Overton High School

HUSH –Honors U.S. History

Course Syllabus 2012-2013

Mrs. Newcomb, Engineering/Music AcademyWebsite:

lanning Period: 1A, 8B

Cell/Text: 6156010647“C” Lunch

INTRODUCTION

HonorsU.S. history is a two-semester survey of American history focusing on the post-Reconstruction era to the present. You will be doing fair amounts of reading outside of class and enormous amounts of listening, discussing and writing in class. You will learn to interpret and evaluate primary and secondary source material;analyze the causes and effects of various events in the American past; and to present your evidence, conclusions and evaluations persuasively in standard multiple choice and essay formats. If you will hang tight with me and do what you are asked to do, there is no doubt in my mind that each and every one of you will receive your required U.S. history credit, an advanced score on the EOC, and a great deal of appreciation for our country’s history—all while having loads of fun!

CLASS EXPECTATIONS AND PROCEDURES

You must BE HERE!

Poor attendance is the chief cause of students failing a course. All school and district attendance policies are in effect, of course. In a stroke of deliriously good luck, you have secured a teacher who is a bona-fide tech genius. Therefore, if you are absent, you may check our website for that day’s assignments, discussions, and perhaps even a helpful link or two. You may even be able to make up a quiz or test online. Bottom line: YOU are responsible for all reading and assignments if you are absent.

You must BE CONSIDERATE!

I am not even kidding, one of my earliest words was “consideration”. To that end, we will not do or say anything in this class that is remotely inconsiderate of others’ time, emotional state, opportunity to learn, etc; nor will we do things that force Newcomb to be inconsiderate. Some examples:

Do your homework...If you are unprepared, I will feel inconsiderate when I don’t stop everything to catch you up. And I won’t stop everything, believe me...

Ask questions...None of us are mind-readers, and if you don’t ask the question, we can’t help you. This is an extremely inconsiderate thing to do--to YOURSELF.

Raise your hand to speak...It’s difficult for me to hear even two or three people at once, and I will feel inconsiderate when I can’t.

Be funny but never cruel...Sarcasm is the soul of wit, and I love it, but only when it is light-hearted. Sarcastic remarks made out of anger or frustration or general meanness are inconsiderate. Don’t do that to me or anyone else. Ever.

Stay on task...We will be short on one major need in this class: TIME. Wasting even a few seconds of it is inconsiderate. The best only way to stay on task is to listen and follow all instructions immediately.

Apologize if needed...I will always apologize if I screw up (and I will); you should do the same when you screw up (and you will). Apologies are very considerate of others, and have the added benefit of getting you a “clean slate” and/or a “do-over”...use them.

CONSEQUENCES

Tardies: On your fifth tardy to class, I am required to write a referral. And I HATE writing referrals. To that end, 1st tardy = freebie…stuff happens; 2nd tardy = warning; 3rd tardy = “discussion” with Newcomb; 4th tardy = boring, ridiculous and totally unnecessary written assignment.

Classroom discipline: I will be recording all classroom behaviors—the good, the bad, and the ugly—in an iPad app. Each good recording I make can cancel out a mild bad or semi-ugly. Therefore: 1st incident = warning; 2nd incident = “discussion” with Newcomb; 3rd incident = another “discussion” with a call and/or email to parents; 4th incident = email to Mr. Sheaffer; 5th incident = office referral. (See above re: “HATE” and “writing referrals”. Also…if you’re mature enough to have car keys in your pocket, you’re more than capable of getting along with little ‘ol me.)

OTHER POLICIES

Student Technology: bring it on. Subject to the procedures for having your device in class, we will be using personal electronics a great deal in this class. It is NOT, however, required that you have a smartphone or iPod...PLEASE do NOT go home and tell your parents, “Newcomb said I have to have one!” :) I have extra devices as well as free apps that allow you to share yours with a friend. I also have a charging station for you guys to use, should you need it.

Food and drink: sure, bring a snack if you want. I want you to be comfortable and happy. But if your sustenance is loud, smelly or any part of it ends up on the floor, all bets are off. And you WILL clean up after yourselves...you’ll have to...I can’t even keep my own house clean. ABSOLUTELY NO CANDY OR DRINKS WITH SUGAR IN THEM…the ants are already killing me!

Supply problems: I generally have some degree of extras available for students (tissues, pencils, pens, paper, etc.), particularly at the beginning of the year. I am happy to share and/or loan to you anything that you might need, but I have zero desire to become your personal Office Max on a regular basis. Please don’t become dependent on me for supplies, for you just know that is precisely the moment that I will run out of whatever it is that you need. Also...donations are welcome.

SUPPLIES

For each class you will need:

  • MANDATORY: A 3-ring binder OR folder dedicated to history class with space for notes, primary sources, graded assessments and other assignments -- with LOTS and LOTS of college-ruled paper.
  • MANDATORY: Two blue or black pens for in class activities. PLEASE do not use pencils...my eyes are old and decrepit.
  • HARD TO LIVE WITHOUT: Access to our class website at . The class calendar will be located there, along with downloadable information and assignments. I strongly suggest that you bookmark/favorite the site as soon as possible.
  • OPTIONAL: As noted in the class procedures, a personal electronic device is encouraged, IF YOU ALREADY HAVE ONE. I have several extra devices, as well as my own, that I am always willing to share.
  • OPTIONAL: Post-it notes may help you form your outlines and organize information. In addition, they will allow you a quick way to communicate any reading confusion you may have.
  • OPTIONAL: Highlighters could help a great deal with your note-taking homework, especially if you are a visual learner. If you prefer, you can instead use underlining/circling/symbols...this is entirely up to you!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

I will provide a number of primary sources and other handouts…you will be expected to keep up with them.

There is a strong possibility that we may be viewing and analyzing movie clips and/or full features related to the curriculum. Any full-length movies will be announced well in advance, and links to information about the movies will be posted on the class website. The signature page below has a space for parents to grant permission and/or opt out of these instructional tools.

ADDITIONAL HELP

I welcome opportunities to help you one-to-one, should you need it, and I encourage you to make arrangements to see me during lunch or planning if you're experiencing difficulty. In addition, I am available to come in as early as you need me before school, and I am able to stay after school for about 30 minutes or so. Finally, for those of you who are frequent users of technology, I have several suggestions for you regarding apps and websites that will help you stay organized and on top of it all.

ASSIGNMENTS & GRADING

Homework consists almost exclusively of short reading assignments, with an occasional outside essay, outline or test preparation activity. Random questioning of basic facts associated with the assignment will be recorded to calculate the homework grade. Homework will count approximately 10% of the nine-week grade.

Assessments will include at least one multiple choice reading quiz and one standard essay per textbook chapter and/or unit. Unit tests will incorporate an era (generally 2-3 textbook chapters) and will be taken exclusively from the materials associated with the textbook. Assessments will count approximately 60% of the nine-week grade. *Note: Homework and classwork completion is essential to achieving the assessment scores necessary to pass the course and the EOC.

In-class activities will include daily ACT vocabulary review notes, cooperative-learning projects, primary source analysis, interaction with and use of the Themes Wall, lecture and discussion, and other technology-based reinforcement activites. In-class activities will count approximately 30% of the nine-week grade.