Introduction
Today, the responsibility
placed on the United States as a global power is great, as are the expectations
placed on its citizens. To be a citizen of the United States requires knowledge
of the past and action in the present. Democracy is not a spectator sport! In
order for this nation to operate, the people must be active controlling the
government. Without the basic knowledge of how the government works, this task
would be impossible. Moreover, as Americans in the 21st century, we are not
only responsible for our impact on our nation, but on how the actions of this
nation affect the world.
The goals for this course
are as follows:
-Develop an Understanding of
the nation’s history through a comprehensive curriculum.
-Become an informed U.S.
Citizen in regards to civic responsibility and knowledge of government.
-Develop and/or improve
critical thinking and analytical ability through research.
-Improve the manner in which
research is conducted and documented.
-Enhance reading, writing, and
presentation skills.
-Gain
awareness of our nations past present and develop a
sense of responsibility for improving our
nation.
Materials
The
main textbook for this class is “The American Journey”. Other sources for this
class will be updated versions of “The Americans”, “The American Spirit”, and
“A people’s history of the United States”. These and other supplemental
resources will be made available to the students throughout the year.
A notebook and a three ring binder should also be present everyday
unless otherwise stated. I have a three whole punch for all handouts if needed.
The
teacher is not responsible for providing you with a writing implement. DO NOT
ASK for a pen or pencil in this class, it will be expected that you come
prepared every day. Cell phones and tablets are only
to be used for the academic purpose of recording homework at the end of the
period or for research during class. Mr. Webb will announce to the class when
it is ok to use the cell phone or tablet for an academic purpose. Use of cell
phones during an un-announced period will lead to the phone being confiscated
for the day.
Classroom Expectations:
Civility is essential to
successful learning. We learn best when we listen to others, are open to their
ideas, and offer others the respect we also want to receive.
Being prepared for class is a
sign of respect. Bring all the supplies you need and do all the assigned work.
Once the bell rings, class has
started. This means you should be in a seat and ready to start prior to the
bell ringing. All students allowed to leave the room during class time must
attain a pass from Mr. Webb. Students must also sign out and upon returning to
the classroom using the prepared form in C203. At the conclusion of class, do
not leave your seat until the bell rings.
-We all have rights to have the quiet atmosphere needed for discussion
and learning, to have our property (and communal property, such as the
classroom) respected, while knowing that our work and the work of others is
respected.
Grading Policy and
Procedures
Tests/Projects/Essays: 50%
Quizzes/Short Writing: 40%
Homework/Classwork/Participation:
10%
All work that is collected by
Mr. Webb will be graded as soon as possible and returned to the students. All
the work that is collected will be placed in the corresponding class slot in
the homework bin and will be returned to the student when graded. All work will
be graded in room 203, thus ensuring security and confidentiality.
Every student will have access
to their own manila folder in which to keep graded assignments and class notes.
These folders will be kept in the folder bin located in room 203. Periodically
Mr. Webb will have graded notebook checks on essential class notes and chapter
outlines. This will include information kept in the student folders.
All
graded tests and major written assignments will be kept in room 203. Any
student requesting more time with these assessments for further description or
questioning (other than the time provided on the date students are given their
scores) must do so by meeting with Mr. Webb during lunch/activity, or after
school. Instructional time will not be used to discuss individual scores.
Pacing Schedule (Tentative-Mr.
Webb does not control Mother Nature)
Unit
1-Colonial America and the American Revolution
Unit
2-The Constitution and workings of the New Republic
Unit
3-Expansion, the Rise of Nationalism, Sectionalism, and Civil War
Unit
4-Capitalism, Immigration, Urbanization, and Progressivism
Unit
5-America and the World Wars
Unit
6-The Cold War and the Age of Reform
Unit
7-A global power in the Age of Globalization
Classwork and Homework will
be graded with the following expectations:
90-100 Outstanding
An responses are well written with exemplary clarity
that explains and backs up a correct response with specific details that
presents in depth critical thinking and reasoning. These responses complete all
the directives and show perfect mechanics, neatness and spelling. These
responses go above any beyond the assigned activity.
80-89 Quality
Answers that
are well written with quality depth and explanation that show good
understanding. Compared to an
“Outstanding”, these responses needed further explanation, depth, evidence,
improvement of content, or clarity. Grammar mechanics are good and presentation
is neat.
70-79 Adequate
Answers that
require more depth, explanations, critical thought/reasoning, or evidence. These responses are not fully correct, complete, and
unclear. These answers include minor mistakes in mechanics, spelling, neatness,
and unfinished directives.
60-69 Insufficient
These responses need
improvement across the board. Answer must use more evidence, depth, reasoning
etc. Answer was incorrect or parts were noticeably incorrect or completely
unclear. Answer showed little knowledge of the content and required major
adjustments in grammar mechanics.
Less than 60 Unsatisfactory
The
answer is non-existent or un-scoreable due to
mechanics, neatness, or spelling.