Mr.

Benson US Government/US History

Second Semester US Government/US History

Teacher:
Contact Information:

Mr. Benson
Room #904
(c): (602) 329-0951
(e): sbenson4@email.arizona.edu

Office Hours:
I will be in my classroom before school to help out with any
questions regarding assignments, projects, or anything that is on
your mind!

Welcome back! For the second semester, I will be leading all classroom instruction as well as
developing all lesson plans, assignments, and projects with Mrs. Treadaway helping out. I cannot
wait to get the semester started and I look forward to working with all of you as we discover
significant world events together! This semester, we will be starting with the beginnings of
Fascism in Europe and World War II, moving through a variety of political and social conflicts
that consumed the US throughout the Cold War, and finally we will be concluding with the post
9/11 world and the War on Terror.
We will be continuing our analysis of Power and Authority, Religious and Ethical Systems,
Revolution, Interaction and Environment, Economics, Cultural Interaction, Empire Building, and
Science and Technology. We will also be utilizing Blooms Taxonomy (from first semester) to
engage in critical thinking.
One change from first semester is that we will be paying extra attention to different viewpoints
of people not usually covered in history books. We will be participating in many different
activities and projects that will get us thinking about how different people view history and we
will discuss why they may hold different viewpoints from our own.
I need each of you to read this syllabus, then have your parent or guardian read it, and finally
both of you need to sign the last page and return it to me as soon as possible. This semester will
be very engaging and eye-opening, and I look forward to leading all of you on this journey!
- Mr. Benson
About Me:
I graduated from the University of Arizona in 2013 with Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
and a minor in History and am currently completing my Masters in Secondary Education also at
the University of Arizona. I love astronomy, going to concerts, and playing with my cats Lulu
and Otto!

Mr. Benson US Government/US History

Second Semester Topics and Assignments

Unit 9

Unit 10

Unit 11

The Turbulent Decades 1919-1945

The Jazz Age
The Depression and FDR
World War II
Turning Points 1945-1975
The Cold War Era
America in the 1950s
The Civil Rights Era
The Vietnam Era
Modern America 1968-Present
Search for Stability
New Challenges
Post 9/11 World
The War on Terror

Throughout the semester, students will continue to complete their textbook worksheet
assignments every week, with at least three presentations/group projects per unit.

Mr. Bensons Classroom Procedures

At the Start of Class:
- I will have either a statement, question, paragraph, picture, etc. on the white board
that students will have to respond to on a piece of paper.
- Once finished with their reflection, students must turn this bell work into me or the
TA.
- This bell work will be counted for a grade based on completion as well as serve as
proof of attendance.
At the End of Class:
- I will remind students when there is a couple of minutes remaining before the bell so
that they can clean up their work area, finish up whatever they are working on, and
can ask last minute questions.
- The bell does not dismiss you, only I can dismiss you! Please remain seated until I
formally dismiss all of you.
Assignments:
- We will have assigned reading each week with worksheets to accompany the
readings.
- There will also be activities that may need to be completed outside of class.
Absences:
- Please check on the Synergy site to see what assignments you may have missed.
- For missed presentations/group projects, I will assign you an individual assignment.

Mr. Benson US Government/US History

Tardy Policy:
- If you are late to class, please come to me at the end of class so I can mark you as
present.
- Please do not disrupt the classroom if you arrive late; quietly find your seat and I will
inform you of what is going on in the class.
Smartphones:
- At Cheyenne, we have a Bring Your Own Technology Initiative. So when we are
working on assignments or projects, students will be allowed to use their smartphones
for WORK RELATED PURPOSES ONLY!
- If I see misbehavior regarding smartphones, I will have students place their
smartphones in an envelope on their desk to ensure they are not distracted.
- Failure to follow these directions may result in more serious consequences.

Mr. Bensons Classroom Expectations

-

When you enter class, please find your seat and begin bell work immediately.
Be respectful to yourself and to others.
Be prepared with all assignments and materials.
Listen when others are talking.
Raise your hand to be called on or to ask a question.
Maintain an inside voice during all group work.
Maintain a clean work environment.
Remain seated until I dismiss you.

Mr. Bensons Classroom Behavior Consequences

Positive:
- Allowed to listen to music during readings and assignments.
- A positive note sent home.
- Receive Mastery Points that can be used to get out of an assignment or makeup a
poor grade.
Negative:
-

Intervention by ME.
Personal discussion of problem behavior.
Note or phone call home regarding problem behavior.
Parent-Teacher-Student conference.
Referral to the Principal.

Mr. Benson US Government/US History

Mr. Bensons Grading Policy

Grades for the semester will be divided among the following categories:
- Bellwork
10%
- Textbook Worksheets
30%
- Group Projects/Presentations
40%
- Final Assessments
20%
- Total:
100%
A: 92-100

B: 82-91

C: 72-81

D: 62-71

F: 61 and below

Mr. Benson US Government/US History

Please read over this Syllabus and then sign your name, date and return to me.

I have read and understood the procedures, policies, and

expectations of Mr. Bensons second semester US
Government/US History class.

Student Name

Student Signature

Parent/Guardian Signature

Date