Course Expectations 2014-2015
United States History
Instructor: Mr. Waxer
LHS Room 1221
Phone: (702) 799-1777 Voice Mail 05562221
Email:
Website Address: www.legacyhigh.net
Course Scope:
This one-year course is a study of American history with an emphasis on the Modern World from 1900 to the present day. Students explore and evaluate the significant historical events and the consequences. This course provides and examination of historical themes to analyze how new events continue to shape our nation and society today. Instructional practices incorporate integration of diversity awareness including appreciation of all cultures and their important contributions to society. The appropriate use of technology is an integral part of this course. This course fulfills the U.S. History credit required for high school graduation.
Course Goals:
1. To compare historical themes and events to the physical environment. [NS: H2.0, G6.0]
2. To analyze the impact of ideas and individual actions on social, political, economic, technological, and religious institutions in American history. [NS: H1.0, H2.0, E10.0, C13.0]
3. To assess the causes and consequences of complex events such as wars, conflicts, and revolutions. [NS: H1.0, H2.0, H3.0, H4.0]
4. To cite evidence supporting the historical development and present condition of the American economic system. [NS: H3.0, E10.0, E11.0]
5. To summarize the benefits and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship. [NS: C13.0]
6. To evaluate how the arts and humanities of diverse cultures relate to the historical themes of the United States. [NS: H1.0, H2.0, H3.0 H4.0 G7.0, C13.0]
7. To draw conclusions regarding the impact of science and technology on the human and physical systems of the United States. [NS: H1.0, H3.0, G6.0, G8.0]
8. To apply the content literacy skills necessary to analyze historical documents, artifacts, and concepts. [NS: H1.0, H2.0, H3.0, H4.0, G5.0, G7.0, E10.0, E11.0, C13.0]
9. To use information, media, and technology literacy skills necessary to research, communicate, and demonstrate critical thinking.
[NS: H1.0, H2.0, H3.0, H4.0, H6.0, G7.0, G8.0, E10.0, E11.0, C13.0]
C = Civics, Social Studies.
E = Economics, Social Studies.
G = Geography, Social Studies.
H = History, Social Studies.
Textbooks
The following text(s) will be utilized in this course:
America – Pathways To The Present by Prentice Hall
Student Supplies
Students are expected to have and maintain the following supplies all year:
· 3-Ring Binder.
· Divider labeled U.S. History for 3-Ring Binder.
· Notebook Paper (No spiral for assignments).
· Pen (Blue or Black ink).
· Pencil.
Tardy Policy
Tardiness is a serious disruption to the educational program. Every student is required to be in his/her seat when the tardy bell rings. With that in mind, the Legacy High School Tardy Policy will be strictly enforced. On the first tardy, the student will be warned; on the second tardy, the parent will be contacted; on the third and all subsequent tardies, the student will be sent to the deans’ office and placed on a Required Parent Conference. In addition to the Legacy Tardy Policy, Legacy will utilize a Tardy Lockout System.
Grading Policy
· Grading Scale: 90% - 100% A
80% - 89% B
70% - 79% C
60% - 69% D
Below 60% F
· Rounding Policy:
· Semester Exam – The semester exam will constitute 10% of the semester grade.
· Test/Quizzes – Tests and quizzes will constitute 40% of the semester grade.
· Homework / Assignments / Classwork – Daily assignments, homework, and other classwork will constitute 40% of the semester grade.
· Participation – Participation in class and daily attendance will constitute 10% of the semester grade.
·
· Description of Grading Procedures:
· Homework / Assignments – Most daily assignments are due at the end of the class period. Short and long ranged assignments are due the following day or on the date identified in their “A” Day/“B” Day notebook/binder, which will be graded on completeness, neatness, and organization on a regular basis. Students are to check the board daily for assignments and due dates. All papers should be neat and legible. Papers without names will be discarded at the end of the quarter. Every student is expected to do his/her own work. Any students sharing work will receive a zero, unless it is a cooperative learning assignment.
· Participation – Participation is taken into consideration with grading when appropriate behavior is used in the classroom and there is positive student interaction both with peers, the teacher, and the material. The participation grade is not based on who raises their hand or how many times, rather when there is good and responsible interpersonal communication in the classroom.
· Extra Credit – Extra credit opportunities may be built into some assignments and/or provided throughout the school year on a class basis only. No special individual extra credit work will be assigned.
· Notebooks – Notebooks will be graded and evaluated at the end of a quarter. All students in class should expect to maintain some type of notebook for class notes, returned papers, assignments, homework, etc. (This is a good organizational skill to learn for use later in life.)
· Homework Policy / Mr. Waxer’s Homework Manifesto:
· Homework options include:
1. Do it. Turn it in on time.
2. Don’t do it. Take a zero.
3. Don’t do it, but you speak to Mr. Waxer the period it was due to make arrangements to stay after school that day to complete it.
· The following is NOT AT OPTION:
o You come to me days or weeks later and want to make up something you didn’t complete when it was assigned.
o (Of course if you were absent and get a re-admit you will be allowed ample time to complete make-up work for full credit.)
