US+History+Course+Outline

=** United States History **= =** D Block **=
 * Teacher: Debbie Knisell **

**Room 261**

 * Phone Number: (617) 244-3407 **
 * Email: deborah_knisell@newton.k12.ma.us **

**Website: http://debbieknisell.wikispaces.com **
This course is a review of the political and social history of the United States, emphasizing the founding of the United States and the period from 1620 to the present. Particular attention is given to the changing role of the federal government, the United States’ position in the world, and the evolution of and relationships among diverse groups in American society. This course will teach you to think and write like historians, emphasizing analytical skills.
 * Course Overview: **

Our textbook is United States History by AGS Publishing. We will also be using selections from Creating America by McDougal Littell Publishing as well as information from primary sources.

Throughout the year, you will be expected to complete a number of assignments. You will have homework every night. This homework can be answering questions, writing an analytical paper, completing a research project and Junior Thesis, sharing your thoughts about an event in history, and writing about current events. Do not fall behind on your assignments!!
 * Assignments: **

*Tests, Essays and Projects are worth 40% of your grade. *Quizzes are worth 30% of your grade. *Homework and classwork are worth 20% of your grade. *Participation is worth 10% of your grade. *Your final exam is counted as a “5th term” grade.
 * Grading: **


 * Expectations: **
 * 1) You are expected to come to class on time and prepared. **//What does prepared mean?//** Prepared means come with your book, your 3 ring binder, homework, homework notebook, **//__at least__//**__,__ one pen or pencil and ready to learn everyday.
 * 2) You will be expected to participate in class and, because you never know when a DYRT (**__D__**id **__Y__**ou **__R__**ead the **__T__**ext) quiz will happen, you need to do the reading every night. You **//will//** have homework every night.
 * 3) Every homework assignment will be worth a specific amount of points. Points will be deducted from assignments that are late. Keeping up with your homework is very important so you do not fall behind with your assignments and your grade does not suffer for it.
 * 4) When others are sharing ideas or asking a question, you are also expected to act appropriately and maturely and give others the same respect that you want and deserve.
 * 5) One of the other expectations of this class, as well as all of the classes at Newton North High School, is that you complete your own work. The plagiarism policy at Newton North High School is very clear. If a student is caught plagiarizing, then a zero will be given for the assignment and parents will be contacted. If it happens a second time, then the student receives a one-day suspension as well as a zero for the assignment.

** ~Cheating in any form will not be tolerated~ **

If you are ever absent for a class, then it is your responsibility to see the teacher the next day to find out what assignments you missed. Assignments are also listed online so you can check for yourself the day that you are absent. Being absent is not an excuse for not getting an assignment completed. Also, please remember the Newton N rule: Any more than 2 unexcused absences in any one term and you receive an N for the term. Any more than 8 absences of any kind in one term will result in an N for the term.
 * Attendance: **