SILVERADO HIGH SCHOOL
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
AP UNITED STATES HISTORY – 7030AP
Fall 2015
Tom Mullins, EdD, NBCT
tmmullin@interact.ccsd.net
Course Scope:
This one-year course is designed with an emphasis on meeting the requirements of the College Board Advanced
Placement United States History examination. This college-level curriculum provides an in-depth examination,
synthesis, and evaluation of the historical themes from 1492 to present day. A careful balance of historiography,
analytical skills, and factual knowledge is used throughout the course. Instructional practices incorporate integration
of diversity awareness including appreciation of all cultures and their important contributions to society. The
appropriate use of technology is an integral part of this course. This course fulfills the U.S. History credit required
for high school graduation.
Course Goals:
1.
To evaluate evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship.
[NS: H1.0, H2.0, H3.0, H4.0]
2.
To analyze the impact of ideas and individual action on social, political, economic, technological, and
religious institutions in American history. [NS: H1.0, H2.0, E10.0, C13.0]
3.
To assess the causes and consequences of complex events such as wars, conflicts, and revolutions. [NS:
H1.0, H2.0, H3.0, H4.0]
4.
To draw conclusions regarding the impact of science and technology on the human and physical systems of
the United States. [NS: H1.0, H3.0, G 6.0, G8.0]
5.
To summarize and cite evidence that describes the benefits and responsibilities of United States citizenship.
[NS: C13.0]
6.
To compare individual and/or group experiences that reflects socioeconomic, ethnic, racial, and gender
differences. [NS: H1.0, H2.0, H3.0, H4.0]
7.
To evaluate and critique how the arts and humanities of diverse cultures relate to the historical themes of
the United States. [NS: H1.0, H2.0, H3.0, H4.0, G7.0, C13.0]
8.
To evaluate historical literature in the context of United States history.
[NS: H1.0, H2.0, H3.0, H4.0]
9.
To explain in terms of concepts strong historical themes based on a variety of historical source material.
[NS: H1.0, H2.0, H3.0, H4.0]
10.
To apply the content literacy skills necessary to analyze historical documents, artifacts, and concepts.
[NS: H1.0, H2.0, H3.0, H4.0, G6.0, G7.0, G8.0, E9.0, E11.0, C13.0, C14.0, C15.0, C16.0]
11.
To use information, media, and technology literacy skills necessary to research, communicate, and
demonstrate critical thinking.
[NS: H1.0, H2.0, H3.0, H4.0, G6.0, G7.0, G8.0, E9.0, E11.0, C13.0, C14.0, C15.0, C16.0]
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SILVERADO HIGH SCHOOL
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
Course Cadre Grading Rubric
CCSD Regulation 5121, Student Progress: Grading, Section II:
“The Clark County School District reports student achievement for all subjects in secondary schools (grades six
through twelve) and computes grade point averages using the following symbols and scale:
A
Excellent
90-100%
4.0
B
Above Average
80-89%
3.0
C
Average
70-79%
2.0
D
Below Average
60-69%
1.0
F
Failure
Below 60%
0.0”
Grades for each Quarter:
Examinations and Quizzes
Notebook/Participation
Analytic Writing
50%
25%
25%
Semester Grades:
Quarter 1 & 2: 40% each= 80%
Semester 1 Exam= 20%
Quarter 3 & 4= 40% each=80%
Semester 2 Exam=20%
Design
This course is designed to prepare the student to take the Advanced Placement Examination in American History
administered by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey in May of each year. Some colleges grant five
semester credits to students who pass the exam; other institutions use this score for placement in honors or other advanced
programs. Although it is a rigorous course, students can expect to pass if they are willing to commit the time and energy
towards learning the material. It is essential that the students understand the dedication that this course requires. The cost
of the exam is approximately $80.00. Students who score in the upper quartile may receive college credit from
participating Universities, fulfilling up to 6 credits in humanities. Detailed information is available at the AP College
Board website and from your student’s counselor.
Course Requirements
Because of the special nature of Advanced Placement classes, students need to be aware of the specific commitments
required, including the importance of reading and preparing for every class session. AP US History is taught as a
freshman-level college course and utilizes a college-level textbook The American Pageant. The format is lecture and
discussion based. To assist in breaking down the assignments a class schedule with topics covered, reading/assignments
and exams/essays, has been prepared in the APUS Guide. Please review the assignments and your reading and notetaking ability accordingly. The workload is demanding and detailed; students should expect to spend 1 hour per school
night preparing for class and 2-3 hours on the weekends.
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SILVERADO HIGH SCHOOL
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
Course Requirements, continued


Students who are tardy will miss opening of class graded activities.
In order to encourage organization, efficiency, and proper study habits, each student will be required to
maintain a three-ring binder for this course. All materials (course expectations, notes, handouts,
homework, graded work, etc.) for this class will be kept in such and with the students at the start of class
each day. Binders will periodically be checked/assessed for completeness and organization via instructor
collection and/or notebook quizzes. It should also be noted that an orderly and complete binder
containing all a student’s completed/graded work can prove to be invaluable should there ever be and
questions/discrepancies with the student’s grades. Students’ binders will be graded using a binder rubric
provided to them at the beginning of the school year.
