American History II

MR. SCHOONOVER
COURSE SYLLABUS
mrschoon.weebly.com
FEW

WILL HAVE THE GREATNESS TO BEND HISTORY ITSELF; BUT EACH OF US CAN WORK TO CHANGE A SMALL PORTION OF EVENTS,
AND IN THE TOTAL OF ALL THOSE ACTS WILL BE WRITTEN THE HISTORY OF THIS GENERATION.

ROBERT F. KENNEDY

TEACHER INFORMATION:
My name is Mr. Schoonover and this is my third year teaching at Troy Athens High School. I love all
aspects of history and love that I get to share this passion with my students every day. I find that a
classroom that is organized, challenging and purposeful is most beneficial to students and I will
push myself to meet these goals. I expect students to be respectful, positive and engaged in
activities; this will help to make learning more meaningful and fun, will ensure that I respect my
students and have as much fun as possible to help students meet course goals. If you are ever
confused, have questions or need additional support, please contact me.
CSCHOONOVER@TROY.K12.MI.US

248.823.2900 EXT. 3686

5 HOUR PREP PERIOD (12:08 1:03)
ROOM NUMBER: 250I
TH

OVERVIEW:
We are going to examine United States History to develop chronological and thematic insights that
can be applied to our daily lives and our future. We will analyze broad concepts in the history of the
United States from the World War II to today. The study of history is the study of stories to explain
our understanding of contemporary society. We will examine a number of stories and perspectives
in United States History to grasp this understanding.
CLASS WEBPAGE:
One of the greatest resources that I have this semester is my classroom webpage
(mrschoon.weebly.com). My webpage has everything we do in class on a daily basis including notes
for each chapter, what we do in class each day, what we handed in each day and what we have for
homework. My webpage should always be the first place you go to if you are looking for
assignments, are absent from class or forget what we did in class. Please, use this resource as
much as possible.
SUGGESTED SUPPLIES: No supplies are mandatory; all assignments are constructed using materials the school
can provide

Two Pocket Folder (or three-ring binder) to hold ALL classroom assignments
Pen/Pencil on a daily basis
Textbook: The Americans: Reconstruction to the 21st Century 2012
CLASSROOM RULES:
SHOW RESPECT IN THE CLASSROOM : This includes towards me, your fellow students and the
school. This classroom will not tolerate disrespect, bullying or a lack of courtesy.
BE IN YOUR SEAT FROM BELL TO BELL : I will mark tardies throughout the semester and report
them accordingly. If you are not in the classroom by the time the bell rings, must leave the
class to use the restroom, gather class materials, etc. you will be marked tardy. Students will
also not pack up materials or leave their seat until they are dismissed by myself.
COME TO CLASS PREPARED: This includes using the restroom and having all materials needed for
class with you when you arrive. Passes will not be used during class unless it is an emergency.

