Syllabus

**COURSE OVERVIEW**
 * NORTHEASTERN HIGH SCHOOL**

United States History Wiki: http://misslipperthistorywiki.wikispaces.com Ms. Cathy Lippert Email: lippertc@nesd.k12.pa.us Required Materials : Internet access Binder/Folder USB Introduction to Course : Throughout this semester, we will uncover the course of American history starting with the Reconstruction era and traveling through the 20th century. We will discover the growth of big business, immigration trends, the evolving role of women, political, social and culture trends on American society from the Civil War to present day with an emphasis on current events in the nation and world in order to make connections to history. Course Objectives : Components of the Course : The course will be diversified and hands-on with many writing assignments, projects, tests, quizzes, class participation, and group work, as well as homework. Grades are based upon the district set guidelines in the following criteria: Journals: Students will be required to keep a journal in class where they will complete bellringers and journal prompts. The journal will be graded based upon effort and completion. Bellringers will help students retain information and provide me with a guideline. Notebooks: Students will be required to maintain a course notebook where they file away all class notes and handouts. This will be graded and will help students develop organizational skills which will be beneficial in studying for exams. Class Participation: Each week students will receive a participation grade which is based on the following criteria: getting involved with class discussions, effort, staying awake and attentive, being appropriate and making good classroom decisions. Tests/Projects/Quizzes: Our class will be comprised of multiple methods of assessment which will be frequent in order to ensure success. Many tests may include 5 paragraph essays to reinforce concepts taught in 9th grade English. Class Assignments: Each week we will be uncovering history by completing assignments, doing projects, group work, or individual instruction. Students will be graded based upon __effort__ and __completion__ of assignments. Procedures/Expectations/Reactions:
 * 1)  To provide students with an understanding of how America expanded and grew over the last century.
 * 2)  To provide students with the knowledge of how American culture and the economy evolved with the times.
 * 3)  Allow students to develop effective research skills using primary and secondary resources and applying them to their writing.
 * 4)  To develop an awareness of how the U.S. is interrelated geographically, economically, and socially with the world.
 * 5)  Students will develop knowledge of how wars such as World War I, World War II, the Cold War, the Korean War, Vietnam Conflict, and Gulf Wars have brought about unity of cause and the division of the population.
 * 6)  To provide students with an understanding of recent history and its impact on today through the study of current events.
 * 7)  To challenge students to question what they read and to develop critical thinking skills.
 * 1) Students are expected to act maturely and appropriately giving respect to all members of the class at all times. If students are disrespectful or rude, a verbal reprimand will follow. After that, an office referral will follow.
 * 2) It is a student’s responsibility to get makeup work from me/classmates upon their return. Please ask for help. If a test or project is due when absent, it will collected the next day upon return. All assignments not turned in once the next unit ends, will remain as a zero in the grade book. If not turned in on time, deductions will be taken daily.
 * 3) There are a few words that are never to be used in a classroom. There are two more in particular not to use in our class. If you use those words, you can either go to the office or do 25 pushups.
 * 4) Technology is an important part of our class, not having access to the internet at home is not an excuse, stay after, go to the library, come in early, see me. It is imperative that work on laptops is school appropriate. Violating this will result in loss of the privilege.
 * 5) All papers/projects should use proper MLA documentation in order to avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism will follow the agenda’s action plan with the additional expectation that the work will be resubmitted correctly for a partial grade.
 * 6) All typed assignments should be double spaced, 12 point font, black or blue ink. All work needs to be written in COMPLETE SENTENCES.
 * 7) Do not sleep during class, it is rude. If I have to recognize you more than once for sleeping/having your head down, you will stand the rest of the class.
 * 8) Ask for help- either from me or from the tutors which are daily before and after school.
 * 9) Personal listening devices may be permitted during class at the discretion of the teacher.
 * 10) During class, keep all of your personal belongings (backpacks, purses, etc) under your chairs and out of the walkways.
 * 1) During class, keep all of your personal belongings (backpacks, purses, etc) under your chairs and out of the walkways.

Below are copies of the course expectations form and also the movie permission form: