Liberty High School Mr. Taylor
United States History Room E-4
Introductory Syllabus
2013-2014
“The world exists for the education of each man [and woman].”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
“History does nothing; it does not possess immense riches, it does not fight battles. It is men [people], real, living, who do all this.”
- Karl Marx
Mr. Taylor’s Classroom Policies
1. TREAT ALL PEOPLE WITH FAIRNESS AND RESPECT.
2. Students agree to come to class willing to learn, participate, take academic risks, and be intellectually challenged.
3. Students must be in their seats with materials ready when the tardy bell rings.
4. Students agree to attend class and conduct themselves in a professional manner that facilitates classroom learning and promotes academic growth.
5. Personal grooming, food, drinks, gum and electronic devices subtract from the learning environment and therefore are not allowed in class.
6. Class runs smoothly when students remain seated at all times unless given permission.
7. Visiting is not allowed but students are encouraged to participate and share when they raise their hands and are called on.
8. Students will speak in a dignified, professional manner that respects the needs and feelings of all classmates.
9. Students agree to use the restroom on their own time before or after the class period.
10. Class is over and students are dismissed by Mr. Taylor, NOT the bell.
Daily Requirements
Students are expected to bring to class every day (unless instructed otherwise): textbook; sharpened pencil or pen (blue or black ink only); notepaper; assigned homework or other classwork; a three-ring binder for materials, and a willing and open mind about learning.
Homework and Attendance
Homework is due at the beginning of the period on the assigned date. Late homework may only be submitted for up to half-credit. If a student is absent, it is his or her responsibility to retrieve assignments from Mr. Taylor and turn in completed work from the assigned date. Absences must be cleared through the office; truant students will not be given make-up work. Students who seek make-up work need to do so at the end of the class period of the day of their return. Students absent on test days will be given make-up tests in essay form. Students absent the day before a test are required to take the exam on the assigned date.
Course Grading
The grading structure for this class is as follows:
90-100%: A
80-89%: B
70-79%: C
60-69%: D
59 % and below: F
Grades will be calculated using the following:
· Tests, projects, reports, and homework.
· Class participation (failure to come to class with materials and textbook and/or lack of class effort can result in the deduction of points from a student’s grade).
Assessments (tests, quizzes and large projects) will count 80% toward the student’s grade and formative assignments (homework) will count 20%. Students must pass each standard (70% or higher) and maintain a passing grade in order to successfully pass the class.
Assignments
Each assignment must be completed in a neat and presentable manner. Students must head their assignments properly, with the assignment title in the upper-left hand corner and their name, date, and period in the upper-right corner. Students are to maintain integrity when completing assignments; plagiarism or cheating of any kind will not be tolerated. Any student caught cheating will receive a zero for the assignment and the teacher reserves the right to carry out further disciplinary actions based on the severity of the incident.
Discipline Policies
In order to maintain a safe and positive learning environment in class, students must follow all rules and policies set by the instructor. Regarding class tardies, the following policies apply:
· After three tardies, the student will be given a conduct referral and the teacher will notify the student’s parent or guardian.
Regarding the use of electronic devices, the following policies apply:
§ I-pods, mp3 players or any other portable listening devices are not allowed to be played in class.
§ Cell phones are to be turned off and put away. If a student’s phone rings or if a student is caught playing with the device in class, Mr. Taylor will confiscate that phone until the end of the school day. Students are not allowed to use their cell phones as cameras as per student educational code. A secondary incident will result in further disciplinary action, including a referral and parent contact.
Regarding dress code policies set by the school and agreed upon by all students:
§ Flagrant violations of the dress code will result in the student being sent to the office to change clothes and not return until wearing attire that is acceptable according to LUHS Board approval.
Literacy Standards and Benchmarks
1. Students understand and read for meaning and demonstrate competence and fluency in applying the strategies and skills of the reading process to a variety of historical sources.
2. Students listen to, understand, evaluate, respond to, and deliver spoken messages in both formal and informal situations.
3. Students use the writing process to write essays/works for a variety of purposes and diverse audiences.
4. Students know world geography.
Content Standards and Benchmarks
1. Students analyze the significant events in the founding of the nation and its attempts to realize the philosophy of government describe in the Declaration of Independence.
2. Students analyze the relationship among the rise of industrialization, large scale rural-to-urban migration and massive immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe.
3. Students analyze the role religion played in the founding of America, its lasting moral, social and political impacts and issues regarding religious liberty.
4. Students trace the rise of the United States to its role as a world power in the twentieth century
5. Students analyze the major political, social, economic, technological and economic developments of the 1920s.
6. Students analyze the different explanations for the Great Depression and how the New Deal fundamentally changed the role of the federal government.
7. Students analyze America’s participation in World War II.
8. Students analyze the economic boom and social transformation of post-World War II America.
9. Students analyze U.S. foreign policy since World War II.
10. Students analyze the development of federal civil rights and voting rights.
11. Students analyze the major social problems and domestic policy issues of contemporary American society.
Teacher Availability
I am available before and after school, between classes, and lunch for any student that is in need of assistance. Please make an appointment if the issue requires a lengthy period of time in order for all needs to be met. I can be reached via electronic mail at: . If one would rather leave a voice mail message, my number is (925) 634-3521, extension 5882. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Let’s make this a positive and rewarding year!
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