Syllabus Dates

IB US History

Mr. Franco

2025-2026

IB US History is designed to be a challenging and thorough study of American history. You will develop important skills, such as thinking historically, analyzing information critically,  and understanding different viewpoints from around the world.

The goal of this course is to give you the knowledge and abilities you need to understand the  complicated nature of the past. You will learn how to examine historical documents and consider various ways of looking at historical events.  At the same time, the course will encourage you to recognize how the world is interconnected.

This class will explore the history of North and South America in detail. It’s specifically designed to help  you get ready for Paper 3 of the IB History Exam. You should expect college-level work, which means a lot of reading and preparation outside of class, individual and group research projects, discussions led by students, and writing assignments.

Cheating or plagiarism is not allowed. Copying someone else’s work, like homework, classwork, or tests is considered cheating. Plagiarism, which is using someone else’s original ideas or writing without giving them credit, is also cheating. If you cheat or plagiarize, you will be reported to the IB coordinator and face academic disciplinary action.

Assignments missed due to an excused absence can still receive full credit if turned in within the proper amount of time.  Assignments missed due to an unexcused absence will have 50% credit one day late and a zero after that.

60% of your grade will come from in-class activities/projects, discussion, and quizzes. 

40% of your grade will come from the writing assessments and a nine weeks test.

As we are an A/B day class, your quizzes will be the first day of the stated week.  So, if I don’t see you on August 25th, your quiz would be on August 26th. If you miss a quiz, then the following quiz will count twice.   Quizzes are based on class activities, discussions, and your independent reading.  

Class participation is a major grade. Everyone starts with a 100. Failure to complete class assignments/activities can result in a two point deduction from the class participation average. 

ASSIGNMENTS DUE DATE

Constitutional Convention               October 14

Quiz 1 October 20 (threats to foundational principles, Jefferson's presidency, War of 1812)

In class Essay October 24

Quiz 2 November 3 (War of 1812 and increasing sectionalism)

Nine Weeks Test Review December 2

Nine Weeks Multiple Choice December 4

Nine Weeks Test Essay December 8*

Semester Exam info coming soon. 

*covers two days. Day 1 is multiple-choice section (40 questions) and day 2 is the essay portion.  The essay portion is worth 60 points.