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Illinois Geographic Alliance, LLC

4th Annual AP Human Geography Conference

Meet fellow colleagues, learn about current topics in Human Geography, and share your ideas.

Conference Details

  • Saturday, October 17, 2015, from 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. (Note: We have moved our annual conference from spring to fall!)
  • Plainfield East High School, 12001 S. Naperville Rd., Plainfield, IL 60585
  • Professional Development Hours (formerly CPDUs) are provided for conference participants.

Conference Resources

2015 AP Human Geography FRQ and Exam Score Breakdown

Tentative Meeting Schedule

12:30 - 1:00 p.m.

Registration and Informal Networking

1:00 - 1:05 p.m.

Welcome and Conference Overview

Mike Sublett (Illinois State University)

1:05 - 2:45 p.m.

Session 1: Transportation Activity

Mike Sublett (Illinois State University)

Conference participants will work in teams to conduct hands-on field research and share findings. Come to the conference prepared for some walking outdoors on school property.

2:45 - 3:00 p.m.

Break (snacks provided)

3:00 - 3:20 p.m.

Session 2: Tips on Answering AP Human Geography Free Response Questions (FRQs) from an Experienced AP Grader

Samantha Serrano (James B. Conant High School)

General information and specific tips will be shared for best practices in answering AP Human Geography Free Response Questions (FRQs). Session will include a summary of previous FRQs and access to a printable infographic on the topic for your classroom. The discussion will cover various writing protocols for FRQ prompts to assist students in knowing how and why they will receive credit depending on their response.

3:20 - 3:40 p.m.

Session 3: AP Human Geography Boot Camp: Training the Eyes & the Mind

Stacey Mosquera (Lake Park High School)

As the number of students enrolled in AP courses have grown rapidly the past decade, many high schools are creating summer enrichment opportunities for students to get a jump start on their Advanced Placement track by offering boot camps. Discover and share in the experience from hosting a summer boot camp by getting a jump on essential themes, vocabulary, academic development skills, and geospatial resources to create your own boot camp in your district.

3:40 - 4:00 p.m.

Session 4: Incorporating ArcGIS Online in the AP Human Geography Classroom

Judith Bock (Elmhurst College)

“Discover, use, make, and share maps from any device, anywhere, anytime.” (Esri, Inc.) Sounds like a pretty amazing statement, but it’s true. Esri's ArcGIS Online is a key, state-of-the-art, cloud-based, geographic technology. You will be introduced to features, functions and story maps of ArcGIS Online. You will discover how to get started in your own school, how to “meet-up” with a Geo-Mentor if you need help, and where to find already designed lesson plans, ready for your use in AP Human Geography curriculum.

4:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Session 5: Shop Talk

Moderators: Mike Sublett (Illinois State University) and Amy Bloom (Illinois Geographic Alliance)

Q&A session for conference participants to ask questions, share information, and offer solutions. Topics may include the 2015 AP Human Geography Exam and Reading, the AP Human Geography syllabus approval process, the new IGA AP Human Geography video project, lesson plans, classroom experiences, etc.

4:30 p.m.

Conference Wrap-Up

Amy Bloom (Illinois Geographic Alliance)