Strickland, R

Class Rules, Procedures and Grading

US & AP US History                                                                           Mr. Strickland 

Class Rules, Procedures, and Grading                                                   2010-2011

 

It is my belief that:

 

1.      Students at Golden Valley have the right to learn in a safe environment.

2.      I have the right to teach to the best of my ability.

 

Therefore, the following rules and procedures have been designed to ensure there is a proper teaching/learning environment.

 

  1. All students will be in their assigned seats, prepared to work when the bell rings.  Any student not in their seat will be considered tardy and dealt with according to the school tardy policy.
  2. Students shall respect each other and the property in the classroom.  Do not write on desks, walls, textbooks or anything that is not appropriate.  Do not touch anything that is not yours.  Foul language is unacceptable.
  3. Students will bring needed materials to class each day.  This includes something to write with, paper, social studies notebook, the text, and any work due that day.
  4. Students should NOT bring anything that will be disruptive to a productive classroom atmosphere.  There is a NO TOLERANCE POLICY for cell phones.  If a cell phone rings, vibrates or interrupts class in any way, it will be confiscated and turned in to the Assistant Principals office where it can be picked up by the student or their parent after school.  The same rule applies for any student caught text messaging during class.  Cell phones are to be put away and turned off!
  5. All assignments will be given a due date and should be ready to be turned in on that date.  Late assignments will be given half credit if one day late, and no credit if more than one day late.  Larger assignments such as essays, projects or reports will lose 10% credit for each day late.
  6. Cheating is unacceptable and will result for a zero for that grade.  Parents will be contacted on the first offense and the student will be referred to the office for any further offenses.
  7. If you are absent or need to leave class early, please see the teacher BEFORE class to receive any work you missed.  It is YOUR responsibility to ask for make-up work.
  8. Each student will receive one bathroom pass per quarter to use at their discretion provided they have their Golden Valley Notebook to use as a hall pass.  After that, the student may use the restroom but will be considered tardy for that day.  Only one student may leave the room at a time on a bathroom pass.  Students without their Golden Valley Notebook are not eligible to use a hall pass.
  9. No food, drink, or gum is allowed in class.  Students refusing to adhere to this rule will be assigned a detention to clean the classroom or desks during lunch or after school.
  10. Hats and sunglasses are not to be worn in class.  The Golden Valley dress code WILL BE ENFORCED!
  11. Students needing to see the teacher for help can arrange to do so at lunch or after school by appointment.  I am not always available but will do my best to find a time that is convenient for both of us to meet.
  12. We work all the way up to the bell.  The bell does not dismiss you from class—the teacher does.

 

Should there be an infraction of any of the rules listed above, the following will take place:

            1st offense:        Teacher warning.

            2nd offense:       Student will be further counseled and parents will be contacted.

            3rd offense:        Student will be referred to an Associate Principal and will be out of class until the

                                    problem has been resolved between the student, AP, parents, and Mr. Strickland.

 

 

Grading

 

The objective of this class is to increase the student’s understanding of United States History and help them to enjoy this experience.  This course follows a two-semester sequence which covers political, diplomatic, military, economic, social, cultural, and intellectual history of the United States from 1492 until the present.  These areas will be studied from a variety of perspectives with the hope of providing a balanced view of history. 

 

All assignments will be given a predetermined point value with daily assignments given the lowest point totals up to projects and tests being given the highest point value.  At the end of each quarter, the total points will be added up and a letter grade will be determined on the following grade scale:

 

            Grading Scale:                                    Grade Categories:

            A = 90 – 100%                                    Daily Homework         

            B = 80 – 89%                                      Quizzes

            C = 70 – 79%                                      Essays

            D = 60 – 69 %                                     Projects (Assigned quarterly)

            F =  0 – 59 %                                      Tests

 

Each quarter is a fresh start with semester grades being calculated from the average of the first two quarter percentages. 

 

Parents or students with questions or concerns should feel free to contact me through the school guidance office or by email at: 

 

rstrickland@muhsd.k12.ca.us

 

It is my hope that this year will be a challenging but rewarding learning experience for all of my students.  I am committed to that end.  Good luck!