Instructor: Heath Henry
Description: The course will cover the history of the United States from the colonial period to the present. As an Advanced Placement class, heavy emphasis will be placed on skills and concepts important for successful college course work. Students will be required to think critically and creatively as well as master the content of the course.
Expectations:
· Students will be exposed to an elevated level of instruction
· A minimum of 2-3 hours of outside work will be required each week
· Participation is required during class
· Students will experience lower grades than in previous coursework
· Students should expect to be challenged and find the curriculum provocative
· Students will be held to a high level of responsibility for completed work
· Upon completion, students will be more prepared for college
Homework:
· Assignments are based on reading the text at home
· Students are given a calendar every six weeks period giving the specific reading and homework assignments
· Class discussions over the reading will also be graded throughout the week
· Homework is due on the last full day of a week (usually Friday)
· Late work will only be accepted if students attend a Tuesday tutoring session the following week, either before or after school
· As a teacher, Mr. Henry will not send specific reminders home to parents since it is the student’s responsibility to do the work (just as in college)
· Arrangements for make-up work will need to be made directly with Mr. Henry
Note to parents: First let me say that I believe it is an honor and a privilege to have your child in my class. In getting students ready for college I carry a heavy burden of responsibility. This class is difficult for all students. Many have never struggled in an academic class in previous years. Getting an A or a B in this course is not impossible to get, they are just require more work on the part of the student. STUDENTS ALWAYS HAVE HOMEWORK. The vast majority of the time, this is simply reading the textbook. If they are not reading the textbook a few hours a week, they are not doing their homework.
Each student should keep a three-ring binder at home. This binder includes information the student needs to know; calendar of assignments and tests, previous work, etc. If you wish to know what is going on in class, please ask them for the binder. This is a quick and easy way for you as a parent to keep up with what is expected.
As stated earlier, I did not send constant reminders and warnings to parents about missed assignments and failed tests. To prepare these students for college, they need to take on the responsibility for their own work. This means they will face the consequences of their own actions. Please do not take this as an indication that I do not want parent involvement. I believe parental support is a key to success in the classroom. I welcome parent contact, whether it is through email, telephone or direct contact.
I offer tutoring to any student that is in need. All the student needs to do is simply tell me when they are coming and I will be there for them. Extra credit opportunities are also available and are listed in the student binder.
Materials: Students will need the following items for this course:
· 3 or 5 subject college-ruled spiral (this is for taking class notes)
· 100 3X5 lined note cards (to be given to the teacher)
· yellow 8 ½ by 11 legal pad
· map colors (not markers)
· folder with 3 ring brads and pockets (this will stay in the room)
3 ring spiral (for collecting assignments and notes from teacher)