THE VALUE AND

PURPOSE OF AP HUMAN
GEOGRAPHY
JIM OCONNOR
PRINCETON HIGH SCHOOL
TEACHER/DEPT CHAIR
AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY - 13
YEARS

GEOGRAPHY IN OHIO
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Geography is not a graduation requirement in Ohio
Only 10 states have Geography as a requirement
Ohio has Geography Lite version it is less filling but
does not taste great
Geography strands in 4th Grade (Ohio), 5th Grade (W.
Hemisphere), 6th Grade (E. Hemisphere), US History and
World History classes
American Government has no Geography standards.
Want empirical data? Give your high school students a
basic Geography skills and inferences pre-test.

ODE WORLD
Geography COURSE
ODE does have a World Geography Course of Study
How many schools use this course? Virtually zero
OGT Legacy US History and World History taught in
grades 9 and 10
ODE American Government EOC Exam, with a financial
literacy requirement, means most districts have gone
to a year-long Government class.
Geography has been a casualty of these policies. Our
students would die if their life depended on
demonstrating Geographic knowledge

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
AP Human Geography is the fastest growing AP course
but Ohio lags woefully behind! See chart
In 2013, less than 107,000 AP Human Geo Exams were
taken globally. By 2016, over 182,000 APHG Exams
were taken.
In Ohio, 1,267 AP Human Geography Exams were
taken this needs to improve!!!

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
So. What is Human Geography?
APHG Topic Outline (slide)
APHG Goals (slide)
Tap into student background,
cultures, travel experiences

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
High interest lesson possibilities that are relevant
40 % o SAT/ACT vocabulary terms are Social Studies
based.
The breadth and depth of AP Human Geography is
rich in vocabulary potential.
Journal readings and intentionally teaching
vocabulary can increase your students reading
grade level 1-3 years (my opinion)

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
TEACHING MATERIALS
Rubenstein and De Blij Textbooks
Kaplan and Barrons Exam Review books
Nystrom Atlas class sets
Vocabulary Cards
Teacher Created/Collaboration

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
TEACHING STRATEGIES:

Old School meets New School

Traditional, Direct teaching methodologies
with incorporation of todays tech, social
media and apps.
Interactive notebook, Cornell Notes, Index
cards
Skill-based activities (Nystrom)

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
TEACHING STRATEGIES: Make your
lessons
EPIC
Experiential
Participatory
Image Rich
Connected

PICS FROM APHG-OC

Pics from aphg-OC

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
THE AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY EXAM
Scores of 1-5. See slide
Scores 3,4,5 considered passing (evaluations?) but
colleges have different criteria for awarding credit
75 MC Questions (5 possible choices) 60 Minutes
3 Free-Response Questions 75 minutes
Results and Your Performance by strand made
available in July of each summer

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
Professional Development
Become an AP Reader (June 2-8). Super PD!
In Cincinnati. Pay is around $1,500
Join AP HG Discussion Groups
Attend an APHG teacher training seminar by
College Board
Stay tuned to Current Events (NPR, BBC, etc)

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
ANY QUESTIONS ???
MY CONTACT INFORMATION:

Jim OConnor
jfoconnor@vikingmail.org
Cell: 513-407-1733