Coach Kavanagh's A.P. U.S. History Syllabus
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Coach Kavanagh's Contact Information
Room - 104
Email - akavanagh@avhsd.org
Phone - (661) 718-3100

Website - https://moodle.avhsd.org/course/view.php?id=843
1.  Go to: http://moodle.avhsd.org
2.  On the left hand side of the screen under COURSE CATEGORIES click on SOCIAL STUDIES
3.  Under courses scroll down until you find: KAVANAGH – AP US History
4.  Book mark this page to easily navigate back
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APUSH Class Description
"History is not neat.  It is complicated and messy.  It is about people, places, and events that are both admirable and deplorable."  (Quote from the President's House in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.)

AP US History is a college level course primarily designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement US History exam held in May.
The course follows a curricular framework created by the College Board to prepare students to think critically and have the necessary skills in reading, interpreting and analyzing historical events.
The curriculum framework is comprised into three parts:
I. Historical Thinking Skills Foster Critical Analysis and Interpretation
II. Thematic Learning Objectives
III. Key Concepts divided into 9 Historical periods
I. Historical Thinking Skills:
CHRONOLOGICAL REASONING
          - Historical causation
          - Patterns of continuity and change over time
          - Periodization
COMPARISON AND CONTEXTUALIZATION
          - Comparison
          - Contextualization
CRAFTING HISTORICAL ARGUMENTS FROM HISTORICAL EVIDENCE
          - Historical argumentation
          - Appropriate use of relevant historical evidence
HISTORICAL INTERPRETATIONS AND SYNTHESIS
          - Interpretation
          - Synthesis

II. Thematic Learning Objectives:
          - Work, Exchange and Technology - The factors that led to development of systems of economic exchange.
          - American and National Identity - Formation of American national identity and values.
          - Migration and Settlement - How and why various people moved to and within the United States.
          - Culture and Society - The social aspects that led to the cultural shaping of the United States.
          - America in the World - The interactions between nations around the world, and what role they play in North American history.
          - Geography and the Environment - Geography across the United States.
          - Politics and Power - How varying social and political groups influence society and government in the United States.

III. 9 Historical Periods:
Period Date Range
1         1491-1607
2         1607-1754
3         1754-1800
4         1800-1848
5         1844-1877
6         1865-1898
7         1890-1945
8         1945-1980
9         1980-Present
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APUSH MyAP Information
Students will be required to login/join a MyAP class that coincides with APUSH

Here is the link the site: https://myap.collegeboard.org/login
The classroom code to join is:  Y9GPGG

Students will get updates about AP and be able to sign up for the test

Students will also have access to the materials to help progress through the class
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APUSH Student Expectations
It is important that all students understand what is expected of them in this class. It is a very demanding and challenging course that requires a lot of time and commitment both in and outside of class.

Students who take this class are expected to take the A.P. test in May.

I expect all of my students to be follow the RULE motto and be Respectful, Unstoppable, a Leader and Engaged.

         R - Respectful Citizens: Students will improve the overall culture of our school and community at large by displaying tolerance, respect for others, responsibility, self-control, and by participating in the democratic process.

         U - Unstoppable Learner: Students will work to analyze and evaluate information in order to build critical thinking skills that can be used to create innovative solutions to real-world problems despite the challenges they face.

         L - Influential Leaders: Students will strive to set an example of strong work ethics by practicing organizational strategies, planning ahead, and using effective study skills collaboratively in hopes to influence positive change.

         E - Engaged Communicators: Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate ideas clearly and to respond appropriately to the messages of others through reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

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APUSH Late/Make-Up Work
Makeup work will only be accepted with excused absences. 
Any late or make-up work must have it marked clearly on top of the paper.
Late or makeup work will be turned in to the "late/makeup work" basket

You will lose 10% of you possible grade on the assignment per day it is not turned in.  
The older the assignment, the fewer points you will receive.  

You will not be allowed to turn in late work from an unexcused absence, truancy, or suspension.

If you miss a test you have one week to makeup that test (that is 5 school days).  
Being absent the day before a test or before an assignment is due does not excuse you from that test or assignment.

Any work done in class, such as discussions or presentations cannot be made up, except in rare cases which must be cleared by the teacher to let the student make up this work.
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APUSH Cell Phone/Behavior Policy
Cell phones and other electronics will be allowed when needed, or when appropriate.

Phone calls in the middle of class will NEVER be appropriate.  

Students will keep their cellphones and headphones in their backpack or a pocket during class.  
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Required
APUSH How to Email Work
It is important for students to check their email.  
I will email students pretty often, whether it be assignments, or information about reviews, tests,  etc.

