page contents

 

AP UNITED STATES HISTORY

 

Course Description:

Advanced Placement United States History is a college-level course providing analysis and evaluation of American historical concepts and themes from prior to America’s discovery by European explorers through the early twenty-first century. Historical issues will be studied and interpreted through primary and secondary sources. Students must actively participate in class discussions, effectively complete critical writing exercises and essays, and practice historical thinking skills through research and analysis. Consistent effort will prepare students to take the AP exam in May where students may earn university/college credit. Eras 6-9 (1865-present) over the course of this year. The approximate percentage of class time spent on each era corresponds to the approximate percentage of each era on the AP Exam. Each era builds on the earlier ones so it is extremely important to regularly review old material. The course uses a framework - located in the Course and Exam Description on the College Board’s website - that outlines what you need to know – and you should study this framework frequently and carefully!

 

Materials Needed 

  • Textbook: The American Pageant, 16th Edition, AP Edition

 

  • A 3-ring binder, for notes and assignments. Its purpose is to organize all of your work for AP Exam review. While you can take notes digitally, handwritten notes are more effective. Keep ALL handouts and returned assignments for review purposes. Organization is the key to being successful in this course.

 

  • Typical school supplies – dark ink pens, a red pen, #2 pencils, lined paper, a good eraser and/or white out. A few projects may require markers, crayons or colored pencils so grab a pack while they are on sale if you can. 

 

  • Your fully charged Chromebook

 

  • An AP Exam Review Book –  AMSCO

 

Expectations and Guidelines

 

  1. What to Bring to Class Daily 

    1. 3-ring binder with appropriate sections and ample loose-leaf paper (see explanation below). 

    2. Your own pens and pencils

    3. All homework notes, outlines or assignments that are relevant to the daily topic and/or due that day—if it is not in class at the time, I will assume it was not completed and you will lose credit.

  2. Assignments

    1. At the beginning of each unit or chapter, you will receive a homework sheet that will specify the readings and assignments for each topic within the unit.  

    2. All assignments must be completed by their due dates.

    3. Additional announcements such as quizzes, tests, or changes to assignments and/or the syllabus will be posted in Google Classroom.  

    4. All assignments handed in to me MUST BE HANDWRITTEN unless otherwise noted.

  3. Outlines:

    1. You will be required to complete your notes and reading by the dates specified on your assignment calendar. Notes must be completed using Cornell Style and are to be handwritten.

  4. Tests and Quizzes:

    1. The date and content of tests and most quizzes will be announced in advance.

    2. Being absent the day before a major test does not excuse you from having to take the test at the assigned time.  You are informed well in advance of all major tests, so you should be prepared even if you are absent prior to the exam.

  5. Makeup Work: 

    1. You benefit more from being in class than from being absent, especially in a course of this level.  Should you be absent, however, these make-up procedures MUST be followed:

      1. It is your responsibility to make up work that you have missed.  Get the notes from a reliable classmate, check your assignment sheets for any work due, and check with a reliable classmate for important announcements that may have been given.  If you have any questions, see me IMMEDIATELY.  If you have any difficulty understanding work that you missed, be certain to meet with me as soon as possible to have your questions answered.  I will not chase you down for missing assignments, they are your responsibility!

      2. Daily / weekly lessons will be posted in Google classroom

    2. Missed assignments/ tests/ quizzes etc. will be made up after school within a week of the missed work.   

      1. Make up dates - Monday, Wednesday or Thursday 1:45pm  - 2:20pm

      2. Extra Help: You are invited and encouraged to seek extra help, advice, or guidance whenever necessary.  

  6. Classroom Procedure and Expected Decorum: 

    1. Classroom Rules

      1. BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS AT ALL TIMES!

        1. Respect your teacher and your colleagues by listening carefully to their ideas and contributions.  Engaging in private conversations, doing work for other subjects while in social studies class, and packing up early, before the bell rings, are considered disrespectful and could result in disciplinary action.

        2. You may disagree with someone’s ideas without being disagreeable.  All contributions are worthwhile and important to the individual making them— remember this rule of respect!!

 

Evaluation:

Your evaluation is based on everything you do in the course.  This includes tests, quizzes, projects, homework assignments, quality of your group work, cooperation and participation.

 

Homework Assignments:   Your homework assignments will often amount to reading assigned pages in a chapter.  You are required to outline the information that is covered as you will be given a quiz for the chapter(s).  Occasionally you will have questions or papers assigned that must be completed and handed in by the due date.

 

Grading Rules

Summative - 80% *2nd & 4th 60%

                       40% - Tests, Essays, Socratic Seminars, DBQs

                         40% - Quizzes, Short Answer Questions

Formative - 20% (Homework, classwork, vocab checks, textbook activities)

 

MP 1

MP 2*

MP 3

MP 4*

Summative 80%

Summative 60%

Summative 80%

Summative 60%

Formative 20%

Formative 20%

Formative 20%

Formative 20%
 

Midterm 20%

  

Final Exam 20%