Multicultural Academy Charter School
American History Course Syllabus
Ms. Moyer
Email:
Phone: 215-227-0513 ext. 204
(Teacher website with posted weekly lesson plans available through
Starting with the documents and ideas our nation is built upon, we will explore our nation's dynamic history together. We will cover critical events such as the Civil War, the Great Depression, Civil Rights, and much more. We will build our social studies skills to be able to weave together events, people, achievements, obstacles, geography, religion, politics, government, economics, and more into a coherent understanding of our country's history. In other words, we will learn how to use multiple perspectives to search for a truthful understanding of the past. Our understanding of the past influences our present, and what we do in the present builds our future. And so we shall start building our future by interacting with the past.
Skill-based Objectives (content-based objectives vary day-to-day)
1- Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, attending to such features as the date and origin of the information.
2- Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of how key events or ideas develop over the course of the text.
3- Analyze in detail a series of events described in a text; determine whether earlier events caused later ones or simply preceded them.
4- Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary describing political, social, or economic aspects of history.
5- Analyze how a text uses structure to emphasize key points or advance an explanation or analysis.
6- Compare the point of view of two or more authors for how they treat the same or similar topics, including which details they include and emphasize in their respective accounts.
7- Integrate quantitative or technical analysis (e.g., charts, research data) with qualitative analysis in print or digital text.
8- Assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the author's claims.
9- Compare and contrast treatments of the same topic in several primary and secondary sources.
10- Read and comprehend history/social studies texts independently and proficiently.
Grading Policy:
Points will be awarded for individual and group work.
●97-100%= A+
●93-96%=A
●90-92%=A-
●87-89%= B+
●83-86%=B
●80-82%=B-
●77-79%=C+
●73-76%= C
●70-72%=C-
●0-69%=F
Gradebook Category Weights:
●30% -Tests/Projects
●20% -Quizzes
●20% -Homework
●20% -Classwork/Do Nows
●10% -Participation*
*Participation is a unique grade – it is the only grade where you start off with 100%!
This grade allots 1 point per day in the term to every student. If a student is unprepared (no book, no pen/pencil) or if they are disruptive (talking, disrupting class, not following directions) then they will lose their participation point.
Disclaimer: students can lose more than one participation point a day if they are especially disruptive (as an intermediate step before write-ups or referral to the Dean’s office). Students can also gain participation points if they are contributing to a positive classroom environment in some manner that is above and beyond normal expectations.
It is expected that students can perform well on this participation category if they choose to; students must realize that their behavior impacts the entire classroom. This system is meant to be a tiered consequences system to give students the opportunity to change their behavior before receiving a write-up or any other form of further disciplinary action.
Talking back, complaining, or attempting to arguing when losing a participation point will cause further loss of points and further escalation of consequences! If you have questions about why you lost a point, please feel free to talk to me after class or after school so we can come to an understanding together.
Supplies:
●Loose-leaf paper (Absolutely NO spiral notebooks)
●Large 3-ring binder with one section labeled American History
●Assignment book (marble composition note book)
●Assigned texts/supplemental readings/notes
●Blue/black pen
Class & Homework Procedures:
●All work must showcase the proper heading.
●No work submitted on ripped-out pages from spiral notebooks or from other notebooks will be accepted (meaning use loose leaf paper)
●Typed work, if submitted, must be double-spaced, Times New Roman, font 12.
●Handwritten work must be legible and include the proper heading and a clear label of the specific assignment.
Projects—Essay & Research Paper Procedures:
●ALL work MUST be typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman, font 12, unless otherwise directed.
●MLA format only.
Homework Policy:
●Homework is due at the beginning of class every day.
●No late assignments will be accepted except in the case of absences (ex. illnesses).
Late Work Policy:
●ALL assignments are due at the beginning of class unless otherwise directed by the teacher. NO HOMEWORK WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE DUE DATE.
●ALL projects are due on the assigned due date.
oProjects turned late will be deducted a full letter grade for every day that it is late.
oAbsolutely no projects will be accepted beyond the 2nd day after the due date unless student has an excused absence.
Make-up Work:
●Students are responsible for completing ALL missed work.
●Students have two school days to turn in and/or makeup ALL missed work (tests, quizzes, projects).
●It is the student’s responsibility to get any notes and/or homework assignments for ALL missed days. Homework and daily activities are posted on my website.
Classroom Conduct:
●All school rules outlined in the student handbook are strictly enforced in my classroom.
Please detach this form and turn in on Wednesday, September 6, 2017.
In signing this form, we agree that we have read and understand the American History Syllabus. Furthermore, we agree that we will abide by the expectations set forth in this syllabus to the best of our ability, and we will reach out to Ms. Moyer if anything is unclear at any time during the school year.
Student Name:______
(PRINT)
Student Signature: ______
Parent/Guardian Name:______
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Parent Signature:______
Parent Contact Information:
Telephone number(s):______
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Best time to call:______
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>Please use the space below to write any comments or concerns I should be aware of in regards to your child's education.
Parents: Thank you for taking the time to fill out this form. I am honored to be teaching American History to this bright young group of students! I take the job of educating these young minds quite seriously—I sincerely believe that a rigorous and honest examination of American History helps our young people become critical thinkers who define their own world rather than letting the outside world tell them what to believe. Every year I see the spark of compassion and love within my students, and I hope we can build upon those traits to create a more peaceful world together.
Parents are encouraged to attend Back to School Night on Thursday, September 21, 2017 from 5:00PM to 7:30PM. Walk a day in their shoes! Parents only – no students!
Moyer