2015-2016 APUSH Syllabus
Advanced Placement United States History
Don Anderson, Willis Hudson, and Rebecca Richardson
The Course:
This course is designed to teach students to think critically about the issues that have confronted and influenced the United States
through a process that integrates the examination of factual knowledge, the development and application of analytic skills, and the
assessment of primary and secondary sources. This class is the equivalent of an introductory college survey course in U.S. history, and
its content spans the discovery and settlement of the New World to the present.
From the 2015 revised framework: “The AP U.S. History course focuses on developing students’ understanding of American
history from approximately 1491 to the present. The course has students investigate the content of U.S. history for significant
events, individuals, developments, and processes in nine historical periods, and develop and use the same thinking skills and
methods (analyzing primary and secondary sources, making historical comparisons, chronological reasoning, and
argumentation) employed by historians when they study the past. The course also provides seven themes (American and
national identity; migration and settlement; politics and power; work, exchange, and technology; America in the world;
geography and the environment; and culture and society) that students explore throughout the course in order to make
connections among historical developments in different times and places.”
AP United States History students will:
 Develop thinking skills and enduring understandings necessary to deal critically with the main issues and documents of U.S.
history
 Prepare for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands equivalent to those made by full-year introductory
college courses
 Analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources— their relevance, historical context, authorship, intention, point of view,
their reliability, and their importance — and weigh the evidence and interpretations of the past presented as well as comparing
and synthesizing varying viewpoints.
 Arrive at conclusions on the basis of an informed judgment and to present reasons and evidence clearly and persuasively in an
essay format, displaying mastery of historical thinking skills and thematic understandings of course content.
 Work effectively with others to analyze history.
 Prepare for the AP exam in May. This test will cost around $90, and will be given in May of 2016.
There is no pre-requisite for AP US history, but students must be committed to hard work. The course covers approximately 500 years
of US history, more than twice the content of the grade-level course, so it is quite challenging and fast paced. College admission
boards also recognize this, and they look favorably at students who choose to complete AP coursework. Grades earned in AP US
history are weighted (5.0 scale rather than 4.0), so GPA reflects the higher level work.
Further information regarding this course can be found at:
https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/digitalServices/pdf/ap/ap-us-history-course-and-exam-description.pdf
Textbook
Each student will be issued a college level electronic textbook, By the People: A History of the United States AP® Edition, by James Fraser
©2015. Students will have access to hard cover textbooks in the classroom, but they will not be issued a hard cover text.
Supplemental Reading
Students will also be given primary and secondary sources (essays, articles, documents, etc.) within each unit. These may be used in
class discussions, debates, document analysis, cooperative activities, or essay preparation. Sources will be provided in class or on the
CANVAS class page.
Contact Information
Don_Anderson@allenisd.org, Willis_Hudson@allenisd.org, & Rebecca_Richardson@allenisd.org
APUSH TUTORING
Students may attend tutoring with any APUSH teacher.
Mr. Don Anderson
F244
Mr. Willis Hudson
F248
Mrs. Rebecca Richardson
F246

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Before School
7:30-8:00
Anderson
F244
Anderson
F244
Anderson
F244
Anderson
F244
Anderson
F244
1st period
8:15-9:15
No
Tutoring
No
Tutoring
No
Tutoring
No
Tutoring
Richardson
F246
8th period
2:30-3:30
Hudson
F248
Hudson
F248
Hudson
F248
Hudson
F248
Team
Meeting
Richardson
F246
Richardson
F246
No
Tutoring
After School
3:35-4:30
Richardson Richardson
F246
F246
Teacher Expectations
In order to succeed in AP US history and be adequately prepared for the AP exam in May, a considerable time
commitment is necessary. Each class period includes 90 minutes (block) of instruction, assessment, and practice.
During class, students are expected to arrive promptly and prepared, participate, and act responsibly. Outside
class, students are expected to commit to at least 1 hour of reading, studying, and preparation for each class
period.
…and fight fiercely for a 5!
Images captured from wallpaperfast.com, created using Microsoft Word,
& put together using pic stich app from ITunes
Other Basic Expectations:
Students will turn work in on time…
consistently work hard…
not expect to be spoon fed material...
take responsibility for their own learning…
strive to think like a historian…
back up opinions with evidence…
be honest and do their own work…
communicate and ask for help when needed…
follow school policies.
Organization – The Extra Credit Notebook
All students are encouraged to maintain class materials. Materials will primarily be digital, and most
assignments will be submitted through Canvas. Organizing materials beyond this will be optional. Students
will be instructed to create a digital notebook on Google Drive. Students who maintain a well organized
digital notebook will be eligible for one bonus test grade each 9-weeks.
How to set up digital notebook:
a. Log into google.allenisd.org using our school account.
b. Create a folder titled “LAST NAME, APUSH, CLASS PERIOD” -for example, “Richardson, APUSH, 1st period.”
c. Inside this folder, create ten unit folders: “Unit 01,” “Unit 02,” and so on.
d.
Inside each unit folder, create the following folder titled “Unit Assignments.” All assignments submitted
through Canvas will be saved and stored inside this folder. All other items in the unit folders such as notes,
reviews, extra credit, will be in the unit folder.
e.
