11CONTEMPORARY UNITED STATES HISTORY

Ms. Greto

2015-2016

E-Mail:oom: C-81 Phone:610-497-6300 x2181

Course Description:

Students will learn social, economic, political, and historical aspects of the United States from the end of World War II thru present day. Students will be expected to participate in and complete a wide variety of activities so that they will ascertain a deeper understanding of the material. Activities will include, but are not limited to, cooperative learning projects, student presentations, role-playing activities as well as more traditional learning techniques. Students will be expected to complete reading assignments and corresponding notebooks activities independently. There will also be quizzes on assigned reading.

All students mayalso be required to successfully complete an I-Search and/or community project.

Materials:

Each student MUST have the following list of materials by Wednesday, September 16th, no exceptions.

1. Composition Notebook

2. Blue or Black Pen(no colored pens please, blue or black only for daily work)

3. Pencil

4. One highlighter

Textbook/Resources:

History Alive! Pursuing American Ideals

Taking Sides

Primary and secondary source readings and document analysis

DBQ essays, videos, maps, and charts

Teacher Expectations:

My goal is to create a positive environment where all students can learn and are respected. To accomplish this, all Sun Valley Student Handbook rules and regulations ( be followed in addition the following:

  1. All cell phones and MP3 electronic devices are turned off and not visible. No exceptions.
  2. Only clear bottled water permitted.
  3. Preparation- Students are expected to come to class with all appropriate materials. All assignments, short-term assignments like homework and long-term assignments like projects should be completed on time as assigned.
  4. Punctuality- Students should arrive to class on time with their notebooks and a writing utensil. Tardiness and/or not having their materials for the day will result in a zero for the day and/or teacher detention.
  5. Attendance- Students are responsible for their learning. Students should check my webpage as well as in the assignment book in the classroom and Google Classroom to obtain any missed assignments due to an excused absence. Students should see me in the beginning or at the end of class if they have questions. Missing handouts, due to absences, will be located in students’ files located in the bins on top of the bookshelf. Students will be given the number of days they are absent to complete an assignment. Long-term projects are due on the announced due date regardless of absence.
  6. Class behavior- Class disruptions will not be tolerated. Students are expected to respect each other and me as the classroom teacher at all times. Always ask before taking/borrowing someone else’s belongings (notebook, pens, tape…), including mine! Infractions will result in teacher detention and/or a discipline referral. Failure to come to an assigned teacher detention will result in an office referral.
  7. Effort- Students are expected to try their best at all times! Ability alone does not determine excellence! Students who do their own work and are conscientious and show effort and determination will be successful!
  8. Plagiarism- Students are to do their own work. Submitting someone else’s work as your own is plagiarism and will result in a zero for the assignment.
  9. Homework/Incomplete assignments - There is a zero toleration policy for late homework. All assignments are due in the beginning of class. Any student leaving for a class trip or other school related activity must turn in work before leaving. It is your responsibility to use some preventive maintenance if this is a problem.
  10. Class participation- Students are expected to actively participate on a daily basis. Raise your hand to be called on and ask questions for clarification if you do not understand something. Positive contributions to the class are welcome, inappropriate comments and negativity such as put-downs will not be tolerated.
  11. Passes- Ask for any passes in the beginning of class. Students must have a teacher pass and sign in and out on the clipboard on the cart in the front of the room. Two lavatory passes will be allotted per student per marking period. Only one student is permitted out of the class at a time.
  12. Cleanliness- Students are expected to clean up their own area. There should be nothing on the floor around you or on your desk.

Grading Procedures:

Students will be graded on class work, class participation/behavior, homework, quizzes, tests, essays, document based questions, research paper, and presentations and projects throughout the year. Grades will be based on a total of cumulative points by quarter. The following percentages of the total points will be used to determine the letter grade for each quarter:

A92-100

B84-91

C76-83

D70-75

F69-0

The final course grade will be computed as follows:

1st-4th Quarters – 80% (20% each quarter)

Midterm and final – 10% each