Transcript AP U.S. History - Boerne Independent School District

AP U.S. History
WELCOME PARENTS
Michael Gillette
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1st Year at B.I.S.D
Experience: 13th year teaching; 8th year teaching
AP
Graduate of the University of Arkansas, 1995
Currently working on Masters in Educational
Leadership at Lamar University
Married, Wife Sami Jo
– Sami is a 5th grade teacher at Leon Springs
Elementary.
– Father of twins; Lauren and Samuel, 8
Michael Gillette
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Formerly from West Brook H.S. in Beaumont,
Texas.
– Taught APUSH and AP World History for five years.
– U.I.L. Current Events and Issues Coach- 4 straight
district championships & regional qualifications
– Close Up Coordinator- Responsible for bringing
students to Washington, D.C. as part of the Close Up
program
– 11th Grade U.S. History lead teacher for the district –
rewrote the curriculum for 11th grade U.S. history for
three high schools and provided staff development for
district U.S. history teachers
CLOSE UP GROUP ‘07
Michael Gillette
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Before West Brook I
taught at West
Orange-Stark High
School in Orange,
Texas for seven years.
– I taught AP U.S. and
World History for three
years.
HONORS & SUCCESSES
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2001 Teacher of the Year- West Orange-Stark High
School
2002 Texas A&M Former Students Association Teacher of
the Year- Runner-up
2002 Fellow- Teaching American History Academy at
Sam Houston State
2002- Co-published The Dilemma Approach to Mastering
TAKS
2003 Texas A&M Former Students Association Teacher of
the Year
2003 Woodmen of the World Award for Excellence in
Teaching American History
2005 Teacher of the Year – West Brook High School
AP TEST PERFORMANCE
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WEST ORANGE-STARK HIGH SCHOOL
 89% Economically Disadvantaged
 2000- 56% (3,4, & 5’s) First year
 2001- 73% (3,4, & 5’s)
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WEST BROOK HIGH SCHOOL
 56% Economically disadvantaged
 Averaged 82% passing rate over five years.
 2007- 86% (3,4,5’s)
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COLLEGE BOARD SYLLABUS AUDIT
 Syllabus was approved by College Board in March
of 2007.
PHILOSOPHY
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The transition from Mrs. D’Spain to Mr.
Gillette will be smooth.
– WHY?
 I will maintain the same grading policies and
classroom procedures used by Mrs. D’Spain.
 I will maintain the same high expectations for all
students.
 I will work to preserve the high integrity of the
APUSH program built by Mrs. D’Spain
 I will put the concerns and performance of the
students first. Their success is my first priority.
PHILOSOPHY
All assignments, quizzes, and exams are
formatted to increase each student’s
effectiveness on the AP Exam.
 Common assessments:
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– Graded Discussions and Socratic Seminars
– Free-Response Essays & Document-Based Essays
(DBQ’s). A minimum of three will be assigned each 9
week period.
– Chapter quizzes
– Unit Exams
– Major projects - Novel & Trial Project (Post AP Exam)
– Review-oriented reinforcements
NOTECARDS
The notecard assignment used by Ashlie
D’Spain will be continued. Within the
APUSH curriculum, this assignment is
standard.
 Due the last Monday of the nine week
grading period.
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CLASS REQUIREMENTS
Each student must participate in class
discussions, group activities, Socratic seminars,
and debates.
 Each student may be required to conduct
research-related projects outside of class each
semester.
 Students will consistently be assigned reading
assignments. A calendar will be distributed to all
parents showing all reading assignments.
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CLASS REQUIREMENTS
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Due to the rigorous nature of the
coursework, students must make every
effort to attend class. Students that miss
will responsible for all miss assignments,
readings, and notes.
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is a direct correlation
between low attendance and AP
scores.
TUTORIALS
Tutorials will be held every morning from
7:50 – 8:30.
 Saturday seminars will be held as needed.
They will last from 8:00 – 10:00.
 The reality is that for some students, more
time is needed outside the normal class. I
will accommodate them when necessary.
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RETESTS
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Retests will be administered on the last
Monday of each nine weeks. They will
take place at 7:00 a.m. and will be all
essay.
LATE WORK
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PENALTIES FOR LATE WORK
– ONE DAY
– TWO DAYS
– MORE THAN 2 DAYS
-30
-50
ZERO
COURSE EXPECTATIONS OF ME
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I WILL BE PREPARED.
I WILL COMMUNICATE WITH PARENTS.
I WILL PRESENT ALL CONTENT IN A
MEANINGFUL MANNER.
I WILL DEMAND NOTHING BUT THE BEST
FROM YOUR CHILD.
I WILL TEACH THIS COURSE ACCORDING TO
THE STANDARDS OF COLLEGE BOARD.
I WILL HOLD YOUR CHILD TO THE HIGHEST
STANDARD OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS OF THE
STUDENT
BE IN CLASS
 BE PREPARED EVERY DAY
 BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL MATERIAL
 ATTEND TUTORIALS IF NECESSARY
 COMMUNICATE NEEDS OR PROBLEMS
WITH TEACHER
 PARTICIPATE IN CLASS
 SCORE WELL ON THE AP EXAM!!
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EXPECTATIONS OF PARENT
HOLD CHILD ACCOUNTABLE FOR
ACTIONS
 COMMUNICATE NEEDS OR CONCERNS
WITH TEACHER
 PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR CHILD
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CLOSING
You can contact me at (409) 498-1377
between the hours of 8:00 am and 9:00
pm.
 I’m looking forward to a successful spring
semester.
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