When I do lectures in my APUSH class I have them take notes and relate them take normal notes and relate them to the BAGPIPE themes (Beliefs, America in the World, Geography, Politics and Power, Identity, Peopling, and Economics and Exchange).

Also at the top of this assignment is a long essay type essay prompt. The last 5 minutes of class they have to create a thesis statement. We do this for every chapter after chapter 3 in the American Pageant.