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LANDER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 2014"2015

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Keys for Success
! Come to class prepared
!Be respectful of others
!Dont fa! behind
!Take accountability
!Study! Study! Study!
As your Teacher I will
!Make lessons interesting
!Provide a detailed
Study Guide
!Treat you
a! equa!y
!Do everything
in my power to be
fair and help you succeed
American History
Welcome to American History
Course Description
Welcome! I look forward to getting to know each of you as the
semester progresses. My goal is to make this course as interesting and
relevant as possible. As a teacher, I believe in creating a classroom
where the subject matter has a purpose. I also believe that teaching is a
cooperative relationship. It is the duty of the teacher to know the
material and make it interesting and it is the responsibility of the
student to be prepared and willing to learn. Together, with each party
doing its part, the miracle of learning can occur, to the benet of all.
OVERVIEW
Recent surveys and polls taken of
American youth have revealed that
most do not have a basic
understanding of signicant historical
events of the 20th century. A current
trend holds that American youth are
more concerned with the present and
future rather than the past. This trend
can have damaging e#ects. It can
rob us all of the richness or our
heritage and handicap our ability
to understand and appreciate
other cultures. A nation that
cannot remember why it was born
or what it stands for cannot be
expected to long endure. The goal
of this course is to prevent
American amnesia.
LANDER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 2014"2015
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WORLD HISTORY
This course will study the events and people of American History dating from roughly 1846 to the
present day.
COURSE ORGANIZATION
Unit 4: Division and Uneasy Reunion
Duration: First semester
This unit entails the events that led the US to its rst and only Civil War. It will also cover the
War itself in detail as well as the reconstruction period.
Chapters: 10"12
Unit 5: Rewards and Costs
Duration: First semester
This unit focuses on the expansion west, conict with Native Americans, urban life, changing
women's roles and the events and technologies at the turn of the century.
Chapters: 13"16
Unit 6: The United States on the Brink of Change
Duration: First semester
This unit covers the Progressive Era, the Spanish American War, American Imperialism, new
ideologies and the events leading to and of the rst world war.
Chapters 17"19
Unit 7: Boom to Hard Times
Duration: Second semester
This unit studies the fascinating time period deemed the roaring twenties. It will also cover the
stock market crash, great depression and the new deal.
Chapters 20"23
Unit 8: Hot and Cold War
Duration: Second semester
In this unit, students will explore the events of World War II, the postwar economy and the
origins of the Cold War.
Chapters 24"27
Unit 9: A Period of Turmoil and Change
Duration: Second semester
This unit studies the Civil Rights Movement, John F. Kennedys Great Society, counterculture and
the Vietnam War Years. Ideally we cover this and more of the modern era, time permitting.
Chapters 28"31
LANDER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 2014"2015
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WORLD HISTORY
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
Keep up with the assigned readings I will provide
Come to class prepared to participate and learn. This includes having the following materials:
#2 pencil and paper
3 or 4 inch three"ring notebook
unit study guide
current assignment
Be in your seat ready to work when the tardy bell rings.
Cell phones are not to be used in class.
iPods are not to be used during class unless permission is given and can only be used for music
with one headphone in so you can hear me should I have something to say.
No game devices.
You are expected to contribute to class discussions, activities, and projects.
Sleeping in class will not be permitted nor tolerated at any time!
No food or drink in the classroom. Bottled water is ok!
Assignments that are not legible will not be graded until they are re"written in a legible fashion.
Assignments without name or an illegible name will receive a full letter grade deduction.
Do not work on other courses during this course.
Do not talk when the teacher is talking!
You will be respectful to others, this includes the use of profanity!
Students are expected to be self su$cient, this means they are to take responsibility to pick up
assignments that they missed, talk to me about how to raise their grade, and are responsible
themselves to retake any quizzes or tests they have missed.
Homework:
Homework will mostly consist of personal study. You will receive a unit unit study at the beginning of
each unit of study, go over it daily! Some assignments will be assigned throughout the year to do at home.
Most work however can be completed during the allotted school hour.

