Text:      Boyer’s The American Nation.  Holt, Rinehart, and Winston. 2001. 

• ALL TEXTBOOKS MUST BE COVERED AT ALL TIMES!

Supplemental Texts:  

• Various profiles of famous and not so famous Americans selected by the teacher.
   

Content:   This is a survey course that covers the history in America from prehistoric times to modern times, from Beringia to Dubbya.

Goals:   

• To teach an appreciation of our multi-cultural past.

• To foster a lifelong interest in history.

• To improve vocabulary through reading applications.

• To encourage independent research and analysis.

• To further develop and improve writing skills.

• To strengthen the student’s study skills.

• To encourage critical and independent thinking.

Skills:  Students are expected to take notes, to be complete in both reading and written assignments, to be attentive in class to both lecture and discussion, to study diligently, and to be enthusiastic about sharing newly acquired knowledge. Memory, comprehension, and composition skills are needed and shall be improved throughout the year

Homework: is assigned every single night and should take a minimum of 30 minutes, but often   more time needed for reading. Reading assignments are just as important as written work. Notes should be taken from the reading. Each section of each chapter must be outlined.
Outside reports, special projects, people papers, and chapter reviews also are homework.
 

Each assignment/test/quiz is announced along with the due date. Assignments are expected to be complete, correctly done, and handed in on time in order to get full credit and best possible mark. Late assignments suffer drastic point loss and must be in by the next day. Once an assignment has been graded and handed back to the class, any late paper loses most, if not all, value. Zeros kill an average. Poor work merits poor marks.

Assignments are to be typed or printed from a computer. Homework should look as if time, effort and thought went into its creation, not just something dashed off during lunch. Homework must be distinct and individual. Plagiarism and/or collaboration are considered breaches of honesty and are never acceptable. Cheating is not tolerated.

Notebook:     A single, large notebook is necessary for the course. We take a lot of notes. Periodically, it shall be evaluated. The notebook should reflect information taught in class and should be used at a resource for study prior to testing.

Folder:          Each student is required to have a folder that will contain all returned and graded work. Each mark that is below a 70 must be signed by a parent/guardian within a week of the paper’s return.

Quarterlies/Exams: We used quarterlies last year in lieu of semester exams, and I’m not certain if the procedure will continue this year, so I will announce whether or not the policy will hold for this year as soon as the Department is told.

I had projects that were used as the quarterly mark: example, a Family History project, a Civil War newspaper, Short Reports, Historical Interviews, Personal People Papers, Portfolios, and a few other “big” projects. I also have quarterly exams or semester exams ready should we do those.

Regardless, I will announce which will be given and when with plenty of advance notice.

Grading:       

• Major Tests 50%

• Composition/Essays 20%

• Homework/Quizzes 20%

• Participation and Preparedness: 10%

Additional Information:  

Social Studies Test days are 3 and 6.

Students should always be prepared to write in class and be possessed of the appropriate pen and paper. Both in class and out of class compositions are required. Compositions/homework assigned for out of class should be typed.

Absence does not excuse work. Assignments and tests are announced and scheduled with advance warning. Papers should be handed in on the day of return. Missed tests should be made up the day of the return to class—during study or after school, at my convenience. It is not an option to make up an assignment or a test whenever. The grade would be forfeit. It is the student’s responsibility to find out what (s)he has missed. It is the student’s responsibility to inform me prior to an absence if (s)he is aware that (s)he will not be in my class in advance. It is the responsible and courteous thing to do.

Preparedness and participation are expected for each class. Correct books and materiel are expected to be in class.

Proper School Uniform is expected every day. Lateness is not excused.

There is no excuse for improper and/or unseemly behavior or language in my class. Such behavior, a failure to follow policy, disorder, inattention, lack of cooperation, etc. will not be tolerated. Each student is expected to know how to behave and participate in class. Demerits, detentions, and conversations with parent/guardian will ensue if misbehavior continues beyond casual correction. Toleration and sensitivity towards others and multi-cultural diversity are paramount. Christian kindness and charity demand that we show respect for all.

E-mail:    My e-mail address is Grief4all@aol.com.

In case of information relating to schoolwork, unusual circumstance, or for an occasional assignment, the student may need to send e-mail to me.

Confidentiality, respect, and responsibility are expected.  Voice Mail is #430.