AP US History Course Overview & Expectations with Mr. Hromadka
This advanced placement course, led by experienced teacher Mr. Jeff Hromadka, focuses on diving into the complexities of US History from its early settlements to modern-day affairs. Students are encouraged to think critically, analyze historical events, and form their own informed opinions. The class not only prepares students for college-level challenges but also aims to instill a deep understanding of the nation's historical journey, both in upholding ideals of freedom and falling short at times. Be prepared to engage, analyze, and develop your historical perspective under Mr. Hromadka's guidance.
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Advanced Placement United States History Teacher: Jeff Hromadka Who am I? I have been teaching at Leuzinger for over 15 years Graduated from USC in American Studies Married (my wife is English) with 2 sons age 13 and 10 years old, live in Hermosa Beach I surf! For over 30 years, LOVE BIG WAVES, paddleboard (paddled f. Catalina to coast twice) I love the ocean! I love to travel (esp. to surf) (I have been to over 30 countries- Europe, Latin America, Africa, Thailand, Tonga) Berlin Wall, Soviet Union under Communism, Kenya when Nairobi was bombed by Al Qaeda, El Salvador after the Civil War ended), Baja to surf every summer at Scorpion Bay Driven extensively around US in (25+ states)
Welcome to AP US History college level survey- This class is designed to prepare each student for the rigors of college You will be expected to read the textbook, as well as, additional primary and secondary materials. You will learn to analyze, read , develop your own conclusions, and support those conclusions based on events in US History. You will look at trends and cycles over time and see how they relate to today. This course is meant to challenge your thinking about the history of this nation. The United States is known as the Land of the Free and by nationalists considered the greatest country ever. Can you identify several examples where the United States has fulfilled it s mission of being a beacon of hope and freedom? Can you identify several examples where the US has fallen short of fulfilling those ideals?
Course Content What is it that we will learn this year? APUSH surveys the period beginning with the first European settlement of the New World and ending with international and domestic affairs in the post-1945 period to the present. Provide students with analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with problems and challenges in US History. Students learn to assess historical materials- their relevance to a given interpretive problem, their reliability, and their importance- and to weigh the evidence and interpretations presents in historical scholarship The APUSH course develops the skills necessary to reach conclusions on the basis of informed judgment, and to present reasons and evidence clearly and persuasively in essay form. This is a class designed to help students think and create their own informed opinions! You are camping with your friends and a bear enters the camp and starts chasing all of you. How fast do you have to run to live?
Class Rules Be in your seat ready to work when the bell rings! (Be prompt, prepared, and on time) Do not talk while the teacher or another student who has been called on is talking! (Raise your hand) Respect the opinions and space of others! (No touching, no hating) All school rules are enforced! No food, drinks, IPODs, mobile phones, texting, hats! (Backpacks and bags off desk) Do not put you head down during videos! (No sleeping) Please expect to engaged from bell to bell Teacher s rule- everyday I hope to keep you engaged, interested, and learning (something new and of interest), as well as, the skills that you will need for college and to help to think for yourself!
Homework: Those who are counting on doing little work outside of this class will most likely not pass this class. APUSH is a demanding course requiring daily homework. Students planning on earning an A or B will discover that 5-10 hours of reading, homework, and studying is expected and necessary http://www.leuzinger.org/ go to the school website to look up the agenda of what we did in class, what homework has been assigned, attachments that include the homework ,and power points to help correct the homework or prepare for the exam
Chapter Insights are the standard assignment with one chapter assigned each week. The students are expected to read and analyze most of the chapter, and answer the accompanying questions Work is expected to be turned in on time. Late work is minus 1 grade everyday late. . Students can improve their original assignment grade one grade by correcting incorrect answers while class reviews answers to the insights and adding additional information from class discussions. Students who never turned in the assignment can still write down answers reviewed in class for a partial grade for 50% of the original credit.
Quizzes and Tests Quizzes are given in a variety of ways. Quizzes can be open note based on insights, closed note, individual, or taken as a group. The students are expected to be prepared for each quiz, which are given once or twice a week. Quizzes cannot be made up! If you miss a quiz, your next test grade will count for the missing test grade. Tests are given at the end of each unit and are always closed note and taken individually. If you are absent the day of the test, the student must come up to me and ask to take the exam.
Participation ALL STUDENTS WILL PARTICPATE IN CLASS. Don t worry; you will be called on at any moment, everyday! I make a note of how many correct and incorrect answers a student gives throughout the semester, and voluntary answers (which I do not penalize if you give a wrong answer.) Students will be in small groups and will often be able to discuss what the answer is with their group before I randomly select a student to provide the answer.
Essays and Cheating Students will write extensively in class. There is a certain way to write for a history class and I will review every step of the writing process throughout the class. In order to pass this class you must write! With all essays, students will have time to develop, prepare, write, and edit. Also, students will have the opportunity to replace an essay grade with a makeup if they felt they earned a low grade and want to replace the previous grade. What is important to learn is the process of writing and students will not improve their writing if they do not write. Cheating- DO NOT DO IT!!! If a student is caught cheating they will receive a zero on the assignment, minus the value of the assignment, and ZERO participation points on the next report card
Grades Tests- 40% (25 pts) Quizzes- 15% (5 pts group/open note, 10 pts solo) CW/HW/Short Answer- 15% (6 pts per insight(5 for insight w. 1 pt added for corrections) 5-4-3-2-1 scale Essays/Debates- 15% (20 pts each) 5-4-3-2-1 scale Participation- 15% (20 pts per 5 weeks) A= 100-90% B= 89-80% C= 79-70% D= 69-60% F= 59% and below
1stAssignment- Test #1 on Monday on Chapters 2-6 Chapters 2-6 are at Leuzinger.org Look at power points . Answer italicized questions for each chapter for summer HW credit. Those who did the summer assignments will have their own grading scale inputted, but it will only help, not hurt your grade. Study Guide will be handed out on Thursday and Friday to help students focus on what they need to know for the test. Study Guide (5 pts)and Italicized questions (5 pts.) are due on Monday.
