Course Outline 2008/2009
U.S. History
Mr. Sowers
Classroom Expectations:
1. Be prepared
2. Be punctual
3. Be polite
4. Be positive
5. Respect yourself and others. Behavior that would not be considered respectful includes:
· Talking while someone else is speaking.
· Getting up out of ones seat while someone is instructing or presenting.
· Passing notes (this includes text messaging!) during instruction.
Consequences:
If you choose to not follow expectations:
**First time - 30 minute school detention
***Second time - 1 hour after detention + a phone call home
****Third time - Referral written + a phone call home
Policies:
Student Work – Assignments are due on the assigned date. Student work will not be accepted late without a late pass. Student work must be neat, legible, and completed in blue or black pen, or typed, unless told otherwise to not type.
Late homework pass A.KA. your “D.O.G” (Days Of Grace) Pass - Each student will be given 3 late work passes each semester. Late passes need to be stapled on top of the completed assignment that is being turned in late. The assignment and pass should be turned into the appropriate period wire basket. Assignments turned in late with a late pass can be worth full credit, depending on the quality. Your third/final late pass used must be signed by a parent. These can be used for any individual assignments, but not group projects. These can be turned in any time up until two weeks prior to the end of the current semester. If you choose to not use late passes then you may “cash” them in at the end of each semester for 1 extra credit point each.
Absences- If you are absent, then you will be responsible to find out the assignment(s) you missed from one of the following: a) your study buddy-write name in agenda book! b) the weekly assignment sheet posted in Mr. Sowers’ classroom c) Mr. Sowers’ web site.
I will not keep track of this for you. Homework missed due to an absence is due the day after you return to school. Please note that I may or may not be able and willing to accommodate students with work prior to a prolonged absence (i.e. trips/vacations during school).
Test Make- ups- Students must speak to the teacher to reschedule a make-up exam. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule a new testing time within one week from the original testing date. No exceptions please. Tests will not be graded and returned until all students have made up the test.
Cheating- The History department is in full support of the school’s policy: cheating of ANY kind will not be tolerated. Students who copy another’s work OR students who allow their work to be copied will receive a zero on that assignment or test and will be referred to the administration. Cheating of course includes plagiarism.
Extra Credit - Extra Credit opportunities will be available occasionally,
PLEASE do not ask for them.
Bathroom visits - You will be given 3 passes per semester (see pink handout). That’s it, so please use them wisely.
Food, Gum, Drinks – Absolutely not. Water is ok, however. Hats are ok, as long as they do not become a distraction
Procedures:
Before class - Get out any homework assignments that are due that day as there is a good chance there will be a homework check, collection, or peer evaluation. If absent the day before, then find out the previous day’s assignment, copy it down in your agenda, AND pick up any handouts that were given when you were absent. Please make sure you do all this and are still seated in your seat before the tardy bell rings.
First 3-5 minutes of class - Copy down the agenda for the day with any homework assignments in your student agenda, then either wait for my instructions or follow any written directions that may be written on the far left of the white board. Most block days will start with a Warm Up journal entry, so have your binders ready.
During class -
*Get up from your seat and talk only when instructed.
*In History class work on History assignments only, unless otherwise instructed.
End of class- The bell does not dismiss the class. Your teacher will. Each class per row will be responsible for making certain their area/row is clean. Your teacher will then dismiss students by rows.
Recommended Supplies: The following supplies are strongly recommended for this course. They will help you to be more responsible, organized, and successfulJ
*3-ring binder notebook (may be shared with another class) with…
*5 Dividers:
Label the dividers: “Notes”, “Graded Work”, “Homework”,
“Warm-Ups”, and “STAR Review”
*paper *2 blue/black pens *2 pencils *colored pens/pencils
Other recommended supplies are:
*atlas *ruler *glue *scissors *stapler *index cards
*Please see me if you have any trouble obtaining these * supplies.
Grades:
I use a basic points system.
Tests and quizzes will be weighted 30% of your final grade
Projects will be weighted 30% of your final grade
Class work and homework will be weighted 40% of your final grade
Scale (by percent):
100 = A+ 88-89 = B+ 78-79 =C+ 68-69=D+
93-99 = A 83-87 = B 73-77 =C 63-67=D
90-92 = A- 80-82 = B- 70-72 =C- 60-62=D-
59% and below = F * It is strongly recommended that D/F semester grade students make up the class in summer school if a proficiency course is offered.
Please define plagiarism: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What consequences are faced if a student chooses to commit this offense? :
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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