Ms.

Brittany Atkinson
batkinson@guhsdaz.edu

This course is American History (grade 11). Students will be exposed to various thematic
units covering American History and read various texts that provide students with a
historical perspective of the events covered. The following units will be studied:

-Discovery and Settlement - A Growing Nation

-Founding of a Nation - Early 20th Century
-Expansion and Conflict - World War Two
-Civil War and Reconstruction - The Cold War
-Post Civil War and Western Expansion - America in the 50s-70s
-Contemporary Issues

Class Rules

Students will arrive to class and be in their seats by the time the bell rings.
Cell phones and electronic devices are to remain out of sight at all times. They should

also need to remain silent for the duration of class.

Ask for permission before leaving the classroom.
Designated silent time is to be used appropriately and remain quiet.
Do not begin preparing to leave class until instructed to do so.
Come to class prepared with all needed supplies materials. If there are issues with

this, please discuss this with me as soon as possible.

Class attendance is mandatory.
Students will be given an assigned seat. Seat placements may change at any time

throughout the school year.

Students are responsible for their personal property while in the classroom. Students

are also responsible for treating school property in the classroom appropriately.
Use language that in respectful to all staff and students and do not use profanity.
All other rules are consistent with the GUHSD Code of Conduct.

Class Expectations

Respect other students by keeping your hands and feet to yourself.

 Please raise your hand before speaking and wait to be called on.
Students will gain and understanding and appreciation for others point of view

through the use of class discussions, readings, videos, etc.

Students will be exposed to a plethora of learning materials including computers,

tablets, videos, maps, graphs, smartboards, texts, surveys, etc.

Students will have fun while learning new information from a variety of new learning

materials.

Materials (upon teacher request)

1-2 inch Binder (for guided notes)

College ruled paper. Please keep at least one pack on hand throughout the semester.
Index cards for in class activities.
Writing utensils (black ink pens/ pencils)
Students are encouraged to keep a spiral notebook for notes.
Additional materials may be requested at the teachers discretion however advance notice

will be given.

Grade scale:
A = 90% - 100%
B = 80% - 89%
C = 70% - 79%
D = 60% - 69%
F = 59% or below

Grading Breakdown:
Notes-10%
Bell Work- 10%
Quizzes-15%
Tests-25%
Essays-15%
Projects-15%
Homework-10%

Late Work
Late work will not be accepted. If you know that there will be an issue completing an
assignment on time, please make me aware of this so that arrangements can be made. The
teacher reserves the right to make exceptions in certain cases.

Absences
Excused absences: Students have the same amount of days to make up work for an
excused absence as days missed. The attendance of school sponsored activities or athletic
events by a student does not merit an excused absence. Any assignments missed due to the
attendance of these activities will be due at their original due date/time. In the event of a
long term excused absence, arrangements will be made to develop a plan to have the
student make up the work for full credit within a specific timeframe that will be determined
by the instructor.

Unexcused absences: Work missed due to unexcused absences will not be able to be
made up. In the event of unexpected circumstances, arrangements may be made at the
teachers discretion. This work will be accepted for partial credit. Grades will be reduced by
15% for each week that an assignment is late. Work will not be accepted past four weeks
from the due date. Absences that are not reported in accordance with school and district
policy are not excused.

Students and parents/guardians can check grades online at any time. Students will be
assessed in a variety of ways including participation, daily class opening/closing activities,
class work, quizzes, exams, writing assignments, and projects.

Extra Credit
The teacher may choose to provide extra credit opportunities throughout the school year.
These opportunities are limited and not guaranteed so do not depend upon them to
maintain your grade.

Contact Information
Parents and students are encouraged to contact me if there are any questions or concerns.
The best way to contact me is via email. I can also arrange to meet with you during office
hours or set up a phone appointment. I also encourage students and parents to use
available resources (class website) to stay in touch.

Brittany Atkinson History Instructor

batkinson@guhsdaz.edu