About the Class
APUSH is a challenging course that is designed to be the equivalent of a freshman college course in a high school setting. This course is also designed to prepare students for the AP Exam in May of 2016. Curriculum for the course centers on a wide array of historical skills which include the following: critical reading skills, document analysis and interpretation, and analytical/evaluative writing. Classroom discussions will also require the ability to evaluate and analyze historical information. Topics of the course through the first semester include contact between American Indians and Europeans in North America, life and thought in colonial America, revolutionary ideology, constitutional development, Jeffersonian and Jacksonian democracy, nineteenth century reform movements, Manifest Destiny, the Civil War and Reconstruction. The subjects of second semester will include Gilded Age, Populism. Progressivism, Imperialism, World War I, the Roaring Twenties, The Great Depression and New Deal, World War II, the Cold War, and the post Cold War era. Our studies this year will cover the time period 1491-present.
In addition to the units of study listed above, the course will focus on the following skills: chronological reasoning, comparison and contextualization, crafting historical arguments from historical evidence, and historical interpretation and synthesis. These skills will be used in conjunction with the following thematic learning objectives: 1. identity, 2. work, exchange, technology, 3. peopling, 4. politics and power, 5. America in the world, 6. environment and geography, 7. ideas, beliefs, and culture.
Course Text and Readings:
Kennedy, David M., Lizabeth Cohen and Thomas Bailey, The American Pageant. 13th ed. Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin Co., 2006
Kennedy, David,: Thomas Bailey. The American Spirit Volumes I and II. 11th ed. Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin Co., 2006
Grading:
Tests/Essays ……70%
Homework………10% Graphic Created by Mrs. Leigh Ann Smith Classwork………..20%
Note: The purpose of homework/classwork is to learn the content. Tests/essays are designed to demonstrate mastery of the content, hence the weighting.
Tests:
Tests will be comprised of multiple-choice questions, long essay questions, document based question (DBQ’s), and short response questions. These are the formats used on the AP exam; repeated exposure to them will assist students in preparing for the test in May.
Mrs. Myers' 1st Day Presentation
In addition to the units of study listed above, the course will focus on the following skills: chronological reasoning, comparison and contextualization, crafting historical arguments from historical evidence, and historical interpretation and synthesis. These skills will be used in conjunction with the following thematic learning objectives: 1. identity, 2. work, exchange, technology, 3. peopling, 4. politics and power, 5. America in the world, 6. environment and geography, 7. ideas, beliefs, and culture.
Course Text and Readings:
Kennedy, David M., Lizabeth Cohen and Thomas Bailey, The American Pageant. 13th ed. Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin Co., 2006
Kennedy, David,: Thomas Bailey. The American Spirit Volumes I and II. 11th ed. Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin Co., 2006
Grading:
Tests/Essays ……70%
Homework………10% Graphic Created by Mrs. Leigh Ann Smith Classwork………..20%
Note: The purpose of homework/classwork is to learn the content. Tests/essays are designed to demonstrate mastery of the content, hence the weighting.
Tests:
Tests will be comprised of multiple-choice questions, long essay questions, document based question (DBQ’s), and short response questions. These are the formats used on the AP exam; repeated exposure to them will assist students in preparing for the test in May.
Mrs. Myers' 1st Day Presentation
Expectations
Completing your homework in a timely, thorough and thoughtful manner is critical to success in this course. A key to success is to do the American Pageant readings the weekend before the unit activities. Reading prior to the week’s activities will help you to understand class activities, and prepare you for the period exams.
- You are expected to contribute to class discussions and effectively participate in classroom activities. Always give your best effort on all class activities and assignments. They are opportunities to learn, achieve and grow. Take advantage of them.
- You are expected to maintain a well-organized notebook of all course related materials. The notebook material will include lecture notes, study guides, handouts, primary reading responses, and critical thinking exercises. The notebook may be graded periodically. SAVE EVERYTHING.
- This class is designed to prepare students for the APUSH exam in May. All students taking this class should plan on taking the exam.
- PLEASE DO NOT MISS THIS CLASS! Nothing can substitute for being present. Making up missed work or assessments is the student’s responsibility. Use the resources on my website to keep up with the class if you must be absent, and see me before any planned absences.
- I expect you to act professionally. That means be on time (in your seat when the bell rings, not on your way to it), be prepared (with your notes and questions), and contribute to the class’s learning (by asking questions and participating fully). Engaging in private conversations, doing work for other subjects, arriving late or packing up early are considered disrespectful. Repeated infractions will result in conferences, calls home, and/or deductions in participation grades. Respect your teacher and your peers by listening carefully to their ideas and contributions and responding thoughtfully. The best learning comes from asking questions and engaging in thoughtful debate.
- Academic Integrity: Remember that your personal honor and integrity are very precious and are important parts of who you are. I encourage you to study together, but I expect that you will do all of your OWN work at all times. Plagiarism is a serious offense and will result in a zero on the assignment and a possible referral to the administration. Ask if you are not sure
Resources
- Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
- APUSH Explained (Includes link to Daniel Jocz You Tube page)