European History
Instructor: Paul Fitzgerald




< Return to subjects

Paul Fitzgerald has taught AP* European History and/or AP* U.S. History for thirty years in Colorado, Illinois, and California. He is currently teaching one section of AP* European History at Miramonte High School in Orinda, California and four sections of AP level Psychology. He has presented over thirty teacher workshops in AP* European History in Hawaii, California, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Missouri and Illinois. Paul has also taught weeklong summer institutes in Arizona, Hawaii, Utah, Colorado and California. His AP* European syllabus has been used as a national standard by the College Board and been followed by hundreds of AP* European History teachers nationwide. He is particularly known for advocating interactive lessons within a structured framework. Paul has been named a national Teacher of the Year by Tufts University and U.C. Irvine.

Paul has written the overview of AP* European History for the College Board's new teacher site at AP* Central. To review his article click on http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/descriptions/4498.html

You can e-mail Paul at fitzgerald8346@comcast.net

2012 Session Outline


Tuesday, June 26
Morning Session

  • Overview of the AP* European History course/test
  • Improving student learning through objective tests (AP* Test Banks)
  • Reading and reviewing techniques: What content is the most important to cover?
Afternoon Session
  • Using hubdates to help students categorize learning
  • Textbook adoption: Several texts and reading books will be given to you.
  • Intro to DBQ--research on DBQ topics to familiarize yourselves with the texts and readings
  • Group reports on the research (learn just how much McKay, Hunt, Spielvogel, Merriman, Palmer, etc., reveal a bias)
Wednesday, June 27
Morning Session
  • Finish 2012 DBQ
  • Discuss point of view
  • Emphasis on DBQ core scoring system
Afternoon Session
  • Women's History and The Free Response Question
  • Go over sample essays/rubrics
Thursday, June 28
Morning Session
  1. Theoretical models useful in teaching students history
  2. Computer room: accessing the best of the web for AP* Euro teachers and students
Afternoon Session
  1. Examining course syllabi as models for the development of your own
  2. Tricks we all use to share with other teachers.
Friday, June 29
Morning Session
  1. Grading the Free Response Question--Read and score sample essays from the 2011 or 2012 exam.
  2. New Teachers: begin work on course syllabus
  3. Experienced: begin work on lesson plans incorporating what you have learned this week.
Afternoon Session
  1. Improving writing skills w/o grading every paper
  2. Work on course syllabi/lesson plans
  3. Films/other AV materials useful to enhance the curriculum
  4. Check out