United States History (Honors) Syllabus
2013-2014
Mr. Carson
The United States History Honors follows the same course of study as the standard United States
History class; however, the material is taught with a little more complexity, acceleration, and
rigor. Students are expected to take more responsibility for their learning by taking initiative to
read, study, and be open to new ways of thinking about the study of the past. Students will take a
district final exam which counts as 25% of their overall semester grade. This course is required
to graduate. On my webpage, there is a link titled: US History Standard Course of Study. You
may click on that link to access essential learning your student will be engaged in this semester.
Mr. Carson’s Contact Information: (704) 799-8555 (ext. 1507)
mcarson@iss.k12.nc.us
My planning time: M & F (11:57-1:36) Tues., Wed., & Thurs. (12:09-1:45)
Communication with Parents: I will use e-mail, phone calls, printed progress reports, and Power
School Parent/Student Portal to communicate grades, behavior, and accomplishment of various
U.S. History Standards.
You will receive two progress reports per nine week period (refer to school calendar).
**I am available after school to help students from Monday through Friday 3:15 to 4:00 (unless I
have an appointment or meeting).
Check my Webpage for daily class assignments, links to important sites, downloadable
worksheets etc.
Required Materials for class:
A three ring binder notebook (2 inch min.), paper (for the semester), blue or black ink pens,
pencils, colored pencils.
Classroom Policies:
1. Respect your teacher and classmates.
2. Have a good attitude!
3. Do your best each day.
4. Do stay awake and alert in class.
5. Come to class prepared.
Classroom Procedures:
1. Make up missed work in a timely manner.
2. Use the class hall pass (clipboard) and sign out using available sheet.
3. Throw trash away before class or after class.
4. Pay attention to the teacher when he is instructing.
5. Ask for help if you are struggling.
6. No electronics out in class—unless needed for instruction. If I see them, I will confiscate
them and you will get ASD.
Types of grades:
1. Textbook chapters will be combined into Unit Tests. There is no Re-Test or Test
Corrections in this class. Unit Tests are weighted more heavily than other assignments.
2. There will be quizzes on reading assignments and other class information. These quizzes
may be announced or unannounced. Students must be responsible to be prepared for
class.
3. There will be textbook readings, primary source document readings, short answer essay,
and some group activities. A focus of the class is to learn history, how history develops,
and how it impacts us today. I hope we can have a little fun along the way
** I use the point system. All assignments which are graded are given a specific point value.
** There is no Re-Test or Test Correction.
** Cheating results in a zero and a call to parents. It may affect your standing in honor clubs.
Do your own work!
Attendance: If a student misses more than 3 class periods (even with a written excuse)
he/she must make up Time. The only exception is if they get a waiver from the office. Time
can be made up in ASD, Saturday School, or with me by appointment.
 If a student is absent, they should get a note from their parent and give it to Mrs. Becker
for a Pink Slip upon their return to school.
 If a student is absent, they are responsible to check my webpage to discover what they
missed under the Page Heading: US History Honors Daily Class Assignments.
 Students are encouraged to be in school regularly.
 If you miss class for a single day, assignments are due the day of your return unless you
communicate with me (call me or email me) for an extension because of illness.
 If you miss multiple days back to back, you have 5 school days to make up the work. I
will work with students who have any extensive health problems.
 You are expected to be here on Test day, please communicate with me by 9 am the day of
the test if you are sick.
Classroom Tardy Policy: Students are counted tardy if they are not in their seat when the tardy
bell sounds.
1st Tardy—Warning
2nd Tardy—Warning and phone call to parents.
3rd Tardy—ASD 90 Minutes.
4th Tardy—ASD 90 Minutes and meet with parents.
Lake Norman High School Grade Scale: 100-93= A, 92-85=B, 84-77= C, 76-70=D, 69-0=F
Parents: You should be receiving two printed progress report updates for each nine week grade
period. A new Parent/Student Portal will be available in Power School (our new grade system)
soon! You will be able to view your child’s grade at any time when it is up and running. If you
are able to view your child’s grades or you are not getting progress updates, please contact me.
This syllabus will be kept in your child’s US History Notebook and a copy will be on my
webpage. I look forward to a great semester!