Course: US/VA History
Instructor: Coach Curtis
Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians:
Hello and welcome to US History. Below, you will find the course description, classroom
expectations, procedures, and policies listed. After reading the syllabus, please sign on the space
provided and return it by August 31st. Thank you in advance!
Course Introduction
US/ VA History is a year-long course, which will cover the age of European exploration through the present.
Students will gain understanding by analyzing the origins of America in the Founding Era and the Civil War
and then concentrating on the emergence of the modern era from the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution in
1870 to the fall of communism in 1989 and into the present. The course prepares students to grapple with
fundamental questions concerning the history of the United States from the proper role of government in a
representative democracy to the role of social movements in shaping the character of the American experience.
Close attention will be paid to the role of America in world affairs as well as examining how the economic
conditions and policies have shaped the response of government and ordinary citizens alike. At the conclusion
of the course students will have a ready command of the details of American history, allowing them both the
historical perspective to comment on particulars as well as inform their thinking regarding current issues, also
preparing them for the US History SOL which students will take in the spring.
Class Expectations
Every student is expected to do the following:
 Be respectful- This classroom is a learning community please be respectful of everyone’s
contributions.
 Be prepared – Bring all materials to class
 Be responsible – Take initiative in your own learning, this means, participating in group
discussions, asking questions about content you are unsure of, coming to class on time, and
communicating with me to make up material missed due to absences.
Materials
Every student should bring the following every class:
 1.5”-2” three ring binder

1 subject 3 ring notebook (white, college ruled




Pencils and Pens
Student Planner
Set of 3”x5”index cards
Textbook
A class set of the textbook The Americans will be available in the classroom. While no textbook will
be issued to each student they will be available to any student that wishes to bring one home.
Grading Policy
There are two categories in which a student is assessed: practice and performance. Items such as
class work, notebook check, and daily quizzes are considered practice and account for 30% of the
class grade. Projects, Essays, and tests, go are considered performance and account for 70% of the
class grade.
The Loudoun County Grading Scale will of course be implemented:
A+
A
A-
98-100
93-97
90-92
B+
B
B-
87-89
83-86
80-82
C+
C
C-
77=79
73-76
70-72
D+
D
DF
67-69
63-66
60-62
0-59
Class Policies
Absences: In order to learn the most effectively, a student must be in class and on time. If a student
misses class, it is his/her responsibility to ask for notes and any other missed content. **Please make
sure to check the website to get any notes/assignments that were missed while absent!!.** All
students will have the amount of time they were absent to make up missed assignments and turn
them in for full credit. This includes tests and quizzes! Students are highly encouraged to come before
school for extra help when absent. Also check the class blog for daily entries that will help explain the
material we covered. http://coachcurtisus.wordpress.com/
Communication: Students will come see me first for any type of issue such as, grades, assignments,
etc. Please feel free to email me at Myron.curtis@lcps.org or see me before school in Trailer 7.
Electronic Devices: Cell phones are to be TURNED OFF and put away at all times while inside the
classroom. If a parent needs to contact a student please call the main office at (571)252-2300, and
they will notify me immediately. There will be occasions when students will be provided opportunities
to use their cell phones in class to participate in academic activities. The instructor will always make
students aware of appropriate times to use cell phones. CD players, IPods and MP3 players are
allowed in class at the discretion of the instructor. They should not be out without prior permission.
Hall Passes: Only two students will be allowed to leave the room at any given time to use the
restroom. Each student must carry the pass and sign in/out on the clipboard upon leaving/returning.
Any student who arrives late to class for whatever reason may not use a hall pass during that class
period!
Homework: Understanding content through research, studying and developing effective and
efficient study skills are emphasized more in this class than formal homework assignments. Therefore
homework assignments are only assigned when a student misses class or needs to remediate a low
test score.
Please feel free to contact me throughout the school year with any questions or concerns.
Let the fun begin!
Myron Curtis
*****Please sign and return this page by August 31*****
My Parents/Guardians and I acknowledge that we have read and understood the contents of this
syllabus. If we have any questions, we will contact Mr. Curtis
Student Name (print):
Student Signature:
Date:
Parent/Guardian Name (print):
Parent/Guardian Signature:
Date:
Parents: From time to time you and/or I will find it necessary to discuss your student’s progress
in this class via e-mail. However, with all electronic correspondence, security issues must be
considered. Therefore, I need your permission to discuss grades via e-mail.
By checking this box
email.
I give permission for the instructor to release my child’s grades via
Name (Please Print): ____________________________________________________
My email address(es): _______________________________________________________________