AP African American Studies: Topics with Content Experts

The sessions in this yearlong series are designed for current and prospective AP African American Studies teachers. They provide practical strategies to: 

• Use the course and exam description to plan lessons
• Support students through the Individual Student Project
• Engage students in critical analysis of daily source materials
• Prepare students for the end-of-course exam 

What to expect: 

• Connect with fellow educators across the country
• Exchange classroom-ready resources
• Participate in live Q&A sessions with AP content experts
• Access targeted breakout sessions for both new and experienced teachers 

This opportunity is available at no cost. Join one, all, or as many as you can. We’re excited to have you participate.  

Meet the Content Experts 

Lauren Beal	Jamie L. Lathan, PhD
Edison High School Fresno Unified School District, Calif.	North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics University of North Carolina System, N.C.

2025-26 School Year Series 

Click the sessions below for times and registration links.

Session 1: Breaking Down the CED—Planning, Pacing, and Building a Safe Learning Community 
Session 2: Breaking Down the DBQ—Skills, Scaffolds, and Strategy 
Session 3:  Setting the Stage for the ISP from Topic Question to Claim—Guiding Interdisciplinary Project Based Learning
Session 4: Say It Short, Say It Strong—Elevating SAQ Writing with Task Verbs
Session 5: Platforms, Practice, and Periodization—AP Classroom and Digital Archives in Action
Session 6: Beyond the Classroom, Embracing Local Roots and National Relevance—Promoting and Enriching AP African American Studies
Session 7: Exam Prep Part 1: Powered by Data—Drilling Skills for Success
Session 8: Exam Prep Part 2: Finishing Strong—Writing, Projects, and Post-Exam Possibilities

Session 1: Breaking Down the CED—Planning, Pacing, and Building a Safe Learning Community 

Participants will: 

• Break down the course and exam description (CED) to design clear and purposeful lesson plans.
• Explore strategies for building analysis skills into lessons and grouping topics to support deeper learning.
• Plan how to create a safe and inclusive classroom culture, including ways external tech tools can support respectful, engaged learning spaces.
• Discuss how to build a community PLC in your own district to foster ongoing collaboration and support.
• Learn how to leverage AP Classroom resources to support your students and create effective lesson plans.
• Access tools such as self-paced course options and student study guides to support both teacher and student success.
• Check in on planning and pacing to ensure alignment and flexibility throughout the year.

Session 2: Breaking Down the DBQ—Skills, Scaffolds, and Strategy 

Participants will:

• Explore instructional strategies for teaching document-based questions (DBQs) with clarity and purpose.
• Break down the suggested DBQ skills to better understand how to scaffold them across the course.
• Practice document analysis techniques, including the SPY Method, to help students engage meaningfully with sources.
• Apply scaffolding techniques to gradually build students’ confidence and competence with DBQ writing.
• Design lesson activities that integrate DBQ skills into daily instruction through active document analysis.
• Evaluate student responses using targeted feedback strategies aligned to AP scoring expectations.
• Check in on planning and pacing to ensure DBQ instruction is embedded intentionally throughout the year. 

Session 3: Setting the Stage for the ISP from Topic Question to Claim—Guiding Interdisciplinary Project Based Learning 

Participants will: 

• Develop strategies for supporting Individual Student Project planning through structured guidance and checkpoints.
• Scaffold research skills to help students navigate sources, synthesize information, and build academic confidence.
• Guide students in developing strong, defensible claims rooted in inquiry.
• Explore how to integrate project based learning into your classroom for authentic engagement.
• Lean into interdisciplinary connections to enrich student thinking and broaden project relevance.
• Check in on planning and pacing to ensure projects are manageable and meaningful throughout the school year or toward the end of the school year. 

Session 4: Say It Short, Say It Strong—Elevating SAQ Writing with Task Verbs 

Participants will: 

• Incorporate short-answer questions (SAQs) into daily instruction to build writing fluency and deepen analysis.
• Explore the use of AP African American Studies task verbs to strengthen student responses and align with course expectations.
• Plan for a smooth instructional transition from Unit 2 to Unit 3, maintaining momentum and clarity.
• Revisit pacing plans and recalibrate with grace, using reflection to support both student growth and teacher sustainability.

Session 5: Platforms, Practice and Periodization—AP Classroom and Digital Archives in Action 

Participants will:

• Engage in a focused exploration of AP Classroom to maximize its impact on instruction and assessment.
• Apply AP African American Studies digital resources such as SlaveVoyages.org, Gilder Lehrman, National Archives, JSTOR, Pew Research, and Black History in Two Minutes to support content-rich, inquiry-driven lessons.
• Develop strategies for teaching periodization and helping students recognize change over time across units.
• Gather ideas and inspiration for planning meaningful and historically grounded Black History Month activities. 

Session 6: Beyond the Classroom, Embracing Local Roots and National Relevance—Promoting and Enriching AP African American Studies 

Participants will: 

• Explore strategies for marketing AP African American Studies to students, families, and school communities to build interest and enrollment.
• Discover ways to connect the course to local history through field trip ideas and community partnerships.
• Identify engaging virtual field trip opportunities to expand student access to key historical sites and narratives.
• Curate book and film recommendations that complement course themes and foster deeper student engagement. 

Session 7: Exam Prep Part 1: Powered by Data—Drilling Skills for Success 

Participants will:

• Use AP Classroom and student performance data to inform instruction and targeted exam prep.
• Drill key writing skills with a focus on clarity, structure, and alignment to AP expectations.
• Strengthen student source analysis through scaffolded practice and feedback.
• Guide students in examining change over time as a historical thinking skill essential to exam success.

Session 8: Exam Prep Part 2: Finishing Strong—Writing, Projects, and Post-Exam Possibilities 

Participants will: 

• Use student data to refine and target writing instruction in the final weeks before the AP Exam.
• Drill deeper into writing and source analysis with a focus on complexity, synthesis, and precision.
• Strengthen instruction on historical thinking skills, particularly change over time, in preparation for written responses.
• Review the Individual Student Project (ISP) Part 2 rubric and clarify expectations for presentation and final submission.
• Discuss AI use policies and guide students in responsible and ethical engagement with AI tools.
• Explore strategies for teaching source validation and addressing the Exam Day Validation Question.
• Plan a “Further Explorations Week” to extend learning and engagement after the exam through interdisciplinary projects, local connections, or student-led inquiry.