Course Syllabus

U.S HISTORY SYLLABUS

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This course surveys the important and influential movements and struggles in the United States. The study of selected topics will emphasize their impact on American and world societies today. The student will read eyewitness accounts of these events, as well as the accounts of historians. Primary sources, secondary sources, Supreme Court decisions, news articles and documentary films will be used as sources. Class discussion will be stressed as a means of helping students weigh evidence and arrive at personal conclusions. This course is a college prep class and meets high school graduation requirements.

INSTRUCTOR:

Brian Kingman

Paloma Valley High School

Room S-114

brian.kingman@puhsd.org

(951) 672-6030 ext.22269

TEXTBOOK: The Americans: Reconstruction To The 21^st Century

Copyright 2006 by McDougal Littell Inc.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Student will need a notebook for the class. Lined paper, dark ink pens and #2 pencils, and chrome books are needed.
2. Students will be required to take the District Final Exam in U.S History.

EXPECTATIONS: Students are expected to

1. Be prepared and to stay on task while in class.
2. Participate in classroom discussions.
3. Submit assignments on the due date. Late work will be accepted for a reduced grade.
4. Complete all reading assignments and written assignments before a chapter exam.
5. Be in class when the final bell rings.
6. Follow all of Mr. Kingman’s classroom rules, procedures, and expectations.
7. Work with others in the classroom and create a positive classroom environment.

ASSIGNMENTS:

Students are responsible for all material covered in the class, including chapter notes, worksheets, handouts, classroom assignments, homework assignments and preparation for test and the final exam. Assignments will be completed before the class starts on the due date. Students must pick up a re-admit slip at the attendance office window before school, nutrition, or lunch when they return from an absence. If the absence is on a day of a test, the next test will count double points. If the absence is UNEXCUSED, the points possible for the assignment (test, quiz, homework, etc.) will receive zero credit. Unexcused absences will not be tolerated. Parent permission is NOT an approved excused absence.

DISTRICT GRADING POLICY:

1. Letter grades are based on percentages indicated in the chart below as per district grading policy and according to the total number of points possible during the semester.

A=100%-90% B=89%-80% C=79%-70% D=69%-60% F=59%-0%

Grades based on tests, quizzes, class assignments, homework, assignments, notebook, active classroom participation, projects, and the District Final Exam.

1. Please remember, I do not give grades, students earn them. This class is required for graduation.
2. Excessive absences will adversely affect one’s grade.

CLASSROOM DISCPLINE:

Respectful, mature behavior is expected at all times. Following school and classroom rules and common courtesy will be followed. Disruptive students will be referred to the Assistance Principle for disciplinary action. Students are expected to be on time, prepared for class, and ready to learn daily when they enter the classroom.

LATE WORK POLICY:

If any assignment is not turned in on time, I will allow until the end of the 6 week grading period for students to turn in a late assignment for ½ credit if the assignment is completed and done correctly. If a late assignment is turned in incomplete, I will not grade it and it will remain in the gradebook as a zero. All late work MUST be turned in completed entirely in order to receive a grade. Any work turned in past the 6 week progress period that it was due will not be accepted.

TESTING POLICIES: Chapter tests make up a large percentage of a student’s final grade and should be taken seriously. Tests are given every 1-2 weeks throughout the school year. If a student misses a test, the percentage from the next test with be applied to the missed test score. If a student fails a test and would like to improve their grade to a passing score, they are to turn in a hand written one-page paper explaining in great detail at least ten (10) significant events from that chapter.

EXTRA CREDIT:

One extra credit assignment will be given out each semester in order to help students improve their grade in the course. The assignment will be worth 5 percent of the student’s final grade if completed correctly.

CELL PHONE POLICY:

Cell phones are becoming more of a classroom distraction than ever before. Therefore, Students will be required to place their cell phones into a designated cell phone holder inside the classroom at the beginning of class daily. Students can only retrieve their cell phones once they have completed the required assignment of the day, or at the end of the period.

PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE:

Please sign and date below that you have read and understand the requirements and expectations for your student in this class.

Student Name:______________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name:_______________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature:____________________________________________

Parent/Guardian email address:_________________________________________

Parent/Guardian phone number:_________________________________________

Date:______________________________________________________________