Goal:

1. To provided a well-rounded meaningful introduction to U.S History
2. To simulate further interest in the study of history
3. To learn how to analyze controversial historical problems by impartially dissecting the essential components of the issues
4. To help students learn to express themselves clearly, concisely, completely, and logically
5. To prepare students for success on the A.P. exam

Activities:

1. Lectures and discussion organized around readings in Bailey's The American Pageant.
2. Completion of study guides for the chapters in the text
3. Exams designed according to the A.P format
   1. Multiple Choices
   2. Document Based Question (DBQ)
   3. Essay
4. In class critique of student essays
5. Student Created DBQ
6. Optional readings simulations and audio-visual presentations

Evaluation:

1. Instead of calculating a student's grade based on achievement on class assignments and exams. The student's grade will be based on the student's individual result on the AP exam using the cumulative impact of class assignments as a positive modifier of the yearly grade.
   
   AP exam scores and their equivalents:
   5 = A
   4 = A-
   3 = B
   2 = C
   1 = D
   
   

   Class assignments, "modifier-point" values, and "impact thresholds".
   Test	=	405
   Homework	=	100
   Book Quizzes	=	36
   Movie Quizzes	=	14
   Simulation	=	20
   Participation	=	30
   DBQ Creation	=	30	Note: All point values subject to change from year to year! Check with Mr. Rudolph!
   Total Modifier Point's	=	635
   Threshold
   1/3 grade bonus	=	325-374
   2/3 grade bonus	=	375-424
   Full grade bonus	=	425+

   
   What this means--an example:
   If a student takes the AP exam in May and receives a 3, he would get a B for both semester grades. If the student had earned enough points to earn a 1/3 bonus, the grade would become a B+ for both semesters, a 2/3 bonus adjusts the grade to an A-, and a full bonus earns an A.
   Both semester grades will be determined after the teacher receives the roster of AP scores in the beginning of July following the administration of the test. Until then, students would be graded as "Pass/No Pass." If a student decided no to take the AP exam, then that student's final grade would be calculated in the same manner as those who took the AP exam but would use the in-class final exam place of the AP exam. Final Grade determination for those students would await results of the AP exam also.

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