Mr. Simmons
APUSH & American History Syllabi
American History
Mr. Simmons
Trimester A
Description: The goal of this course will to be to inform you of this great country’s history. From Lincoln to Woodstock and everything in between, we will cover it all and you will know it all. Understand this: this class is more than names and dates. The impact of those who came before you have made you think and believe in a certain way, and we will learn together why this is important.
My Goal: It’s simple really. I want you to have a greater appreciation for this country, the people that helped make it, and your future role in this great experiment called a democracy. I feel it is very important to know the facts of American history but more importantly I want you to see the impacts those “facts” made in the creation in the America you now live in.
Needs for the Class:
1. Attitude. I have heard many students walk into this class and say, “history is boring”. Those same students, who opened their mind and gave the class a chance, are ones who said it was one of their favorites. Simply put, give this class a chance.
2. Paper, pencil/ pen. Believe me you are going to need it. If you have to fetch one from a locker…it’s a tardy.
3. Color pencils. They will be needed for geographical mapping.
4. 3 Ring Binder OR folder: to keep all notes in. It becomes a homework grade by September 15th, 2009. I HIGHLY SUGGEST THAT YOU GET A 3 RING BINDER.
5. Textbook. America: Pathways to the Present. By Prentice Hall.
Rules for the class:
1. On time: I can’t stand starting late. Get here and let’s get going.
2. Homework: I do not; I will not take late assignments. Extreme circumstances will be considered.
3. Listen: If you can’t, you won’t be in this class very long.
4. Respect. In order to get it, you have to give it. If you can’t, you won’t be in here.
5. “Potty” Time: You have ample time to get to your locker, talk with your friends, hold a bbq picnic, and STILL have time to take a “potty” break. Get it done before you get in my class.
Extra’s/ Student Handbook Point of Reference: pay attention to your student Conduct Code. It has been revised and you are now considered aware of them.
ATTENDANCE. This is not a homeschooling class and missing class can affect your grade. Unavoidable absences are understandable, but in most instances, these should be few. Missing class
Planners: You have been given planners this year. Inside your planners are SCHOOL RULES. You are in possession of these rules, grades, and expectations. You are now held responsible in knowing them. P.S. A great dinner conversation topic with your parents can be your planner and the rules in them. Let me tell you, it’s a great time waiting to happen.
How I am grading you? There are a slew of ways to grade you but here are a few to give you a heads up: Quizzes (Announced and Unannounced) Exams, Tests, Essays, Films/ Papers, Maps, notes, outlines, timelines, Creative Projects, etc.
Final Exam: 20% of your final grade
APUSH
Advanced Placement U.S. History
Course Overview
The Advanced Placement program in U.S. History makes demands upon students that are equivalent to those made by full-year introductory college survey courses. This class requires a level of participation, diligence, commitment, effort, and autonomy beyond the ordinary high school level. The course will follow the College Board’s Advanced Placement U.S. History outline, the State of Michigan GLEC’s for Social Studies.
To enhance our study of American history, there will be daily homework and reading assignments, quizzes, and essays assigned to students throughout the year, including:
- Reading at least one chapter (approx. 30 – 40 pages) a week from a college-level textbook.
- Approximately 30 – 40 identifications are due a week. These identifications demonstrate the cause/effect relationship of history and require analysis and critical thinking skills
- Weekly quizzes on the assigned reading and lecture notes.
- Tests every three to four weeks covering ALL assigned reading and lecture notes. Some information on the chapter tests will NOT be covered in class. Students need to be aware of this and prepare responsibly for each exam.
- Profiles on every president including domestic policy, foreign policy, the significance of major Supreme Court decisions, and important intellectual and social developments.
- Many primary source analysis readings as notecards and secondary sources analysis readings as thesis papers and POTUS (President of the United States) papers.
- At least two essays are due per trimester.
- A cumulative final exam will be given in May before the AP exam.
- Last trimester period research paper.
To prepare for these assignments, please purchase the following materials and bring them to class each day:
- Three-ring binder with dividers and loose-leaf paper. Please do not use this for any other subject.
- At least two blue or black ink pens and at least two pencils.
- spiral bound packet of 4x6, note cards.
- AP review book (Amsco recommended; this does not need to be brought to class)
To be successful in this class, you must:
- Follow all school and class rules.
- Take responsibility for your behavior and your actions.
- Be on time and in your seat with your notebook open and homework assembled (i.e. stapled, paper clipped, labeled, organized, etc.) on your desk before the bell rings.
- Be prepared with all necessary materials and turn in assignments on time.
- Complete makeup work within three days of your return to school.
- Stay organized! Date all of your notes, keep track of your grades, file all papers immediately, and write down your assignments in your planner every day.
- Have access to the Internet at school or home.
- NO WHINING. (It angers the instructor immeasurably)
- Remember, the instructor does NOT give students grades, STUDENTS EARN THEM.
Advanced Placement U.S. History attempts to develop higher-level critical thinking skills by emphasizing synthesis, categorization, analysis and evaluation, largely through the writing of formal essays, class discussions/lectures, and reading. This course differs from traditional honors courses in the following ways:
- Individual tests will cover a significantly greater body of information than that to which students may be accustomed. Some information on the chapter tests will NOT be covered in class.
- Homework consists primarily of weekly reading assignments for which the student is responsible for mastery of the factual information, chapter identifications, and supplemental handouts.
- Grades are based on the quality of the end product.
- There are very few “simple” assignments where students can improve their grades merely by completing the work.
- There are relatively few major graded assignments each quarter, which increases the need to put adequate preparations into each one.
- Students should aim for a 60% or higher on all of their tests. If a student earns 60% on all of his/her tests then that student will earn at least a C in the course. (This is assuming that all other assignments are completed and done well.) On the actual AP exam, a 60% on the multiple choice section and a score of 5 out of 9 on all three essays equals an overall score of 3. Theoretically, students who earn A’s, B’s, and C’s in the class will score 5’s, 4’s, and 3’s respectively on the AP exam.
- Responsibility for mastering the material rests with the student.
AP U.S. History is taught at the college level and is difficult and demanding for many high school students. Please keep this in mind when you establish expectations for your student and the class. My primary objective is to improve student information processing skills, with an emphasis on improving their ability to analyze and evaluate the relative significance of historical data, and foster a corresponding ability to express those ideas through the written word. Students who successfully complete the course stand an excellent chance of making a passing grade on the AP U.S. History exam in May, thus receiving college credit for the course. Please have high expectations for your students and understand that they are being asked to perform at a higher level than that to which they have been accustomed in the past.
I look forward to working with you this year!