Honors American History II Rules and Procedures
Ms. Blanchard
Email: mblanchard@duplinschools.net
Welcome to Honors American History II! I am excited to have the opportunity to work with you over the course of the semester. In
American History II, we will study the wild west, emergence of cities, two world wars, Great Depression, social movements, and
modern issues. We will examine all aspects of society including politics, economics, culture, and foreign affairs to understand the
history of the United States. Equally as important, we will learn to read critically, write clearly, think broadly, and speak purposefully.
Acquiring and improving each of these skills is necessary to become a productive citizen, and we will tackle these tasks in ways that
are challenging but also exciting!
Materials: loose leaf notebook paper, pen or pencil; three-ring binder recommended
Class Rules: The classroom environment should be conducive to thinking, listening, and learning. In order to create this type of
environment, you must abide by the following guidelines:
 Be in class and seated when the bell rings.
 Cell phones should be turned off and put away.
 Be attentive to me and your classmates when they are speaking.
 No food or drinks (except for water in a clear bottle with cap).
 Use appropriate language and discuss only topics appropriate for school.
 Dispose of trash properly.
I adhere to school-wide policies regarding cell phones, electronic devices, and tardiness. For other behavioral infractions in the
classroom, detention with me will be assigned.
Leaving Class: You will be given 4 passes to leave class over the course of the semester. It is your responsibility to keep track of
these passes. If you lose them, I will not replace them. Each pass is good for 5 minutes out of class. If you leave class longer than 5
minutes, you must forfeit another pass or serve detention with me. Leaving class is a privilege, not a right, so these passes can be
forfeited at any time over the semester.
Detention: If you are assigned detention, we will discuss a date and time for you to serve detention. Once the date is set, you must
remember it and serve it. If you have to postpone the date, five minutes will be added. If you do not show, the time will be doubled
and reassigned.
Absences: Please note the following:
 It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to make sure he/she has received the makeup assignments.
 If you miss class, excused or unexcused, you will be required to attend a Learn session to catch up on missed assignments
and information.
Homework: Assignments will be written on the board each day and announced in class. Homework assignments must be completealways. Honors students will study historical events and issues in greater depth; therefore, Honors students will have homework each
week.
Reading: I am currently in the process of selecting and arranging the purchase of books for this class. If we receive books, students
will be completing most of the reading during class and have a classwork or homework assignment using the book. Reading is
especially important to sharpen analytical and comprehension skills. Reading scholarly texts will provide students with a deeper
understanding of topics covered in this course. Stay tuned for more information about this!
Grading: Grades will be calculated on a points system, and your final average will be determined by the total points earned by the
total points possible. Tests will be worth 100 points and classwork/homework will be determined by the length of assignment, time
spent, etc.
Final Exam: The final exam in this class is state-made and consists of multiple choice questions accompanied by constructed
response questions. We will practice answering these types of questions in class frequently.
Current Events: As a citizen of a democracy and of the world, it is important for individuals to be familiar with current events
happening in our local area, the state, the nation, and the world. Since many of you will be able to vote at 18, we will study these
events to prepare you for full democratic participation. I strongly encourage you to begin exposing yourself to news by either reading
the newspaper, watching news on television, or downloading news apps (Flipboard). In class, you should be able to describe and
explain these events in detail. If you explain the event in great detail with complete accuracy, you will get a 5 points slip for full
credit. If you are familiar with the event and can articulate some aspects of it, you will receive a 2.5 points slip for half credit. Your
explanation should take the form of a “live newscast;” meaning, you should speak at an audible volume and clearly to the class. You
must have a total of 15 points by the end of each grading period for current events.
*If you at any time have questions or are having difficulty in this class, please let me know. I am available after school and
many other times to work with you to ensure you will succeed!
American History II Tentative Schedule
January
1/22: Introductions
1/23: Pretest
1/26: Historical Thinking, Native Americans in the West
1/27: Ranching/Mining
1/28: Life on the Great Plains
1/29: Farmers/Populist Movement
1/30: Farmers/Populist Movement
February
2/2: TEST on the West
2/3: Industrial Development
2/4: Big Business
2/5: Labor Unions
2/6: Labor Unions
2/9: Urban Experience
2/10: Urban Experience
2/11: Gilded Age, PROGRESS REPORTS
2/12: Life at the Turn of the Century
2/13: Life at the Turn of the Century
2/16: Discrimination
2/17: Progressive Movement
2/18: Progressive Movement
2/19: Teddy Roosevelt and the Square Deal
2/20: Taft/Wilson
2/23: TEST on Gilded Age and Progressivism
2/24: Imperialism
2/25: Imperialism, EARLY RELEASE
2/26: Imperialism
2/27: Imperialism
March
3/2: Review, Imperialism QUIZ
3/3: BENCHMARK
3/4: WWI
3/5: WWI, PROGRESS REPORTS
3/6: WWI
3/9: Return to Normalcy
3/10: WWI Effects
3/11: TEST on WWI
3/12: 1920s
3/13: 1920s,
3/16: 1920s
3/17: Great Depression
3/18: Great Depression/ New Deal, EARLY RELESE
3/19: New Deal
3/20: Great Depression Culture
3/23: Great Depression Culture
3/24: Review
3/25: TEST on 1920s and Great Depression
3/26: WWII
3/27: WWII, END OF GRADING PERIOD
3/30: WWII
3/31: WWII
April
4/1: Holocaust
4/2: WWII
4/3: HOLIDAY
4/6-4/10: SPRING BREAK
4/13: WWII, REPORT CARDS
4/14: WWII
4/15: Review
4/16: BENCHMARK
4/17: Cold War
4/20: Truman
4/21: Eisenhower
4/22: 1950s Culture
4/23: Kennedy
4/24: Kennedy
4/27: TEST on Cold War, PROGRESS REPORTS
4/28: Johnson
4/29: Civil Rights Movement, EARLY RELEASE
4/30: Civil Rights Movement
May
5/1: Civil Rights Movement
5/4: Vietnam
5/5: Vietnam
5/6: 1960s Culture
5/7: 1960s Culture
5/8: Nixon
5/11: Review
5/12: TEST on 1960s
5/13: 1970s, Ford
5/14: Carter
5/15: 1980s, Reagan
5/18: 1980s, Reagan, PROGRESS REPORTS
5/19: Bush
5/20: Clinton
5/21: George W. Bush, Terrorism
5/22: George W. Bush, Terrorism
5/25: MEMORIAL DAY
5/26: Terrorism
5/27: Obama
5/28: TEST on Modern Era
5/29: Book Circles (if we get books)
June
6/1-6/5: Review for Final Exam