Any assignment can be turned in via Google with the following rules:
  • Share the assignment via Google Docs, Slides, Sheets etc.
  • Make sure you rename the assignment with the assignment title and your last name.
  • It must be shared with me by the due date to receive full credit.
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Required
APUSH Reading Quizzes
Initially the reading will take longer and some may struggle with the difficulty. But as in all things, the more you practice, the better you will grasp it and it will take less time.  However, if you procrastinate and do not keep up with the reading, it will take an extensive amount of time trying to catch up.

Reading quizzes will be given the day after an assigned reading (including Mondays).  Assigned readings will be from sections of the book.  

The quiz will be 1 short answer from the assigned reading.  Some quizzes will also have 1 multiple choice question.
Students will be expected to take notes on their reading.  These notes can be used on the reading quizzes.
Reading notes will be worth 5 points.
The short answer question will be worth 4-5 points.
The multiple choice question will be worth 1 point.
The total for every reading quiz will be 10 points.  
Reading quizzes will be compiled into one scoring category in PowerSchool, per unit.

If you are tardy to a reading quiz, you may not be able to make-up the reading quiz.

Comprehending the textbook is the foundation of learning the content in the course and a skill that will get you through your college years, when you are often left to fend for yourself when there is minimal instruction. If you can comprehend the textbook, you can most likely pass the AP Exam.
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Required
APUSH Homework
Homework will be assigned multiple times a APUSH Time Period.
A Google Slide presentation  will be shared every Period that contains the homework for that Period.

Homework will include:
  • Reading assignment/activities out of text, PowerPoint or supplemental reading articles
  • Submitting important forms and papers for the class
  • Watching a video
  • Adding components to a live document on Google Docs, Sheets or Slides
  • Vocabulary
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APUSH Classwork and Points
Students are expected to attend class on time and regularly.
You are to be fully engaged in all activities and lessons during the period.
Assignments are classwork done in class either independently or in a group and are turned in to be graded the day it is assigned in most cases.

All assignments are listed and posted on PowerSchool and on Moodle in case you have an excused absence.
Lack of engagement in any way including the inappropriate use of mobile devices, working on another assignment, or not actively participating in the assignment/activity will result in a poor score.

Copying off someone else will result in a 0.

Classwork Grading - CAT
Completion - 60%
Accuracy -     40%
Total -            100%
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APUSH Historical Unit (Period) Tests and Final
Each Period (Unit) will include an assessment with 1 or more components of the APUSH exam below:
                                                                         Rubric Scale    Class Score
Document Based Question (DBQs)  0-7            50-150 points
Long Essays (LEQs)          0-6            50-150 points
Short Answer Questions (SAQs)  0-3            15-30 points
Multiple Choice Questions         1 point each     50-100 points

The 1st Semester and 2nd Semester finals are a cumulative test with many or all components of the actual APUSH test. No rewrites.

Tests will be curved to the AP Scale.  This scale rubric can be found on Moodle.
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Required
APUSH Test Essay Re-Writes
If a student wants to improve their test score on any writing component (except the mid-term and final), he or she may rewrite their paper under the following conditions:
  • Students must have completed the vocab for all of the chapters included in the test.
  • Students must have taken reading notes and passed the reading quizzes with a minimum period grade of 80% for each of the chapters included in the test.
  • Students must speak with me about their writing so that I may give you feedback on your original paper.
  • Students taking makeup tests due to absences (non-QH related) are not eligible for this opportunity.
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APUSH Grading Scale/AP Test Grade Bump
Grade will be calculated on a cumulative point system, which continues throughout the semester:
93-100%  = A
92-81%  = B
80-60%    = C
59-45%    = D
44-0%      = F

Students who take the A.P. Test and pass with a 3, 4, or 5 are eligible for a grade bump with the following rules:
     - Students who had a semester grade of a D or F are not eligible for a grade bump
     - Students who get a 3 or 4 on the A.P. Test can bump a C to a B
     - Students who get a 5 on the A.P. Test can bump a C to a B or a B to an A
     - The student can choose which semester they want to get a grade bump in
     - To complete the grade bump, students will bring me a grade change form the following year to be completed and turned in to the school
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APUSH Extra Credit
There will be one extra credit project per quarter.
Other extra credit opportunities will be given at the teacher’s discretion.
Do not ask for extra credit assignments.
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APUSH Recommended Materials/Tips for Success
Materials Needed:
  • Textbooks: Henretta, et al America’s History 9th Edition
  • Three-ring binder (1 per semester)
  • Black or Blue pens
  • Internet access to search for AP Review
Reminder
  • It is your responsibility to complete makeup work and to come in for makeup tests and quizzes.  You are your own reminder.
  • Keep your work.  If there is a mistake in your grade, all you need to do is show the proof and a change can be made.  No proof, no change.
  • Do what is expected of you, do not try and figure out what you can get away with.
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