Additional homework will NOT be assigned during weekends or holidays! Also, to help preserve your
weekend, I will do my best to prevent testing on Mondays.
Late Work:
Any unit assignment that is turned in late will be accepted for 60% of its original value. After a unit is
completed, late work for that unit will no longer be accepted. Tests must be taken within two days upon
return to school or the test will be recorded as a zero.
Make"Up Work:
It is your responsibility to collect and complete any work that is missed due to an excused absence. You
will have two days to complete makeup work due to illness or any other excused absence without a
reduction in grade. Unexcused absences will not receive the opportunity to make up missed assignments.
LANDER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 2014"2015
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WORLD HISTORY
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
Re"takes:
Assignments that receive a score lower than a C may be re"taken. These assignments have to be re"
submitted one day after it has been handed back. Re"takes will only receive at best a C letter grade.
Tests/Exams* may also be re"taken if the score is lower than a C or 75%. One week will be allotted for all
test re"takes. Students re"taking a test can only receive at best a C or 75%. All re"takes will occur before or
after school.
Quizzes must be taken within two days of your return from an excused absence. Pop quizzes cannot be re"
taken but can be made up if missed. Your quiz score will be permanent.
*Subject to change based upon department policy
Debates/Discussions:
Please wait for a natural pause before speaking during a classroom discussion. Do not interrupt or
personally criticize anyone! Help make everyone feel comfortable in our classroom. Be prepared to defend
your position/opinion with facts.
Bathroom Policy/Passes:
On the rst day of school or a new quarter/semester, students will be issued 4 Tiger Passes. Passes can be
used in many ways. The most commonly used method is to go to the bathroom. Students wishing to leave
and go to the rest room need only to ll out their pass and turn it in the box on the wall before leaving.
Students are limited to 4 passes per unit! They must have them in their possession to use them. I am not
responsible for lost passes! Pass uses are listed below:
1& To go to the bathroom
2& To get supplies or a missing assignment
3& To borrow a pencil, pen or paper
4& To avoid a late penalty 'single day only(
5& To buy a food pass
6& Two can be used to get your cell phone back at the end of class
7& Unused passes can be turned for assignment exemption. Ask Mr. Hardy for details.
Extra Credit:
There are two ways to earn extra credit. The rst method is to take good notes during class and show
them to Mr. Hardy following the completion of a unit. The second method is to complete Mr. Hardys
challenge. I believe that in order to receive extra credit, extra work must be involved.
Intellectual Honesty/Plagiarism:
Cheating and/or plagiarism will result in a zero on the assignment in question. Please consult the student
handbook for more details regarding plagiarism.
LANDER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 2014"2015
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WORLD HISTORY
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
Unit Challenges:
Each unit I will o#er the class an academic challenge. It could be one to take better notes, to raise quiz or
test scores or one that is behavior based. On occasion, I will allow student to set their own personal goal.
During the unit, students will have to prove that they are achieving their goal through documentation. If
they prove they worked hard on their goal and showed improvement they will be rewarded with 5% extra
credit for the unit.
O#ce Hours:
I am available each day approximately an hour before and an hour after school. Please schedule or make
me aware of a planned visit at least one day in advance. O$ce hours are subject to change due to coaching
responsibilities.
Grading:
Your grade will be based on your academic performance. The school grading scale is:
100 ) 90% = A 'Advanced(
89 ) 80% = B 'Procient(
79 ) 70% = C 'Basic(
69 ) 60% = D 'Below Basic(
59 ) Below = F
Exams/Quizzes and Final = 70# of your overa! grade
Classwork/Projects/Assignments = 30# of your overa! grade
Much of what is assigned is graded objectively. However, it is not possible to grade all assignments in this
fashion, particularly essays/compositions. If you do not understand why you received a certain grade, it is
your right and responsibility to discuss your concern with me in private!
Advanced: Students at the advanced level use their knowledge of social studies in complex and
abstract situations and can analyze, synthesize, and communicate information and ideas.
Procient: Students at the procient level use concepts and skills to acquire and communicate
information and ideas. To gain prociency, students must earn an 80$ or higher in the
class!
Basic: Students at the basic level ine#ectively use knowledge and skills to acquire and
communicate information and ideas.
Below Basic: Students at the below basic level in social studies require extensive support or
provide little or no evidence in meeting the standard.

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