Monday, August 31, 2015



Mr. Armstrong                             GLACIER HIGH SCHOOL  

AMERICAN HISTORY- 20th Century

KALISPELL, AMERICA
Room E112   758-8672                                                                        armstrongm@sd5.k-12.mt.us

“NO WAY…HISTORY…I LOVE HISTORY! SOMETHING HAPPENS, THEN LATER, SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS…SO SEQUENTIAL! THANK YOU FIRST GUY FOR WRITING HISTORY DOWN…LET’S STUDY!”

Course Objectives:  This course begins with a quick review of American History to 1900, and establishes the framework for America’s emergence into the 20th century.  Students explore the role of the U.S. on the world stage beginning with events leading to World War I and ending with America’s role in the war on terrorism.  Included is a constant and continuous application of current events.
All I will say is…“CHECK BLOG”
Textbook: The American Anthem
Required Materials:  “EVER-DAY”; YOU MUST COMPLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1.       Interactive Notebook- SPIRAL NOTEBOOK (Just for this historific class!)
2.        3-Ringed Binder…to keep all your reading packets, assignments and tests!!! DO NOT THROW HISTORY AWAY!!!!
3.        “Pouch-thingy” – safety scissors, glue stick, color pencils & writing sticks.
4.       Assignment that might be due that day!!
CLASSROOM RULES:  GHS Rules & Expectations apply at all times.
ZERO TOLERANCE FOR CELL PHONES…100% OFF AND IN PLAIN SIGHT ON YOUR DESK!!! BE AWARE OF CONSEQUENCES!!!PLEASE COMPLY!!!!
1.       ONLY WATER (AND MR. ARMSTRONG’S COFFEE) ALLOWED IN ROOM
2.       NO SLEEPING IN CLASS
3.       NO TALKING WHEN ARMSTRONG IS TALKING
4.       NO WORKING ON OTHER CLASS HOMEWORK
5.       BE PREPARED, PROMPT, POLITE, AND PRODUCTIVE
6.       COMMUNICATE LIKE AN ADULT!
Grading:  A- 100-90 B-89-80 C-79-70 D-69-60 F-below 60
ALL ASSIGNMENTS AND TESTS ARE ANNOUNCED APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AHEAD OF DUE DATE!
Assignments = 10-20 Points    Quizzams= a quiz, a test, an exam = 20-100 points!!! 
B.I.C. Assessment= Body In Chair: 50 Points per quarter! When you walk into the classroom first day of each quarter you will be “given” 50 Points (100% vs. 0%)…minus 5 points for each tardy and absence (not counting SS). These points are not extra-credit!  IF YOU VIOLATE THE CLASSROOM CELL PHONE POLICY YOU WILL RECEIVE A ZERO…PLEASE COMPLY! You will see your BIC grade each week of the quarter!
Extra-credit will only be offered a few times throughout the entire year…ask “The Armchair Historian” what some of those might be???
ACADEMIC CATCH-UP: My classroom policy for juniors in high school will not allow you to miss assignments on the date they are due, and turn them in on the catch-up day.  You must meet my deadlines! However, I will provide an opportunity for every student to earn a 3% Bonus for coming to class that day.  You will work on class materials for the entire period, and be awarded 3% of your total grade.  This translates into a possible 6% jump for the semester…pretty good gig!!!!
Make-Up Policy: COMMUNICATE! This is a touchy subject!!!  You can make-up work for excused absences as prescribed by school policy.  If you are school-sponsored…it is your responsibility to talk with me ahead of time.  School-sponsored absences are not an excuse to turn in late work.  WARNING:  Mr. Armstrong can deny you make-up if you have not communicated honestly and as ahead of time as possible.  OOOOOHHH… a very touchy subject.  Make- up tests will be arranged before or after school.  NOTE:  If an assignment or test is due on a day you are absent from my class…I will go down to the attendance and see if you were in the building any time during the day…if you were, and did not talk to me ahead of time= ZERO!!!
Grades will be posted on-line each week in Power School…watch your attendance and grades will also be posted in the room as well. “ATTENDANCE MATTERS!”
Semester Assessments:
A.      ASSIGNMENT PORTFOLIO- 50 POINTS At the end of the semester, Armstrong will select 10 assignments throughout the semester – 5 points each….you don’t know which ones? Stay organized! DO NOT THROW HISTORY AWAY!!!!
B.       Semester Exam = 20% of total grade.  Comprehensive Semester Materials: Interactive NB Entry, Historical Literacy (images) and Historical Identification (2 Paragraphs: Facts + Significance)
The Armstrong Doctrine
I strongly believe American History is interesting, fun, and especially relevant to our lives today.  Since 9/11 we have felt the history around us… the good and the bad things.  As your history teacher it is my job to “fire you up” about the history of your country before the year you were born!!!  This is a very difficult task. This year you will be introduced to “The Big Picture” approach to teaching (and remembering) American history.  You will be expected to think for yourselves what is significant about this class and what is being taught to you.  You will be able to answer the question: “why is this stuff important?”  My goal is to focus your attention of the modern history and why, for example, such events as The American Revolution and Civil War, or the Great Stock Market Crash, WWI & II, and even the “British invasion” are relevant to your lives today… like 9/11 and the War on Terror are relevant to us today.  To accomplish this I must create the variety, the humor, the educational challenge, the classroom atmosphere that will promise to leave you with such an outlook.  If you remember… if you learn … one thing about this class when you are “old”, then I have been successful!!!!! GET FIRED UP!!! History is a blast from your past … and … an explosion into your future.  REMEMBER, TOO:  “Those who do not remember (learn) from the past, are condemned to repeat the 11th grade!!!!
“Yes,  reading  history  will  make  you  a  better  citizen  and  more  appreciative  of  the  law,  and  of  freedom,  and  of  how  the  economy  works  or  doesn’t  work,  but  it  is also  an  immense  pleasure –the  way  art  is,  or  music  is,  or  poetry  is.  And, it’s never stale.”-­ David McCullough


Mr. Armstrong’s 20th Century United States History

Student Consent Form

I, (print student name) _________________________, have read, understand, and agree to the rules and policies for Mr. Armstrong’s U.S. History class.

I understand Mr. Armstrong’s policies concerning the BIC, late work, and make-up work, and agree to adhere to them.  More so, I have read through and understand the policies outlined in this course syllabus.

(Student Signature) ____________________________________

Guardian Consent Form

I, (print signer’s name) _________________________, the (print relationship to student) _________________________ of (print student’s name) _________________________, have read, understand and agree to the rules and policies for Mr. Armstrong’s U.S. History class.

I also understand Mr. Armstrong’s policies concerning the BIC, late work, and make-up work and agree to adhere to them.  More so, I have read through and understand the policies outlined in this course syllabus.

(Guardian Signature) ___________________________________











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