Changes

*how effective your test-taking techniques are during the exam itself (see, for example, the techniques mentioned earlier in this course)

*how effective your test-taking techniques are during the exam itself (see, for example, the techniques mentioned earlier in this course)

Master all three aspects of exam preparation listed above and you will maximize your score.  For some, that will mean scoring at the top of the class; for others, it will mean improving what your score would have been otherwise.

Master all three aspects of exam preparation listed above and you will maximize your score.  For some, that will mean scoring at the top of our class; for others, it will mean improving what your score would have been otherwise.

View an exam as a fun challenge, like participating in a contest.  Your performance in the race or game depends on your time spent preparing, how effectively you prepared, and how effectively you tried during the contest itself.   

View an exam as a fun challenge, like participating in a contest.  Your performance in the race or game depends on your time spent preparing, how effectively you prepared, and how effectively you tried during the contest itself.   

If this were a sporting event, then everyone would recognize and honor the winners, just as we do in the Olympics, the World Series, and the Super Bowl.  We will also honor the winners (top scorers) with awards.  At the end of the class we will also give awards to the most improved students.  This friendly competition is intended to bring out the best in everyone, and motivate them to do better than they might otherwise.   

If this were a sporting event, then everyone would recognize and honor the winners, just as we do in the Olympics, the World Series, and the Super Bowl.  We will also honor the winners (top scorers) with awards.  At the end of our course we will also give awards to the most improved students.  This friendly competition is intended to bring out the best in everyone, and motivate all to do better than we might otherwise.   

If you think it is impossible to know every event in the list at the end of this lecture, we will likely see top scorers on next week's exam who are able to learn nearly every event.  A student "who hustles while he waits," as Edison said, can find a ton of extra time for preparing that he did not realize existed before.

Do not think it is impossible to know every event in the list at the end of this Lecture; we will likely see top scorers on next week's exam who are able to learn nearly every event.  A student "who hustles while he waits," as Thomas Edison said, can find a ton of extra time for preparing that he did not realize existed before.

Recall how the homeschoolers Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Edison approached the challenges in their life.  They saw challenge as opportunity, and gave it their best shot.  They knew that success in life is due almost entirely to "perspiration" (work) rather than inborn traits like IQ.  Lincoln and Edison would give this exam their best shot, and so can you.  Be one of the students who wins an award for scoring among the highest in the class.

Recall how the homeschoolers Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Edison approached the challenges in their life.  They saw challenge as opportunity, and gave it their best shot.  They knew that success in life is due almost entirely to "perspiration" (work) rather than inborn traits like IQ.  Lincoln and Edison would have given this exam their best shot, and so can you.  Be one of the students who wins an award for scoring among the highest in the class.

Several students have informed me that they will be taking the CLEP American History exam in order to earn college credit.  Congratulations to those students already for showing initiative, and hopefully others will consider attempting to earn college credit also.

Several students have informed me that they will be taking the CLEP American History exam in order to earn college credit.  Congratulations to those students for showing initiative, and hopefully others will consider attempting to earn college credit also.

== Midterm Exam ==

== Midterm Exam ==

Because several students are taking the CLEP exam, and because it is the best of the College Board exams, we will follow its format.  The CLEP exam divides American history into two periods.  The first CLEP American history exam covers through Reconstruction (Lectures One through Six, but not Seven), just like our midterm exam.  Our midterm exam will follow the CLEP's subject matter breakdown for questions:

Because several students are taking the CLEP exam, and because it is the best of the College Board exams, we will follow its format.  The CLEP exam divides American history into two periods.  The first CLEP American History exam covers through Reconstruction (Lectures One through Six, but not Seven), just like our midterm exam.  Our midterm exam will follow the CLEP's subject matter breakdown for questions:

:35% of questions are on politics, such as the president, Congress and government policy

:35% of questions are on politics, such as the President, Congress and government policy

:25% on social developments, such as slavery, utopian communities, religious and reform movements

:25% on social developments, such as slavery, Utopian communities, religious and reform movements

:15% on intellectual and cultural developments, such as books and inventions

:15% on intellectual and cultural developments, such as books and inventions

:15% on foreign policy, such as foreign wars, treaties and diplomacy

:15% on foreign policy, such as foreign wars, treaties and diplomacy

:10% on economics, such as inflation, taxes, and protective tariffs

:10% on economics, such as inflation, taxes, and protective tariffs

In terms of the time period, only 30% of the first CLEP exam (through Reconstruction) is devoted to the beginning of time to 1789.  So do not start with that period and burn out before you study the period of 1790 to 1877, where 70% of the questions are from.  Do not waste too much time studying exploration, settlement and colonial America!  Perhaps only 10% of the CLEP exam (and our exam) will cover that period.  Students often make a big mistake in preparation by not allocating their study time properly.