 FOLLOW ALL STUDENT HANDBOOK RULES: This includes the use of inappropriate language, the
use of phones, tablets, and additional technology in class as well as all other school and district
expectations of you.
HOW YOU WILL BE GRADED:
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS - 60% of your final grade
o Tests Tests never escape you. It will be my job to help make sure you are ready for
these tests. You will always get a review several days before a test to help you study.
See me before or after school if you need help studying or reviewing for your tests.
o Projects We will have several projects throughout the school year that range from
papers, to posters to group work. Staying on task and working with others is part of your
project grade.
o Essays Being a good writer is one of the most important skills you can learn while in
high school. Your assignments will always be graded using a rubric.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS 40% of your final grade
o Quizzes Quizzes will be given throughout the semester to assess your understanding
of specific topics. This may be given without notice.
o Class work Class work is made up of assignments that are done both in class and are
sent home. The purpose of class work is to supplement and build off things done in the
classroom. Doing your class work will help you in all other areas of this course.
GRADING SCALE:
o 40% of your grade will be from semester one, 40% from semester two and 20% from
your final exam
A+ : 97% and above
A : 96.9% - 93%
A-: 90% - 92.9%
B+: 87% - 89.9%
B: 83% - 86.9%
B-: 80% - 82.9%
C+: 77% - 79.9%
C: 73% - 76.9%
C-: 70% - 72.9%
D+: 67% - 69.9%
D: 63% - 66.9%
D-: 60% - 62.9%
F: 59% and below
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES:
LATE WORK
o Any work handed in after the time it is due will receive 50% of. Any extreme
circumstances please see me.
o I will accept late work up to the end of each quarter but it will be up to you to find
missing work on my webpage. I will not be printing off late work for your own error.
STUDENT ABSENCES
o If you are ever absent please see my webpage (mrschoon.weebly.com) to see what work
you have missed.
o You will have the school allotted days to make up your work, if it is not turned in by then,
you will receive a zero for that assignment.
o If you are absent for a test/quiz you will have one week (or as many days as you were
absent) to make up any test/quiz that you miss during class.
Test make-ups will be before or after school. Please see me to get these dates and
times.
After one week you will receive a zero for that assessment.
TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM
o I will allow the use of technology at certain points throughout the semester for academic
purposes.
o If you care to use technology this semester please ask me before using.
o Any non approved technology use will result in confiscation of technology.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
o Students caught cheating will receive a zero on their assignment. This usually includes
two or more individuals.
TEXTBOOKS

We have a classroom set of textbooks, but you will be assigned a textbook as well.
Bring your textbook home to study and complete homework. Do not leave your
textbook in your locker; there is a higher possibility of damage to occur to the book in
your locker. Online versions of the book are available upon request.
EXTRA HELP
o Sometimes 5 or 10 minutes of individual help makes a big difference in understanding
and learning the concepts that are misunderstood. Please do not wait until the day of a
quiz or test to get extra help! Rather, talk to me as soon as you do not understand
something. I will be available for extra help at the following times:
Before school Monday through Friday beginning at 7:00 am.
After school until 2:30 pm.
Other accommodations may be made if you talk to me ahead of time.
o

WE

WILL BE COVERING THE FOLLOWING TOPICS THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER. EACH TOPIC IS
FOCUSED ON ANSWERING ONE MAJOR ESSENTIAL QUESTION. THIS QUESTION WILL ALWAYS APPEAR
ON THE ASSESSMENT FOR THAT TOPIC.

QUARTER 1
Topic #1 Road to War: From the Rise of Dictators to the Conquests Taken
Time Frame 2 weeks
Reading: Chapter 16 World War Looms (pages 526-558)
Objective: To trace the rise of dictators, the beginnings of war, and the American response
in the 1930s.
Essential Question: Could the United States have prevented the outbreak of World War II?
Assessment: Multiple choice test, reading a map, extended response essay
Topic #2 Fighting the War: Europe, the Pacific, and working at home
Time Frame 3 weeks
Reading: Chapter 17 The United States in World War II (pages 560-598)
Student Objective: To understand the military campaigns, political decisions, and efforts
on the home front that won World War II.
Essential Question: How did the United States use its resources to win World War II?
Assessment: Multiple choice test, reading a map, extended response essay
Topic #3 Origins of the Cold War: Containment
Time Frame 2 weeks
Reading: Chapter 18 Cold War Conflicts (pages 601-628)
Student Objective: To understand the international and domestic tensions resulting from
the Cold War.
Essential Question: Was containment an effective policy to thwart communist expansion?
Assessment: Multiple choice test, reading a map, extended response essay
Topic #4 Postwar Years at Home to the Mood of the 1950s
Time Frame 1 week
Reading: Chapter 19 The Postwar Boom (pages 632-664)
Student Objective: To understand the economic, social, and cultural changes that
occurred in postwar America.
Essential Question: Why did the attitudes and lives of Americans change in the 1950s?
Assessment: Multiple choice test, reading a map, extended response essay
Topic #5 The Kennedy and Johnson Years

