve's reference to Bailey's American Pageant delighted me. For years as a consultant for the College Board I was highly critical of that work. In its earliest editions it was racist, sexist and strained good judgment to get a laugh. The recent editions, under the influence of David Kennedy, have been much better in every respect. (Also teachers of AP might be interested to know that Kennedy has been the chair of the test development committee for the AP U.S. History exam.)
The next edition should be much stronger on social history. Liz Cohen, of N.Y.U. has come on board as an author of The American Pageant and she has a national reputation from her Bancroft Prize-winning book, Making a New Deal. If you sense some personal involvement in these words, you are right. She was in my first AP class in 1969.
Good luck in your search for just the right book.
Eric Rothschild
Author: Omohundro@aol.com
Date: Tue, 30 Jan 1996 08:45:31 -0600
I venture with trepidation into the money-making racket of American history college texts, having reviewed 19 of the most widely used titles in a journal article, "The Selling of Clio: American History College Survey Textbooks," International Journal of Social Education 2 (winter 1987-88): 78-140. The article earned me a threat of a law suit from Irwin Unger, NYU (Pulitzer Prize winner); and a nasty letter from Mary Beth Norton of Cornell about my misunderstanding of colonial demographics (nothing about her captioning of a color pix of George Washington in a scarlet uniform as a general in the American army!).
For what it's worth, Tindall's text came out #1 by far, for factual accuracy, balance, price, and a number of other factors. Have assigned and read some later editions with Shi, but not the latest, so cannot presume to judge.
The textbook racket is exactly that. If you're asked to write one, do so, as it will help keep the wolf from the door; but it's not history, most likely it won't be accurate, and it may have a decided slant in one direction or another. As academics (mostly liberal; all aging, we have earned Newt & Co., and their attacks).
As for high school teachers, advanced placement or otherwise, and their students, may the good Lord keep you and bless you, from ideologues that go bump in the night!
Michael Chesson
U/Mass-Boston
omohundro@aol.com
Author: SusieQ@eworld.com
Date: Tue, 30 Jan 1996 08:59:57 -0600
Co-Editor's Note: This post came to me personally, with a "PS" saying
that I could post it if I wanted.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 1996 14:28:40 -0800
I think you're right-- but in all honesty the course CAN be taught from a
good high school text.
I teach AP and the non-AP.. for the AP I've used: National Experience,
Nash/Jeffrey, Garraty and now The Enduring Vision... All big, fat and
undeniably college level text books..
For my regular class I've used Hofstadter Miller and Aaron, Boorstin and Kelley and this year one called Out of Many which is a college Brief..In both classes I supplement with a lot of articles and usually After the Fact, and American Primer ..
My top regular students routinely get about the same grades as my AP students
So, for now, I'll keep playing by the rules and assign a heavy college text book. I agree with you, particularly since Tindall is not a difficult book (though it's kinda dull-- no pictures or vignettes...) But in all honesty the book isn't so important as how well they remember, read and above all WRITE!
PS. I didn't post this. you may if you like.
Susan Ikenberry
Georgetown Day School
Washington DC 20016
Author: Eric Thomas
Date: Tue, 30 Jan 1996 10:53:13 -0600
Let me also endorse Bailey's American Pageant for the AP American History course. I used it for several years in AP classes at a local prep school and had great success. I especially liked the cartoons and used them to stimulate homework questions.
Eric Thomas
Jacksonville University
ethomas@junix.ju.edu
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