All 4s and 5s: A Guide to Teaching and Leading Advanced Placement Programs

I've taught APUSH for several years and decided it was time to overhaul the class in the hopes of increasing student scores. This book offers ideas and insights into building a specific culture in your classroom geared toward one thing--4s and 5s. It's most positive attribute is actually what some reviews have complained about--the lack of numerous specific examples. It is true that the book does not offer a huge amount of tactics or strategy; however, it stresses a few very specific techniques. I can see a first year teacher being frustrated with the lack of specifics in the book, but if you have taught for a number of years, have multiple lessons and ideas under your belt, and are looking for a way to focus and implement what you have through a tested framework than this book is for you.

I am on my third year teaching AP Human Geography. My first years scores were 74%, which I was thrilled with. I assumed I'd do at least as well the second year and had hopes of seeing some gains. I was very, very, sadly, disappointingly wrong. I ran across this book on Twitter, and thought I'd check it out for some ideas for end of year review. I am so glad that I started reading it before the year got started, because there are things I want to implement right out of the gate! I'm only on chapter three, but wanted to write the review now so that if you are considering this book you will just go ahead and buy it.AP is implementing a major overhaul this year with their test structure and online quizzes. The ideas I've read so far will work perfectly with those changes. Just one example, take the quizzes as a student with you classes. Sounds weird, but the reasoning the author gives makes perfect sense! With AP's online quizzes, you'll be on a level playing field too, having not written the questions.As a teacher, I work really hard and want my students to do well. I also realize I can get lost in the forest and overwhelmed with the curriculum articulation and the breadth of material I have to cover. This book has given me confidence that I can implement some good techniques that will truly help my students get ALL 4's and 5's. Really!One more thing, the ideas for helping students become better at writing have me super excited! Teaching writing has always been my weakness, and now I feel I can do it.

I wish I could put my finger on what irritated me about this book. I don’t disagree with what he said (in fact, I’ve been practicing most of what he says for years—especially the “us vs exam”), but I did not enjoy this read. Maybe it’s because it gave me nothing new that I didn’t already do—which means if you are brand new to AP it may sit better with you and be helpful. But I FELT like I was being spoken to by some hotshot who was a rock star in a classroom for six years then went on to lead the peon losers who chose to stay in the classroom for their entire career rather than start a consulting group. As one of those veteran peons, the tone rubbed me the wrong way. I don’t think it was intentional. But if you are a dedicated veteran, be prepared to be rubbed the wrong way. Bottom line—GREAT advice overall for Noobs. Veterans, if you bristle at hotshots, stay clear.To the author, if you write a revised edition, please keep this in mind. To someone who has been in the classroom since you were in high school, this comes off not unlike when you looked at your watch to that veteran teacher who was late. Unintentional, but still a bad taste.

A very easy read full of practical strategies that any Advanced Placement (AP) teacher can implement easily into their classroom practices and culture. It doesn't matter what AP subject you teach- from art, to calculus, to history- this book will assist you. Sharos provides clear guidelines for his SCORES system which he uses as a philosophical and practical framework to guide his AP teaching. Want to know how to create a supportive classroom for your AP students? Its in here. Want to know how to implement writing conferences with students? Its in here. Want to know how to get your district administrative support for your course or program? Its in here. Sharos uses many personal stories from teaching to illustrate how his ideas have worked in the classroom setting. As a new AP teacher who just finished his first year teaching AP World History, I can testify how teaching these courses can be a daunting task. I look forward to having a much smoother plan and structure and higher student achievement for the upcoming school year due to the ideas presented in this book.

As an APUSH teacher, I found "All 4s and 5s" to be a reflective, refreshing, and quick read. The timing of the book's release was perfect for me, as I purchased this during AP review crunch time; the book is filled with honest and practical advice to begin implementing in your classroom and AP school program. I immediately started revising lessons, based on Sharos' SCORES system and plan to revise my classroom even more over the summer. Some of my personal favorites from the book include writing conferences, AP recruitment, and analyzing AP scores. I would suggest this book for AP teachers and school administrators to grow and support a successful AP program and college readiness skills in your students.

This book is the book I would write, if I could. This book inspired me to be a better teacher. I found it validating, thought provoking, and motivating. The reader can feel Andrew's passion for teaching and love of students in every chapter. The strategies Andrew introduces are easy to adopt and put into place. I encourage all AP teachers, bu especially APUSH teachers, to get this book and read it. You won't be disappointed.

For only twenty bucks, I was able to learn tips and strategies that will have a lasting impact on my students and their education development. This book is a quick read filled with real world examples based on Andrew's time executing these strategies. This author has clearly forged these lessons from the daily struggles and joys of working with high school students. This book is not filled with fluff like so many educational books you may read. 100% WORTH THE PRICE!!!