U - Hammill's AP Class



AP U.S. History Classroom Contract

Teacher: Mr. Drew Hammill Email: dreww.hammill@cms.k12.nc.us

Room: 318 Phone:

Website: berryapus.

Course Purpose

AP United States History is a college-level survey history course with a focus on events in the United States from Pre-Columbian Societies to the present. The course is designed to provide students with the analytical skills and factual knowledge to deal critically with the problems and materials in United States History. Students will be learn how to assess historical materials- their relevance to a given interpretative problem, reliability and importance- and to weigh the evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship. College credit for the course is determined by student performance on the AP United States History College Board Exam in May. Course curriculum and expectations are designed to prepare students for the exam as well as college.

Course Objectives

A.P. United States History is a search for an American identity. The course encompasses the scope of American development from the Pre-Columbian cultures through the Reagan Presidency. In turns we will examine a variety of themes:

➢ American Identity: concepts of American exceptionalism and national character

➢ American Diversity: role of race, class, ethnicity, and gender in U.S. History

➢ Culture: collective expression through music, art, and literature of the American identity

➢ Demographic Changes: migration, density, and changes in birth, marriage, and death rates

➢ Economic Transformations: changes in trade, commerce and technology across time

➢ Environmental Changes: concepts about conservation and consumption of natural resources

➢ Globalization and Interdependence: impact of evolving international trade models

➢ Political Traditions: legacies of colonial and revolutionary period, and the evolution of democracy

➢ Reform Movements: social movements to expand rights and improve conditions for citizens

➢ Religion in American Society: the influence of religion on politics, the economy, and society

➢ Slavery and its Legacy: economics of slavery and its political, economic, and social consequences

➢ War and Diplomacy: impact on war on American politics, economy, and society

Course Format

This course is taught to high school students as a college-level course. The depth of focus, rigor and level of commitment is greater than the typical high school history course. AP United States History is taught on the 90-minute block schedule in two semester A-day B-day format. A range of instructional strategies and activities are utilized to facilitate student learning, but not limited to the following: Socratic seminar discussions, lectures, outside readings, debates, primary document analysis and synthesis, web quests, group and individual projects and presentations, and film analysis. However, all material that students are required to know will not be covered in class time. Therefore, all students must utilize readings outside of class and outlines.

Required Materials: Please bring the following to class everyday:

1. 1 inch Three-Ring Binder with college-ruled lined paper: Your notebook will be used to maintain class notes/handouts, class work, study guides, bell ringers, and homework assignments.

2. Dividers: 4 dividers labeled as follows- class notes/handouts, class work, primary documents and homework assignments.

3. Journal: You will be writing about various topics during the week. I will collect these at the end of every unit to read your responses.

4. Pencil, Pen and Highlighter: Please bring these items to write with each day.

5. Planner: Bring it to class.

6. Flashcards: Have a steady supply of flashcards available at home to complete the flashcard assignment every unit.

7. Colored Pencils: Strongly recommended.

Textbooks:

David Kennedy, Lizabeth Cohen, Thomas Bailey. The American Pageant. (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006)

Zinn, Howard, A People’s History of the United States: 1492-Present. 5th ed. New York: HarperPerennial, 2003

Classroom Expectations:

1. Please be familiar with the Phillip O Berry Student Code of Conduct. You will be held to its standards.

2. Please keep an open mind and be willing to learn.

3. Please be respectful of EVERYONE in class.

4. No SLEEPING!

5. Be on time, prepared and ready to participate every day.

6. Disrespectful, rude, offensive, cruel or harassing comments or behaviors will not be tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly.

7. You are responsible for your own commitment to learning.

8. Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak.

9. HAVE FUN!

Course Requirements: Each student will be asked to complete the following throughout the semester:

• Required readings from the textbook and other sources: Reading assignments will be given in class and as homework. These assignments are critical in developing students’ understanding of the content and in facilitating class discussion.

