LANDER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL! 2014-2015

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Keys for Success

✓ Come to class prepared

✓Be respectful of others

✓Don’t fa! behind

✓Take accountability

✓Study! Study! Study!

As your Teacher I will

✓Make lessons interesting

✓Provide a detailed Study Guide

✓Treat you a! equa!y

✓Do everything in my power to be fair and help you succeed

American HistoryWelcome to American History

Course Description

Welcome! I look forward to getting to know each of you as the semester progresses. My goal is to make this course as interesting and relevant as possible. As a teacher, I believe in creating a classroom where the subject matter has a purpose. I also believe that teaching is a cooperative relationship. It is the duty of the teacher to know the material and make it interesting and it is the responsibility of the student to be prepared and willing to learn. Together, with each party doing its part, the miracle of learning can occur, to the benefit of all.

OVERVIEW

Recent surveys and polls taken of American youth have revealed that most do not have a basic understanding of significant historical events of the 20th century. A current trend holds that American youth are more concerned with the present and future rather than the past. This trend

can have damaging effects. It can rob us all of the richness or our heritage and handicap our ability to understand and appreciate other cultures. A nation that cannot remember why it was born or what it stands for cannot be expected to long endure. The goal of this course is to prevent American amnesia.

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WORLD HISTORY

This course will study the events and people of American History dating from roughly 1846 to the present day.

COURSE ORGANIZATION

Unit 4: Division and Uneasy ReunionDuration: First semester! This unit entails the events that led the US to its first and only Civil War. It will also cover the War itself in detail as well as the reconstruction period.Chapters: 10-12

Unit 5: Rewards and CostsDuration: First semester! This unit focuses on the expansion west, conflict with Native Americans, urban life, changing women's roles and the events and technologies at the turn of the century.Chapters: 13-16

Unit 6: The United States on the Brink of ChangeDuration: First semester! This unit covers the Progressive Era, the Spanish American War, American Imperialism, new ideologies and the events leading to and of the first world war.Chapters 17-19

Unit 7: Boom to Hard TimesDuration: Second semester! This unit studies the fascinating time period deemed the roaring twenties. It will also cover the stock market crash, great depression and the new deal.Chapters 20-23

Unit 8: Hot and Cold WarDuration: Second semester! In this unit, students will explore the events of World War II, the postwar economy and the origins of the Cold War.Chapters 24-27

Unit 9: A Period of Turmoil and ChangeDuration: Second semester! This unit studies the Civil Rights Movement, John F. Kennedy’s Great Society, counterculture and the Vietnam War Years. Ideally we cover this and more of the modern era, time permitting.Chapters 28-31

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WORLD HISTORY

COURSE EXPECTATIONS

•! Keep up with the assigned readings I will provide•! Come to class prepared to participate and learn. This includes having the following materials:

#2 pencil and paper3 or 4 inch three-ring notebook unit study guidecurrent assignment

•! Be in your seat ready to work when the tardy bell rings. •! Cell phones are not to be used in class.•! iPods are not to be used during class unless permission is given and can only be used for music ! with one headphone in so you can hear me should I have something to say.•! No game devices.•! You are expected to contribute to class discussions, activities, and projects.•! Sleeping in class will not be permitted nor tolerated at any time!•! No food or drink in the classroom. Bottled water is ok!•! Assignments that are not legible will not be graded until they are re-written in a legible fashion.•! Assignments without name or an illegible name will receive a full letter grade deduction.•! Do not work on other courses during this course.•! Do not talk when the teacher is talking!•! You will be respectful to others, this includes the use of profanity!•! Students are expected to be self sufficient, this means they are to take responsibility to pick up ! assignments that they missed, talk to me about how to raise their grade, and are responsible ! themselves to retake any quizzes or tests they have missed.

Homework:Homework will mostly consist of personal study. You will receive a unit unit study at the beginning of each unit of study, go over it daily! Some assignments will be assigned throughout the year to do at home. Most work however can be completed during the allotted school hour. Additional homework will NOT be assigned during weekends or holidays! Also, to help preserve your weekend, I will do my best to prevent testing on Mondays.

