AP Course:

AP BIOLOGY

Marian DeWane

CONSULTANT: Marian DeWane

Marian DeWane taught AP Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, AP Environmental Science and AP Physics at Centennial High School in Boise, Idaho for 30 years. She has been recognized as Teacher of the Year and has her National Board Certification. In 2009, Dr. DeWane won the Presidential Science Teaching Award from President Obama. Currently, she teaches at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. DeWane has been involved with the College Board for 15 years as a consultant. She is involved in the grading of the AP Exam and has been a Question Leader, a Table Leader, and a Reader. She has been a National Leadership Trainer, a consultant mentor, workshop writer for the new AP curriculum changes, and question writer for the new exam.  In AP Environmental Science, she focuses on active learning, inquiry-based learning, service learning and working on empowering students to be a part of their community and recognizing how their own commitment to making changes sets a model for others to follow.

Class Description:

Day 1

Session 1: Introductions and Goals

Name Tag Activity

What is APES?

  • Different Approaches

  • Textbooks

  • AP Communities

Session 2: A look at the CED, Science Practices, and Skills for Units 1, 2, and 3 (The Living World and Populations)

  • Content Review

  • Labs & Supply Lists

  • Activities

  • Video Resources

  • Pacing

  • Sharing Best Practices

Session 3: Labs for Units 1, 2, and 3

Be sure to wear closed toe shoes!

Session 4: Test Format and Scoring

How the test is structures and overall scores calculated.

Question 1 of 2024 Exam: Scoring and Evaluation of the Question.

  • What types of errors did students make.

  • How can you help students improve?

  • The Rules for Writing an FRQ.

Homework: Evaluate the sample syllabi and the sample pacing calendar—begin to plan units of instruction in time frames for Units 1, 2 and 3.

Day 2

Session 1: A look at the CED, Science Practices, and Skills for part of Unit 9 (Invasive species and Human impacts on biodiversity).

  • Content Review

  • Labs & Supply Lists

  • Activities

  • Video Resources

  • Pacing

  • Sharing Best Practices

Session 2: Labs for Unit 9 Invasive Species and Human Impacts on Biodiversity

Be sure to wear closed toe shoes!

Session 3: Question 3 of 2024 Exam: Scoring and Evaluation of the Question.

  • What types of errors did students make.

  • How can you help students improve?

  • Math

  • Activity: Dimensional Analysis Cards

  • Teaching Math Skills

  • Practice Math Problems

Session 4: A look at the CED, Science Practices, and Skills for Units 4, 5, 8, and 9 (Earth and Resources, Land and Water, Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution, and Unit 9 Ocean Warming, Ocean Acidification)

  • Content Review

  • Labs & Supply Lists

  • Activities

  • Video Resources

  • Pacing

  • Sharing Best Practices

Homework: Plan units of instruction for Units 4, 5, 8, and parts of 9.

Day 3

Session 1: Labs for Units 4, 5, 8, and 9

Be sure to wear closed toe shoes!

Session 2: Question 2 of 2024 exam: Scoring and Evaluation of the Question.

  • What types of errors did students make.

  • How can you help students improve?

Session 3: A look at the CED, Science Practices, and Skills for Units 6, 7, and 9 (Energy, Atmospheric Pollution, Ozone, and Greenhouse Gases)

  • Content Review

  • Labs & Supply Lists

  • Activities

  • Video Resources

  • Pacing

  • Sharing Best Practices

Session 4: Labs for Units 6, 7, and 9 (Energy, Atmospheric Pollution, Ozone, and Greenhouse Gases)

Homework: Planning units of instruction for Units 6, 7, and 9.

Day 4

Session 1 and 2: The Audit and College Board Resources (AP Classroom work)

  • Completing the Audit

  • Personal progress checks

  • Question Banks

  • Practice Exams

  • Getting Exams Back

Session 3 and 4: Planning Time, Sharing, and Course Wrap-up.

My Goals for APES