In terms of the time period, only 30% of the first CLEP exam (through Reconstruction) is devoted to the beginning of time to 1789.  So do not start with that period and burn out before you study the period of 1790 to 1877, where 70% of the questions are from.  Do not waste too much time studying exploration, settlement and colonial America!  Perhaps only 10% of the CLEP exam (and our exam) will cover that period.  Students often make a big mistake in preparation by not allocating their study time properly.  Avoid that mistake and spend your study time wisely.

== Preparation and Test-Taking Tips ==

== Preparation and Test-Taking Tips ==

A concept similar to "time is money" applies to studying for exams.  You will spend a certain amount of time preparing for the midterm exam.  Call that total amount of time "x".  How you allocate that time to different areas of the overall time period (1500-1877) will make a difference on how well you do on the exam.  If you spend 90% of x on the period between 1500 and 1700, then you will do poorly on 90% of the questions, because they will be from the period 1700 to 1877.  You would have done far better to spend the 90% of x on the time period that will have 90% of the questions.

A concept similar to "time is money" applies to studying for exams.  You will spend a certain amount of time preparing for the midterm exam.  Call that total amount of time "x".  How you allocate that time to different areas of the overall time period (1500-1877) will make a difference on how well you do on the exam.  If you spend 90% of x on the period between 1500 and 1700, then you will do poorly on 90% of the questions, because they will be from the period 1700 to 1877.  You would have done far better to spend the 90% of x on the time period that will have 90% of the questions.

How hard you try while taking the exam will also count towards your score.  It helps immensely to identify the time period of a history question before trying to answer it.  In doing this, it helps to know which presidents served when.  You can memorize a [[Presidents of the United States|list of presidents]] if you prefer.  Or maybe you can figure it out from what you learned in the lectures.  Test yourself: who was president in 1842?<ref>[[John Tyler]]</ref>  Who was the president in 1826?<ref>[[John Quincy Adams]]</ref>

How hard you try while taking the exam will also count towards your score.  It helps immensely to identify the time period of a history question before trying to answer it.  In doing this, it helps to know which presidents served when.  You can memorize a list of presidents if you prefer.<ref>See [[Presidents of the United States]].</ref> Or maybe you can figure it out from what you learned in the lectures.  Test yourself: who was president in 1842?<ref>[[John Tyler]]</ref>  Who was the president in 1826?<ref>[[John Quincy Adams]]</ref>

There will be several cartoons on the exam.  Realize that cartoons are a way for someone to describe facts with a point of view, in order to make a political statement.  The cartoonist uses caricatures and draws situations in order to express a point of view.  The key to deciphering cartoons is to pay close attention to detail, to pick up all the clues.

There will be several cartoons on the exam.  Realize that cartoons are a way for someone to describe facts with a point of view, in order to make a political statement.  The cartoonist uses caricatures and draws situations in order to express a point of view.  The key to deciphering cartoons is to pay close attention to detail, to pick up all the clues.

Then I fill in the other presidents in between, with reasons why they were not so conservative.

Then I fill in the other presidents in between, with reasons why they were not so conservative.

For example, Thomas Jefferson was not particularly conservative because he was personally opposed to religion in government, unsuccessfully fought the Tripoli War, continued some of Alexander Hamilton's big government programs (like a national bank), and imposed the Embargo Act against trade with Europe.  You may find this approach helpful in organizing and remembering all of American History since George Washington.  Or perhaps you have your own approach for keeping the presidents straight, and organizing historical events.  The point is to find something that ''works for you'', and then use it to master the material.