Time Frame 2 week

Reading: Chapter 20 The New Frontier and Great Society (pages 669-696)
Student Objective: To understand the achievements and challenges of the Kennedy and
Johnson administrations.
Essential Question: Did American presidents have good reasons to fight a war in
Vietnam?
Assessment: Multiple choice test, reading a map, extended response essay
QUARTER 2
Topic #6 Civil Rights Movement
Time Frame 2 week
Reading: Chapter 21 Civil Rights (pages 698-726)
Student Objective: To understand the African-American struggle for civil rights during the
1950s and 1960s.
Essential Question: Is civil disobedience the most effective means of achieving racial
equality?
Assessment: Multiple choice test, reading a map, extended response essay
Topic #7 The Vietnam War
Time Frame 2 week
Reading: Chapter 22 The Vietnam War Years (pages 728-764)
Student Objective: To understand the military and political events of the Vietnam War in
Southeast Asia and its impact on life in the United States.
Essential Question: How does the Vietnam War have a mixed legacy even to this day?
Assessment: Multiple choice test, reading a map, extended response essay
Topic #8 Nixon, Ford, and Carter
Time Frame 2 week
Reading: Chapter 24 An Age of Limits (pages 792-826)
Student Objective: To understand the political, social, and economic events of the 1970s
and the Nixon Administration.
Essential Question: Should Nixon have resigned the presidency?
Assessment: Multiple choice test, reading a map, extended response essay
Topic #19 The Conservative Revolution
Time Frame 2 week
Reading: Chapter 25 The Conservative Tide (pages 828-856)
Student Objective: To understand the political and social events of the 1980s and early
1990s.
Essential Question: Did the policies of the Reagan administration strengthen or weaken
the United States?
Assessment: Multiple choice test, reading a map, extended response essay
Topic #20 Leading Ties to the Present
Time Frame 2 week
Reading: Chapter 26 The United States in Todays World (pages 858-890)
Student Objective: To summarize the political and social events of the 1990s and early
2000s.
Essential Question: What is the most important issues that affects the United States
today?

Assessment: Multiple choice test, reading a map, extended response essay

FINAL EXAM 20% of your final grade (Semester 1 grade is worth 40% of your grade, semester 2 is
worth 40% of your grade.) The final exam will consist of 85 question multiple choice and matching
questions, 15 point written essay

LET

EACH OF US NOW EMBRACE, WITH SOLEMN DUTY AND AWESOME JOY, WHAT IS OUR LASTING BIRTHRIGHT.

WITH

COMMON

EFFORT AND COMMON PURPOSE, WITH PASSION AND DEDICATION, LET US ANSWER THE CALL OF HISTORY, AND CARRY INTO AN
UNCERTAIN FUTURE THAT PRECIOUS LIGHT OF FREEDOM.

BARACK OBAMA

MR. SCHOONOVERS CLASSROOM RULES FORM

Please sign below after reviewing the rules, requirements, attendance policy, and grading policy
within this syllabus. Please feel free to contact me at anytime if you have any questions or concerns.
Also, please include your email address (if you have one) and phone number so that if necessary I
may reach you. Thank you, and I hope to meet you soon!
We have read, discussed, and understand the rules, requirements and procedures for Mr.
Schoonovers class.
Student

Name:

(please

print)______________________________________________________Hour:

______________
Student Signature: _____________________________________________________________ Date: _____________
Student email address: _________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian name: _________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian

signature:

______________________________________________________

Date:

_____________
Parent/Guardian phone #: _______________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian email address: __________________________________________________
Does the student have internet connection to access the classroom webpage
(mrschoon.weebly.com)?

YES

OR

NO

If your student has any additional information or needs that I should be aware of please
list them on the space below.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please tear off this page and turn in. The due date for the syllabus is Wednesday January 28th,
2015 and will count as the first grade of the card marking.