By the end of the year, the student should be able to understand the political, economic, social and cultural growth of the United States by:

1. Analyzing the diversity of our nation and state with its relationship to immigration, expansion and industrialization and understanding how that diversity has influenced our way of life.
   
   
2. Understanding that we have often resolved our conflicts through the democratic process in order to bring about reforms/change.
   
   
3. The realization that the geography and technological advances of the United States have greatly influenced the national character and economic and political development of our nation.
   
   
4. An awareness that the “American Dream” has been a driving force in our history.
   
   
5. Understanding that today’s society reflects the ideas and beliefs of many different past and present cultures.
   
   
6. Interpreting and analyzing historical writings in order to establish the context and importance of events in American History.

Readings

1.  McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. The American Vision: Modern Times. 2010.
   
   
2. Current Events: Students will periodically use electronic media in order to supplement and expand on classroom discussion and textbook readings.

Student Evaluation

1. Open note pop quizzes.
2. Unit Tests.
3. Class work/homework.
4. Group Projects/Presentations.
5. Class Participation/Citizenship.
6. Semester Examination.

Classroom Management Policies and Requirements

1. Students must bring their textbooks, a 70+ page loose leaf or spiral 8.5” x 11” notebook and a pen/pencil to class every day unless instructed to do otherwise.
   
   
2. Students will are to “sign out” and then “sign in” when they need to use the restroom, go to their locker or get a drink. Hall passes cannot be used for any other purpose (like making counseling appointments, using the telephone/cafeteria, etc.). If abused this privilege may be revoked if abused.
   
   
3. All formal written assignments must be typed (double-spaced) or written in ink on one side of the paper only. Any formal paper not meeting the above criteria will be returned ungraded and assessed a “late fee”. Formal assignments-being announced days in advance--are due on time whether the student is present in school that day or not unless the instructor has been informed in advance and approved a later due date. A late fee may still be assessed.
   
   
4. All assignments are due on the assigned due date. All late work will still be given credit based on effort and timeliness. If turning in work late becomes a consistent issue, we will have an individual conversation to understand the causes and effects of the student's late work.
   If there is any missing work, it will be a 0 in the grade book until it is turned in. This is for a student to realize an assignment is missing. It is up to the student to turn in any missing work by the end of the unit / unit test.
   All late work is the student’s responsibility.
   
   
5. Pop quizzes cannot be made up.
   
   
6. Work missed during unexcused absences may not be accepted.
   
   
7. Work beyond 10 unexcused absences will not be accepted!
   
   
8. Special cases may be dealt with on an individual basis.

Manners and Consideration for Others

1. Since the discussion of sometimes controversial topics is an integral part of United States History class, all students are encouraged to respectfully express their opinions in a non-threatening and non-demeaning manner. Although freedom of speech is one of the most important rights of all; along with rights come responsibilities. Each student’s right to express him/herself ends when it infringes on the rights of others. It is the student’s responsibility to treat everyone and their opinions with tolerance and respect, even if you do not personally agree with them. All students are expected to have good manners and to attempt to increase their vocabularies in an appropriate way. In other words, short base, overused words (i.e. profanity and slang terms) and rudeness are not tolerated in this classroom!
   
   
2. Electronic devises and earbuds are to be placed face down and on silent mode when entering the classroom. There is to be NO use of electronic devises without permission of the instructor. No hats, food, pop, or candy is allowed in the classroom. 

Grading Policy

1. Each will be assigned a point value. At the end of the marking period, the number of points each student earns will be divided by the number of points possible. The posted grading scale will be in effect.
   
   The quarter grade consists of thesecomponents:
   • testing (100+)
   • quizzes (10)
   • homework (5-50)
   • class work(5-50)
   • group work (10-100)
   • class participation/citizenship (100)
   • formal papers/projects(200)
   • along with other written/ oral assignments(5-50). 
     
     
2. Citizenship/Class Participation: 100 points will be used to evaluate class participation and classroom behavior.
   Factors to be considered include punctuality, following of classroom rules, proper behavior and attendance. Points will be deducted for unexcused absences/tardies.
   
   
3. Each quarter will be worth 40% of the semester grade. The semester exam is worth 20% of the semester grade. Percentages, grade points or trending may be used in figuring the final semester grade.