By Brooke Bridges
As the heat of stress builds up in students, AP course teachers such as Mr. Crook and Mrs. Harple stay cool, calm, and collected for the students.
Mrs. Harple, AP Literature teacher, stresses the importance of having a college-style environment for a course that contains college-level material. “I try to run the class seminar style, and they have to come prepared.” Students prepare not only for the exam, but also for higher education.
As the heat of stress builds up in students, AP course teachers such as Mr. Crook and Mrs. Harple stay cool, calm, and collected for the students.
Mrs. Harple, AP Literature teacher, stresses the importance of having a college-style environment for a course that contains college-level material. “I try to run the class seminar style, and they have to come prepared.” Students prepare not only for the exam, but also for higher education.
Mashpee’s only Chemistry teacher puts all his efforts into making sure his students pass. In a rigorous class, knowing the material is just half of the effort to pass the exam. “We do test taking strategies, and one of the hardest things to do is getting confident for the test, especially the AP Chemistry test, because it is a hard exam,” he said.
These teachers both find enjoyment teaching their classes, because AP courses make students think deeply and solve problems. Over the years, Mrs. Harple and Mr. Crook have made adjustments to the way they teach the course to better prepare students for the exam. Mrs. Harple commented, “I think I used to try to do way too much, I’ve really spent more time [now] going in depth instead of doing all of it at once.”
Mr. Crook makes sure he is right on pace to provide his students all the information needed for the exam. “I’ve learned that I can’t slow down the curriculum and we need to keep on moving, slowing down would help some students but hurt other students.”
When time nears for the exam, AP teachers leave the the class time to the students. The students decide what material they need to better understand and practice, so they can master any question on the exam. “They’re seniors…I try not to overload them and I try to remind them that they know this. I give them the chance to do what they want to do to prepare.” Mr. Crook also gives advice and pep talks to boost his students’ self esteem.
After a year’s worth of preparation, both Mr. Crook and Mrs. Harple can say the are confident in their students’ abilities to pass their exams. All the effort and time they’ve dedicated to their students will be put to the test as the exams approach. Mr. Crook stated, “I am confident that they have the ability to pass if they put in the effort into studying for the test.”
These teachers both find enjoyment teaching their classes, because AP courses make students think deeply and solve problems. Over the years, Mrs. Harple and Mr. Crook have made adjustments to the way they teach the course to better prepare students for the exam. Mrs. Harple commented, “I think I used to try to do way too much, I’ve really spent more time [now] going in depth instead of doing all of it at once.”
Mr. Crook makes sure he is right on pace to provide his students all the information needed for the exam. “I’ve learned that I can’t slow down the curriculum and we need to keep on moving, slowing down would help some students but hurt other students.”
When time nears for the exam, AP teachers leave the the class time to the students. The students decide what material they need to better understand and practice, so they can master any question on the exam. “They’re seniors…I try not to overload them and I try to remind them that they know this. I give them the chance to do what they want to do to prepare.” Mr. Crook also gives advice and pep talks to boost his students’ self esteem.
After a year’s worth of preparation, both Mr. Crook and Mrs. Harple can say the are confident in their students’ abilities to pass their exams. All the effort and time they’ve dedicated to their students will be put to the test as the exams approach. Mr. Crook stated, “I am confident that they have the ability to pass if they put in the effort into studying for the test.”