Welcome! Mrs. Mukhopadhyay U.S. History

Word of the Day Haven noun: safe place, refuge Norco is a haven for seagulls, thanks to lunch trash.

Course Goals You will learn the history of the United States from the Revolutionary War to the present. You will complete research projects and gain experience in making oral presentations. Text We will be using The American Vision (Modern Times). You are responsible for checking it out from the textbook room. Keep your book at home. You will need it to complete homework. We will use a class set of books in class.

Grades You will earn your grade by showing mastery of the skills practiced in class. These include reading, writing and class participation. You will have ample opportunity to show your skills through homework, class work, projects and tests. You will also receive a class participation grade every day that you attend this class. **Note: if you are absent, you cannot earn class participation points!** This is my grading scale: A:90-100% B: 80-89% C: 70-79% D: 60-69% F: 0-59%

Homework Weekly homework assignments every Monday, due over Friday. You can earn 100% on homework by giving it an honest effort and turning it in on time. Late homework will be worth a maximum of 80%. If you miss more than one homework assignment in a two-week period, a 30-minute detention will be assigned. Materials Bring a 3 ring binder with a divider for my class, paper, pencil and pen and to class every day. If you are missing supplies, you will lose participation points. You will keep all work completed for the class and turn it in for a grade at the end of each unit. Never throw away your history work. You will turn in a packet at the end of each unit, for a grade.

Attendance You need to come to class every day. If you don’t, you will lose your daily class participation points. If you are tardy to class, you will lose half of your class participation points for the day. Two tardies will result in a ½ hour detention and call/ home. The third will result in a 1-hour detention and call/ home. On the fourth, a referral will be written.

15/10 Rule Teachers are not allowed to write passes for students for any reason during the first fifteen or the last ten minutes of class. You will soon learn that I follow all school rules. Don’t even bother asking!

Behavior I expect you to respect the following class rules: –Be in your seat when the bell rings. –No food, drinks, or gum in class. (Put your drink bottle on the table at the front of the room if it is not ready for the recycling bin. No drinks or food by your seat.) –Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself. –Raise your hand before speaking. –Follow directions the first time. –Respect others. –Don’t interfere with each other’s right to learn. First infraction: warning, loss of points. Second infraction: detention, call/ home. Any detention not served will be doubled. Doubled detention not served will be referred to an assistant principal. I reserve the right to skip warning and detention stages in a case of extremely disruptive or rude behavior.

A Note About Cell Phones and iPods. Cell phones and iPods are to be turned off and put away when inside the classroom. This is your only warning. iPods are not allowed on campus. I know you have them, but don’t let me see them or your headphones, or I will take them away. If your phone goes off or I catch you texting, I will take it away and turn it in to the office. I will not be nice and give it back at the end of the period. Don’t even bother asking.

First Homework Assignment Sign the course outline and get a parent’s signature tonight. Turn it in tomorrow and earn 10 points. Parents must sign the back of the paper as well. It is your video permission for the entire year.

Movies!!! I use movies as a teaching tool and as a reward. To watch the movie at the end of each unit, you must have a C or better in the class, so do your homework! Glory, Rated R (Civil War) Far and Away, Rated PG-13 (Western Expansion, Immigration) The Untouchables, Rated PG-13 (The 1920s) Cinderella Man, Rated PG (The Great Depression) Excerpts of The Pianist, Rated R (WWII, The Holocaust) Saving Private Ryan, Rated R OPENING SCENE ONLY, TO SHOW D- DAY (WWII) The Tuskegee Airmen, Rated PG-13 (World War II) Guilty By Suspicion, Rated PG-13 (1950s, McCarthyism) The 60’s, TV Movie (Vietnam, Civil Rights movement, student protest movement, Hippies) Apollo 13, Rated PG (Sixties Space Program) The 70’s, TV Movie (Women’s Rights Movement, Watergate, Drug Abuse) All the President’s Men (Watergate) Excerpts from Forest Gump, Rated R

How can I make sure I have a good year? Always do your homework. It is not difficult and it is predictable. It is an easy way to earn 25% of your grade in my class. Be here on time every day, unless excused by a parent. I will use webtools to clear absences and to assign detentions. When in class, follow the rules and participate in activities and discussions. Class participation is 20% of your grade. Projects and activities completed in class make up at least 25% of your grade.

What will we do in class? Art ProjectsLots of Work Watch MoviesPresentations and Debates

What about tests? I’m horrible at tests! Tests make up the last 30% of your grade. If you come to class everyday, complete all the activities, and do all of your homework, you can get a lower grade on your tests and still get a C in the class. If you do all that, you won’t get a 0 on tests, I guarantee it!

Get Ready for Graduation 2012! If they made it, so can you!