Doug Kaplan
Data based on 2 reviews.
What kind of test questions does this teacher use most often (choose one):
Multiple ChoiceIs the teacher available for extra help during study halls, lunchtime, before or after school, etc.?
Almost AlwaysThe teacher responds to emails promptly. Do you...
Strongly AgreeThe teacher posts in-class materials online for reference (slides, etc.):
Almost AlwaysThe teacher lets us know at the beginning of the course and along the way how much each part of the class (homework, papers, quizzes and tests) counts towards our total grade:
Strongly AgreeHow much homework does this teacher assign?
Way too muchThe amount of writing required in this class is:
Very HighThe teacher allows us to use technology in class (e.g. laptop, calculator, smart pen, etc.)
Almost AlwaysHow much memorization is required to do well in this teacher’s course?
Very HighWhat advice would you give yourself if you were just starting the class now?
Class of 2027
- pay attention in class, Kaplan always finds a way to make the class interesting. he is a good teacher, but not so great AP teacher, as you will see later. if you don't understand something, ask him and he will explain it eloquently, but you have to ask for it, otherwise he won't explain the concept - do your flashcards and outlines. outline checks test your memorization of specific parts of the textbook and quizzes your conceptual understanding. the flashcards are sometimes graded so its better to be prepared than not. you will have at least one flashcard check every unit. - don't try to be fancy and use some ai generated outlines, they will only waste your time. just do the outlines, they're easier than you think - Kaplan does not teach the concept itself, but rather demonstrates applications of it: it is up to you to prepare the concepts - if you have to do an assignment and you're only partially finished, ask Kaplan if you can turn it in late. If he says yes, turn it in late instead of turning it in incomplete. his late credit policy is very generous, at only -5% per day - do not think prior knowledge is going to carry you through the class. it's not. Kaplan treats this class as a college-level class. - make sure you thoroughly know the material, as the tests are mostly memorization, especially in the latter half of the year - listen to writing advice. Kaplan believes his frq method is superior to all other writing methods. It certainly is for Frq #1, #2 and argumentative essay #4. - disregard ALL writing advice for the SCOTUS FRQ #3; only follow the advice for the in-class assignments, do not use on the actual exam as it is ineffective and will waste your valuable time on exam day. On the actual exam, they are not expecting you to write 4 paragraphs, they're only expecting three, and there is practically no difference between the SCOTUS FRQ and FRQs 1 and 2. - he does not hold favorites, but he grades you to the best of your ability. effort matters to Kaplan a lot, especially on outline checks.
Class of 2024
Know your court cases, outline 5 pages a night to keep up with reading schedule.