Share the main folder with your teacher (click on he Share icon, type in your teacher’s name and his or her
email address will pop up, and share the folder. Your teacher will now have access to your digital folder!
Make sure to allow editing.
Materials Needed for Mrs. Richardson’s Advanced Placement U.S. History Class
1. One spiral notebook, standard size from 70 pages to 150 pages. 70 page spiral is recommended.
The spiral should be brought to class each day.
2. Yellow, 8 ½ X 11 writing pad, used for writing assignments
and tests, to be left inside in classroom, may be college or wide ruled
3. A folder or binder (or some means of storing any papers that may be distributed).
4. 1 box of tissue
5. Colored Printer Paper (one package or ream, any color)
6. Ink pens, almost all work not completed digitally will be completed in ink!
Students are encouraged to get felt tip, medium, black FLAIR pens
for essay writing.
7. High quality eraser
(This is optional but comes in handy on scantrons/multiple choice tests, because poor erasures may cause grading errors)
8. #2 Pencils to be used ONLY on scantrons… all other work will be completed digitally or in ink
9. GUIDEBOOK (optional but STRONGLY encouraged)
United States History: Preparing for the Advanced Placement Examination by John J. Newman
(2015 revised edition) published by AMSCO.
This title is hard to find at local bookstores, and prices are high on Amazon… order it directly from the publisher for
approximately $18 (plus shipping). Order SOON as they will soon be inundated with orders and delivery time will
be extended (this happens every year after school starts).
To Order through the AMSCO website: http://www.amscopub.com/us-history-preparing-for-ap-exam
School supply images captured from OfficeDepot.com, Microsoft
Clip Art, & amsco.extendsales.com
Canvas and BYOD – Bring Your Own Device
Students can log into Canvas at https://canvas.allenisd.org. Canvas will be the primary platform for this course. Students will have
access to this platform through their personal computer, laptop, IPad/tablet, or smartphone. Download the Canvas App to smartphones
and tablets. Some applications will not be accessible from smartphones or tablets, but it will still be a useful tool. Students are also
encouraged to download either CamScan or TinyScanner app in order to turn in daily written work in PDF form from your smart
phone or tablet.
Students are encouraged to bring their device to class each day except for testing days. Students are expected to use their devices for
academic purposes only. Texting, playing games, and other non-academic usage will result in consequences consistent with campus
policy.
Students without a device will have access to computers in the library before or after school.
Extra Credit Opportunities
Students have several opportunities to earn bonus points throughout the year. Details on these assignments will be communicated
within units of study or grading periods.
Grading Categories
There are three grading categories: “Daily,” “Quiz,” & “Test” worth 15%, 35%, and 50% respectively. Daily grades include
online assignments and in class activities. Quizzes include in class reading and content quizzes as well as timed writings.
Tests include unit tests which include both multiple choice and essay questions.
Daily Grades and Assignments
Class Activities: Activities in class include various forms of discussion, debate, collaborative analysis, and individual
writing activities. Activities will be submitted through Canvas or recorded in the student spiral. All activities are aligned
with unit objectives and the unit tests, and although they may be worth few points individually… they do add up! In addition,
they are great for test-prep and exam review!
On-Line Activities: Some reading assignments will be accompanied by online activities. These assignments can be accessed
and submitted through Canvas.
NOTE: Because “technical difficulties” sometime prevent students from being able to complete on-line assignments
by the deadline, each student will receive one TD pass per 9-weeks. (TD = technical difficulty). After the pass is
used, which will exempt the student from the assignment; students missing subsequent on-line assignment deadlines
will earn a zero for each missing assignment. Technical difficulties are typically associated with student home
access. If there is an official, documented Canvas problem, due dates will be amended. Students without Internet
and/or computer access at home may complete online assignments during tutoring times or in the library before or
after school.
Homework: Reading is the primary assignment outside of class. While some of the text will be discussed in detail, much of
it will be covered through independent learning. Students are responsible for reading and studying the textbook or the
AMSCO text (other options for content acquisition will also be provided). Supplemental readings and other types of
homework assignments may be assigned periodically, and some written activities (both mandatory and optional) will
accompany reading assignments.
Quiz Grades
Quizzes: Reading and preparing for class is the most significant contributor to success in APUSH. For this reason, quizzes
are given regularly. Each quiz consists of 5-10 questions based on the objectives for the unit. The textbook, notes, reading
guides, and supplemental sources, will all be helpful in preparing for quizzes. In class quizzes will be timed and consist of
multiple choice, short answer questions, and/or document analysis questions.
NOTE: Students completing the optional, extra credit chapter reading guides may earn up to 10 bonus points on
respective quizzes. Students wishing to earn this bonus and use their reading guide on a quiz must print and hand
write – in ink – their answers. In order to earn bonus, the activity must be completed in it entirety by the time of the
reading quiz. These activities are optional but typically yield very strong dividends. In 2014-2015, 92% of
students who consistently completed guides maintained an A average. See the next page for more information
on the role these reading guides play.