• Bell Ringer: There will be a short assignment at the beginning of class everyday for you to work on for the first 5 minutes of class. You are to work on it as soon as you sit down in your seat. Usually the Bell Ringers will be the quiz.

• Homework: Homework is due at the beginning of the class period. Please turn it into the box in the back of the room. Expect homework every night. If you do not do homework you will fail!

• Seminars: We will be having Socratic seminars on various topics during each unit. Before each seminar students will have either primary documents or readings from Zinn and/or The American Pageant to complete for homework on the previous night and bring in a series of discussion questions to use during the seminar.

• Projects: Individual and group projects will be completed throughout the school year.

• Quizzes and Tests: At the conclusion of each unit, a test is given that is modeled after the AP United States History exam. Units are assessed separately, but will include review questions from previous units. Each unit test will include 70-80 multiple-choice questions modeled after the AP United States History exam. Each test will included either one or more free response essays or a document based essay. Midterm examinations will mirror the format of the AP United States History exam, but modified to fit school time constraints. The midterm will be given over a two-day period. On the first day, students will complete an 80 multiple choice questions within the established AP exam time limit. On the second day, students will answer either 2 free response questions or one document based question with the AP time limit followed for the exam. In accordance with school exam policy, students may opt out of the final exam if they are scheduled to take the AP exam in May. Students not wishing to take the AP exam will take a teacher-created exam. Quizzes will be given daily to monitor and assess the students understanding of the text by Bailey. Primary source readings will usually have a written assignment that accompanies them.

• Class Participation: AP U.S. History is a challenging course that demands a high level of participation, both within the classroom and on assigned readings and group assignments. Class participation includes staying on task, listening to others, posing questions and contributing to classroom discussions.

• Vocabulary Assignment: At the beginning of each unit, students will be given a list of people, events, documents, movements, etc. that are related to the unit of study. The list will range from 20 to 30 items depending on the unit. Students will create identifications on note cards that will address who or what the item is, where it was located, the time period, significance (why does it matter, it’s impact on history) and whether it is a political, economic, religious, social, intellectual or artistic idea. These cards will be used throughout the unit by students to study and self-assess. They are turned in on the day of the unit test for a homework grade.

• Chapter Outlines: For each chapter you will have the option to download outlines for each chapter of reading to make notes on. I recommend this method.

• Attendance and Tardiness: Students must attend class consistently and on time. All missed work must be made up and it is the student’s responsibility to make up missed work. The school’s attendance and tardy policy will be strictly enforced.

Additional Classroom Guidelines:

• Due Dates/Late Work: If you are absent on the day an assignment is due, be prepared to turn it in upon your return. All late work will be assessed a penalty. The penalty varies depending on the nature of the assignment. For example, late homework will receive half credit for being a day late and no credit for being even further late after that point. Late projects and other major assignments must be brought into class on the due date, NO EXCEPTIONS. If you are absent you must try to find a way to have someone bring it to class for you. I will determine individual extensions on a case-by-case basis. If you have major time conflicts that will prevent you from an assignment, PLEASE see me ASAP and we will try to work something out.

• Makeup Work: It is YOUR responsibility to get any work that you missed. Handouts and assignments will be placed in the makeup folder. You may get any missed lecture notes from a classmate. I am also available after school if you are unsure or unable to get what you need. Do not ask me what did you miss at the beginning of class. You have 5 days to turn in the makeup work in order to receive full credit otherwise it will be recorded as a zero. You must hand deliver the work to me.

• Missed Tests and Quizzes: You have one week from the day a test/quiz is given to make it up. Tests may only be made up during the lunch period, before school or after school. You may not make these up during class. Please see me to schedule a time for a makeup.

• Website: I have a website where I place documents and power points that we use during class. I try to update it daily. To see what you missed or what we covered on each day click on the classroom calendar link on the left and select the day you want. You are responsible for printing off the next day’s notes before class.

• Dismissal Policy: The instructor will dismiss you from class everyday, not the bell.

• Discipline Policy: Disrespectful, rude, offensive, cruel or harassing comments or behaviors will not be tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly.

