Contact Information
Email: cameron.denny@dysart.org, Room 3213
Teacher Phone/extension 623-876-7500 ext. 7546
Tutoring: Tuesday 2:30-3:30 (or make alternate arrangements)
Cambridge American History, Course Syllabus 2017-2018
Cambridge IGCSE American History Course Overview:
Cambridge IGCSE American History (US) offers candidates the opportunity to discover key issues, ideas, people, and events that shaped the emergence and development of the U.S.A. from the mid-18th century to the start of the 21st century. In doing so, it develops an understanding of the present as well as the past. The syllabus enables candidates to study American history through the use of original historical sources, objects, and visits to local sites. This syllabus promotes development of lifelong skills such as research, critical analysis, and communication. Throughout this syllabus, acquisition of historical knowledge is underpinned by an investigative approach.
Dysart High School will be implementing the Cambridge University IGCSE Curriculum campus wide for all 9th and 10th grade students. This Cambridge Curriculum and exam is part of Arizona’s Move on When Ready initiative and the Grand Canyon Diploma. The Cambridge program encourages student-centered learning and hands on application of skills. Clearly defined learner outcomes and content ensure high expectations for all.
Cambridge students are:
● Confident in working with information and ideas—their own and others
● Responsible for themselves, responsible to and respectful of others
● Innovative and equipped for new and future challenges.
● Engaged intellectually and socially; ready to make a difference
Students who complete the lower division, 10th-11th grade, Cambridge curriculum are set for success in a dual enrollment, Advanced Placement (AP) or Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways for college and career advancements. By passing the Cambridge Board Examinations students are eligible for the Grand Canyon Diploma, a diploma that allows them early entry into college courses. The Cambridge Curriculum is aligned to the Common Core Standards with a global perspective. Dysart is excited to offer this opportunity to all students as we strive to ensure that all students are college and career ready.
General Information/Teacher Expectations:
Attendance: In order for you to learn and put forth your best effort in this class, attendance is a must! When you are absent it is your responsibility to find out what you have missed and to turn in any make up work. Make up exams will be done by appointment only and not during class time.
Tardies: The school tardy policy will be followed at all times. PLEASE BE ON TIME TO MY CLASS! ☺
Passes: My expectation is that you are in class and actively engaged. Therefore, the time for doing your personal business is the passing time between classes. There will be NO PASSES given during class, except for true emergencies. No passes will be granted in the first or last ten minutes of class.
Supplies: You will be required to have a notebook for class notes and assignments. More information about notebooks will be given later. In addition, you must bring a pen or pencil with you every day. Should you not bring a pen or pencil you may borrow one from me, if I have any, or you may borrow one from your fellow students.
Food and Drink: Please only bring bottled water to drink. This is a school policy.
Electronic Devices: DUSD is a BYOD district. You may only use your devices in class when instructed by me for a class activity. You must be logged onto the district WIFI while using your device in this class.
Fire drill and Lockdown Procedures: Fire drills may occur throughout the semester. When this happens stop what you are doing and listen for my direction as to where we are to evacuate. Do not take anything with you. STAY TOGETHER! When we arrive at our designated evacuation site make sure that you check in with me. Should you fail to do so I will write a referral after the drill is finished. As for lockdowns, we will always assume that when a lockdown is called it is the real thing. It is very important that you remain calm and. quiet. Follow all directions that I give you and do not talk until the lockdown is over.
Classroom rules: DEMON P.R.I.D.E.
P – Prepared to Learn Come to all classes prepared for the day with any necessary materials and the required reading completed; actively participate in class discussions.
R – Respect Self & Others My classroom is a safe sharing environment. All students will be permitted to respectfully share their ideas without fear. You are allowed to disagree with a fellow student, but ridicule of others’ ideas/beliefs will not be tolerated. Respect yourself and your education enough to ask questions when you don’t understand. When partner/group activities are assigned – pull your own weight.
I – In the Right Place at the Right Time Student attendance is crucial to student learning, as is timeliness. I expect you to be in the classroom, prepared to learn by the time the final bell rings. Running through the door “just in the nick of time” is not considered timeliness – nor is it demonstrating a preparedness to learn. Passing periods are for bathroom breaks. The only exceptions are true emergencies, medical passes or athletes (based on team rosters).
