Rules/Guidelines
- This classroom is a community. This means we respect one another and ourselves, including what makes us different and the same. We will practice these skills in class to prepare us for our during and post-school experiences.
- This classroom is a safe space. Individual ideas and contributions voiced in a positive and respectful manner are welcomed and encouraged.
- This classroom is for learning. We will be prepared for class, together. We will learn about history, together. We will learn how our past impacted our present and how we can impact our future, together. We will learn to be better citizens and members of a community, together. Learning is a two way street that we will traverse, together.
Consequences
The classroom community will address any difficulties that arise in a respectful and courteous manner. We will strive to resolve any issues that occur in house, however, those instances that cannot be reconciled will be addressed more formally: notes home, referrals, office visits, parental/guardian meetings, or more extreme measures, should the issues continue.
Policies
Attendance/Absences: Consistent and punctual attendance is mandatory to succeed in any area of life, particularly in school and class. Regular attendance is expected and attending 90% of class days is mandatory. Excused absences require parent/guardian notification and apply in extenuating circumstances (illness, death in the family, or school related absence). Unexcused absences will be noted and an excess will result in action taken by the teacher or school.
Tardies: A student will be considered tardy if he or she arrives to class more than 5 minutes after the bell rings. In order to not be considered tardy, a student must have a pass. If a student is late to class, they should enter quietly so as to not disrupt class; respect the teacher and the other students. Three tardies will be marked as an unexcused absence. A student who is consistently truant will face action from the teacher or school.
Homework/Late Work: Homework will be assigned in this class and will be due the next period. Students have up to one week from the assigned date to turn it in with minimal penalty (less than 5% deducted), however, homework turned in later than one week will be deducted 10% for each class period it is late. Late homework will be accepted until the end of a unit, but not after. Always turn in work, even if it is late, as a low grade is better than no grade.
Tardies: A student will be considered tardy if he or she arrives to class more than 5 minutes after the bell rings. In order to not be considered tardy, a student must have a pass. If a student is late to class, they should enter quietly so as to not disrupt class; respect the teacher and the other students. Three tardies will be marked as an unexcused absence. A student who is consistently truant will face action from the teacher or school.
Homework/Late Work: Homework will be assigned in this class and will be due the next period. Students have up to one week from the assigned date to turn it in with minimal penalty (less than 5% deducted), however, homework turned in later than one week will be deducted 10% for each class period it is late. Late homework will be accepted until the end of a unit, but not after. Always turn in work, even if it is late, as a low grade is better than no grade.
Student Materials and Parent Tips for Success
Students: Come to class prepared! A successful student will need paper, writing utensils, any notes or handouts related to class, an open mind and willingness to learn. Come with the desire to be successful and you will be. We will work together as a class in a facilitating and supportive manner.
Parents/Guardians: Our students need support and encouragement in their lives and in their academic endeavors. These positive messages come from both the school environment and home life. Feel free to help the students' learning in whatever or wherever you see fit. Information on major (projects and tests) and minor (homework and quizzes) assignments will be available on the class calendar and syllabus. Discussions and open-ended questions are encouraged both in and out of class. Together, we can make learning meaningful and education and knowledge worth pursuing.
Parents/Guardians: Our students need support and encouragement in their lives and in their academic endeavors. These positive messages come from both the school environment and home life. Feel free to help the students' learning in whatever or wherever you see fit. Information on major (projects and tests) and minor (homework and quizzes) assignments will be available on the class calendar and syllabus. Discussions and open-ended questions are encouraged both in and out of class. Together, we can make learning meaningful and education and knowledge worth pursuing.
Special Assignments/Field Trips
We will be doing a food mapping project in class. The classes will be divided into groups and will be responsible for bringing to class food items that represent different aspects of the US map, including The Louisiana Purchase, The Transcontinental Railroad, and The Oregon Trail, amongst others. Aside from tests, this will be considered a major grade/assignment.
We will also take a field trip to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library in downtown Austin. The roundtrip will take 40 minutes, so we will explore the library for 45 minutes. LBJ played an important role in US history after the assassination of JFK, and helped usher in the Civil Rights Movement by signing the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Permission slips for attendance to the library will be sent home closer to the time of the field trip.
Parents are encouraged to participate in their child's learning. If you are interested in helping in the classroom or acting as a chaperone on field trips, feel free to contact me directly with any inquiries.
We will also take a field trip to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library in downtown Austin. The roundtrip will take 40 minutes, so we will explore the library for 45 minutes. LBJ played an important role in US history after the assassination of JFK, and helped usher in the Civil Rights Movement by signing the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Permission slips for attendance to the library will be sent home closer to the time of the field trip.
Parents are encouraged to participate in their child's learning. If you are interested in helping in the classroom or acting as a chaperone on field trips, feel free to contact me directly with any inquiries.