US History SDC (Period 5)

South Pasadena High School

United States History SAI

Syllabus

Teacher – Kim Boone-Nakase                  

email: [email protected]

Room – 415                                              

Phone: 626-441-5820 ext.2415

There is no direct phone contact between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm. Please leave a message and your phone call or email will be returned within 48 hours.

Students may come by anytime during 7th period or after school to 3:30 pm (as long as there are no meetings) for help with homework, clarifying material, or studying for tests.

Course Description

This course is a study of the history of the United States from the time of the Native American through post-World War II and Domestic Issues.  Some of the highlights that will be explored this year are: the explorers, conquerors, and settlers; the growth of the thirteen colonies; the road to independence; the American’s fight for freedom, the shaping of the government; the new frontiers and what makes the nation strong; the Native Americans and how they were treated; nationalism and territorial growth; slavery and the civil war; the reconstruction and the struggle for equality for all people; new industry and more immigrants; reform and women’s rights; America becomes a world power; World War I; the great depression; World War II; postwar years; civil rights; space exploration; and modern problems and issues.

This class has been developed so the students can have knowledge and express themselves on the subject in this ever evolving world. The SPHS Expected School wide Learning Results (ESLRs) will be followed so students will be able to think and produce in a variety of ways, communicate effectively, be resourceful, and be responsible and accountable in their community and beyond. Because of the expectations and guided work exploration of this class, the students will be headed towards the mission statement of South Pasadena High School which is to empower/enable students to think critically and creatively, communicate effectively, solve problems, set and reach goals, and work cooperatively and independently as responsible citizens of the community.

The Common Core Curriculum Standards are guiding the subject matter in the class work, homework, tests, and projects so that 21st century skills can be obtained for life beyond high school.

Course Grade Policy

Students earn points for class work, homework, quizzes, tests, and projects.  Students also earn daily class points that are received for note taking and participation. The total grade is weighted with class work/notes/participation 20%, homework/quizzes 25%, tests/projects 40%, and final test 15%. The percentage is translated into a letter grade.

90% - 100% = A                                

80% -   89%  = B                                

70% -  79%  = C                                

60% -  69%  = D

  0% -  59%  = F

The final grade can include extra points for more research and participation on the subject.

Points earned are posted online through Aeries, the school's grade tracking system and is updated on at least a weekly basis.

Classroom participation and note taking are expected in every class period. Three (3)  points are given for participation and note taking. If a student chooses not to participate or take notes, points will be deducted for that day. If a student is absent, he/she will get a zero for the day unless they bring the orange readmit to be signed and at that point the student will receive the three points for the absent day.

This point system is to encourage students to engage in the classroom learning and instruction is multi-model and differentiated to the need of the student. The IEP accommodations and modifications are also followed.

Homework is given almost every class period and reinforces learned material or pre-exposes student to new material. It will be posted on the high school website and is expected to be completed by the beginning of the next class period when it will be turned in. If it is not completed by that time, the grade will drop 10% for every class period that it is not turned in down to 50%. The student will receive a zero for any homework never completed.

Quizzes and Tests are given to see how well the student can engage, synthesis, analyze, and communicate their learning. Make-up tests are expected to be taken in a timely manner and is agreed upon between the student and teacher.

Projects are done by the student with expectations explained in both verbal and written form. Projects are usually done in chunked sections so that the student can keep pace with completing the final product. Projects enable the student to be resourceful, responsible, and demonstrate applied learning for the subject.