Late Work: !Any unit assignment that is turned in late will be accepted for 60% of its original value. After a unit is completed, late work for that unit will no longer be accepted. Tests must be taken within two days upon return to school or the test will be recorded as a zero.

Make-Up Work:It is your responsibility to collect and complete any work that is missed due to an excused absence. You will have two days to complete makeup work due to illness or any other “excused absence” without a reduction in grade. Unexcused absences will not receive the opportunity to make up missed assignments.

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WORLD HISTORY

COURSE EXPECTATIONS

Re-takes:Assignments that receive a score lower than a C may be re-taken. These assignments have to be re-submitted one day after it has been handed back. Re-takes will only receive at best a C letter grade.

Tests/Exams* may also be re-taken if the score is lower than a C or 75%. One week will be allotted for all test re-takes. Students re-taking a test can only receive at best a C or 75%. All re-takes will occur before or after school.

Quizzes must be taken within two days of your return from an excused absence. Pop quizzes cannot be re-taken but can be made up if missed. Your quiz score will be permanent.

*Subject to change based upon department policy

Debates/Discussions:Please wait for a natural pause before speaking during a classroom discussion. Do not interrupt or personally criticize anyone! Help make everyone feel comfortable in our classroom. Be prepared to defend your position/opinion with facts.

Bathroom Policy/Passes:On the first day of school or a new quarter/semester, students will be issued 4 Tiger Passes. Passes can be used in many ways. The most commonly used method is to go to the bathroom. Students wishing to leave and go to the rest room need only to fill out their pass and turn it in the box on the wall before leaving. Students are limited to 4 passes per unit! They must have them in their possession to use them. I am not responsible for lost passes! Pass uses are listed below:

1) To go to the bathroom2)To get supplies or a missing assignment3) To borrow a pencil, pen or paper4)To avoid a late penalty [single day only]5) To buy a food pass6)Two can be used to get your cell phone back at the end of class7)Unused passes can be turned for assignment exemption. Ask Mr. Hardy for details.

Extra Credit:There are two ways to earn extra credit. The first method is to take good notes during class and show them to Mr. Hardy following the completion of a unit. The second method is to complete Mr. Hardy’s challenge. I believe that in order to receive extra credit, extra work must be involved.

Intellectual Honesty/Plagiarism:Cheating and/or plagiarism will result in a zero on the assignment in question. Please consult the student handbook for more details regarding plagiarism.

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WORLD HISTORY

COURSE EXPECTATIONS

Unit Challenges:Each unit I will offer the class an academic challenge. It could be one to take better notes, to raise quiz or test scores or one that is behavior based. On occasion, I will allow student to set their own personal goal. During the unit, students will have to prove that they are achieving their goal through documentation. If they prove they worked hard on their goal and showed improvement they will be rewarded with 5% extra credit for the unit.

Office Hours:I am available each day approximately an hour before and an hour after school. Please schedule or make me aware of a planned visit at least one day in advance. Office hours are subject to change due to coaching responsibilities.

Grading:Your grade will be based on your academic performance. The school grading scale is:

100 – 90% = A [Advanced]89 – 80% = B [Proficient]79 – 70% = C [Basic]69 – 60% = D [Below Basic]59 – Below = F

Exams/Quizzes and Final = 70% of your overa! gradeClasswork/Projects/Assignments = 30% of your overa! grade

Much of what is assigned is graded objectively. However, it is not possible to grade all assignments in this fashion, particularly essays/compositions. If you do not understand why you received a certain grade, it is your right and responsibility to discuss your concern with me in private!

Advanced: Students at the advanced level use their knowledge of social studies in complex and abstract situations and can analyze, synthesize, and communicate information and ideas.Proficient: Students at the proficient level use concepts and skills to acquire and communicate information and ideas. To gain proficiency, students must earn an 80% or higher in the class!Basic: Students at the basic level ineffectively use knowledge and skills to acquire and communicate information and ideas.Below Basic: Students at the below basic level in social studies require extensive support or provide little or no evidence in meeting the standard.