American History

Ms. Peak Kaufhold

Rm. 309
lpeak@guamani.com, lindsay.peak@gmail.com, lindsay.kaufhold@gmail.com

Classroom Beliefs
Room 309 will be an environment in which:
-All students feel safe and cared for.
-Teacher and students treat one another with respect.
-Students will be learning to use higher level thinking.
-All students will participate, listen, and ask questions!
-Students will be ready for college by the time they graduate.

Course Description
American History is the study of the founding, growth, growth, government, economics, and
social structure of the United States. In this class we will be learning, in depth, the story of how
this country came to be. Students will understand how America’s history has affected its citizens
of today. Students will study the impact the U.S. has on Puerto Rico as well as the rest of the
world.

Objectives – In this class, students will…

*Experience history, culture, religion, landmarks of the U.S. from before Columbus to today.
*Be exposed to and analyze how the U.S. affects the rest of the world through Current Events.
*Understand and appreciate the diversity of our world, nations, community, and school

Teaching methods
Discussions, Activities, Lectures and Notes, Student Presentations, Group and Individual Work,
Videos, Readings, Guest Speakers, Video Conferencing, Music, Art, Research Projects, Essays,
WikiSpaces, Online Blogging

Materials Needed: In this class you will need one 3 ring binder, hole puncher (one is available in
class, but if you can find one that fits in your binder this is best!), writing utensils, access to the
internet. It is extremely important to check Edline everyday BEFORE CLASS for homework
assignments and articles to print!

Rules & Procedures

o Cell Phones: Absolutely NO CELL PHONES. If a student is caught with a cell phone, it
will be confiscated and sent to Ms. Cruz’s office. The parents can come pick up the cell
phone.
o Profanity: Swearing is not accepted in this class. We will speak to each other in a
respectful manner.
o Food: Food is NOT permitted. By keeping food out of our room, we will keep room 309
clean and sanitary.
o Attitude: BE POSITIVE. No whining allowed.
o Homework: All assignments are due ON THE DUE DATE AT THE BEGINNING OF
THE HOUR. This is your first step in becoming college-ready. Late assignments will not
be accepted. If a student is absent (excused) on a due date, you must turn the assignment
in the day you return. If you are absent the day of a test, you must take the test the day
you return.
 o Due Dates: Work is due at the beginning of the hour on the due date, not in the middle of
the hour, not at the end of the hour, not at the end of the day.
o Attendance: All students are expected to be in class and come to school on time.
Consequences and policies will follow the school policies. Class attendance is vital in
order to achieve your full potential in this class.
o Absence – When a student is absent, he or she must bring an excuse from the parent,
guardian, or doctor if the student was ill. Credit for work missed during absence will not
be given unless student has an excuse. This especially applies to tests.
o Copying: This will earn you a ZERO. Whether you copied someone else’s work, or you
let someone else copy your work, this is CHEATING. Both students will receive zero’s.
o Printing from Edline: If you are not prepared by printing the needed materials for class as
indicated by Edline, you will lose points on your assignments. Check Edline like you
check your Facebook or MySpace!!!
o Presenting in class– Stand up, face the majority of the class, and speak slowly and
clearly. Do not read your presentation!!! When you are presenting you are basically
talking to your classmates, not reading!!
o When your classmates are presenting – Do not talk, do not whisper, do not chuckle or
laugh if someone makes a mistake. Look at the presenter. Do not look at your paper,
other classmates, or around the room. Do not interrupt them AT ALL. If you have a
question or comment, you may ask your question or share your comment AFTER they
are done presenting.
o Tardiness – If you are late (after the bell) you must go to the office to get a late pass. If it
is unexcused (without a parent or teacher excuse) the consequence is detention. If this
continues to be a problem another detention will be issued and parents will be contacted.
o Sleeping in class – If a student sleeps during class, they will receive a detention. Get
enough sleep at night, eat a healthy breakfast, bring a water bottle to class and this will
not be a problem. If this continues to be a problem another detention will be issued and
parents will be contacted.
o Hall Passes, Late Work Pass & Extra Credit: Each student will receive 4 hall passes and 1
late work pass per semester. These will be handed out by Ms. Peak at the beginning of
each semester. Hall passes include needing to leave the room for reasons such as
bathroom, locker, or water fountain. A Late Work Pass can be used for a homework (not
essay, project, test) if a student accidentally forgets to do an assignment, forgets to bring
it to school, or could not get the assignment done on time. Late work passes will not be
accepted for assignments more than 20 points. Any passes not used during the semester
can be turned in at the end of each semester for extra credit.

Parents: I welcome your support in helping your child succeed in school. Please feel free to
contact me with any questions, concerns, or suggestions that will help me successfully teach your
teenager. I will be regularly communicating with parents through Edline and email. You may also
contact me through email or through the GPS office. Thank you for being such wonderful and
caring parents!

Print Student Name ______________________________________________________

Student Email ___________________________________________________________
Print Parent Name _______________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Phone __________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Email __________________________________________________
Student Signature _____________________________________________Date ______
Parent/Guardian Signature _____________________________________Date ______