Bad History teacher.?

I am currently in 9th grade (Freshman year) and the 3rd 9 weeks just started this week. I have a seriously bad teacher. All he basically does is write down notes, make us copy it, then that's the whole period. I don't learn by doing that and same with over half of my other cl. I first got a B (I think around 85%) in the cl, then the 2nd 9 weeks I got a C- (71%). That's the worse I've ever done in a History cl too. Anyways, we just recently had our Midterms/Finals and I got a 55% on it! That's ridiculous. I have gotten the worst grades I've ever seen in my life from him, in just half the year! Other then screwing up my entire schedule for school, what can I possibly do to do better?