Online for the 2025-2026 School Year
Teacher: Carol Ann Gillespie
Email: cagillespie99@gmail.com
Course Description: This course prepares the student for the AP Human Geography exam given in May. It introduces students to the study of the patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of the Earth’s surface. Students use spatial concepts to examine human interaction with the environment. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice.
This is a year-long course for grades 9 through 12 that is designed to meet or exceed the experience of an introductory one-semester college human geography course. This is NOT an “Advanced” high school course. This IS a COLLEGE course!
The class does not "meet" at a certain time or day of the week. The students work independently and we "talk" on our very active discussion board. Students also watch YouTube videos of me explaining key concepts every week. This makes this class a good fit for the student who must adjust a busy schedule to include sports, debate, church activities, the performing arts, or travel. We are VERY flexible as many of our students participate in national forensics, sports, performing arts, and other competitive activities. I will email parents AND students with class website login and access information the week prior to the start of classes (August 30!)
This class is not reading or writing-intensive; however, there is a reading and writing assignment due each week and occasional fieldwork projects in which the student explores his or her local community and does research. Other assignments include a research review of an actual case study and several interactive labs.
Student Description: Grades 9 - 12. This class is sometimes considered an introduction or "gateway" to AP testing!
Instructor’s Background: My Ph.D. in Geography Education is from Texas State University – San Marcos and I have taught geography for over 20 years in both the traditional classroom and online. In addition, I have been involved with AP Human Geography's ongoing development since the course’s inception. I have served as an AP Reading Exam Leader and Reader, and written questions for the exam. I also wrote the essay “Survival of a Folk Culture- The Old Order Amish” on the AP® Human Geography website. I wrote and update the AP Human Geography Review Book for McGraw-Hill’s ”5 Steps to a 5” curriculum. As a cultural geographer, I love to travel and explore regions and their people. I want to share some of the exciting and wonderful discoveries I have made with you!
Textbooks and Required Resources:
-
Bjelland, Updated AP Human Geography, 13th ed, 2023 McGraw-Hill - ISBN-13:9781265642204
-
5 Steps to a 5: A.P. Human Geography, latest edition, McGraw-Hill
-
Mountain Mists: Appalachian Folkways of West Virginia - McClain Printing Co - 2009, 2020 - available on Thrift Books, Amazon, etc. or from me with a class discount
-
Internet Access and Internet Explorer 6.0 or above (MAC is also acceptable).
-
Optional Summer Reading List for Good Background in Human Geography (to be emailed after registration)