Course Description:
American History
This course examines the
major turning points in American history beginning with the events leading up
to the American Revolution, the origins of our constitution, reform movements,
the Civil War and Reconstruction, the impact of the frontier, the changing
nature of business and government, World War I, the Great Depression, World War
II, the growth of the United States as a world power, the Cold War and the
struggle to achieve class, ethnic, racial, and gender equality. Contemporary
world issues such as globalization, economic interdependence, and terrorism and
world cultures will also factor into our analysis of international conflict and
cooperation..
Class
Contact
Students can stay in contact with the teacher by
registering for text message or email reminders. Visit www.remind.com/join/goyak1 or text “@goyak1” to (424)
295-0666 to register.
The syllabus, assignments, notes, and more will be available on my
website: http://woodgoyak3.blogspot.com
Supplies
-Spiral/Composition notebook for
Interactive Notebook - pen (no
red/pink)
-Lined paper or binder -COVERED text book
-Notes/Assignments
* It will be useful if all
students have an email address. If this is an issue or of concern for you or your
parents, please let me know.
Course
Expectations
-Students will demonstrate
respect for themselves, their classmates, teacher, the physical environment of
the classroom, and the various topics and viewpoints we consider.
-Students will give their
attention to whomever “has the floor,” be it a teacher or another student.
-Students will not use electronic
devices (cell phones, iPods, etc.) during class. After one warning, these
devices will be confiscated for the remainder of the period and/or the rest of
the day.
-Students will not work on
assignments for other classes.
-Students will wait to pack up
until I have indicated that class is over.
-Students will come to class on
time, with all necessary supplies, having completed all assignments, prepared
to actively participate in class. Participation will count for 15% of your
average.
-Students will keep and maintain
an interactive notebook. This will help to organize class notes and materials,
serve as a tool to make meaningful connections across the curriculum, and as a
resource to prepare for the semester and final exams.
-Students will take
responsibility for themselves and their learning.
-Students will adhere to both the
letter and the spirit of the BCCHS Plagiarism policy.
Policies
• Grading
I use a point system, in which
every assignment is worth a certain number of points. (Typical point values are
listed below). Your grade on any assignment can be determined by dividing the
actual number of points you received by the number of possible points.
Likewise, 85% of your average for the term can be determined by dividing your
total earned points by the total possible points for the term (participation will
count for the remaining 15%)
• Basic Homework
– 10 Points
• Maps- 10-25
Points
• Quizzes – 20
Points
• Essays /
Written Assignments – 50 Points
• Tests – 100
Points
• Jeopardy
Review Game- 50 Points
• Binder Check-
50 Points
• Other Projects
– will vary
• Absences and
Make-Up Policy
While absences are sometimes
necessary and unavoidable, your success in this class is very much dependent on
your regular attendance. Please keep the following in mind.
-You need to come to class on time. Students who are repeatedly tardy
may be assigned a detention.
-When you are absent, it is your responsibility to make up any
work you missed, in addition to arranging to meet with me if necessary.
-If you will not be able to make up missed work within a day or two of
your return to class, please be sure to contact me so that we can make
alternate arrangements.
-If you are going to miss class due to a field trip or vacation, it is
your responsibility to let me know in advance, turn in any assignments that are
due the day you will be out, and at my discretion take a test or quiz in
advance.
-If you miss an announced test or quiz due to an excused absence, you
are expected to make up that assessment the day you return to school; otherwise
you will lose 5 points a day and after one week will no longer be able to make
it up. Exceptions will be made for extended absences and/or other extenuating
circumstances.
-If you have an unexcused absence from class, you will receive a zero
for any assignments due
and/or assessments given during
that class.
• Assignments
Assignments will include reading
and note-taking from the textbook, reading and analysis of primary source
documents, maps, charts, timelines, oral presentations, essays, and various
group and individual projects.
Assignments are due at the
beginning of class. Please plan ahead so that you are prepared to hand in assignments
when the bell rings: as necessary, they should be printed, stapled, have your
name on top, etc. Assignments can be emailed to me when extenuating
circumstances make it necessary; please try to avoid this as much as possible.
• Late Work
Except in extenuating
circumstances, assignments that are turned in late will lose 10 percentage
points for each day they are late. Homework for a particular unit will NOT be
accepted after we have taken the test on that unit. If the assignment is
something that is required for that day’s activity or is something we go over
in class the day it is due, it will not receive any credit if turned in late.
• Extra Credit
I do make several extra credit
opportunities available to students. Information about them can be
found on my web site; after
viewing that information, please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions.
However, please be aware that extra credit is not an alternative to completing
homework assignments or preparing for tests. Students who have several missing
assignments may have these opportunities revoked.
• Academic Honesty
Cheating and plagiarism WILL NOT
be tolerated and possible consequences include being
asked to re-do the assignment,
losing partial credit, and/or receiving a zero.
Promises
to students:
1) I will always
believe in your ability to succeed. This means my expectations are
extremely high. I will demand your best at all times.
2) I will listen
to you. I ask that you bring questions, concerns or comments to me in a
calm, respectful manner at the appropriate time. Individual concerns
should be addressed in individual conferences that can be arranged by seeing me
before or after class.
3) I will respect
you, and I will insist that others respect you in our class. Please let
me know, in an individual conference, if you ever feel disrespected.
4) I will work
hard and happily. I took this job because I love teaching, I love history
and I love my students.
5) I will learn
from you. You are smart people, and each of you brings experiences and
perspectives to the class that will benefit the group. Please share your
viewpoint every day!
_ _
_ _ _
_ _ _
_ _ _
_ _ _
_ _
Student Name:
___________________________________________________________
Parent
Name:_____________________________________________________________
Parent Signature:
__________________________________________________________
Parent Contact number:
____________________________________________________
I prefer to be contacted by: PHONE EMAIL (circle one)
