Class Syllabus - 09-02-01.wpd

Virginia and U.S. History

Class Goals - I have the following goals for the class:

�To give you the tools to pass the SOL test
�To offer an overview of Virginia and U.S. history
�To expose you to the development of our cultures and national identity
�To enable you to better understand yourself and others based on our shared backgrounds
�To prepare you to face the future by helping you better understand the past

Class Expectations - I expect the following from every member of the class:

�To be prepared

�To have assignments completed in a timely manner

�To participate productively in group work

�To treat one another with respect and courtesy

�To pass the class

Class Schedule - We'll follow the schedule below:

Unit One: European Exploration and Colonization September 2-3

Unit Two: The Colonies September 7-10

Unit Three: The Revolution September 13-17

Unit Four: The Constitution September 20-24

Unit Five: A Young Nation September 27-October 1

Unit Six: The American Civil War October 4-8

Unit Seven: A Nation on the Move October 11-15

Unit Eight: An Emerging World Power October 18-22

Unit Nine: World War II October 25-29

Review and Midterm October 31-November 5

Unit Ten: On the Home Front November 8-12

Unit Eleven: America in World Affairs November 15-24

Unit Twelve: The Civil Rights Movement November 29-December 3

Unit Thirteen: Contemporary United States December 6-10

SOL Review December 13-January 7

What if... January 12-20

Materials Needed - You will need the following:

�3-ring binder

�Paper

�Pencils (for taking the tests)

Performance Evaluation - We're looking to master the material, and the grading will reflect your knowledge, your understanding and your ability to apply the information. Your first two weeks grade will be based on the following:

�Tests 40%

At the end of each week, you'll take a test on the material. These tests and quizzes will measure the following:

Your knowledge (people, dates, places, etc.)

Your understanding (how events and people relate to one another, reasons for certain occurrences, etc.)

Your ability to apply the information (using the past to explain the present, trace historic developments, etc.)

Unless announced, you'll take each test twice: first with the books closed and then with the books open. When you add the two 50-point scores, if you've earned an 80 or less, you are required to rewrite the outlines into complete sentences and paragraphs. These essays will be graded and this grade will be added to the grade book. This is optional if your score is 81 or above.

�Classwork/Homework 20%

�Writing Assignments 20%

Daily, you'll have questions to answer related to the material covered.

�Attention 10%

Each day, you'll receive a number between 0-5 reflecting my assessment of your attention. Attention is defined as involvement in discussions and participation in exercises. Although you will not lose points for disruptive behavior, it will certainly affect my judgment.

�Notebook Check 10%

Your semester grade will be determined as follows:

�1^st Six-Weeks Grade 25%

�2^nd Six-Weeks Grade 25%

�3^rd Six-Weeks Grade 25%

�Mid-Term Exam 12.5%

�Final Exam (SOL Test) 12.5%

We will use the standard grading scale:

�A- You've done excellent work. You really know, understand and can apply the material. Man, you are good.

�B - You've done a good job. You're pretty good at knowing, understanding and applying the material.

�C - You've done a fair job. Although you know, understand and can apply the material, you've got a little room to grow before you're ready to move on.

�D - You've done a poor job. In other words, you're hanging on with bloody fingernails.

�F - You don't have a clue. There's no way I can pass you.

Class Privileges and Rules - Since you are in high school, you have certain privileges in my classroom. Although these may change during the course of the semester, they are as follows:

�One at a time, you may go to the restroom, once during class.

�You may talk quietly among yourselves when your work is finished.

�You may choose your own seat.

Now, since these are privileges, you as an individual may lose any or all of them if you break the following rules:

�You may not talk while I'm talking or during tests.

�Your trips to the restroom should be brief.

�You should arrive in class in a timely manner.

�You should stay at your desks until the bell rings.

Because of school policy, you may not do the following:

�Eat or drink in class

�Listen to a radio or CD player

Finally, I have a zero tolerance for the following:

�Using profanity

�Cheating

�Any aggressive behavior toward another student or the teacher

�Sleeping in class

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