D – Demonstrate Responsible Behavior Students are expected to keep track of deadlines and due dates. Homework should be completed with quality work and turned in when it is due. Responsible behavior also includes reading independently and studying on a regular basis.
E- Expect Success I set high, but achievable, expectations. You should do the same; expect to accomplish more than just “getting by” in any class.
Dysart High School Late Work Policy: Dysart High School students are expected to turn in all assignments including but not limited to homework, projects, papers and lab reports on the assigned due date. Late work will be accepted for up to one week past the due date for up to 70% of the original grade. Students who turn in work past the 1 week deadline will be allowed to turn in the assignment until the district grading deadline (approximately every 4 weeks) for up to 50% of the original grade if the work meets requirements. All scores are based on the level of mastery demonstrated.
Retake Policy: Retakes will be done in a timely manner to facilitate the continuity of student learning. Retakes must be completed no later than each posting period (approximately every 4 weeks). In order to be eligible for retake students must provide evidence of further practice such as a completed corrective packet or tutoring session. In order to retake at least 80% of homework/classwork assigned related to the assessment must be completed. The grade reflected in the grade book will be the best grade from all of the retake attempts.
Support Expectations/Academic Expectations: Dysart High School wants all students to graduate on time with their cohort. To ensure this happens, students need to stay on track with their credits and pass all of their classes. Dysart High School offers tutoring during the week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. If your child is struggling in a class, we expect students to make the effort to get support through after school tutoring to supplement the supports we are giving in class.
Parent Contacts/Parent Communication: Dysart High School uses our Parent Portal, Messenger and Website as our main tools for parent communication. It is important to us that you receive timely updates about your student’s academic progress. If you do not have a parent portal account, please visit the Dysart.org site to create an account. We will communicate with you in a timely manner if your student is struggling in a class. Please provide your child’s teacher with your preferred method of contact so we can keep you updated on their progress.
Grades: Each semester your grade will be calculated using the following categories and percentages:
Grading Scale: The district adopted grading scale will be used to determine your class grade.
90-100 = A 80-89=B 70-79=C 65-69 = D 64 and below = F
COURSE OVERVIEW – Cambridge American History
QUARTER 1
1. Depth Study: Women’s Suffrage
Evidence-based inquiries. This written paper has two sections, one for each of the set topics in the curriculum content. Candidates must answer all questions on one topic. Set topics are changed every year, and schools are notified two years ahead. Up to seven primary sources will be set for each topic. This paper is set and marked by Cambridge.
2. The Progressive Era reforms (TR and woman’s suffrage)
3. U.S. Imperialism (Spanish American War/Philippines/Panama Canal, etc.)
4. The Jim Crow South
QUARTER 2
1. U.S. attitudes to war in Europe and U.S. contributions
2. Roaring 1920’s (return to Normalcy)
3. Causes of the Great Depression
4. FDR’s New Deal
5. US entering WWII
6. U.S. as a Superpower
7. Truman and the origins of the Cold War
QUARTER 3
1. History Around Us: Phoenix Indian School
For this component, candidates undertake a research-based inquiry into a local site or object. Each candidate must research the site or object in context to assess its historical significance. The class teacher selects the site or object for the entire class to investigate individually. Candidates submit their research in the form of a single word-processed essay of 1,400–1,600 words (work beyond the 1,600 word limit will be excluded from the assessment).
2. 1950’s culture and growth
3. Ike/JFK/LBJ and the Cold War
4. Vietnam 1960’s counterculture
QUARTER 4
1. Civil Rights of the 1960’s
2. 1970s/Nixon/Watergate/Carter and Middle East
3. 1980s culture/Reagan/Cold War/Middle East
4. Gulf War/1990s/Tech Boom
5. 9/11/Iraq/Afghanistan
6. Review of Content for Cambridge Exam
*Syllabus may change due to teacher discretion.
**Cambridge key questions, specified content, and additional information can be found on the Cambridge History syllabus.
A word to the wise:
Please plan ahead! Ask any questions when you do not understand the content or assignments as soon as possible.
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