Test Grades
Unit Tests: Unit tests consist of multiple choice questions, short answer questions, and essays. They are timed and modeled
after the AP exam administered by College Board.
Projects: Students will complete one project per 9-weeks which will be worth one test grade.
Unit Calendars
Students are encouraged to access the calendar s through Canvas and Skyward to keep up with due dates, however unit
calendars with objectives, homework, and reading assignments will also be available as separate documents that can be
printed from Canvas. Calendars will also be posted in the classroom. It is imperative that students use their unit
calendars to keep up with this fast paced course.
Make Up Work
Students are expected to follow campus policy which provides one day for making up work for each day absent from
class. This day begins with the day the student returns to class. If a student is absent for a test, they are expected to consult
their unit calendar for the schedule make-up date, which is usually two days after the test is originally administered.
Students who are absent for a quiz must make up the quiz before school the very next day OR complete the respective
reading guide as a replacement grade. Missing the quiz and the class activities that correspond essentially means the student
has missed a chapter’s worth of content. The reading guide will ensure the student covers the content and analyzes its
significance.
Some long term assignments such as projects with scheduled presentation times may not be eligible for make-up. So, plan
ahead for such circumstances. Additionally, students with special circumstances are encouraged to communicate with their
teacher to see if an individualized plan is warranted.
Late Work
Allen ISD policy for AP/IB courses states that late work may earn a maximum of 60% and may only be turned in ONE
day late (24 hours… not until next block). Assignments more than one day late will not be accepted. Students with special
circumstances are encouraged to communicate with their teacher to see if an individualized plan is warranted
Reworking/Retaking
Students earning a failing grade on any assignment or assessment may rework or retake for a maximum of 70. Daily grades
and quizzes must be reworked before the date of the respective unit test. Late work may not be reworked. Semester
exams may not be retaken.
Do or do not! There is no try!
Yoda
Remind101
Students with cell phones are encouraged to register with Mrs. Richardson’s Remind101 classes in order to receive brief reminders and
tips throughout the year. (Parents are welcome to join too) As soon as Mrs. Richardson is more comfortable with the notification application
on Canvas, notifications will shift to Canvas and Remind101 will be suspended.
A Day Classes: text @bc90c to (469) 331-4960
B Day Classes: text @497c to (469) 331-4960
Curves
Because of the high level of difficulty and the ranking style of scoring for College Board exams, curves may be administered
on quizzes or tests. After scores are analyzed for each assessment, the APUSH team will determine if a curve is warranted
and what the scale of the curve will be. All curves will be applied equally to all APUSH classes. Students have the choice to
bypass the curve and complete test corrections for ½ points back instead. Students who earn LESS than 50% on multiple
choice tests will NOT receive the curve. They must retake the test.
Study groups
Students are encouraged to form a study group for APUSH. Working with peers from class or from other classes/teachers is
a valuable method of studying and reviewing as long as students don’t just “divide and conquer.” Remember, there is a
difference between “doing” and “learning!”
Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty includes -- but is not limited to -- copying the work of another student, plagiarizing work from Internet
or other source, using phone during assessments, and unauthorized communication between students during assessments.
Psst.
PP the
What’s
answer
to
answer
#2?
Eli PP
Whitney
ans
to #2?
Should a student engage in academic dishonesty, the student will lose credit for the assignment as
well as earn an office referral. Parents will also receive notification of the event. (See AHS Honor
Code for more details.)
wer
to
#2?
Real integrity is doing the right thing,
knowing that nobody's going to know
whether you did it or not.
Oprah Winfrey
Image captured from: wordpress.com/
As-Bs-Cs
APUSH grades are scaled differently than grade level courses. It is important to remember that a C in APUSH is the equivalent of an A in
the grade level course. Students earning Bs and Cs sometimes become stressed, because they think they are doing poorly. Please keep in
mind that this is a college level course, and college admission boards prefer a C in an AP class to an A+ in a grade level class!
Dropping the Class
Students are not allowed to drop down to the grade level U.S. history course until the completion of 6 weeks and a minimum of 3
tutoring and intervention sessions with an APUSH teacher. House offices will post deadlines for drop requests, but it will likely be
during the first week of October. Students will also have the option of dropping the course at the end of the semester.
Dropping is discouraged, because the grade level course covers different content than AP. After completing 6 weeks in APUSH, a student
dropping down to grade-level will have missed a large chunk of 19th century U.S. history. (APUSH begins in the 1490s. Grade level begins
in the 1870s.) Students who drop at semester will have several decades of history to catch up on. This missed content will be included on
the state’s end of course exam (STAAR), so think carefully before making this decision.
"You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through."
Rosalynn Carter
Internet, Canvas, and Skyward Access
Students without Internet access at home may access online assignments as well as monitor their progress before or after
school in the AHS library. The Allen Public Library also has computers & Internet available.
Each student is encouraged to access their Skyward and Canvas accounts regularly.
For more information on Skyward and Canvas Access, please visit the AISD website at
http://www.allenisd.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=11772
Students with smartphones or tables may also download the free Skyward and Canvas Apps to their device.
American Flag Background image captured from wallpaperfast.com