COURSE SYLLABUS FOR U.S.

HISTORY
MR. STRAND
bstrand@auburn.wednet.edu
US History 1 and 2 are semester-long Social Studies courses which comprise
cumulatively 1 credit that satisfies the Auburn School District Social Studies requirement.
Course Overview & Goals:
1. Become aware of the events, people and issues that have shaped America.
2. Analyze the role of a multicultural America emphasizing tolerance,
diversity, and contributions.
3. Discover how one becomes a knowledgeable, productive, and active citizen.
4. Develop an appreciation of the events and people in our history.
The objectives, skills and content included in this course are based on the State Essential
Learning Requirements, Common Core Standards and Auburn School District Power Standards.
Common Core Reading Standards
RH.9-10.1. Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary
sources, attending to such features as the date and origin of the information.
RH.9-10.2. Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source;
provide an accurate summary of how key events or ideas develop over the course of the text.
RH.9-10.3. Analyze in detail a series of events described in a text; determine whether earlier
events caused later ones or simply preceded them.
RH.9-10.4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including
vocabulary describing political, social, or economic aspects of history/social science.
RH.9-10.6. Compare the point of view of two or more authors for how they treat the same or
similar topics, including which details they include and emphasize in their respective
accounts.
Common Core Writing Standards
Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts using valid
reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
6. Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and
collaborate with others.
7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions,
demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
8. Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and
accuracy of each source, and integrate the information while avoiding
plagiarism.

THIS WILL BE A CLEAN AND SOBER CLASSROOM!!

9. Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and
research
BASIC CLASSROOM RULES:
1.) Maintain a safe environment free from physical/emotional
threats.
2.) Be responsible for your own actions (or inactions)
3.) Be in your seat from bell to bell.
4.) Get to class. Stay in class.
ELECTRONICS POLICY:
Electronics are a part of this class. They will offer you the ability to
communicate and acquire new learning both inside and outside of the
classroom. Responsible use of electronics is mandatory, but it requires
student accountability. By signing the Electronics Policy, you are
acknowledging that you understand what the parameters are for responsible
use.
BATHROOM/HALL PASS PROCEDURE:
If you need to leave class to use the bathroom/visit a teacher/go to
your locker etc., please simply fill out the class clipboard, and take it with
you. HOWEVER, if you do leave class during class time, you will be required
to stay after class for two minutes. You are NOT in trouble, but rather making
up the time that you missed. This is also used as a deterrent for those who
would otherwise abuse this privilege. Additionally students will not be
allowed to leave class during the first ten and the last ten minutes of each
class period.
ASSESSMENTS:
This class will feature a spiraling method of instruction. Students will
need to demonstrate ongoing mastery of subjects to receive high grades.
There will be a quiz each week. The student will take a quiz on the material
that week, as well as a different version of that same quiz for the following
three weeks. Students will take the highest two scores over that time frame
to determine their grade. These assessments will make up 80% of the grade
for this course. Students will be required to keep a log of their assessments
and the scores that they receive. Parent signatures will be required weekly to
show that a parent is aware of your academic status.
RETAKE POLICY:
Each test has three re-takes, since you take each test a total of four
times. Re-takes of a specific content area will be at teacher discretion after
four weeks of assessment on that topic.
HOMEWORK:
There will not be much intentional homework in this class. The theory is that
we will be very busy during class time, so students are expected to get their work

THIS WILL BE A CLEAN AND SOBER CLASSROOM!!

completed during that time. If students fall behind, or when students wish to study
further for an upcoming assessment, then homework will be definitely a
requirement. For the purposes of this class, homework is synonymous with Class
Work. Most of the homework in here will be in packet form and will be a combination
of pretests, notes and study questions. Students will be able to access most class
materials electronically because they are not allowed to check books out from the
classroom.

GRADING:
Grades are weighted in this class. Here is how the grades will be weighted:
Assessments
80%
Homework:
20%
The standard school scoring scale will be used in this class. You can find that
on Skyward. US History 1 and 2 are two separate classes and thus the grades for
these two courses are independent of each other. Each semesters grade is
comprised of the 18-week duration of the semester and thus quarter grades are
NOT averaged together to comprise the semester grade. Grade reports will go out 8
times per year. Progress reports will come out midway through each academic
quarter. In addition to these progress reports First quarter and third quarter grades
will come out as will final semester grades in January and June.
SKYWARD:
Students and parents are encouraged to utilize the Skyward grading module
that is available online. This can be accessed at the school website
www.auburn.wednet.edu From this page, click on the Family Access link. If you do
not have an access password, please contact the ARHS Counseling Office at 8045154 and ask for information for how to obtain that information. This is really a
great way for students to monitor their progress, and for parents to look at real-time
data to know exactly what their childs grade is, and what assignments they may be
missing.
LANGUAGE:
Inappropriate language is not conducive to a healthy classroom environment
and will not be tolerated in my classroom. If you are not sure if something is
appropriate or not, DONT SAY IT!!!!
1st offense: Verbal warning student/teacher conference after class.
2nd offense: Student/Teacher contact with parent by phone.
3rd offense: Parent conference.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
I will NOT tolerate cheating of any sort. If a student is caught cheating they may face the
following consequences: zero on the entire work, test, quiz, project (NO make-up option), parental
contact, office referral, loss of credit on the unit, or loss of semester credit. DO NOT CHEAT! I
consider someone to be cheating if they are looking around the room or at someones test or quiz,
talking during a test or quiz, copying someones work, plagiarizing (using ANYONE elses work),
cutting and/or pasting from an electronic source, writing on desks, cheat-sheets, keeping notes in plain
view during a test or quiz, or allowing someone to copy work. Other instances not specifically
mentioned here might also constitute cheating; this is not a comprehensive list.

THIS WILL BE A CLEAN AND SOBER CLASSROOM!!

MR. STRAND ELECTRONICS POLICY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I understand that the use of technology will be an integral part of this class, whether it be
on a desktop computer and/or a mobile device. I also am aware that the required use of
technology may be a part of this course both in the classroom and out. By signing, I
acknowledge that any inappropriate use of this technology will be dealt with by the teacher or
school administration, just as non-technological misconduct would be dealt with inside the
classroom or schoolhouse. I acknowledge that I understand that all school policies pertain to my
use of technology for the purposes of this class, no matter where I utilize that technology.

STUDENT NAME (PRINT): ______________________________

STUDENT SIGNATURE: __________________________ DATE:_________
PARENT SIGNATURE:____________________________ DATE:_________

MR. STRAND CLASS PROCEDURES POLICY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I have read the syllabus for Mr. Strands US History class, and agree to follow the rules
and accept the guidelines as written. I understand that Mr. Strand has put in place policies for the
best interest of the class, and that it is my responsibility to respect and adhere to those policies. I
understand that not following these policies will lead to discipline (behavior issues) or reduced
grade (incompletion of work).

STUDENT SIGNATURE: __________________________ DATE:_________

PARENT SIGNATURE:____________________________ DATE:_________

VIDEO VIEWING PERMISSION

Students will be watching videos in this class. Most videos are documentaries or
educational videos, but there are occasional videos used that are rated PG, or PG-13. Please
acknowledge and sign below.

_____(I give permission for my student to watch these videos)

THIS WILL BE A CLEAN AND SOBER CLASSROOM!!

_____( I DO NOT give permission for my student to watch these videos)

PARENT SIGNATURE:____________________________ DATE:_________

THIS WILL BE A CLEAN AND SOBER CLASSROOM!!