US History Syllabi 17-18

                United States History   &   Recent United States History 

                                    11^th Grade                                              10^th Grade

                                                                  2017-2018

Instructor: Coach Sherrer

Email: sherrerje@troup.org

Website: callawayhighsocialstudies.blogspot.com

School phone:  705-845-2070

“If you would understand anything, observe its beginning and its development.”-Aristotle

“History is a science, no more and no less.”-J .B .Bury

            In this course, students will learn the major and minor events that have helped shape the United States.  This course will also show how those events have created the United States as we know it today.  All of this will be accomplished by looking back at the occurrences that have taken place since the colonization Of America.

            This course will teach students what it means to be an American by thinking critically, setting goals, solving problems, and making decisions that will benefit themselves, our nation, and the world.  Students will be required to recall data, relate events chronologically, distinguish cause and effect relationships, analyze and interpret historical evidence, graphs, charts, and maps.

LEARNING GOALS

1) Be able to place the eras of US history into correct chronological order.

2) Work on social studies skills including, but not limited to: map skills, information processing, decision-making, research process, and study skills.

3) Learn the who’s, what’s, when’s, where’s, and why’s of US history.

4) Understand some of the connections between the who’s, what’s, when’s, where’s, and why’s of US history and how they have affected us.

5) Have each student pass this class and do the BEST possible work.

TEXTBOOK

The Americans: Danzer, Klor da Alva, Krieger, Wilson, Woloch: McDougal Littel

REQUIREMENTS

I.    Notebook:
     • Must be brought to class each day.  They may be either folder, 3-ring binder type, or other document storage.

II. Textbook:
     • We will utilize a classroom set. Textbooks will not be issues unless requested by a parent/guardian

III. Other Materials:

            • Pencils/Pens

            • Loose-leaf paper

TECHNOLOGY

We will use technology very frequently in class.  If you have a device (smartphone, iPad, iPhone, Android, tablet, etc.), please bring it to class with you everyday.  We will use these devices for a myriad of activities in and out of class.  More information about the use of devices will be discussed in class.

Devices will not be used for personal activities (social media, texts, phone calls, etc.)

GRADING

Minimum Grades:

Teachers will not enter in gradebook a grade less than 40 for any work attempted. If a student scores below a 40 for a grade, the actual grade should be placed in the comments area. Students will receive a “0” for work not attempted. This includes but is not limited to: not turning in the assignment, not filling in any answer blank, filling in answer blanks with answers not related to the topic, marking an answer document in a pattern or with all one answer, answering less than half of a test, etc. Final grades will not be less than 40. Work submitted where a student has either cheated or plagiarized will receive a 0.

Make-up Work:

Students are encouraged and allowed to make up all missing work due to absence. Students who are absent, regardless of reason, may schedule to make up any work missed within five days of their return to school. This includes In School Suspension (ISS) and Out of School Suspension (OSS). (Refer to Board Policy IHA)  If a student is present and fails to turn in work, the student may submit the work based on the teacher’s discretion and classroom policy.

Make-up Work Policy:

• Homework will be due the next day after it is assigned unless otherwise stated

• Homework will be accepted late with 10 points per day penalty

•Maximum 3 day late period.  After this time homework will not be accepted and a grade of zero will be assigned

• If a student is absent the day homework is due, they must turn it in the next day they are at school

Grade Calculation:

Final grades are calculated as the sum of 80% of the average of the two semesters and 20% of the grade earned on the final exam.  The daily grading system consists of three types of learning tasks and will be determined as follows:

1. Major Assessments - 40% (may include:  unit tests, mid unit tests, major projects, essays, performance tasks, etc.)
2. Minor Assessments - 40% (may include:  notebook checks, quizzes, minor projects, minor writing assignments, vocabulary quizzes, etc.)
3. Feedback - (may include:  homework, classwork, participation, etc.)  Feedback is formative assessment and includes commentary designed to improve student performance.
4. Final Exam / State required examination - 20%

The grading scale is as follows:

•        90 -100   =A

•        80 - 89    =B

•        70 – 79   =C

•        Below 70=F

CLASS RULES:

Callaway High School observes a simple motto that encourages classroom behavior.  This motto will be the basis for the expectations in this classroom.  The motto is as follows:

• Be a Cavalier

• Be Courteous

• Be Capable

• Be Cooperative

• Be Callaway

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURE:

The Troup County Schools discipline code is spelled out in your planner and will be followed. Lack of compliance will result in disciplinary action.  If students violate system, school, or classroom rules, the following process will be implemented.

1.      Warning

2.      Student/Teacher Conference

3.      Parent Contact

4.      Teacher Detention

5.      Referral

Please take your syllabus home and share with your parents.   Detach this page, sign in the appropriate areas, and return.

Textbook Notification:

Textbooks for this class will be one of several resources we will use throughout the year.  It has been determined that students will not need a textbook at home for this class.  As a result, we will be using a classroom set of books instead of assigning a textbook for each student to use at home. 

Syllabus Information:

I hope that all of my students have a rewarding semester and I want them all to pass U.S. History and go on to do well on their U.S. History EOCT.  I am willing to help students in their quest to meet these goals.  Any student who needs additional help is more than welcomed to stay before or after school as long as they meet with me beforehand to arrange a time suitable for both parties.  I request that students who need to stay after give me at least one day notice in advance to ensure that I am able to be here for the additional help.

NOTEBOOK EXPECTATIONS:

Studies have shown that successful students are organized and accountable. In an effort to hone these skills, Callaway High School is instituting a Notebook Policy. All students will be REQUIRED to have a notebook for this class. Notebooks need to be 3-ring binder with dividers. Notebooks should be a minimum of 1” wide. Each Unit will consist of a variety of handouts, documents, and student responses. The notebook will ensure students have a safe place to store their valuable classwork. Periodically, notebooks will be checked for a grade. These checks include notebook quizzes and teacher inspections. Our notebooks will be a valuable tool for student success.

I have read and understand the Notebook Expectations for US History. I will do my best to take ownership of my education through this process.