 Students will receive homework every day in this class. Homework will include but is not limited to:
watching or reading the news, textbook readings, individual or group projects, use of the Internet, and
reviewing and reciting notes. Homework is worth 10% of the quarter grade and is to be completed by
the beginning of class on the due date.
 All assignments must be completed in blue or black ink. Complete sentences are required on all
assignments. All writing assignments consisting of a paragraph or longer will be graded according to the
school writing rubric.
 Students are expected to participate and contribute in class discussions each day. I will record
students’ names on index cards on the first day of class. I will pull these cards periodically to
randomly call on students so expect to be called on at all times. I will record students’ participation on
these cards. Each day there will be an opening activity. These activities should be placed into the
student’s binder in the appropriate section. Students who are tardy may miss the daily activity and miss
out on points..
Makeup Work:
After any absence, the student is required to initiate contact with instructor to obtain appropriate make up work
within three (3) school days directly following the student’s return. Any previously assigned and due
assignments before the absence are due next class period.
All late work that exceeds these parameters requires a parent/guardian note explaining the situation for an
exception to Silverado School rules, and will be graded at the instructors’ discretion.
Tardies
CCSD Regulation 5113, Attendance Enforcement, Section I entitled Student Tardiness: “Student tardiness is a
serious disruption to the educational process. Tardiness interferes with time to teach and infringes on the
educational rights of other students.” Students will be expected to follow the Silverado High School Tardy
Policy and Procedures.
BASIC CLASS RULES
Be prepared each day; all notes are required for every class; mutual respect between students and the teacher is essential;
no food or drink is allowed in class at any time (except water); no cheating will be tolerated. Any student caught cheating
as well as the person loaning the material will receive a zero for that assignment. Gross misconduct toward the teacher or
another student will result in immediate referral to the Dean. There will no quarreling or arguing with the instructor, over
material, content or methods of instruction in this class.
ASSESSMENT
The following methods, as well as others developed will be used to evaluate each student, each quarter:
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SILVERADO HIGH SCHOOL
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
Exams, Notes and Participation and Analytic Writing.
COURSE MATERIALS
1. Silverado High School AP US GUIDE, printed edition 1, Silverado High School. If lost the student will be
responsible for a $15.00 replacement fee
2. The American Pageant, 13th edition all chapters will be read and note are required for each chapter as well. If lost
replacement fee of $75.00 will be assessed
3. Pencil, paper, pens, and about (350) 3x5 note cards.
CITIZENSHIP GRADES
Citizenship will be based on a student’s ability to follow the school rules and Silverado Core Beliefs. Infractions of these
rules will result in the lowering of a student’s citizenship grade. Students must not exhibit behavior that interferes
with the teaching/learning process.
O – Outstanding: student attends class without unexcused absences or tardies, submits work on time, is always
respectful, cooperative, and non-disruptive of the teaching/learning process and follows all class/school rules.
This student is a positive classroom participant.
S – Satisfactory: student attends class with two (or less) unexcused absences or tardies, submits work on time, is
always respectful, cooperative, and non-disruptive of the teaching/learning process and follows all class/school
rules.
N – Needs Improvement: student has 3-5 unexcused absences or three unexcused tardies, some of the work is
missing or late, needs occasional reminders to be respectful, cooperative, and/or non-disruptive of the
teaching/learning process, and needs occasional reminders of class/school rules.
U – Unsatisfactory: student has 5 or more unexcused absences or four or more unexcused tardies, the work is
often missing or submitted late, student needs frequent reminders to be respectful, cooperative, and/or nondisruptive of the teaching/learning process, and needs frequent reminders of class/school rules. Student engaged
in academic dishonesty.
Parents and Students:
Please take a moment to let me know what you think of this these Course Expectations. Use the back of this form for
your suggestions and comments. Feel free call or stop by after school if you would like to meet with me, or, send a note
with your student. Our phone number is 799-5790.
Cordially yours,
Tom Mullins,
Ed.D, NBCT History/Social Studies
Please feel free to email me, tmmullin@interact.ccsd.net
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SILVERADO HIGH SCHOOL
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
Please complete and return to class<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
I HAVE READ THESE COURSE EXPECTATIONS, I UNDERSTAND WHAT WILL BE EXPECTED
FOR ALL STUDENTS AND MYSELF.
I AGREE TO FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE CLASS AND UNDERSTAND THE CONSEQUENCES IF
THEY ARE BROKEN
Student Name:________________________________________________________________________
Parent Signature:____________________ _________________________________________________
Parent Home Phone Number:____________________ _______________________________________
Cellular: _____________________________________________________________________________
Best time to call:_______________________________________________________________________
Tom Mullins,
Ed.D, NBCT History/Social Studies
Please feel free to email me, tmmullin@interact.ccsd.net
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