JF Webb High School of Health & Life Sciences
Chris Monte (Room 47)
montec@gcs.k12.nc.us
(919) 693-6411
2014-2015 Advanced Placement United States History (APUSH)
AP United States History is a survey course that provides an analytical study of America’s past
from the age of discovery to today. Students taking this course will be asked to think critically about
history and to recognize various themes and patterns that have shaped our nation’s development.
Specific writing processes requiring higher level analytical reasoning and evaluation will also be
emphasized. Students taking this class will also be prepared to take the AP exam administered nationally
each May. This exam is a challenging assessment, consisting of a 100-minute multiple-choice/shortanswer section and a 95-minute free response section where students write one LE (long essay) and one
more substantial DBQ (document-based question essay). This test is quite an experience. Many of the
students who earn a score of three or better on the AP exam, on a one-to-five scale, are able to receive
college credit or advanced standing for their APUSH work. A substantial amount of reading and
independent study is, consequently, expected from everyone.
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TEACHER EXPECTATIONS
BE GOOD: Treat others kindly and with respect. Follow the teacher’s directions. Be kind and
polite to classroom visitors. Behave without being asked to do so. Quiet down without being asked.
Stay on-task when working independently or in groups. Do the right thing.
DEMONSTRATE INITIATIVE: Do things right, on your own, and to the best of your ability. Be
in your assigned seat when the tardy bell rings. Start reading, writing, and working on your own.
Do more than the basic minimum. Constantly try to improve. Be as excellent as possible.
DEMONSTRATE INTEGRITY: Copying homework or allowing another student to copy your
homework is cheating. Plagiarizing writing is cheating. Giving someone else answers to test or quiz
questions is cheating. Ask if you need extra help or have any questions. Don’t cheat.
FOOD, BEVERAGES & PERSONAL NEEDS: You may drink only bottled water in this room.
Please do not interrupt class for your personal business. Take care of phone calls, water, bathroom
and grooming needs at lunch or during the change between classes.
ATTENDANCE & FIELD TRIPS
Carefully review the district Parent/Student handbook for official school policies. Please also note that
assignments issued before a routine absence are due the day of return. Unit tests and major assignment
due dates are always announced well in advance. Tests scheduled before a routine absence will be taken
with the class if the student returns on test day. Students must also meet with the teacher before being
absent for a field trip or other planned absence. Students present at school but absent from class because
of an activity or field trip are still expected to turn work in to the teacher the day it is due. It is also the
student’s responsibility to meet with the teacher for make-up work.
QUARTER GRADES
60% = Major Grades (Unit Tests, Essays, Projects, etc.)
40% = Minor Grades (Class Assignments, Quizzes, etc.)
THE TWO “MOST IMPORTANT” THINGS TO DO TO SUCCEED IN THIS CLASS
1) Take reading assignments seriously and study for quizzes. All quizzes are announced.
2) Take the writing assignments seriously. I always provide essay prompts in advance and you are
expected to research each prompt carefully. We do not “re-write” essays in APUSH.
2014-2015 APUSH Course Schedule
Unit 1: Colonial Beginnings (8/25 – 9/9)
Unit 2: The American Revolution (9/10 – 9/23)
Unit 3: The Critical Period (9/24 – 10/3)
Unit 4: Establishing the Republic (10/6 – 10/16)
Unit 5: The Age of Jackson (10/17 – 10/30)
Unit 6: Expansion & Sectional Crisis (10/31 – 11/14)
Unit 7: The Civil War & Reconstruction (11/17 – 12/3)
Unit 8: The Great West (12/4 – 12/15)
Unit 9: The Gilded Age (12/16 – TBA)
Mid-Year Exam (TBA)
Unit 10: Global Expansion and Imperialism (1/26 – 2/3)
Unit 11: The Progressive Era (2/4 – 2/13)
Unit 12: World War One and its Aftermath (2/16 – 2/26)
Unit 13: The Great Depression (2/27 – 3/9)
Unit 14: World War Two (3/10 – 3/19)
Unit 15: Cold War America (3/20 – 4/8)
Unit 16: The Sixties (4/9 – 4/17)
Unit 17: Modern America Part I (4/18 – TBA)
2015 NATIONAL APUSH EXAM DATE (May 8 - 8:00 am)
Unit 18: Modern America Part II & Course Review (5/9 – TBA)
Final Exam (TBA)