2006-2007 SY

Instructor: Kim Pehrson

kpehrson@ames-slc.org
801-278-9460, ext. 211

Welcome back!

I am excited for another year here at AMES. We are embarking on the third year of
offering AP U.S. History to all of our juniors, exposing them to a rigorous college-level
curriculum.

This is a college freshman-level class and will prepare students to take the AP Test in
the spring. Though students are not required to take the AP Test to receive high
school credit for the class, it is strongly recommended on account of the opportunity
for college credit and the valuable experience with a college level test. Students who
pass the AP U.S. History test earn up to 8 credit hours at most colleges. (Check
individual institutions for specifics). Further information on AP and the test will be
forthcoming.

I hope everyone had a great summer and is ready to come back and learn!

Sincerely,
Kim Pehrson

TEXTBOOK

Goldfield, D. et. al. (2005). The American Journey. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey:
Pearson Education, Inc.

Additional readings from various sources will be assigned periodically.

MATERIALS

1. Students will have a copy of the textbook checked out to them for the duration
of the class. It must be brought to class EVERY DAY.
2. Pen/pencil, paper, and BRAIN!
3. AMES STUDENT PLANNER, every day!
4. I strongly suggest students have a large 3-ring binder for keeping all
assignments and handouts given in class. NOTHING SHOULD BE THROWN AWAY!

**I will allow snacks and drinks in class. However, this is subject to change if it
becomes disruptive or messy. Students late to class will not be allowed to have food
or drink.
**All nuisance items (cell phones, pagers, PDAs, etc.) must be turned off and put
away during class. Anything that becomes a distraction or disruption will be taken
from the student. Any items confiscated will be sent to the office, to be retrieved
from the principal by a parent or guardian.

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

Course grades will be determined using the following categories:

Assignments (50%) – Everything assigned in class or as homework, including

individual and group projects, lecture notes, and research assignments.

Exams and Essays (35%) – There will be a midterm and final exam each term.
Students will also be assigned both in-class and take home essays. Quizzes may
be given periodically on the assigned readings (more or less dependant upon my
perception of the reading being completed by the majority of the class).

Participation (15%) – Success in this class requires students to attend and

participate in class activities, and to complete their assigned reading and class
work on time. Students are also required to use their AMES Student Planners to
keep record of class topics and assignments. Planners will be checked
periodically as part of the points in this category.

Reading your textbook: This is a college-level U.S. History text. In a typical

college course, you would complete this book in about 16 weeks – we’ll have
about twice that much time (about one chapter/week), but it is still a lot of
reading, and some of it difficult. Since you will be reading as homework, very
little additional homework will be assigned. I would also like to STRONGLY
SUGGEST that you read in small doses ( ≈ 30 min / day) rather than trying to
read an entire chapter in one sitting. One page of notes and the Review
Questions at the end of each chapter will be assigned to accompany the
readings.

Late and make-up assignments: Late assignments will be accepted no more than
two weeks past the due date. Students may lose points on late assignments.
Make-up work will only be accepted for absences that have been EXCUSED
through our office. Students are responsible for collecting work they have missed
in a timely fashion in order to receive credit.

Extra Credit: Extra credit will be offered periodically, but DOES NOT replace
class assignments. It will ONLY be accepted if you have completed ALL regular
assignments. DO NOT rely on it to save your hide ☺.
GRADING SCALE

94-100% A 73-76% C
90-93% A- 70-72% C-
87-89% B+ 67-69% D+
83-86% B 63-66% D
80-82% B- 60-62% D-
77-79% C+ 59% ↓ I/F

SCHEDULE

The following is a tentative schedule of the content that will be covered in the class:

Term 1

Pre-Colonial → The Jackson Era (Ch 1-10)

Term 2

Slavery in the Old South → The Nineteenth Century (Ch 11-20)

Term 3

The Progressive Era → Reagan Administration (Ch 21-30)

Term 4

Post-Reagan (Ch 31)

Review for AP Test: Test date: Friday, May 11th
Special topics in U.S. History

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns related to
these policies and procedures or for any other reason.

Thank You,
Kim Pehrson
 PLEASE RETURN THIS PAGE FOR EXTRA CREDIT
BY SEPTEMBER 8th

I have read and understand the above disclosure statement for AP U.S. History with
instructor Kim Pehrson.

Student Signature Date Period

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