For example, Thomas Jefferson was not particularly conservative because he was slightly opposed to religion in government; unsuccessfully fought the Tripoli War; continued some of Alexander Hamilton's big government programs (like a national bank); and imposed the Embargo Act against trade with Europe.  You may find this approach helpful in organizing and remembering all of American History since George Washington.  Or perhaps you have your own approach for keeping the presidents straight, and organizing historical events.  The point is to find something that ''works for you'', and then use it to master the material.

== Self-Motivation ==

== Self-Motivation ==

A key part of success on an exam -- and in life -- is learning how to motivate yourself.  The top scores on the midterm exam will probably not be by students who like history the most.  It will likely be by students who motivate themselves the best in order to succeed.

A key part of success on an exam -- and in life -- is learning how to motivate yourself.  The top scores on the midterm exam will probably not be by students who like history the most.  It will likely be by students who motivate themselves the most in order to succeed.

We saw an example of motivation in connection with the original Jamestown settlement in 1607.  At first, nobody wanted to work, and the settlement was failing.  Grown men were spending the afternoons having games of bowling rather than working.

We saw an example of motivation in connection with the original Jamestown settlement in 1607.  At first, nobody wanted to work, and the settlement was failing.  Grown men were spending the afternoons playing games of bowling rather than working.

Then John Smith arrived, and he had a simple means of motivation:  those who do not work, do not eat.  Do you think people started working then?  Of course.  And they were much happier and healthier for it.

Then John Smith arrived, and he had a simple means of motivation:  those who do not work, do not eat.  Do you think people started working then?  Of course.  And they were much happier and healthier for it.

Sometimes adults still use that motivation of putting off meals until work is finished.  But there are other effective motivational techniques also.  Take something you enjoy, such as watching a sports game, and deprive yourself of it until you finish your work.  You will enjoy the game better that way.  Or, as many successful adults do, learn to reward yourself for hard work.

Sometimes adults still use that motivation of putting off meals until work is finished.  There are also other effective motivational techniques.  Take something you enjoy, such as watching a sports game, and deprive yourself of it until you finish your work.  You will enjoy the game better that way.  Or, on the most positive side, learn to reward yourself for hard work.

== Key Terms Through Reconstruction ==

== Key Terms Through Reconstruction ==

Listed below are the key terms for the first half of American history (through Reconstruction).  The highlighted terms are the most important, and the ones for students to focus on first.  The non-highlighted terms are more for the students in the "honors" portion of this course.  Any of these terms may appear on the exams in this course.  Several of our students are already planning to take the CLEP exam, and anyone doing that should know as many of these terms as possible.

Listed below are the key terms for the first half of American history (through Reconstruction).  The highlighted terms are the most important, and the ones for students to focus on first.  The non-highlighted terms are more for the students in the "honors" portion of this course.   

The list is not as daunting as it appears.  Homeschoolers who win the spelling bees memorize the entire dictionary, which is tens of thousands of words.  This list is only about 321 terms.  A homeschooler like Abraham Lincoln or Thomas Edison would diligently memorize and know the meaning of all the terms on this list, not because they are smarter, but because they believed in trying their best.  You can try your best -- everyone can -- and you find lots of time for this that is otherwise wasted.

 

This list is not as daunting as it appears.  Homeschoolers who win the spelling bees memorize the entire dictionary, which is tens of thousands of words.  This list is only about 321 terms.  A homeschooler like Abraham Lincoln or Thomas Edison would diligently memorize and know the meaning of all the terms on this list, not because they are smarter, but because they believed in trying their best.  You can try your best -- everyone can -- and you find lots of time for this that is otherwise wasted.

This chart can be used effectively to quiz yourself.  Pick out any term, and try to identify its time period and who was president.  Does the term refer to foreign policy (e.g., dealings with a foreign country) or domestic policy (e.g., an issue internal to the United States)?  Even if you don't recall immediately the meaning of the term, try to figure it out based on what you do know.

This chart can be used effectively to quiz yourself.  Pick out any term, and try to identify its time period and who was president.  Does the term refer to foreign policy (e.g., dealings with a foreign country) or domestic policy (e.g., an issue internal to the United States)?  Even if you don't recall immediately the meaning of the term, try to figure it out based on what you do know.