Advanced Placement United States History



AP US History 2011-12Mr. WhiteheadBRIAR WOODS HIGH SCHOOLBrambleton, VADear Students and Parents:Students and parents who are looking forward to the Advanced Placement U.S. History class should think ahead about the goals and challenges of the course. Please remember that it is a COLLEGE level class, and expectations are higher than for other high school courses. Students are expected to accept responsibility for completing assignments independently, and to come to class prepared to contribute. Goals of the class include the following:Understanding of American history from pre-Columbian times to the presentDevelopment of skills in evaluating historical materials, both primary and secondaryImprovement of skills in test-taking and essay-writingDevelopment of ability to see history in the context of politics, world events, and economic and social changesRequired activities include the following:1. Completion of independent reading assignments in text and in supplementary books, including summer reading Most students will need to spend at least 2 hours out of class studying for each class period of 90 minutes. 2. Completion of various study materials, including written assignments on each unit3. Essay writing. Students will write IN CLASS for about 60 minutes, about 4 times during each 9 weeks. Writing in class is planned to help students learn to organize ideas and express thoughts clearly within a time limit. Some essays will be on document-based questions (DBQ’s), which will involve reading and evaluating primary sources. ALL TESTS WILL BE ESSAY/MULTIPLE CHOICE TESTS.4. Participation in class discussion. All students will have opportunity for class leadership through presentations, debates, role playing, and various group assignments.5. Preparation for frequent multiple choice quizzes. Practice with tough multiple choice questions will help students prepare for the AP exam and for other standardized tests.The AP Exam is given in May by the College Board, and offers students the opportunity to earn college credit for what they have learned. Not all colleges accept AP credits, but most colleges do give favorable consideration to student applicants who have succeeded in AP classes. The exam is REQUIRED of all students in AP classes. Because this class is taught and graded on the college level, most students will find that it is harder to make A’s. The final grade is slightly weighted in figuring the students’ GPA.It is extremely important that students have good attendance; work goes on every day, and prompt make up work is necessary so that students do not fall behind. No late work will be accepted. A zero will be given. 75% of the course grade will come from tests, quizzes, papers, and projects.25% of the course grade will come from homework and classwork.Extra Credit will not exceed 1% of the quarter grade.Behavior Expectations: Be respectful, kind, and considerate of others.Be on time. If you are late the door to the class will be close. Please wait outside and I will get to you in a minute. 3 times late to class in a quarter results in a Saturday School session.Cell phones, I PODS, smart phones, any kind of electronic gadget will be taken on sight and returned to you at the end of the school day. Pace makers blenders are acceptable.Do not eat your lunch in class. No food please. I do not have a class room. This room is really some other teacher’s classroom. Water and drinks are fine. You have to clean up any mess that is made.The Honor Code is in effect at all times. As one of the creators of this Honor Code I take great pride in enforcing this. No cheating or plagiarism is tolerated. Refer to the honor code in the student hand book for clarification on penalties for violating the code. Integrity and trust are the core values of this course. Advanced Placement United States History2011-12Course Requirements:No Summer Assignment.Read 33 chapters of history, complete 33 homework assignments, and take 33 multiple-choice quizzes.There will be 4 essay/Multiple Choice tests per nine weeks. This includes free response and document based question essays only. Most tests will include an oral component.Read 3 other books: “Profiles In Courage”, “Killer Angels”, and “American Sphinx”. Projects and quizzes accompany the books.Mid-term semester exam.There will be a project for the AP Exam Review in April. More details in the spring.6 week review before/after school for the AP Exam taken in April/May.Why Should I Take This Class?College bound.Surrounded by top students.Challenging.Fun.Rewarding.Gain the competitive edge in college admissions.You will be prepared for the realities of college.Add .7 to your GPA (course only).Loudoun County pays for the AP Exam.Things to consider?You must be willing to dedicate the time to the class.You have to balanced after-school activities/sports with the rigors of AP academics.Excellent attendance.You must be willing to go the extra mile to earn B’s and A’s.You must be willing to learn from mistakes and failure.Advanced Placement United States HistoryUnits of Study Semester 1:Pre-Columbian AmericaEarly Colonial PeriodAmerican RevolutionEarly National PeriodAge of JacksonManifest DestinyCultural/Industrial/Social TransformationsAntebellum AmericaCivil WarReconstruction and Civil RightsHow the West Was WonGilded AgeIndustrial AgePopulismMid Term ExamWe will read Chapters 1-19 in the text. There will be quizzes, homework assignments, terms to identify, chapter outlines, and tests.Students will create a History Fair Project based on the research paper. We will read the books “American Sphix” and parts of “Profiles In Courage”Units of Study Semester 2:ProgressivismImperialism and World War OneRoaring TwentiesGreat Depression and New DealWorld War IICold WarDomestic Policies 1945-PresentWe will read chapters 20-33 in the text book. We will read the book “Killer Angels”.Students will participate in the AP EXAM review sessions in April.Students will complete the Final Exam in early June.Student Name:Address:____________________________________________________________Home Phone Number:_________________________________________________Parent/Guardian Name:Mom:___________________________________Work/Cell Number:_________________Dad:____________________________________Work/Cell Number:_________________Email Address:_____________________________________________________________Complete your course schedule in the table below:A DayCourseTeacherRoom #1st Period2nd Period3rd Period4th PeriodB DayCourseTeacherRoom #5th Period6th PeriodFLEX7th Period8th PeriodDear Parents,Please review the course syllabus and class rules. Please sign below to signify that you understand the course expectations and class rules. Parent signature:____________________________________________Date:___Please contact Mr. Whitehead or anytime you have questions or concerns. I can be reached at 703-957-4400 or email James.Whitehead@Thank you for your support and looking forward to a great year! ................
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