Buckhorn High School



Buckhorn High School

Course Syllabus

Gilder Lehrman - Founding Fathers

2015/2016

We Read, We Think, We Decide, We Write

 

Teacher:  Coach Reese

Contact information:  jreese@madison.k12.al.us   

Website: coachreese. / ffbhs.

Course Description:

This is a one semester course that provides an opportunity for students to analyze the British government, learn the causes and effects of the American Revolution, inspect and understand the English colonial culture, analyze and understand the establishment of representative democracy in the United States, interpret the Constitution of the United States, and evaluate the first administration under the new Constitution.

I expect that since you are taking this class you are planning on taking pre-AP U.S. history. That being said, this class will provide the rigor you will need to be successful your sophomore and junior years in that class. I have high expectations of each student in this class. Work hard and you will not only be successful in your academics this year, but you will also have a blast doing it.

 

Text and Materials:

This course does not have a textbook issued by the Madison County School System; therefore we use primary source documents, biographies, autobiographies, etc. provided to us by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Due to this, it is very important that all students take notes in class so they will have proper information for use in studying. Copies of some documents and biographies will be available for students to keep or checkout for home use. STAY ORGANIZED AND KEEP UP WITH YOUR STUFF!

•    Pens (blue or black ink only)

•    1 – composition book (journal)

•    STRONGLY RECOMMENDED – Flash drive of at least 2GB or better (also called “thumb drive”) – this can be used for saving computer projects and word documents throughout the year in this class as well as in others. You can find them for between $4.99 - $9.99 at most office supply stores, Wal-Mart, etc.

• 3 Scantron sheets (Can be found at UAH’s Off Campus Bookstore on University Drive)

• 4 tabbed notebook/binder dividers – Notes, Handouts, Writing Work, Graded Papers

 

Class Procedures

¬   When the bell rings, you should be in your seat and working on bell work.

¬   Tardies: 2 tardies equals one detention with me and remaining after class for one minute.  3 tardies equals same and call home. 3 tardies…don’t do it.

¬   Stay in your seat unless you have permission to get up. 

¬   The bell does not dismiss you, I dismiss you.  DO NOT pack up until I say you can, period.

¬   Raise your hand to speak.  Proper intellectual language is expected.

¬   5-4-3-2-1 means “Get quiet.” / Bell means get quiet

¬   All assignments are to be turned in to the proper location and at the beginning of class unless otherwise mentioned. 

¬  ***Name, date, period and class number goes in the upper right hand corner of EVERY ITEM that you work on in this class.  This includes notes, quizzes, tests, political cartoon summaries, etc. (Also, tear the rough edges off of your paper before you turn it in.)

¬   You must keep all graded work in your portfolio folder in the cart at the front of the room.

¬   If you need a sharpened pencil or pen, you may borrow one but please put it back.

¬   Work must be completed in black or blue ink or typed (12 point, times new roman, double spaced) and in a neat, legible, and organized fashion. Be neat – folded/messy papers will not be accepted.

¬   If you desperately need to go to the restroom, you will have 4 passes for the nine weeks.  You should follow these steps: ___________________________________________________

 

Expectations:

¬   Be respectful at all times.  Listen when others are speaking, don’t interrupt, offer valid, non-hurtful responses in discussion, etc. 

¬   Students are expected to be positive contributors to the classroom community by participating in discussions productively and thoroughly completing assignments.

¬   Timely completion of work is expected.  Late assignments will not be accepted; late work will receive an automatic zero (0), unless under special circumstances approved prior to the assignments due date. Other special circumstances may warrant special privilege under Coach Reese’s discretion (death in the family, hospital stay, etc.)

¬   Do your own work.  Cheating, copying or plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated.  Violation will result in an alternative assignment that will make you wish you had not done so.

¬   Personal grooming, eating, using electronic devices (including iPODs), doing work for other classes, talking while someone else is speaking and any other acts of disrespect are unacceptable.  (Hard candy and bottled drinks with a cap are permissible.)

¬   Purses, backpacks, and jackets need to be under your desk during class.

¬   Remain SILENT during the moment of silence and morning announcements.  Failure to do so will keep you after class for one minute.

¬   Come to class prepared.  No locker or car passes are permitted.  Failure to have proper class materials each day will result in a zero for a daily grade.

¬  Please ask before handling items on the display case.  It is there for you but please be respectful.

¬  I expect you to be a tremendous success this year.

 

                               

Classwork/Homework:

Classwork will be assigned most everyday.  This will consist of readings, worksheets, writing assignments, etc.  All class work/homework is to be submitted on the due date unless prior arrangements have been made ahead of time with me.

 

Grading Policy:

Course Grading Scale:  100-90% = A, 89-80% = B, 79-70% = C, 69-60% = D, 59-0% = F 

Final Exams: Please note that there will be no exemptions from final exams for any student, in any class. The final exam is comprehensive and will count 20% of the grade.

                                                                                   

Make-up assignments & tests:  (We will discuss this in class)

 

Extra Credit: Extra credit assignments may or may not be offered.  Do not count on extra credit assignments to supplement your average.  WORK HARD!!

Common Core Standards that will be emphasized during this course:

WRITING IN SOCIAL STUDIES – COMMON CORE

1. INTRODUCE CLAIMS, THEIR SIGNIFICANCE, DIFFERENCES FROM OTHER CLAIMS, AND WRITE WITH ORGANIZATION

2. SUPPORT CLAIMS WITH DATA AND WRITE FOR AUDIENCE, STAYING AWARE OF BIAS

3. USE TRANSITIONS AND WRITE COHESIVELY ABOUT CLAIMS

4. WRITE USING FORMAL LANGUAGE AND OBJECTIVE TONE

5. SUPPLY A CONCLUSION THAT SUPPORTS THE ARGUMENT

 

A Guide to Success in this Course

 

1.     Hard Work: Throughout the semester, many challenging assignments will be required of you.  Each assignment is to be taken seriously and will affect the your grade. 

2.   Creativity: Since this course is meant to develop a student’s awareness of their rights, privileges and responsibilities, creativity in expression of thoughts and ideas will be beneficial to your success.

3.   Questioning: This class is an opportunity for you to gain a deeper understanding of American History; therefore a healthy level of questioning by you will be encouraged in an attempt to create a safe forum for discussion and growth.

4.  Respect for All Members of the Class: Respect for all people as human beings is a key tenant in everyday life.  Likewise, respect for each student in this class will be emphasized throughout this course.

 

I have been given a copy of the syllabus and have had it explained to me, in detail, by Coach. Reese.  I also understand that at any time I may have a question, he would be thoroughly thrilled to entertain it.

                                                                          Parent Signature _________________________

Student Signature _______________________

                                                                              Date ___________________________

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