I. Major Topics Covered
A. The objective for U.S. History consists of successfully completing the coursework for the year and sufficiently mastering the U.S. History curriculum content benchmarks. The student must pass this course in order to be eligible for a high school diploma. Students must obtain 60% in the class in order to pass.
B. Topics Covered in U.S. History & Government:
1) The New Nation and the New Government System.
2) Reconstruction: 1865-1877
3) Industrial America: 1862-1900
4) The Emergence of Modern America: 1898-1929
5) Depression and World War II: 1930-1945
6) Postwar United States: 1946-1968
7) Contemporary United States: 1968-Present
II. Materials and Supplies
The following are necessary for success in this class:
1) One three ring binder for storage of handouts, homework, quizzes, chapter and unit tests, and daily notes.
2) One marble type notebook for current events journal writing.
3) Blue or black ballpoint pens, No. 2 pencils, and a highlighter.
III. Classroom Expectations
Homework: Students will be given some type of assignment to prepare each night. Typical assignments include written tasks, (i.e. essays, short answer questions, map work, speeches, projects, etc.), readings, research, or studying for a quiz or test. Homework will be graded, returned, and included as a part of the course grade.
Testing: Unannounced quizzes may and will be given at anytime. Chapter and unit tests will always be announced at least two days in advance, and will usually be scheduled on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thrusday.
Projects: These may and will include debates, mock trials, speeches, PowerPoint presentations, dioramas, videos, student newspapers, creative construction, oral presentations, etc. Projects will be done both individually and in groups. Students will be expected to work both in and out of the class on these major assignments. Projects will be weighted similarly to that of a test grade.
Notebooks: Students will maintain a notebook for daily notes and a separate one for current events journal writing. Notebooks will be collected and graded at random throughout the year, at least once each quarter.
Grading: Students will receive numerical grades based upon their class work, tests, quizzes, homework, projects, participation, and effort. Grades will be calculated on a straight average process. Students will be expected to put forth their best efforts. Effort will be graded based upon student preparation, participation, general attitude, and meeting all class expectations. Letter grades will be issued for effort assignments.
Incentive Programs: Students may work toward homework exemptions. Any student maintaining a mimimum 85% homework average and maintaining an "A" effort average within the class will receive a homework pass. Studnets may also work towards chapter or quarterly test exemptions. Any student maintaining a minimum 90% academic average and maintaining an "A" effort average within the calss will receive a test exmption pass. No more than two text exemptions will be allowed each quarter.
Make-up Work: Students are required to complete all work on time. Students may need to make-up work due to illness or some exceptional family concern. Students must make up work due to the amove reason within a reasonable time frame - no later than 3 school days. Make-up work may require a student's presence after school. Failure to make up work will result in a ZERO for the missing assignment. It is the student's responsibility to find out what assignments were missed. Late work will be down graded if unexcused.
Quality Work: Students are expected to develop quality products when completing assignments. Wrk must reflect the student's own sound reasoning and thought. Written work should be done in complete sentences and portray student effort. Students may be asked to redo unsatisfactory work. CHEATING IS ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITED and students will be held accountable for any infractions.
Extra Help: Students may stay any afternoon, or come in any morning early for extra help. Studens may also consult the teacher during coinciding free periods or during lunch. However, students MUST notify the teacher in making plans to meet outside the scheduled class period.
Student Behavior: Students are expected to display care, concern, and respect for the teacher and each other in the classroom during each lesson. Compromising the learning process in the classroom is intolerable and will be treated accordingly.
Class WebPages: A website has been set up for this class to allow both students and parents to keep track of course work, assignments, and expectations. This site will be updated daily and should be used as a resource for both students and parents.
TO VIEW JOURNAL SAMPLE AND THEMES YOU MUST HAVE A COMPUTER THAT SUPPORTS MICROSOFT WORD.
