U.S. History & Geography
2014 - 2015 Syllabus
Frontier International Academy
Mr. Hackney, Teacher
Contact Information:
Phone: (313)462-3600 Email: hackneyj@gee-edu.com Website: www.mrhackneyfia.weebly.com
Welcome!
Thank you for choosing to be a part of the learning community at Frontier International Academy. It is my honor to be
your teacher and guide as we explore history and geography in an effort to better understand the world around us. As
we strive to become familiar with the expectations of this class please do not hesitate to ask for clarification.
Class Objectives: Learn. Grow. Succeed. Change the world.
This is a two semester course covering U.S. History from 1877 to the present. The first semester will cover 1877 through
the Great Depression; the second semester will cover WWII through present day life in these United States.
You will be able to:
 Analyze and interpret historic documents, graphics, maps, and charts to understand why and how the United
States changed and developed
 Understand and respect the diversity, ingenuity and determination of past leaders
 Take part as an active, effective member in a democratic society
 Take and defend a position concerning a social issue
Meeting these objectives will require you to work hard independently and work effectively with other students.
Classroom Rules: Make learning your priority and you will meet the objectives.
1.
Be in class on time every day you are not ill or there is a family emergency.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Arrive with materials needed for class such as pencil, pen, notebook/journal, binder, and anything else directed.
Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
Follow directions the first time they are given.
Stay on task during all work times.
Do not interrupt class for bathrooms or for a drink.
*In addition to these classroom rules, school-wide rules and policies will be enforced in this classroom.*
These behaviors will be monitored and recorded daily through Class Dojo. I encourage parents to sign up for an account to monitor their
children’s behavior. This software can be downloaded as an app on a smart phone and allows the parents direct access to the teacher through
messaging and notifications of positive and negative behavior.
Activities
Successful students will follow ACHIEVE (Activity, Conversation, Help, Integrity, Effort, Value, Efficiency) guidelines for
each type of activity. You will learn exactly what you need to do using the CHAMPS approach for each different type of
activity, including:
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Large Group Activities, such as teacher directed instruction
Small group activities, such as researching and preparing informational presentations
Partner activities, such as skill building, reading comprehension, and problem solving
Individual activities, such as writing
Transitions, such as starting group work or preparing to take a quiz
For every activity, everyone is expected to be engaged, actively participate, try their best, and remain dedicated.
Procedures
Entering the classroom:
1. Be in the room, quietly sitting in your assigned seat before the bell rings.
2. Have your folder, notebook, writing utensil and any specified materials out and ready to use.
3. Begin the bell work that is on the board (you have 10 seconds after the bell rings before you’re tardy).
4. Quietly work on the bell work until I signal for your attention.
… after class has already begun:
1. Knock politely and enter silently, doing your best not to disturb anyone.
2. Put your pass in the tray on my desk and take your seat
3. Immediately join in with the activity the class doing.
When I need your attention:
1. I will raise my hand and say, “your attention, please.”
2. Within 5 seconds you will be silent, face me, and raise your hand in response.
3. Silently lower your hand when I lower mine.
Leaving the classroom during class:
 In an emergency: Signal to me that it is an emergency, and take the pass hanging by the door.
 In a non-emergency: Fill out a pass with your name, date, time, destination, and purpose. I will sign it and let you
leave at my discretion. You will know, depending on the activity, whether or not you have permission.
Student Materials: Have these with you EVERY DAY! No exceptions. No excuses.
1. A writing notebook to write daily objectives, bell work, and journal entries.
2. A binder to collect text, notes, and vocabulary glossary.
3. 2 Writing utensils. At least one pencil with an eraser.
4. All textbooks must remain in the classroom unless signed out from me at the end of the school day.
*You will be marked tardy if you come unprepared.
Assignments:
All work must be kept in your folder. I will check or collect specific assignments from your desk while you are doing your
bell work. I will also hand back assignments during bell work. An assignment calendar will be posted so you know when
work was assigned and when it is due. Expect assignment grades to be posted on nextk12.com within 24 hours.
If you are absent:
 You will have 1 day to turn in assignments for each day absent. Write “absent” at the top of your assignment
and turn it into your class tray next to my desk. If you are gone for more than a week, individual arrangements
must be made with me. YOU are responsible for copying objectives and notes from another student. Extra
copies of handouts are available in the class crate – you have my permission to get them by yourself.
 Quizzes and tests missed MUST BE completed before or after school the following day, or you will get a zero.
Contact me during your absence to arrange a time to make up your quiz or test.
 Unexcused absences will result in a ZERO on any assignments, tests, or quizzes you miss.
Ending Class:
The last five minutes of class are reserved for our wrap-up activities. I will call you back to your assigned seats, review
the days learning, and make announcements. I will then dismiss you by row.
Electronic devices:
You may use electronic devices for on-topic research, as a dictionary, or translation device during individual or group
work time ONLY. It must be kept on top of your desk when in use. If your device is disruptive, is used for another
purpose, or at the wrong time, I will take it and return it only after speaking with a parent or guardian.
Consequences for classroom rule or procedural violations
If you violate a rule or refuse to follow procedures properly, you will be assigned a consequence. The frequency and
severity of the violation will help determine which of the following consequences will be used:
Verbal warning – Individual conference – Changing seat – Parental contact – Detention – Office Referral
Grading: Grades are EARNED by YOU. I never GIVE grades
Your semester grade will be based on in-class assignments, participation, homework completion, individual and group
projects, quizzes, tests, a cumulative exam, and most importantly, your progress in understanding the content and
ability to utilize new skills.
Percent
97+
93
90
Letter Grade
A
A
A-
Percent
73
70
67
Letter Grade
C
CD+
Level
1
2
3
Relationship to HSCE
Exceeds Expectations
Meets Expectations
Does not meet
Expectations
Well Below Expectations
Does Not Apply
87
B+
63
D
4
83
B
60
DN/A
80
B59.9E (no credit)
(Tests, quizzes, skill assessments, assignments and participation are all point based) = Quarter Grade: 100%
(Quarter 3: 40%) + (Quarter 4: 40%) + (Final Exam: 20%) = Semester Grade: 100%
All assignments, tests, and grades will posted on nextk12.com.
-See me for username and password information.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- Cut along the dotted line. Return this signature page by the end of the first week.
Student agreement:
I have read and understood this syllabus. I will abide by the rules and procedures. I will come to class every day unless
sick. I will come prepared and ready to learn. I will do my best to meet the objectives. I will direct any questions or
concerns I have to the teacher as soon as possible.
Print Student Name:_______________________________ Signature:____________________________
Parent/Guardian Agreement
I have reviewed this syllabus with my student and understand it. I will direct any questions or concerns I have to Mr.
Ayers as soon as possible. I will do my best to ensure my student is prepared and in class every day.
Print Parent/Guardian Name:________________________________ Signature: ________________________________
Relation to student: ___________________________(mother, father, aunt, uncle, grandparent, etc.)
Language preferred for teacher communication: _____________________(English, Arabic, Bengali, etc.)
Phone Number:________________________
Email address: __________________________