Welcome to AP United States History

My name is Mr. Andrew Hicks and this is my 4th year teaching AP US. I absolutely love teaching US History and I am sure that you
will learn a ton of information in this course. However, there are a few things that you should know before we get started. This course
has officially changed along with the AP Test that is scheduled in the spring. If you have a brother or a sister who has previously taken
this course, you are taking a completely different version. To be completely honest with you, it has become a much more strenuous
course of study. I do not want to scare you, but warn you that you have not taken a course like this one. I encourage you to challenge
yourself, but please understand that this is ultimately a college level course and I will be teaching it as such.

PROPOSED AP U.S. HISTORY COURSE TIME FRAME

The following time frame of 72 days presupposes a standard Block period day in a school that begins the last week in August. The
schedule provides for the following holidays: Labor Day, Election Day, Thanksgiving (2 days), Winter Break (2 weeks), Martin Luther
King Birthday, Presidents Day, Spring Break (1 week). The schedule also provides for 9 unit tests of 1 period each, 5 days of review,
2 days for skill development, and the 4 days prior to the AP test when students may be taking other AP exams. Additional days off and
snow days are not factored in.

BLOCK SCHEDULING OR A/B DAY

(Please understand that this is tentative)
PERIOD

Period 1
Period 2
Period 3
Period 4
Period 5
Period 6
Period 7
Period 8
Period 9
TOTAL

DATES

% PERCENT OF
COURSE

APPROXIMATE
NUMBER OF DAYS

1491-1607
1607-1754
1754-1800
1800-1848
1844-1877
1865-1898
1890-1945
1945-1989
1980- present

5%
10%
12%
10%
13%
13%
17%
15%
5%

5 days
7 days
8 days
7 days
9 days
9days
12 days
11 days
4 days
72 days

SEVEN THEMES: You will need to know the ins and outs of these and how they relate to each of the
periods.
1. Identity
2. Work, Exchange, Technology
3. Peopling
4. Politics and Power
5. America in the World
6. Environment and Geography (Physical and Human)
7. Ideas, Beliefs, and Culture

Explanation of the Periods

Period 1: 1491-1607
On a North American continent controlled by American Indians, contact among the peoples of Europe, the Americas, and West Africa
created a new world

Period 2: 1607-1754
Europeans and American Indians maneuvered and fought for dominance, control, and security in North America, and distinctive
colonial and native societies emerged

Period 3: 1754-1800
British imperial attempts to reassert control over its colonies and the colonial reaction to these attempts produced a new American
republic, along with struggles over the new nations social, political and economic identity

Period 4: 1800-1848
The new Republic struggled to define and extend democratic ideals in the face of rapid economic, territorial, and demographic
changes

Period 5: 1844-1877
As the nation expanded and its population grew, regional tensions, especially over slavery, led to civil war---the course and aftermath
of which transformed American Society

Period 6: 1865-1898
The transformation of the United States from an agricultural to an increasingly industrialized and urbanized society brought about
significant economic, political, diplomatic, social, environmental, and cultural changes

Period 7: 1890-1945
An increasingly pluralistic United States faced profound domestic and global challenges, debated the proper degree of government
activism, and sought to define its international role

Period 8: 1945-1980
After World War II, the United States grappled with the prosperity and unfamiliar international responsibilities while struggling to live
up to its ideals

Period 9: 1980-Present
As the United States transitioned to a new century filled with challenges and possibilities, it experienced renewed ideological and
cultural debates, sought to redefine its foreign policy, and adapted to economic globalization and revolutionary changes in science and
technology
These are just brief descriptions of each period that we WILL cover over the course of the year. There is going to be an
extraordinary amount of emphasis on you to work independently both in class and at home.

Grading Procedures
Due to this being a College Level course, you will be expected to complete all homework, classwork, projects, quizzes, etc. by the day
they are due. Failure to comply will either result in a zero for the assignment, or a substantially lower grade for that assignment. If you
are absent, you have the total number of days absent to turn in missing work. For example, if you miss 2 days, you have 2 days to turn
in your missing work without being penalized. It is YOUR responsibility to get your missing work. Here is the grading breakdown:
Formative Assignments (classwork/homework/writing activities)=30% of your Grade
Summative Assignments (tests, quizzes, projects, etc.,) = 70% of your grade
Expect weekly quizzes, writing assignments and homework on a daily basis. YES, you will have homework on the weekends.

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)

Can:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Must
1.

Use devices in class or the media center with the teachers permission for the educational assigned purpose.
Use their devices to check e-mail, check the home access center, read and send texts, listen to music, and access school
appropriate internet sites during lunch and class changes.
Utilize devices as a planner/calendar with teacher permission.
Set their devices to silent mode during the instructional day.
Lock up or secure their device at all times. Especially in the P.E. and athletic locker room.

Cant
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Play on or use their devices during class or instructional time.

Make or take calls at any time.
Charge devices at WMHS.
Use devices for any purpose in the bathroom or locker room.
Take pictures or make audio or video recording without staff permission.
Send threatening or inappropriate texts. (This action will be easy to prove, and may involve law enforcement because texting
threats is a crime. The privilege of using a device could also be revoked.
7. Post harassing or threating messages to any social media site. (This is easy to prove and the consequences may include
involving law enforcement)
8. Show other students inappropriate pictures or videos on your device.
9. Use your device to cheat or commit academic dishonesty.
10. Give, lend, or sell devices to other students.
11. Use their devices during detention or while they are in the time out room for lunch detentions, I.S.I, or time out from class.

Pertinent information
1. Students shall be responsible for their own devices. Students bring their devices to school at their own risk. WMHS will not be
responsible for lost or stolen devices. No students will be required to bring a device.
2. Students should consider shutting off their devices during instructional time when they are not using them to save their battery
life.

Other Essential Items

You will be taking a lot of notes during the day and be expected to read at night.
Bring plenty of paper, a 3-ringed binder, pen or pencil, and your textbook to class EVERYDAY
I dare you to sleep in class. I have very unique ways of waking students up
Gum is permitted, however, I do not want to hear it or see it. Once it becomes a problem, it is gone.
You are going to be treated as young adults in this class and I expect you to act in that fashion.
My email address is awhicks@carrollk12.org
Please make sure that you get at least 3-5 other students email addresses and phone numbers from this class.
Also, I am in the process of creating a website for this course. If you would like to help me during flex to get this off the
ground and running, I will greatly appreciate it.

Textbooks:
You will be receiving 2 textbooks, one will serve as an In-class only textbook that you may leave in class and the other is your most
valuable friend.
In-Class Text: Out of Many: A History of the American People
Your Best Friend Text: United States History: Preparing for the Advanced Placement ExaminationI sometimes refer to this
as your AP Bible. This is a TREMENDOUS resource and I was only given a class set. However, I would ask you to PLEASE
purchase this book as soon as you can. I have ordered one for every student and they should be here by the end of the first 2
weeks of class. The books will cost $20 and you can either pay by cash or check. If paying by check, please make all checks
payable to Winters Mill High School. If you cannot afford one, please let me know and we will arrange something.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask. You have my email address and I check it numerous times per
day.
Thank you,

Mr. Andrew W. Hicks

AP US History Teacher.

________________ I have read and understand the requirements for this course.
(Please check here)

_________________________________________

______________________________________

(Student Signature)

(Parent Signature)