Fall Semester

Exploration to the Progressive Era

Course Description: This is a year long course of 16 units broken into 8 units per semester. This course is requirement for graduation, and you will take an End of Course Test (EOCT) in late April. The test will count 15% of your final course grade.

Further information can be found at: http://www.georgiastandards.org/

SSUSH1 The student will describe European settlement in North America during the 17th century.

SSUSH2 The student will trace the ways that the economy and society of British North America developed.

SSUSH3 The student will explain the primary causes of the American Revolution.

SSUSH4 The student will identify the ideological, military, and diplomatic aspects of the American Revolution.

SSUSH5 The student will explain specific events and key ideas that brought about the adoption and implementation of the United States Constitution.

SSUSH6 The student will analyze the nature of territorial and population growth, and its impact in the early decades of the new nation.

SSUHS7 Students will explain the process of economic growth, its regional and national impact in the first half of the 19th century, and the different

SSUSH8 The student will explain the relationship between growing north-south divisions and westward expansion.

SSUSH9 The student will identify key events, issues, and individuals relating to the causes, course, and consequences of the Civil War.

SSUSH10 The student will identify legal, political, and social dimensions of Reconstruction.

        Will include questions from the current and all previous units

*Project/Book Analysis                                             15%

*Homework and Class work                                      20%

        Will be a cumulative exam covering the entire semester

Students are responsible for keeping parents informed of their grade in the class. Parents are strongly encouraged to register for ParentConnect and use it for grade and attendance updates. (Parents may register for ParentConnect in the main office.)

Opportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative grade will be allowed when all work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements including attendance.

Students must contact the teacher concerning recovery opportunities. Teachers are expected to establish a reasonable time period for recovery work to be completed during the semester. All recovery work must be directly related to course objectives and must be completed ten school days prior to the end of the semester.

            *Teachers will determine when and how students with extenuating

AHS Plagiarism Statement:  A particular kind of honor code violation occurs with plagiarism.  Plagiarism is defined as the use of another’s words or ideas and the presentation of them as though they are entirely one’s own.  Acts of plagiarism include but are not limited to using words or ideas from a published source without proper documentation; using the work of another student (e.g., copying another student’s homework, composition or project); using excessive editing suggestions of another student, teacher, parent, or paid editor.  Plagiarism on any project or paper at Alpharetta High School will result in a zero for the assignment, two days of Saturday school, and an Honor Code Violation.  Unless directly stipulated by the teacher, collaboration on written work is not acceptable.  Students who willingly provide other students with access to their work are in violation of the Alpharetta High School Honor Code. From time to time, students will be required to register with and post assignments to the Fulton County approved plagiarism detection site, turnitin.com.  Should the teacher require posting the particular assignment to turnitin.com, the assignment must have been posted to the website prior to the time the assignment is collected in class or the assignment will be considered late.

Absences and Makeup Work:

You are responsible for knowing the classroom assignments, even if you are absent. Upon your return to school, immediately ask me for materials you have missed and borrow notes from other students in the class to catch up. You have the same number of days to complete the makeup work as you were absent. (e.g., absent three school days means you would have three school days to make up missed work.) Students absent the day BEFORE an announced test will be expected to take the test with the class. Late projects will be accepted; however, there will be a 10 point penalty for each day late.

I am available most mornings and afternoons in room # 3218. Please set up a day/time for extra help in advance, as I may have conflicting meetings or activities on the day you come unannounced. There will be a sign in sheet for extra help. 

You are responsible for knowing and abiding by the behavior expectations in the student handbook. I DO enforce the dress code and tardy policy. If you are not in the room when I close the door, you are tardy. If you need to go to the bathroom before class starts, ask for permission in advance. You will not be counted tardy, if permission as been given. You may have a drink if and only if it has a cap. No food or gum will be allowed in the room. If you break this rule, you will be asked to throw out your food/gum immediately. I expect you to be prepared to learn every day. That means having done the previous night’s assignment and coming to class with the materials normally needed. 

The final will be a cumulative multiple choice test with an essay question. At the end of 2^nd semester you will take a year long cumulative End of Course Test that is 15% of your grade.

Contact Information:

         Alpharetta, GA. 30005   

Please read through this entire syllabus with your parent(s)/guardian(s) to make sure that you, the student, and your parent(s)/guardian(s) understand the policies of this course. Let me stress a couple points again so that we are clear. 

• This course is required for graduation. 
• There is an End Of Course Exam for this course. This is a standardized test that every student in the state of Georgia is required to take. This test must be taken on the set date. Please refer to the Fulton County Board of Education website for specific dates. Dates will be announced in class at a later date.
• If you would like to reach me, the best way is through email. I respond to most emails within 24 hours, many times the same day. 
• There will be at least two chances for extra credit this semester, and they will be available to every student. Do not ask for extra credit at the end of the semester. Take advantage of the extra credit when it is offered.
• Returning the following page signed by yourself and your parents within three days will count as a quiz grade. For most of you, it will be due at the beginning of class on Thursday. If your schedule has been changed and you added this class late, the due date will be adjusted accordingly.
• Parents: please ask your students what is going on in class, if they can teach you what I’ve taught them, they will probably pass every test with flying colors. 
• Parents: I strongly advise you to register for ParentConnect through the front office. It is updated every few days, and is a great way to check on how your student is doing in class.
•  I try to make class as entertaining as it is informative. I hope you enjoy the class!

I have read the syllabus and understand all of the policies and procedures contained therein. The syllabus will be kept in the student’s binder for future reference. If there are any questions about the syllabus, questions can be asked in class or via email. If you have an email address and are comfortable giving it to Mr. Davies, please write it below legibly