AP US History

Michael Sherwin

Parents—Please send me an email confirming that you have read this information. My address is michael.sherwin@corvallis.k12.or.us .

Because I think it is so important for parents to be aware of class policies, your email will earn points for your child. Your email will also help me know how to quickly contact you if I have information or a question for you.

I also encourage you to read the information for parents posted on the class website at http://www.csd509j.net/staff/SherwiM/Parents.htm .

Please let me know if you have any questions about class policies.

Students—Please send me an email confirming that you have read this information. My address is michael.sherwin@corvallis.k12.or.us .

Because I think it is so important for students to be aware of class policies, your email will earn points for you. Your email will also help me know how to quickly contact you if I have information or a question for you.

Please let me know if you have any questions about class policies.

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Contact Information

michael.sherwin@corvallis.k12.or.us (E-mail is the best way to reach me for a quick response.)

541-757-3882

Class website: http://www.csd509j.net/staff/SherwiM/ap_us_history.htm

Course Description and Goals

AP US History is an academically rigorous study of American history. The class meets every other day all year long and prepares students for the Advanced Placement exam in May. It examines the major political, economic, and social movements of the United States from the colonial period through the 1990’s. Considerable emphasis is placed on reading and analyzing historical documents and on writing essays incorporating those documents.

See the following links for the reading schedule, essay topics, and schedule of assignments.

http://www.csd509j.net/staff/SherwiM/AP%20US%20Page%20Docs/SYL-TABL.htm

http://www.csd509j.net/staff/SherwiM/SA_sched.htm

http://www.csd509j.net/staff/SherwiM/AP%20US%20Page%20Docs/DueDatesAPUS.htm

Instructional Activities

Instructional activities include document analysis, lecture, informal writing, on-line research, small-group activities, and discussion.

Assessment Procedures

The major assessments are tests, take-home essays, and in-class essays. There are also occasional short quizzes.

Grading Policy

Grades are based class participation (10%), quizzes and tests, Writer’s Notebook, essays, and other assignments. Take-home essays must be typed (10% off if not typed). In-class essays must be written in ink (10% off for pencil).

The grading scale is the standard scale:

90% = A

80% = B

70% = C

60% = D

Each semester, your low score from the chapter tests will be dropped. (This does not apply to the final exams at the end of each semester.) If you miss a chapter test, that becomes your dropped score for that semester. However, if you miss a second chapter test during that semester, you must make up that second missing test. The normal make-up policy would apply; you have five school days to make up work from an excused absence. If the absence is unexcused, you may not make up the work and you do not earn credit.

There are regular opportunities to earn extra credit. See http://www.csd509j.net/staff/SherwiM/AP%20US%20Page%20Docs/Doc_Analysis_XC.htm

(document analysis) and http://www.csd509j.net/staff/SherwiM/AP%20US%20Page%20Docs/DAY1ASSM.htm (Zinn).

Writer’s Notebook

You will have a variety of Writer’s Notebook assignments. Keep these in a section of your notebook or in a separate spiral notebook. Bring this to class every day. Reserve the first two pages for a table of contents. Date and number each page as you go. Do not put more than one entry on each page. Writer’s Notebooks will be collected and checked at the end of the quarter.

If you miss a Writer’s Notebook entry due to an absence, make it up by competing one of the options listed on the class web site at http://www.csd509j.net/staff/SherwiM/AP%20US%20Page%20Docs/WN_US.htm.

Plagiarism Policy

The Plagiarism Policy for Crescent Valley High School will be followed in this course. See the student planner for details of this policy. Please note that the first offense results in a grade of zero for the assignment and the second offense results in a grade of F for the class.

Tardy Policy

Attend class and arrive on time with the following: pen, notebook and paper, appropriate books, and completed assignments when due. If you have to return to your locker to get these materials, you will be marked tardy. Tardies lower your participation grade.

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance is essential for success in this class. That includes the days preceding Winter Break and Spring Break.

If you are absent (excused) and wish to turn in an assignment that was due or make up a quiz that was given while you were gone, do so within one week of your return to school.

If you know in advance that you will miss class, e.g., for an athletic trip, a field trip, or a doctor's appointment, talk to the instructor before you go to pick up assignments and arrange for making up quizzes and handing in completed work.

Late Work Policy

For work to receive full credit, it must be turned in at the beginning of the period on the day due. Any work turned in after this is late. You can receive up to 90% of the points possible for work turned in up to one day late. After one day, you receive no credit.

Oral presentations cannot be “turned in late.” If you are not ready to present when your turn comes, you do not receive credit.

Please note: Computer problems are not an acceptable excuse for late work.

Personal Electronics Policy

The Personal Electronics Policy for Crescent Valley High School will be followed in this course. Please see the student planner for details of this policy.

Classroom Behavior Expectations

In addition to Crescent Valley’s general expectations—Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible—there are a few specific rules I will ask you to follow:

· No eating during class. No beverages other than water in class.

· No cell phones in class.

Career-Related Learning Standards Addressed in this Course

· Personal Management—Exhibit appropriate work ethic and behaviors in school, community, and/or workplace.

· Problem Solving—Apply decision-making and problem-solving techniques in school, community, and/or the workplace.

· Communication—Demonstrate effective communication skills to give and receive information in school, community, and/or workplace.

· Teamwork—Demonstrate effective teamwork in school, community, and/or workplace.

· Employment Foundations—Demonstrate academic, technical, and organizational knowledge and skills required for successful employment.