Early American History

St. Wendelin Catholic High School, 2007-2008

Mr. Ferguson

 

Text:  Ritche, Donald, A. American History, The Modern Era since 1865, McGraw-Hill, New York.

 

Course Description: 

The focus of this class is on the history of the United States from colonization up the Reconstruction after the Civil War.  Students will be doing a variety of work, including interpreting relationships between events through the use of multiple-tier time lines, describing the causes and relationships of events in the United States’ early history, and analyzing the consequences of these events.  Geography, economics, government, and citizens’ rights and responsibilities are benchmarks of this course’s lessons.

 

General Rules:

1. Bring to every class:

  • Textbook
  • Notebook
  • 3 ring binder

 

2.  Behavior:

  • The Golden Rule: Treat others as you want to be treated
  • Raise your hand to be called on
  • Leave other students belongings alone
  • Complete assigned readings, homework, and projects before each class period
  • No writing on desks!  Result will be 2 detentions
  • No Gum
  • You are allowed a clear water bottle. 

 

 3.  Daily Routine:

  • Be in your seat before bell rings.  Tardiness will not be tolerated!
  • Have your textbook and notebook ready for the beginning of class
  • I will take attendance and check uniform policy
  • We will begin class with your current event

 

* If you need something clarified, then ask questions during or after class.  Questions and class discussion are encouraged.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grading:

Daily homework will vary depending on the subject matter covered in class.  Examples of homework are:

·        reading assigned pages

·        Worksheets

·        writing a position paper about a subject

 

There will be quizzes (which I will notify the students in advance) over some sections in the textbook and tests over the entire chapters. Grades will be determined by a total point system. Each assignment is worth a maximum number of points. I will add up all your points, and then divide that by the number of possible points to get a percent. 

For example, if you got 400 out of 500 points, 400/500 is 80%, and that would be your final grade.

 

All Tests must be in CAPITAL LETTERS for multiple choice, and use blue or black ink!

 

Late Work: 

Late assignment will be accepted at half credit for each day it is past due.

A 20 point assignment

1 day late 10 points

2 days late 5 points

 

Class Notebook:

Each student will be required to have a 3 ring binder to hold:

·        All handouts

·        Tests

·        Test reviews

·        Homework

·        Notes

This notebook will be a focus point to help students get organized better.  I will have a paper puncher that I will pass around during class so students can put the papers in their notebook.  During the beginning of school I will help the students organize the notebook to help them understand how it works. 

 

*Each quarter everyone will turn in the notebook for a grade. This grade will be the equivalent to a test grade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Events:

During the school year we will be doing current events at the start of every class.  Once a week:

  • Find an article either through newspapers, internet sources, magazines etc. to present to the class.  
  • Bring the article to class having written a summary to explain to the class. 

 

These assignments will be graded and be part of your homework grade. These current events are to help further our understanding of our country and world.

 

Daily weather and sports reports will not be accepted!

 

 

Absence from Class:

 

If you miss class, you should see me before the next class meeting in order to get what work you missed. You are expected to come in and get the paper, ask the teacher any questions they have, and make up the missing work.

 

 

Students will be given the same amount of time to make up the work as the amount of time they missed.

Example:

One day of class missed - one extra day back to make up the missed work.  This applies to written homework and setting up the time to take a missed quiz or test.