Advanced Placement U.S. History
Class Requirements and Expectations
Objectives
The Advanced Placement Program in United States History is designed to provide students an opportunity to engage in a college level course in U.S. history and to earn college credit through taking the Advanced Placement Test in U.S. History. The AP U.S. History course covers the basic chronology, major events, and important trends of the time period from the pre-Columbian era to the present.
Attendance
It should be obvious that regular attendance is necessary for effective student performance in class. Students who are chronically absent should not expect to receive a satisfactory grade. Be in class on a regular basis. Students who cut class will receive an immediate referral to the Unit Office for each instance.
Students who miss assignments due to absence will have the time equal to their absence to make it up. Students who are absent when an assignment is due or when a test is scheduled should expect to make up that assignment immediately upon their return. Students should expect to take tests when scheduled if they have already received prior notice to the test date, even if they were absent between the notification and test day. Make-up work is the student’s responsibility. I maintain a website for homework assignments that should assist students who are absent (see below).
Do not delay in the halls between classes. Tardiness is disruptive to the class as a whole and prevents class from beginning on time. It is the student’s responsibility to make it to class on time. Be in your seat when the bell rings, not walking in. Students who enter the room without a pass after the final tone are considered tardy. If a student arrives tardy to class three times in a grading period, a detention will be assigned. Parent calls and referrals are also possible consequences for chronic tardiness. If a student is very tardy, it may be considered a cut.
Behavioral Expectation
1. Students shall conduct themselves according to the guidelines established in Board Policy 5600: Student Rights, Responsibilities and Code of Conduct. Familiarize yourself with your rights and responsibilities in the Mentor Public Schools.
2. Don’t be rude. Students should never be disrespectful to their teacher or their fellow students.
3. Do your best. Anything less than 100% effort is unacceptable.
Grading Policy
The breakdown for quarter grades is as follows:
Content Standards80%
In-class document-based written questions or free-response questions (30%)
Multiple Choice tests and reading quizzes(30%)
Homework for content and projects (presentations, research papers, projects)(20%)
Class participation20%
Video worksheets, simulations, computer lab assignments, homework for completion,(10%)
In-class work activities, OGT support activities, review activities, binder checks
Class discussions(10%)
Students may receive a zero for any assignment for the supports to learning (20% category) if it is not completed by the day it is due. For the summative assessments (80% category), it is expected that the students make every effort to be in class the day of the assessment. If the student is not present, it is expected that he/she make-up the assessment outside of class as soon as possible. If the student does not make-up the assessment by the end of the unit, the student may receive a zero for that assignment, but every effort will be made so that the student will complete the work in a timely manner. Late work is subject to up to 50% off during a unit of instruction (based on teacher discretion). No work will be accepted beyond the end of a unit of instruction (based on teacher discretion). Unexcused absences from class and academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary consequences and up to a 50% reduction in a student’s grade.
Letter GradePercentageMeaning
A100-90%Excellent
B89-80%Commendable
C.79-70%Satisfactory
D69-60%Needs Some Improvement
F<59%Needs Much Improvement
Basic Materials
Textbooks:
Kennedy, David M., Cohen, Lizabeth & Bailey, Thomas. A. The American Pageant. Houghton Mifflin Company: Boston, MA, 2006.
Epstein, Mark. Fast Track to a 5: Preparing for the AP United States History Examination. Houghton Mifflin Company: Boston, MA, 2006.
Loewen, James W. Lies My Teacher Told Me. Touchstone: New York, NY, 2007
Three-ring binder/folder
Pen and pencil
Notebook or loose leaf paper
Daily Procedures
1. Class will often begin with a bellwork assignment. Students should be prepared to work the moment they walk in the door.
2. Each class will focus around a Question of the Day. These questions are important to note because they direct attention to important concepts and keep us focused on the big picture. Look for the answers to these questions of the day and expect to see them again.
3. Homework assignments will always be listed on the side chalkboard. If assignments can not be fit onto the side chalkboard, they will always be announced. Students will always be announced by me. Students are always responsible for knowing when assignments are due. If you are not sure, ask!
4. Absent students are responsible for getting their own make-up work. Students can always find hand-outs from the previous day in the folders by the door. I will not seek you out to make sure you are caught up!
5. Students are not permitted to return to their lockers for materials. Be prepared!
6. Students will be excused to the nurse or to the lavatory only in emergencies. Chronic use of the pass or allowing others to use your pass book will result in loss of pass privileges. Please fill out pass completely.
7. Please do not bring pop or food to class. Students may bring water, but anything else is not appropriate. Using the pass to get a pop or pizza or other kids of snacks for you or anyone else is not an acceptable reason to leave class.
Website
Our school has its own website at From this website, students can access web pages for numerous teachers, including me. My web page will be updated weekly to include all assignments, class activities, and topics for the week so that students who are absent can know what was missed and all students can get a look at the week ahead. Please be in the habit of checking the schedule regularly. I can also be reached by students or parents at .
Advanced Placement Program Principles
1. Advanced Placement is college level work. This course does not prepare you for college level work, it is college level work. That is why the class is called Advanced Placement and is supervised by the College Board. An adequate score on the AP test could earn you college credit. Truly consider whether you feel you are ready for this challenge.
2. Each AP student should give the strongest consideration to taking the AP test. Because the entire course is geared towards taking the AP test, students may be better served in a regular track history class if they have no intention of taking the AP test in the spring.
3. Students are required to be more independent in AP program. Students are preparing themselves for the AP test with their teachers serving as a guide. AP students must be active learners, not passive recipients of information.
4. Class participation is a must. To master course material, students must be actively, intellectually engaged in the course by asking probing questions, challenging ideas, and making thoughtful contributions.