COURSE TITLE: U.S. HISTORY

INSTRUCTOR: Walt Achamire Home Phone: 422-1788 and School Phone: 826-5150.

TEXT: The Americans, McDougal Littell Inc., Copyright 1998

The American's is a typical high school text that covers United States history from the ancient civilizations that inhabited North America to the present time. The text will be used as reference material along with other required reading provided by the instructor. Library research, guest speakers, videos, the Internet, newsmagazines, newspapers, and handouts will also be used to access information.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to inform students about who they are as citizens of the United States and how past events have shaped the world we live in today. We will concentrate on the following historical periods: Constitutional period, major events of the 19th century, World War I, the Depression, World War II, the beginning of the Cold War, the 1960's, and the last 30 years.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS for successful completion of this course is a "functional understanding" (the ability to demonstrate knowledge) of the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALR's): Please see Enclosure One.

In addition to the above minimum requirements, each student will be required to use and will be assessed on basic English skills: sentence structure, spelling, paragraph structure, and essay format.

PURPOSE OF COURSE:
. To provide an understanding of significant relationships between the past and the present.
. To provide an awareness of and an understanding of the meaning of our pluralistic society based on democratic principles.
. To provide knowledge of the structure of our society and the challenges to that structure.
. To provide an opportunity to read and study about the social, political, and economic institutions that forms the framework for citizenship.

OBJECTIVES OF COURSE: At the completion of this course, the student will
. Be able to describe the relationship of the past to the present using at least two examples from classroom work.
. Be able to write an essay defining a pluralistic society and its relationship to our democratic principles.
. Be able to explain orally, by writing an essay, or through music and art the structure of the Constitution of the U.S.
. Be able to discuss orally with the class the social, political, and economic institutions that impact the students life.

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES: The teacher will do almost anything possible to ensure that learning happens and that the learning is directed at the above objectives. Instructional procedures might include any or all of the techniques below:

- Assigned Reading, Student Activities, Cooperative Groups,
- Group Interaction, Text book Reading, Student Teaching,
- Discussion, Videos Projects,
- Guest Speakers, Lecture, Lecture/Discussion,
- Independent Study, Research Internet,
- Interviews, Oral Presentations.

EVALUATION PROCEDURES:

. Letter Grade Value.

· A = Superior Knowledge.
· B = Above Average Knowledge.
· C = Average Knowledge.
· D = Below Average Knowledge.
· F = Not Enough Knowledge To Justify The Lowest Passing Grade.

. Grade Composite.

· 50% of grade is based on tests.
· 25% of grade is based on daily work and home work.
· 20% of grade is based on weekly classroom behavior (e.g. being attentive, being prepared, following basic rules, being cooperative, turning in assignments on time and attendance (see attendance below). Ten points will taken off of the behavior grade for each infraction.
· 5% of grade is based on the return of the grade sheet signed by the parent.

. Attendance.

When a student is absent they frequently miss work that cannot or is difficult to makeup. In addition, their absence frequently impacts other students in the classroom (group work) or places undue work on the teacher who needs to design individual assignments for the absent student. Unavoidable absences are understandable, but in most instances, these should be few. This teacher requests that all appointments be made after school if possible, that vacations be taken when school is not in session, that hair appointments, going to concerts, other class work, etc. be done at a time other than class time. I will do everything I can to make this class in U.S. History meaningful to the student. In turn, I would like the student in class. Please review the school policy on absences from class.

. Numerical, percent, letter grading. All grades will be on a point system and converted to a letter grade for reporting purposes. I do not round off. The following point/letter grade system will be used:

. GRADE SHEET: Every Monday, or the first school day of each week, the student will receive a grade sheet showing grade-to-date and missing assignments. It is required that the student take this grade sheet home for a parent signature and return the grade sheet the following day. This requirement will be graded 100 points if returned the next day; 80 points if returned the second day; 60 points if returned the third day; no points after the third day.

.CHEATING: Cheating will be defined as copying another students homework, daily work, tests, and having unsanctioned notes during a test, looking on another students paper during a test, and/or speaking out loud during a test in a way that would assist another student or themselves on a test. Any student caught cheating will receive a zero on the class work and parents will be notified. If cheating persists, the student will be sent to the office.

MAKE-UP WORK FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES:
Make-up tests that require over 30 minutes to complete will be made-up at 6:30 a.m. in room 216.
The rule of thumb for make-up is one day for each day absent.
**Example: The student is legitimately absent on Monday and returns on Tuesday. The work on Monday will be due Wednesday.
**Example: the student is legitimately absent on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and returns Thursday. The work completed Monday in class is due Friday; Tuesdays work is due Monday; Wednesdays work is due Tuesday.

If a student is in school on the day the teacher explains an upcoming test and the date of the test, the student is expected to take the test even if the student was absent the day before the test (e.g. The test is explained on Friday and the student is told the test would be Tuesday. A student is absent on Monday who was in attendance on Friday and comes to school Tuesday. The student would be expected to take the test).

NON-LEGITIMATE ABSENCE: NO MAKE-UP IS ALLOWED.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS: No late assignments will be accepted except during extreme hardship. Extreme hardship might include a death in the family, family problems, adolescent problems, or emotional problems. Please let the teacher know if there is reason for late assignments.

If a mistake coupon is used, the late work must be turned in within one day and will be reduced in value 20%. Mistake coupons cannot be used for tests or notebook checks.

. A notebook is required. All completed work should be in the notebook in addition to any handouts, the syllabus, and other materials the teacher deems appropriate. The notebook will be checked twice each quarter and will be worth two test grades - 200 points possible for each check if the notebook is complete.

CLASSROOM PROCEDURE:

. All school rules will be followed and enforced.
. Cooperation and on-task behavior is required.
. Any problems with classroom decorum (cooperation and on-task behavior) will follow a three step process:

. Teacher-student talk. If this doesn't correct the problem,
. Teacher-student talk and discussion with parents. If this doesn't correct the problem,
. Outside assistance will be requested (Principal, counselor, other).

. General order of events each class day:

5 minutes -------------------------talk, roll taken, one-on-one conversation.
5 minutes -------------------------bulletin and school business.
10 to 30 minutes ----------------recent news relating to world events.
50 to 65 minutes ----------------lesson for the day.
5 minutes -------------------------closure, discussion of the days lesson and expectations for the next day.

MISCELLANEOUS:

. The student is expected to be in class, on time, everyday. Obviously there are exceptions to this rule but there shouldn't be many.
. The teacher expects learning to take place for every student. If this isn't happening, something needs to be fixed so it can happen. Please communicate.
. All living humans have perceptions of what is happening in their environment, but not all humans have the same perceptions about their environment. Therefore, communication is essential for bringing understanding to different perceptions. Please talk to the teacher if there are any problems or concerns about what is taking place in the classroom.
. Let's have fun learning about U.S. History.