Course Description

American History II: The Founding Principles will guide students from the late nineteenth century time period through the early 21st
century. Students will examine the political, economic, social and cultural development of the United States from the end of the
Reconstruction era to present times. The essential standards of American History II: The Founding Principles will trace the change in
the ethnic composition of American society; the movement toward equal rights for racial minorities and women; and the role of the
United States as a major world power. An emphasis is placed on the expanding role of the federal government and federal courts as
well as the continuing tension between the individual and the state. The desired outcome of this course is for students to develop an
understanding of the cause-and-effect relationship between past and present events, recognize patterns of interactions, and understand
the impact of events on in the United States in an interconnected world.
Course Outline
American History II
1. Closing the Frontier
2. Industrializing America
3. American Imperialism
4. Boom, Bust and a New Deal
5. War and American Ascendance
6. Turbulence at Home and Abroad
7. The End of the American Century
Grading Policy
Grading Scale
90-100- A
80-90- B
70-80- C
60-70- D
59 & below- F
Quarter Grading Percentages (CMS Policy)
70% - Formal Grades Unit Tests, Formative Quizzes, Class Projects
20% - Informal Grades classwork
Late Work
A ten-point deduction per day will be given to assignments turned in late.
Make-up work
Students who are absent for a test, quiz, or assignment have ONE WEEK to make up the work. Tests and quizzes must be
made up either before school or on Thursdays during tutoring. Work that is not made up within one week will receive a
grade of zero.
How can I help my child successfully pass this class?
- Check Parent Assist regularly. Good grades start early in the semester and are hard to get back once lost.
- Make sure they are doing homework. There will be very few evening when your student does not have something I am
asking them to work on.
- Review with your child. Check out our Google Classroom. All assignments and class materials are accessible from there.
PARTICIPATION IS MANDATORY!
Plagiarism is ALWAY cheating. Students are expected to turn in their own work. Copying other students or online resources
is grounds for an immediate 0. Please see the class website for expectations regarding the originality of work.

Remind 101
- I will be using Remind 101 to communicate important dates and other information. Please take a few minutes to sign up for
the appropriate class. If you sign up by 9/9/16 I will give 5 points of extra credit. If you also get your parent to sign up I will
throw in a free quiz grade.
- Text the correct code to 81010.
Google Classroom
I maintain a Google Classroom. Many assignments will be turned in through Google Classroom. Please familiarize yourself with the
program. We will take time to add you to my classroom during the first week of the semester.
Class Website
Westmeckamericanhistory.weebly.com
If you miss a day of class, please check my class website for make-up work. Everything we do will be posted there. Do not ask for
make-up work in class, I will direct you to my website. If you need to print something I will have opportunities to do so in clas.

Class Policies

1. I will respect my time and the classes time.

2. I will respect West Mecks technology policies.
3. I will respect my classmates and my classroom.
4. I will respect my academic integrity and submit only my own work.
I consider the classroom environment to be sacred and I do not allow disruptions to the learning and
participation of others. Understand that any consequence given are not personal. Every day is a fresh slate.

Return this page to Mr. Jones by Friday, February 3rd

Syllabus Assignment
I, ______________________________ (print name here), have read the course syllabus, and will explain Mr. Jones American
History Syllabus to my parents/guardians and return completed for a homework grade.
X_____________________________________(student sign here)

I, ______________________________ (print name here), have read and understand the course syllabus for American History..
X ___________________________________ (parent or guardian signature)

Parent and Teacher Contact Form

Contact Information

Parent Contact

Please print legibly and complete all parts.

This section will be used to help document our

communication.

Parent/Guardian Names:
____________________________________
____________________________________
Phone Number:
Home:______________________________
Parent Cell: _______________________________
Work: ______________________________
Parent Email: ______________________________
Preferred method of contact: ________________________
Student Contact Information
- I will contact you (the parent/guardian) with behavior or
academic issues. This is just to verify that students are not
giving their personal contact information instead of their
parents or guardians.
Student Phone Number: _______________________
Student Email:_______________________________