11th Grade Virginia & United States History

Course Syllabus 2015-2016

Mr. Andrew Prantner

I. Course Theme: PERSPECTIVES - Students will learn that PERSPECTIVES

  • influence the way people and governments respond to geography and the environment.
  • affect the democratization process in the U.S. and around the world.
  • define the outlook for the development of enterprise.
  • influence America's point of view on global issues.
  • describe the prospects for scientific and technological developments.
  • convey the meaning of the "American Dream."

II. Course Outline

  • Focus on Primary Documents – Beginning of the year
  • European Exploration and Settlement: Beginnings to 1763 – September/October
  • The Revolutionary Era: 1763-1780 – Early October
  • The Constitutional Period: 1781-1800 – Mid October
  • Expansion and Reform: 1801-1861 – Late October/Early November
  • Slavery, the Civil War and Reconstruction: 1820-1877 – Late November/December
  • The West: Post Civil War – Early January
  • Industrial Development, Immigration, Progressivism: 1877-1920 – January/Early February
  • Imperialism and World War I: 1890-1920 – February
  • Roaring 20s, Great Depression, New Deal: 1920-1940 – Early March
  • World War II: 1939-1945 – March
  • The Cold War: 1945-1989 – Early April
  • Civil Rights: 1950-present – April
  • Postwar Americana: 1968-present – Late April/Early May
  • SOL Review – Mid-May→ SOL Exam – Late May

III. Class Materials: Students are required to come to class prepared every day. Materials needed in class daily are:

  • Notebook
  • Pen or pencil

Please sharpen your pencil, throw away papers, get organized and be ready to start class by the time the bell rings.

IV. Grade Procedures:

A. Grades will be computed on the following scale:

Letter Grade / Percentages / Quality Points
A / 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100 / 4.0
B+ / 87, 88, 89 / 3.5
B / 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86 / 3.0
C+ / 77, 78, 79 / 2.5
C / 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76 / 2.0
D+ / 67, 68, 69 / 1.5
D / 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 / 1.0
E / 0-59 / 0.0

In addition to achievement, work habits as noted in the report card comments will be evaluated for each course using the following symbols: + - Surpasses Expectations

#-Meets Expectations

^-Approaching Expectations

N-Needs Improvement

Grading: Your grade will be based on the following areas

Tests and Quizzes30%

Homework15%

Class work25%

Projects and Writing30%

(Subject to announced change)

**Student grades reflect student achievement and not student behavior. It is important that you always do your best work, as grades will not be rounded on assignments. Remember, you EARN your grades!  Quarterly grades round up when the percentage is .5 or higher (for example: an 89.5% would be an A rather than a B+)

Test/Quizzes: Tests and quizzes will be given regularly throughout the quarter. Material covered will include class notes, homework, movies, and assigned reading. Tests will be given for each unit and will be announced prior to its scheduled date. Quizzes may not be announced. Most tests will use Scantron scoring and, thus, all students will be responsible for bringing a #2 pencil on test days.

Projects/Reports: Throughout the quarter, group and individual projects and reports will be assigned. Guidelines & rubrics will be handed out when the project/report is assigned.

Class Participation: Participation is vital for each student to perform well in class. Everyone has something to contribute and can help the entire class learn by doing so. Participation requires that you come to class every day. You are not learning if you are not in class!

Final Exam: Students that earn an “A” for the year (all A’s or 3 A’s and 1 B/B+) will be exempt from taking the final exam.

Final grade for the year is required to be calculated using the quality points and not percentages, letter grades, number or point systems. This grade will be an average of the four quarters and the final exam.

**If you are concerned about your grade, please come and talk to me to discuss what can be done to improve it. DON’T wait until the end of the quarter to think about your grade. **

V. Late Work & Make-Up Work Policy:

Make-Up Work: You are all responsible for your OWN WORK. This includes make-up work. It is your responsibility to make sure all make-up work is completed and turned in. You will have 1 day per day of absence to make up for missed work due to excused absences, unless special circumstances apply. If you miss a test or quiz due to an excused absence, you will be responsible for making it up the day you return to class. In the case of extended absence, we will work out a reasonable make-up plan.

Late Work: Homework is due at the beginning of class. If it is not complete at this time, it is late. Unexcused late work will be accepted for ½-credit. No unexcused late work will be accepted more than 1 day late. If an emergency situation prevents you from completing an assignment on time, you should talk to me regarding the situation as early as possible, so we can work out a revised schedule that is acceptable to both of us.

***Check the class website when absent to keep up with missed assignments and important dates. ***

VI. Attendance Policy: Your success in class this year depends on your attendance. Therefore,I expect you to attend class daily and to arrive before the late bell(you must have a pass from a teacher or administrator for it to not be unexcused).

VII. Classroom Behavior Expectations:

1. R.O.C.S. rules apply – Respect for Others, Community and Self are mandatory in our classroom!

2. The use of cell phones (without permission from me) during class is prohibited. This is a school rule. Phones will be confiscated till the end of class. Phones of repeat offenders will be handed over to an assistant principal. This is your warning.

Consequences for choosing to not following classroom/school rules.

  • First time: warning
  • Second time: Teacher conference and/or after-school detention
  • Third time: Sent to administration and parent(s) contacted
  • Severe Disruptions: You will be sent immediately to your administrator

Your Work will be your own!

Students are expected to turn in work that is their own. Do not let other students copy your work. Work that is copied or has been copied from will not be awarded credit. Please see the Yorktown student handbook for the school rules on plagiarism.

VIII. Contact Me: I am always available for extra help in the class. Make an appointment to meet with me before school, after school or during lunch. Please, come and see me if you have questions or concerns about the content or your grade. You may also leave a message for me using e-mail: or by phone at the Social Studies office: 703.228.5371.

My schedule for the 2015-16 year is: (all classes are in Rm. #127)

PeriodClass

1Planning

2Planning

3APUSH

4APUSH

5US/VA

6APUSH

7Planning/Lunch

8APUSH

This page is to be signed and turned in by Friday September11, 2015.

  1. I have read and understand the syllabus for VA & US History.

Student Printed NameClass Period

Student SignatureDate

Student email ______

2. I have readthe syllabus for VA & US History and will support my student in the study of the class.

Parent/Guardian SignatureDate

Parent/Guardian email______