· Semester Grades: 45% Quarter 1/3 Grade
45% Quarter 2/4 Grade
10% Semester Examination
· Standards of Preparation – Correct Grammar, spelling, and neatness are expected in all assignments. This can, and will, factor into graded assignments such as homework, classwork, and special projects / reports or essays.
Make-up Work, Late Work, and Attendance
· Make-up procedures:
· After an absence, a student is required to initiate contact with the teacher to obtain appropriate make up work within three (3) days immediately following the absence. Once contact has been made with the teacher, specific make up work must be completed and returned to the teacher within a reasonable length of time, to be determined by the teacher and communicated to the student. The make-up work must be returned to the teacher by the specified due date if it is to be acknowledged. Students shall be allowed a minimum of three (3) days to complete make up work.
· Late work – If a student is absent on the day the assignment is due, the completed assignment is due the day the student returns to school.
· Hours of Availability – I am generally available before school from 6:45 – 6:55 am and after school until 3:00 pm. Staff meetings or parent conferences may cause me to be unavailable. You may make an appointment with me to insure availability. Please come by anytime if you need further assistance.
Attendance
After the seventh unexcused absence, students will be denied credit and will receive an “F” for the course.
Classroom Behavior Expectations
· Classroom Behavioral Expectations
· Behavior expected during class and activities – Show RESPECT to others and the learning environment. Students are to have their backpacks, purses, totes, and bags off and under their seats. Students are also to have their hoodie’s, hats, and beanies off during the classroom session.
· Behavior expected at the start and finish (dismissal) of class – Come to class prepared and with the proper materials for class each day. Be prompt. (They fire you in the real world for being late to work!)
· Other items unique to your individual classroom / program – MP3 Device use IS permitted with the following rules: Students are to not listen to their music during the “Warm-up Activity” at the beginning of class. Students are to not use their device when the teacher is talking (lecture, discussion, directions, etc.). Students must have their music at an appropriate volume level (i.e. I should not be able to hear the music). Students must also only have one (1) earbud in their ear at a time.
Failure to follow these guidelines WILL result in loss of privileges.
· Materials needed daily – You will need your 3 ring-binder, paper, pen/pencil every day for class and assignments/homework.
· Information items include – Cell phone use is NOT allowed in any way, shape, or form, unless specified by the teacher for academic purposes.
· Tardies – Be in your seat when the tardy bell rings. The Legacy High School tardy policy will be enforced. (1/2 hour tardy = one [1] absence).
· Corridor and restroom passes – Students are allowed a maximum of 15 corridor AND restroom passes together, every quarter. After the passes for a specific student is used up they cannot have a pass. Students are expected to remain seated and act appropriate until the teacher can
· Food, drink, gum, candy, etc. in class – No eating or drinking in class.
· Care of school and personal property – No personal grooming in class. No sleeping in class. Profanity, verbal abuse, and/or physical abuse will not be tolerated. All students are to keep their area clean and organized for safety reasons. Students are to keep their hands to themselves. Treat others how you wish to be treated.
· Citizenship – Citizenship in the classroom will be determined by guaranteeing to the student that they have the right to learn, grow, and succeed in this classroom and that they are to be free from disruption, of any kind, in order to pursue an education benefiting the person.
Consequences
· Discipline Plan Explanation and Procedures – My classroom management plan involves direct intervention of inappropriate student behavior.
o Level 1 is a verbal warning and has me approach the student during a lesson in which they are doing a behavior I do not want to see or is against the rules.
o Level 2 is student-teacher conference and has me talk to the student before or after class or in the hallway and further emphasize the behavior that I do not want to see.
o Level 3 is a parent notification. I contact the parent after school and explain the behavior to them and to possibly set up a parent-student conference with the teacher.
o Level 4 is a Counselor referral.
o Level 5 is a Dean’s referral.
The nature and severity of misconduct determines the order and/or combination of consequences.
I give my students many opportunities to correct their behaviors before I use more drastic discipline methods.
Cell phone Consequences
· Cellphone use is not permitted in class by the student in any way, shape, or form, unless specified by the teacher.
· Failure to comply with the rule will result in additional consequences:
1. Verbal warning.
2. Student-teacher conference.
3. Confiscation of the cell phone or MP3 device until the end of class.
4. Confiscation of the cell phone or MP3 device until lunch/after school.
5. Parent-teacher conference.
6. Dean’s referral.
Please complete this page, remove from packet and return to school by September 26, 2014.
Acknowledgement of Course Expectations
United States History
We have read and discussed the course description and expectations.
______
Student’s name [last, first] Student’s Signature
______
Parent Name Parent Signature
______
Home phone Work/Cell phone
Email Address: ______
Electronic Textbook
If my child’s course has an electronic version of the textbook, that can be accessed at home through the internet, I am giving permission to not check out a text book for this course. I have internet access at home to use the electronic version.
Note: Not all classes offer an electronic version and a textbook will be checked out to the student.
Parent Signature: ______
Legacy High School Page: 7