• Cheating: Each student is to demonstrate academic integrity at all times and will be held accountable to the Phillip O Berry Honor Code. All instances of plagiarism and cheating will result in a grade of 0 for the assignment or tests and an automatic administrator referral.

• Leaving Class: Students will not be allowed to leave class 15 minutes after class has started and 15 minutes before class ends (4th period it is the first and last 30 minutes of class). If you need to use the restroom or leave class 1for any reason, you must raise your hand and ask for permission. At that time I will write you a hall pass. Only one student is allowed to use the restroom at any given time. Please return to class as quickly as possible , bring it back your hall pass and hand it to me. Unless you are experiencing an extreme emergency, please wait for the appropriate time to ask to leave.

• Talking: Please refrain from talking while the teacher is talking. If a classmate is talking, kindly wait your turn and the same courtesy will be extended to you. If you want to make a contribution to the discussion please raise your hand and wait to be called on. . RULE OF THUMB: Unless given permission by the instructor, DO NOT TALK!

• Eating and Drinking is not permitted in class at anytime.

• Cell Phones and/or other Electronic Devices: These must be turned off and out of sight during class. Any that are visible will be confiscated and turned into the office. This is your first and last warning.

• Be Respectful.

Grade Guidelines for AP U.S. History

I grade on a point system where the various assignments I assign are given a fractional point value. For example Tests are usually out of 100 points so if you score a 90 on the test you have earned 90/100 points. However there are set percentages for certain assignments. Tests are worth 60% of your total grade, Projects/Seminars/Homework is 25% and Quizzes and Class Work are each 15%.

1. Your quarter tests will consist of material covered on previous tests and quizzes. SAVE ALL assignments when they are returned.

2. The AP exam is on May ___. The exam costs $86 and it is EXPECTED that all students are to take the exam, but it is not required. However, you will not receive college credit unless you take the exam. Those that choose not to take the exam will be given an exam created by me on May 8th during our regular meeting time. More information about the exam will be provided ASAP.

3. I will keep your grades updated as much as possible. Please do not ask me about your grade during class time. You may see me individually outside of class if you have questions or concerns. Likewise, please do not discuss your grades with classmates.

Teacher Contact:

I am available in my classroom (room # 318) before and after school. However, I am coaching Track in the spring so unless you schedule an appointment with me I will not be in my room after school. Appointments are preferred simply to assure that I am available at that particular time. Please feel free to contact me with any concerns, questions or suggestions you may have. I look forward to working with you this year.

Sincerely,

Mr. Drew Hammill

A.P. United States History Course Syllabus

Mr. Hammill 2012-2013

We have read the course syllabus and are aware of the objectives and policies of the classroom. We agree to abide by and support them throughout the semester.

__________________________ _____ _______________________ _________

Student Name (Please print last name first) Period Student’s Signature Date

__________________________ __________________________ _________

Parent/Guardian's Name (Please print last name first) Guardian’s Signature Date

Contact Information

Please circle the best way to contact you parent/guardian during the day.

1. Parent/Guardian’s Name ____________________________ Relationship _______________

Home Address ______________________________________ Email ____________________________

Daytime/Work Phone _____________________ Evening/Home Phone_______________________

2. Parent/Guardian’s Name ____________________________ Relationship _______________

Home Address ______________________________________ Email ____________________________

Daytime/Work Phone _____________________ Evening/Home Phone_______________________

3. Class Schedule- 2nd Semester

|PERIOD |COURSE |TEACHER |ROOM |

|Period 1 | | | |

|Period 2 | | | |

|Period 3 | | | |

|Period 4 | | | |

4. Internet Access Do you have reliable internet access at home? Yes ______ No _______

5. “STUDY BUDDY” __________________________

In the event of a class absence, your “study buddy” will be the person you contact for missed assignments, handouts, and class notes. Please choose your “buddy” carefully as you may need to rely on them throughout this course.

Please keep the syllabus in the front of your course notebook and return this page to Mr. Hammill.

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