Mr. Allen’s U.S. History
Class Syllabus
Room 212
Franklin Simpson High School
2015-2016 School Year
“That people do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons of history.” -Aldous Huxley
Course: U.S. History, 11th Grade/Juniors Instructor: Mr. Justin Allen Cell Phone: (270)-847-3257 Work Phone: (270)-586-3273 Email: [email protected] Class Location: Room 212 Office Hours: From 7:15-7:55 (before school) and after 3:30 (by appointment)
Course Description: Mr. Allen’s US history class is a summative course of all events related to the development of the United States of America. In this course, students will become historians in training and utilize several tools to better their understanding of historical events and the evolution of our country. Students will be expected to participate in discussion, reading/writing activities (in class and at home), and class projects that will incorporate all the skills taught within the course. This class will also stress the development of reading, writing, and communication skills to benefit all students no matter their career paths. Overall, the course will strive to teach American history in a fun/relatable manner so that ALL students may succeed in an effective learning environment.
Course Goals: 1. Students will be better able to read and analyze documents, infer meaning, and clearly communicate their understanding of historical events verbally and visually.
2. Students will be able to explain changes in American society in cultural, political, economical, religious, and ethnic terms.
3. Students will be able to analyze the progression of America from the pre-colonial era to the 21st century.
4. Students will be able to demonstrate their comprehension of several different topics within the course in creative and productive ways.
Major Units of Study: Course Introduction Unit 1: Exploration & Colonization
Unit 2: Creating a Nation
Unit 3: Antebellum America
Unit 4: Civil War & Reconstruction
Unit 5: Industrialization & Urbanization
Unit 6: Increasing Influences & Challenges
Unit 7: The United States in a Changing World
Unit 8: America at War
Unit 9: Changes at Home
Unit 10: Post-War Foreign Policy
Unit 11: Modern Era (1980-Present)
Course Text: History Alive!: Pursuing American Ideals. Teacher Curriculum Institution; Student Edition (June 30, 2008). ISBN: 978-1934534519.
American Anthem; Modern American History. Holt, Rinehart, and Winston; Student Edition (April 1, 2006). ISBN: 0-03-093381-1
Course Materials: Each of the following materials will be needed everyday to ensure student success:
Pen and/or Pencil
3-Ring Binder (1” should do)
Paper for Binder
Organizer Tabs (at least 5). Should be labeled as follows:
1. Class Notes
2. Class Writings
3. Bell Ringers
4. Handouts 5. Graded Items (Assignments, Quizzes, Tests)
Grading Policy: Students’ grades will be determined by their performances on a variety of assessments, assignments, and other activities, all of which will represent the students’ comprehension of the material taught in class.
Planned and graded activities include:
8 unit tests (these tests will usually cover 1-2 units), 3 EOT (end of trimester) tests, and 1 EOC (end of course) cumulative exam.
Weekly quizzes over class discussions, activities, and readings.
Daily homework assignments.
Class projects (expect 2-3 every month).
Bi-weekly binder checks (see items checked in Course Materials above).
The teacher retains the right to Change these activities according to the pace of the class.
There are no set points for the class; these points will be accumulated throughout the year.
There will be NO extra credit assigned, however students may present possible projects or assignments that prove their understanding for additional points.
Grading Scale: In accordance with the Franklin-Simpson School District grading policy, the scale is as follows: A=90-100 B=80-89 C=79-70 D=69-60 F=0-59 Class Rules: To ensure a successful learning environment, the students and myself will adhere to the following rules:
1. Be respectful and understanding of everyone in the class.
2. Come to class prompt, prepared, and ready to participate.
3. Follow teacher instructions and listen to student comments.
4. Engage yourself in the past to better understand the present. 5. Be good, do good, and have fun!
Consequences: Following the rules will ensure your success in the class; however, violating these rules will be met with appropriate consequences. The following penalties are explained below:
1st Violation: A warning will be issued to the student, either verbally or written.
2nd Violation: After class, discussion of what the student needs to do in order to correct his/her behavior.
3rd Violation: Contact parent/guardian and discuss the student’s behavior and breach of the class rules.
4th Violation: Officer referral, further consequences will be decided by the school administration (further parental counseling, ISI, suspension, etc.).
Attendance & Make-Up Work Policy: Students are expected to be in class and in their seats by the ring of the tardy bell each period. Students are counted tardy if they walk in after this time and are counted absent if they do not show up to class at all.
Students who continually are tardy/absent without an appropriate excuse will face the same consequences as listed above.
No work can be made up if an absence is unexcused; however, students are encouraged to come talk to me to ensure all points are not lost on an assignment.
Excused absences will allow students to make up their work. My policy allows all students to make up the work depending how many days they were absent from class (ex: John missed three days of school, and he is then allocated three days to make up the assignment).
For more information on school attendance, refer to the FSHS Student Handbook.
Cheating and Plagiarism Policy: In accordance with Franklin-Simpson Academic Dishonesty Policy, any acts of cheating/plagiarism committed in the class will be met with immediate consequences. This can range from failure on the assignment/assessment, to failure of the course, depending on the act of academic dishonesty committed by the student.
For further information of academic dishonesty, refer to the FSHS Student Handbook.
Dear Parent/Guardian, First, I would like to say that I’m looking forward to teaching your child this school year. I promise to do my best to ensure that your child leaves my class learning a new aspect of American history and is better able to read, write, and communicate when they are finished with the course. I hope that the syllabus described my class rules and expectation clearly, and you are informed that you may contact me by phone, email, or in person (by appointment) to address any concerns you might have about your child’s education. I believe together we can guarantee that your child will be successful in my class. Secondly, since this is an upper-class US history course, some content shown through videos, images, and other sources may depict violence and/or profanity. In accordance with Franklin Simpson School District bylaws, I must obtain parental permission to show this material to your child. If you refuse to sign this, your child’s grade will not suffer and he/she will be assigned a substitute assignment if necessary. Your signature documents that you have also read the syllabus and understand its information. Finally, I would also like your child to sign below as well. To ensure they have read and comprehended the class syllabus and its information, I would like them to document their understanding. This document will be brought forward if any violations of the class rules are committed; this way, students will see they documented their comprehension of the class rules and understand consequences.
****Again, please feel free to contact me if you or your child has any questions regarding the class. ****
Thank you for support and cooperation,
Mr. Justin Allen Social Studies Teacher Franklin Simpson High School, Room 212
I, ______(student signature)_ , have read over the class syllabus for Mr. Allen’s US History course and promise to follow the class rules and procedures to the best of my ability.
I, ______(parent/guardian signature), have also read over and understand the information presented in the class syllabus. I also allow for my child to view content that may have graphic images or use profanity during the course of the school year (this content will be directly related to the curriculum).