Why is United States History a required class?

The United States government was created as an experiment in democracy and is today the model for all democratic governments throughout the world.  The United States Constitution gives the people of the United States the power to participate in our government.  A general understanding of the United States and how we came to be what we are today is the reason why United States History is a required course in high schools throughout our nation.

I.  COURSE OF STUDY

1st Semester

•    Exploration / Colonial America / American Revolution / U.S. Constitution / The West / Slavery / Civil War / Reconstruction / Industrial Revolution / Immigration / Labor Movement  / U.S. Imperialism / Progressive Era / World War I / 1920's       

2nd Semester

•    Great Depression / New Deal / World War II / Cold War / 1950's / Civil Rights Movement / 1960's / Vietnam / The Rest of the Story (70's, 80's, 90's, the present and the future)

II. HOW WILL I BE GRADED?

Academic Requirements

Your academic grade will be based on the total number of points earned during the semester.  It's completely up to you how much or how little you achieve in this class.  I will help as much as I can, but the bottom line is that, in the end, it is up to you.

The following is an explanation of all items you will be graded on throughout the semester:

•  Class assignments - Includes points earned as part of individual assignments, cooperative learning activities and group or individual projects.

Be in class!  Class assignments will make up a significant amount of the academic grade.  Many assignments are completed in class only and cannot be made up if you are absent.  Excessive absences will lower your grade and could result in a failing grade for the course.  Treat every class period as if it were a birthday party you were invited to.  The person hosting the party isn’t going to have another party just because you were not able to attend.

•  Homework - In order to establish the foundation of, as well as reinforce, the information discussed in class, homework will be required. 
   Examples of homework include: readings from the textbook, newspaper or internet, answering questions about the readings, and research for various class projects.
   
    •  Homework must be turned in on the day it is due in order to receive credit.
    •  Students with excused absences must turn in homework the first day back in order to receive credit on the assignment.

•  Participation - I encourage all students to get involved in classroom discussions and activities. 
   It is my belief that those who become involved in the subject matter will ultimately develop better critical thinking skills and gain more subject knowledge.

•  Tests -  Tests will be made up of matching, multiple choice, true/false, fill-in, short answer and essay questions.

    •  All make-up tests will be administered outside of regular class time.
    •  Missed tests must be made up within one week of return
       (in the case of an extended, excused absence, you will be allowed as many days as you were absent to make up the test).

        1.  If you fail to make up a test in one week it will be recorded as a zero!
        2.  Those absent due to a period truancy may not make-up the test and will
              receive a zero.

No excuses!  It is your responsibility to contact me if you miss an assignment or test.  This must be done on your own time, not during class time.  The excuse, "I did not know" is not acceptable.

Academic Grading Scale

Letter grades are based on the percentages indicated in the chart below:

97% to 100% = A+    87% to 90% = B+    77% to 80% = C+    65% to 70% = D
93% to 97%   = A      83% to 87% = B      73% to 77% = C     below to 65% = F
90% to 93%   = A-     80% to 83% = B-     70% to 73% = C-                                           

Attendance

•    Any student with more than 10 absences may have their academic grade dropped one grade level (10%). 
•    Any student with 30 or more absences will receive an “F” in the class.
•    If you are truant, you cannot make up the assignment(s) and you will receive a “U” for that six weeks progress report and on the final semester report.  You will also serve a one-hour detention before or after school with me to “make up” the class period you missed.
•     The West Hills Tardy Policy will be enforced. Points will be deducted from your daily class grade for missing academic class discuss.   If you have three or more tardies, you will receive a “U” on the six week progress report and on the final semester report. 

Conduct / Citizenship Requirements

Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.  All students will begin a grading period with an
"S" grade in conduct and progress accordingly.  Grades will be based on your cooperation with the teacher and with classmates.

It is my belief that people your age know what appropriate behavior is and I expect all students to be completely involved in all classroom activities.  I realize that all people have off days every once in a while, but that does not give those people the right to disrupt the learning of others.  How do you handle an off day?  It is simple.  Don't be a negative influence.  Be gracious and let others learn.  What we do in class is important and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.

Consequences

1.  Verbal Warning                        3.  2nd Referral (Parent Contact)   
2.  1st Referral (Parent Contact)    4.  3rd Referral (Drop From Class)

Specific Rules

1.  Cell Phones / Electronic Devices, used during the class period without teacher approval, will be confiscated.  A referral will be written and the cell phone / electronic device will be sent to the administration office for parent pick-up.
2.  Academic Dishonesty – The GUHSD academic dishonesty policy will be strictly enforced.