AMERICAN STUDIES: AMERICAN STORIES
2014-2015
Mr. Wolfe and Ms. Misfeldt
Wolfe: 224.765.2127 wwolfe@dist113.org Office A335
Misfeldt: 224.765.2297 gmisfeldt@dist113.org Office A311
Course Website: https://sites.google.com/a/dist113.org/ms-misfeldt-s-learning-page/home/period-23-american-studies
Welcome to American Studies: American Stories. This unique class provides you with an
opportunity to explore the relationship between American literature and history as well as deepen
your understanding of the society and culture to which you belong. We look forward to building a
meaningful and supportive community together.
To be productive and reach our goals, we need to establish a smooth functioning and safe
environment for learning. The following guidelines represent responsibilities and expectations that
will help all of us create and sustain this type of environment.

Mutual respect and appreciation of diversity guide our language and
behavior. Therefore, each one of us should feel comfortable to express opinions, ask
questions, be creative and take risks.

There is a community member grade. It is taken seriously and affects your final grade. In
fact, it counts as 10% of every quarter grade. It includes class readiness, participation, and
more. Please refer to handout for a deeper explanation and rubric. Please note we will
provide feedback of your classroom participation as we move through each quarter.

Academic honesty is a top priority--cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Academic
dishonesty involves presenting another person’s words or ideas as your own or enabling
someone else to do so for you. You are encouraged to work with your classmates on many
assignments. When it comes to putting words on paper, however, the words you write must
be your own.

Regular attendance and punctuality is crucial. We have a short time together, so please
be on time. You will be referred to the dean after two tardies. Regular attendance is
crucial. Much of what we do in class will consist of discussions and activities which cannot
be made up.
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
Absences and Make Up Work:
It is your responsibility to make sure that all absences are authorized and to find out what
assignments you have missed. To do this, please visit Ms. Misfeldt’s Learning Page at
https://sites.google.com/a/dist113.org/ms-misfeldt-s-learning-page/home/period-2-3american-studies. This website will be updated daily with appropriate handouts.
If you miss a test, you are responsible for promptly arranging a makeup time. In most cases,
you should be prepared to make up a missed quiz or test on the day you return. If you feel
unprepared, you must see us before class and we will listen to you and try to be fair. Tests,
quizzes and projects will be announced in advance and therefore, the due date stands even if
you miss the day before. (If you are in school on the day an assignment is due, you are
required to turn that work in even if you miss our class.) Missing class the day before a test,

quiz or project due date does not excuse you from taking the test or quiz or turning in the
project. Tests, quizzes, and projects will be announced in advance and therefore, the due date
stands. If you are absent on the day a long-term projects/paper is due, please e-mail the final
copy to us (and yourself) that day and bring your printed copy and the rest of your process
work when you return to class.
 If you email us an assignment, we will confirm receipt of your work. Please do not
assume we have received it unless you hear back from us. Make sure you also have
emailed your work to yourself.
 If you know you will miss school for an extended time, we can make alternate
arrangements, but you must take the initiative to talk with us.

Late Work:
 Late work will receive reduced credit for each day it is late (up to a letter grade per
day). Additionally, late work will not be accepted once a unit is complete unless
prior arrangements have been made. In some cases, you will not be able to make up
homework that is necessary for immediate use in class.

THE FOLLOWING DAILY CLASS MATERIALS MUST BE BROUGHT TO CLASS ON
OR BEFORE FRIDAY, August 23 : one three-ring binder (at least three inches), threesubject notebook, highlighters, post-it notes, and pens/pencils.
Required books:
The Americans – State-issued U.S. History textbook (Bring this to class only when
requested)
The Scarlet Letter – Hawthorne
The Great Gatsby – Fitzgerald
The Things They Carried – O’Brien
rd
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TURNITIN.COM: We will require you to turn in both a hard copy and digital copy of your
papers. Each time you turn in a paper to either one of us, you will need to do so through
TURNITIN.COM. More information (including your password) will follow.

Learning Targets: Student learning targets are shared through rubrics, evaluation criteria,
and examples. Much of our work focuses on building analytical skills through formative
assessments that emphasize thinking and writing in order to practice skills and develop
competency to succeed on summative assessments.

Grading: Grading occurs continuously throughout the semester and follows a point system
in which assignments, quizzes/tests, papers and projects are assigned a point value and
combine to make up 75% of your semester grade. The other 25% of your semester grade will
be based on community membership (10%) and the final exam (15%). Therefore, the quarter
grade serves as a progress report that shows your current standing halfway through the
semester. Please note that major projects occur at the end of each marking period and may
significantly impact your grade.
PERCENTAGES CALCULATE AS FOLLOWS**:
93-100
A
90-92
A87-89
B+
83-86
B
80-82
B-
77-79
C+
73-76
C
67-69
D+
63-66
D
59 & below
E
** We round grades at .5 or above at semester only.
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
70-72
60-62
CD-
Some assignments may “stand in waiting” while more current assignments critical to the
progress of classroom instruction take precedence. Assignments will be returned in a timely
manner. Most tests, annotations, and writing assignments will be returned within two weeks.
Infinite Campus (I.C.): You may use Infinite Campus as a way to keep track of your own progress,
and it is a useful way to keep track of what work might be missing. Here is the grading key we use on
IC:
T = Assignments that have been turned in but not yet graded
 Please note: “T” may also indicate an assignment that was simply checked for
completion and not evaluated.
EX = Student excused from assignment—assignment not added to quarter grade
M= work not turned in; missing
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Additional Notes/Communication:
If you have a problem meeting a deadline, please talk to us before the due date. We are
flexible, but we will not honor requests for extensions on short notice, except in extenuating
circumstances. We will also not spend energy chasing after you. It is your responsibility to
be in touch with us. The best way to reach us is through email and we will make every
attempt to respond within 24 hours.
A strong commitment to the classroom community is essential. We work together to make this
class successful, which means that our attitudes and behaviors have an important impact on the
overall well-being of the class. Let’s work together to make this a year of exciting exploration
and endless possibilities.
Ms. Misfeldt and Mr. Wolfe