U.S. HISTORY & Government
(Pre-AP)
Mrs. McLaughlin, Instructor
Plan Period: Hr 3 (9:59 – 10:56 am)
School phone: 735-4620
E-mail address:
Web page: www.mooreschools.com/wjh
Welcome to U.S. History!! Many students ask, “Why do we need to study history?” The answer is simple and yet complex. To understand what is happening now, we must know about the past. To create a better future, we must have the knowledge to build on past successes, rather than repeating mistakes.
Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe. – H.G. Wells
Course Description
As this is a survey course, we will be moving at a fairly rapid pace. Below is an outline of the topics we will address:
American Revolution to Reconstruction, 1760-1877
- French and Indian War
- American Revolution and Declaration of Independence
- Institutions and practices of government created during the American Revolution
- American political system based on the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights
- Economy of U.S./ Culture of the U.S.
- Presidential Administrations during early Federal period
- Westward expansion and the effect on Native Americans
- Social Reform Movements
- How the North and South differed
- Civil War & Emancipation
Supplies Needed: Optional (& very much appreciated):
3 Dividers (Supplies for classroom)
3-ring notebook (1 ½ inch) Hr 1 – pencils & red pens
Red Pen Hr 2 – Kleenex & 1 ½ X 2 post it notes
Black/Blue Pen or Pencil Hr 4 - Pencils
Book cover (paper or Jumbo) Hr 5 - Notebook paper & 1 ½ X 2 post it notes
Hr 6 – Kleenex
Textbook:
The textbook for this course is The American Republic, published by Glenco McGraw-Hill. Please bring your textbook to class every day.
Parent Portal
Parent Portal is available to all Moore Public Schools secondary students and gives you access to your child’s grades/teacher’s entire grade book through the internet. Please call the office at 735-4620 to acquire a password to access Parent Portal. I recommend that students check their grades every few weeks.
Web page & Homework:
Homework can be expected on an average of two times per week. I make every attempt to post all classroom assignments, homework assignments, and upcoming exam dates on my website.
To access the website:
- www.mooreschools.com/wjh
- click on “school staff”
- click on my name (Sharletta McLaughlin)
- click on “lesson plans”
Grading Policy:
45% daily work/homework
35% quizzes, chapter/unit tests, projects
20% semester test
Late Assignments and Make-up Work:
As this is an honors class, I expect all assignments to be turned in at the beginning of the class hour. I do not accept late work. If you have an extenuating circumstance, please come see me the day the assignment is due and we will discuss it on a one-by-one basis.
Students are responsible for turning in all make-up work due to an absence (see student handbook). “Make-up work” is posted in the classroom and on my web page. If you are absent for several days, maybe due to a serious illness, please plan to come see me before or after school so we have time to discuss the assignments you missed.
Tests/Quizzes:
Tests/quizzes will consist of multiple choice, short answer, and/or essay questions. You will be notified at least 3 days in advance of an upcoming chapter/unit test. If you are absent the day before a test due to extracurricular activities, you should be prepared to take the test (and turn in any assignments due) when you return. If you are absent on the day of a test, it is your responsibility to make up the test before or after school. I will schedule “make-up” times after each test.
We will have a “check-up” quiz every three weeks. Students will have the opportunity to review any concepts they answer incorrectly on the quiz and re-earn the points missed. The goal is to give students the opportunity to re-visit any concepts they do not understand.
Extra Credit:
There will be at least one opportunity for extra credit each semester. I highly suggest you complete extra credit when offered (as it may not be offered again during the semester). Per Social Studies district policy – “extra credit can not exceed 5% of semester grade”.
Book Reports:
All Pre-AP classes are assigned one book report per semester. Prior approval of book is required. We will go to the media center to check-out a book during class time. Report must be typed and include a works cited page. This assignment will be equivalent to a test grade.
Notebook & Agenda:
To be successful in American History, it is essential that you maintain your agenda and notebook. You will need your notebook to complete the review sheets for chapter, unit, and comprehensive semester tests.
You will need three dividers in your notebook and they should be labeled: DQ’s, notes, & graded assignments. The pocket in the front of the notebook is a great place to keep your homework (or you can put your homework in the 3 ring binder in front of your dividers.) Always put your homework in the same spot. Never, never, never put your homework in your textbook.
You will be given 100 agenda points at the beginning of each semester. All assignments and tests should be written in your agenda each day. I will randomly check agendas. If agendas are not filled out, I will deduct 10 points from your agenda grade.
Videos
Below is a list of possible videos that we may watch in whole (or only parts) during the year. Any additional videos that we might preview would be purchased by our school/district and pertain to US History &/or Government.
Night John Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson
Glory A Class Divided – by Frontline Underground Railroad
Susan B. Anthony George Washington 1st Battle of Bull Run
Best Way to Reach Me
As I do not have a phone in my room, email is a great way to reach me. . I do my best to return all emails the same day. If you do not have access to email, I can also be reached at school (phone # 735-4620) between the hours of 7:30 am – 2:45 pm.
Extra Help
Students – feel free to drop in and see me before or after school if you need extra help. If I am not in my room, go to the office and have me paged. When possible, let me know in class when you will be coming by.
U.S. History & Government (Pre-AP)
We have received a copy of Mrs. McLaughlin’s syllabus for the 2011-12 school year.
Please return this page only to Mrs. McLaughlin. Keep the remainder of this syllabus in your folder for future reference. (You will receive extra credit at the end of the year if you still have your syllabus in your notebook.)
Extra Credit Opportunity: (Due by Friday)
Go to my website and print “lesson plans” for our class. (Hint: save school website under “favorites or bookmarks” for faster access next time.) If you do not have internet at home, you can access the internet from our school media center or the public library. Have a parent sign print-out of lesson plans.
Hr:
Student’s Name (Print):
Student’s signature:
Parent’s signature:
Date:
Parent’s email address: