U.S. HISTORY - Syllabus

Instructor:  Andrea Rau                     Contact Information:  rauandrea@bcchs.org or 722-2390 (school phone)
Home Room: 204                               Planning Period: 2nd Hour
Office Hours:  7:30 am to 7:55 am and 3:20 pm to 3:45 pm 

• Please let me know in advance if you plan to come in during my office hours.  I am also helping to sponsor Scholars Bowl so there may be times when I am not available before or after school.  If I am unavailable students will be notified.  

COURSE INFORMATION:
This is a course in which students will analyze the key political, social and economic developments in the rise of the United States from the colonial era to its position as a world leader.  The students will apply these concepts to current situations.  In the junior year we will be covering from the Age of Exploration through the 1920s.
BENCHMARKS:
These are the objectives that the students will reach by the end of their junior year:

• The learner uses a working knowledge and understanding of individuals, groups, ideas, developments, and turning points in the exploration, colonization and settlement of the U.S. to 1763.
• The learner uses a working knowledge and understanding of individuals, groups, ideas, developments, and turning points in the American Revolution and the development of the United States as a nation.
• The learner uses a working knowledge and understanding of individuals, groups, ideas, developments, and turning points in the Civil War through the Industrial era of the United States.
• The learner uses a working knowledge and understanding of individuals, groups, ideas, developments, and turning points in the era of the emergence of the modern United States.
• The learner engages in historical thinking skills.

MATERIALS:
We will be using the following textbook for this course:  The American Vision

• Every student will be checked out a book at the beginning of the year.  It is your responsibility to take care of that book.  If you lose it or ruin it…you buy it!

Everyday the students are required to bring the following materials:

• Pen or pencil
• Notebook paper
• Textbook
• Assignments, Chapter and Participation Packets, notes, handouts, and completed homework
• Students will need to purchase a folder and fill with notebook paper.  This folder will be kept in the classroom.
• Recommended = Binder or folder

ATTENDANCE:
With this course we will be completing many different projects, assignments, and lectures.  For that reason, it is required you come to every class.  Also, if you know you will be gone in advance or will be gone for a lengthy period of time, talk to me ASAP. 

• Excused Absences: If a student is absent it is their responsibility to make-up the assignments.  I will give copies of any handouts that were covered in class and assignments, but it is the students’ responsibility to ask before or after class. In order to receive any credit for Bell Ringers and Participation Packet assignments the student must come and see me.  If it is an excused absence students will be given one day to complete the assignment for full credit for each day that they were excused.  After the one day 50% will be deducted. 
• Unexcused Absences and Suspension:  Students who are suspended must make up the work they have missed.  They will, however, not receive full credit.  If they are serving an in-school suspension or have an unexcused absence, they can, at most receive 50% of the total.  For an out-of-school suspension a student can receive only 25%. 
• Tardy:  All students are expected to come to class on time.  If a student is not in the classroom when the bell rings they are tardy, unless given a pass from a staff member.  If a student is more than 20 minutes late without a pass they will be given an unexcused absence.  Demerits will be given for being tardy to class.

GRADING:
Grades will be based on daily work, participation, quizzes, tests, projects, and papers.  The semester work will graded at 90% and the semester final will be graded at 10%.
Grading will follow this scale:
92-100 = A      83-91 = B        74-82 = C        65-73 = D        Below 65 = F

• Cheating:   If any student gets caught cheating in my classroom it is an automatic zero for the assignment, detention, and notification to the administration. 

LATE ASSIGNMENTS:

• Homework & Assignments:  Assignments that are not turned in during class when asked for by the teacher will be considered late and will be deducted by 50%.  Students will have until the end of that semester to turn that assignment in for half credit, after that no credit will be given.
• Projects:  Projects must be turned in during the hour to receive full credit.  If turned in the next day during the hour, 50% will be deducted.  No points will be given after that.
• Exams and Quizzes:  Exams and quizzes consist of multiple choice, matching, short answer, and essays.  Students will have the entire class period to complete the exam.  If a student is absent the day of an exam or a quiz they will only have one week to make it up.  If a student fails to set up a time to take the exam or quiz within that week, they will receive a zero for that assessment until it is completed.  Students will have until the end of the semester to be able to make-up the assessment for full credit after that, no points will be given. Tests and quizzes can be done before or after school, however a time must be set up with me, do not just show up and expect to take it at that time!  There will be no retests. 

PROGRESS REPORTS & GRADE BOOK:
The grade book will be updated every Monday by 4:00 pm.  This includes all new assignments that have been turned in that week on time, tests, projects (once all are graded), and quizzes.  If you are turning in any work that is late, my policy is that it will need to be turned in by the Friday before.  I do this to stay organized and get everything graded.  Progress reports will be posted in the classroom after a test or a big project.  If a student or parent requests a printed progress report, it will be available at the end of the school day.
“NO NAME” ASSIGNMENTS:                                                                                  
There will be a folder dedicated to “No Name” assignments.  It is your responsibility to put your name on your papers.  If I receive a paper without a name I will grade it and then put it in the folder.  I will still accept the work that is in the folder up until the end of the semester.  The papers will be kept until the end of the semester, after that they will be disposed of.
LEAVING CLASS:
I will allow any student to leave the classroom one at a time for restroom breaks, etc.  However, if the privilege is abused it will be taken away.  I will not allow a student to leave the classroom to get an assignment; it can be handed in later that day, however points will be deducted.  If a student leaves the classroom they must have their agenda signed by me. 
RULES & EXPECTATIONS:                                                                                                                             

1. Follow the posted Daily Procedures
2. Do not interrupt the learning process, participate, follow directions and listen quietly                  
3. We will all respect each other and their property                                                                           
4. Appropriate language is used at all times – I determine what is appropriate              
5. Come prepared and on time to class
6. Obey all school rules

• Discipline:  I will handle each disciplinary problem as it arises.  Warnings will be given and if they are not heeded then there will be demerits and office referrals. 

SUBSTITUTES:
In the event that a substitute teacher is present, I expect students to be as respectful and cooperative as when I am in the class. If not, be prepared for extra assignments and lose of classroom privileges.  Substitutes will collect all homework and in-class assignments. 

* Please sign and return the sheet stating that you have read and understand the information in the syllabus for U.S. History. 

Student signature _________________________                  Parent signature: _________________________