U NITED S TATES H ISTORY , 1877 TO P RESENT
2013-2014 S
Y
M
.
L
B
S YLLABUS AND P OLICIES
Welcome to Novi High School. Please look over the following syllabus for the 2012-2013 school year, sign it at the bottom and have your child return one copy to me. The syllabus covers both semesters, though your child may only be in my class for one of the semesters. If you have any questions regarding the class, please contact me at the email or voicemail listed below. I look forward to working with your child this year.
Email: lbonner@novi.k12.mi.us
I.
C OURSE DESCRIPTION
US History is a course that studies the modernization of America and its emergence as a world power.
Topics include Industrialization; Entrance into World Affairs; Roaring Twenties; Great Depression; WW II;
Cold War; 60’s Culture; Watergate; Reagan Era; and the role of the United States in the post-Cold War world. Students read, write, work cooperatively, discuss, use computers for research and investigation, interpret historical documents and perspectives. This provides students with a foundational knowledge of U.S. history and the ability to express informed opinions on major historical issues.
II.
S CHOOL WIDE P OLICIES AND P ROCEDURES
I.
Attendance:
Students are expected to be on time for all classes and attend school all day every day. a.
Students cannot exceed 10 absences (excused + unexcused) in a semester. b.
If a student is passing the class, but has accumulated 11 or more absences, they will receive a “NC” (no credit) for the semester grade. c.
If a student completes the class and is passing at the semester, the student may opt to take the test-out exam. If they earn 80% or better, they can earn credit back. d.
Students who earn credit back will receive a “RC” (received credit) on their transcript. e.
An “E” always supersedes the “NC”.
Tardy Policy:
A student will be considered tardy if they are not present in their assigned class when the bell signifying the start of that class period sounds. a.
Students who accumulate five unexcused tardies (per class) will be assigned one half hour detention to be completed within a week of being assigned the detention. b.
A new detention will be assigned for each tardy after five. c.
Students who fail to attend detention will be assigned two detentions. d.
Detention will be served room 100 on Mondays and Thursdays from 2:10 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. and on Friday mornings from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. of each week. e.
Students who do not complete their assigned detentions in a timely manner will be referred to their assigned administrator for further discipline.
*For more details, the entire Attendance Policy can be found on the district website and in the Parent/Student Handbook (pg. 15A).
II.
Cumulative Grading, Grade Reporting & Zangle-Parent/Student Connect: a.
Semester grades (.5 credits) are determined using Cumulative Grading. After the first nine (9) weeks of each semester, progress reports will be distributed in Academic Advisory. It is important to remember that nine (9) week grades are a reflection of student progress midway through the semester. Report Cards (semester grades), will be issued after 18 weeks and are the only grades that are calculated into the grade point average (GPA) and recorded on the official transcript. b.
Zangle is a management tool to assist students and parents in monitoring academic performance and attendance. It is the expectations that all teachers will use Zangle grade book and update it on a regular basis as a means to effectively communicate grades and daily attendance.
III.
Cheating/Plagiarism:
An essential part of education is developing a sense of academic honesty and integrity. There is zero tolerance in regards to cheating/plagiarism. If a student cheats or plagiarizes on any class work or assessment (tests/quizzes), that student will receive a zero and their parent/guardian will be notified by the classroom teacher. In addition, any student who assists another student in the act of cheating/plagiarizing will experience the same consequences. Students will have an opportunity to complete the assignment or take the assessment to assist the student in mastery of the content; however, their grade will remain a zero.

III.
C
LASS
G
RADING
P
OLICIES
All grades will be calculated on a POINTS basis
Summative Assessments , such as tests, quizzes, projects and extended writing assignments will make up 80% of marking period grade. They will be calculated as follows:
Tests – will be worth approximately 10 points per chapter, with a mix of multiple choice and written items. They will be given approximately every three to four weeks.
Quizzes – will be given approximately once per unit, and be worth 5 points per quiz.
Projects – will be assigned two to three times per semester. Each will be worth 20-30 points.
Formative Assessments , such as homework, classwork, and comprehension quizzes, will be worth
20% of grade.
All homework will be worth five points, and will be given out at the rate of approximately 1-2 per chapter of the text, for a total of 25-30 for the semester.
The semester exam will be worth 15% of the final semester grade. Only the semester final grade will
appear on student transcripts.
With the exception of computer or human error, grade changes will not be made. Please be careful to review all returned work in a timely manner. If a student has a concern about his or her grade, please make an appointment after school to discuss it.
Tests and other work missed because of unexcused absences and tardies will not be given credit as per school policy, and will negatively impact your grade.
The following grading scale will be used:
99-100% A+ 89% - 87% B+ 79% - 77% C+ 69% - 67% D+ 59% and below E
98% - 93% A
92% - 90% A-
86% - 83% B
82% - 80% B-
76% - 73% C
72% - 70% C-
66% - 63% D
62% - 60% D-
IV.
L ATE W ORK
It is expected that all work will be handed in on time. All late projects and extended writings will be penalized 25%. All late homework will be worth up to 50% only until the in-class review day for the unit of study in which it was assigned. Work will not be accepted after that day. Extensions may be given under extenuating circumstances at the teacher’s discretion.
V.
C LASSROOM MATERIALS EXPECTATIONS
All students are expected to bring all materials to class on time – they will not be allowed to return to
lockers after class begins. Students are expected to bring to class the following on items on a daily basis: history book, history notebook, writing instrument, red checking pen, text.
VI.
P ARENT SIGNATURE
I have read the syllabus and discussed it with my child. I understand the class’s expectations and policies.
Student’s printed name:
Parent or guardian signature:
Parent or guardian printed name:
Email at which parent can be contacted: revised 29.VIII.13

Mr. Bonner’s classroom is a red light classroom. This means that cell phones/I-pods are not allowed to be used in this classroom.
Each day when you enter the room, you will immediately put your cell phone/I-pod into a basket which will be kept in the front of the classroom for the entire period. When class ends, you will remove your cell phone/I-pod from the basket. You are not allowed to take anyone else’s phone/I-pod out of the basket, even if the person has asked you to so.
If your phone/I-pod is being used during the class period (without the teacher’s permission) it will be confiscated turned into your administrator at the conclusion of class.
If you are worried about losing your cell phone or having someone take your cell phone/I-pod, do NOT bring it to class. I am NOT responsible for any lost or stolen or broken electronics that were brought into the classroom.
Please read above and sign below and return to by Friday, September 6, 2013
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------
_________________________________________
Student Name
_____________________________
Class name/period
_________________________________________
Parent Signature
_________________________________________
Student Signature
_____________________________
Date
_____________________________
Date