U.S. History Course Syllabus
Mr. Ewald, Mr. Peacock
Potomac Falls H.S., 2012-13
United States and Virginia History is a survey course of American history from colonial times to the present. Students will focus on
major themes and trends that have shaped the United Sates, while also mastering historical details as specified in the Virginia
Standards of Learning (SOLs). The Course involves intensive reading, writing, and critical thinking and is designed to help students
connect past and present in a meaningful way. We will spend the first semester learning about early exploration, colonization, the
revolutionary war and the civil war. We will begin the second semester covering the industrial age. Progressing through the 20th
century, we will cover the World Wars, the Cold War and civil and women’s rights.
Expectations
Students are expected to do no less than their very best work and to fully participate in each class session. The curriculum is
challenging and will place demands on students that meet a standard high school social studies course. Students are encouraged to
seek out additional help from the instructor during class hours and outside of class as necessary.
Policies
Make-up Work:
Grading:
Students are expected to attend all classes on time and are responsible for making up assignments and class
work due to excused absences in a timely manner. Make-up work for a missed class session must be made
up within two school days of the student’s return to school. In the event of an absence of two or more days,
students are encouraged to consult with the instructor to set up a reasonable make-up schedule.
The course grading scale follows the percentage scale established by the school. End of quarter percentage
grades will not be rounded up or down.
Formative Assessment (10%) – Formative Assessment is part of instruction, it provides information
needed to adjust teaching and learning while they are happening. It is used to show both the teacher and
student about student understanding at a point when adjustments can be made. These adjustments help to
ensure students achieve educational standards within a certain time frame.
Summative Assessment (90%) – Summative Assessments are given to determine the level of mastery
achieved by the student at the end of a period of learning. Summative Assessments include, but are not
limited to tests, quizzes, projects, etc.
Retakes will be available throughout the quarter for all Summative Assessments. Once all formative
assessments have been completed for each unit, students will be able to retake the associated summative
assessment. Retakes can be done on Wednesday mornings or on the students particular flex period.
Flex:
Flex sessions are an extension of class time for review, individual study, make-up/re-take testing,
conferences, and other course-related work. No new work will be introduced but students are expected to
come prepared to do assigned work for the course. Flexing out will be determined by the teacher and
students may be required to stay in class during flex.
Classroom
Responsibilities:
I will take pride in working to the best of my ability; I recognize that quality communication
requires both listening and speaking; I will get along with others through respect and cooperation; I realize
that the choices I make today will influence my future; I recognize that in my home, school and
community, some decisions are not mine to make.
Materials:
Students should keep course materials in a three-ring binder and always bring their binder, blue or
black-ink pens, and a highlighter to class. Students will need to bring their copies of the textbooks with
them to each class session.
Academic
Integrity:
Students are expected to complete all written work independently. Assignments completed both
outside of class time and during class must be the student’s original work in order to receive credit and be
handwritten. Turning in work that is not your own, original work is a violation of the PFHS honor code and
will be dealt with according to school policy.
Contact Information
The following contact information is provided for students and their parents. Please do not hesitate to seek help and/or
clarification from the instructor.
Phone: (571) 434-3200 (please ask for the social studies office or leave a message)
E-mail: lynn.ewald@lcps.org or lim.peacock@lcps.org
U.S. History Course Syllabus
Mr. Ewald, Mr. Daniel
Potomac Falls H.S., 2012-13
United States and Virginia History is a survey course of American history from colonial times to the present. Students will focus on
major themes and trends that have shaped the United Sates, while also mastering historical details as specified in the Virginia
Standards of Learning (SOLs). The Course involves intensive reading, writing, and critical thinking and is designed to help students
connect past and present in a meaningful way. We will spend the first semester learning about early exploration, colonization, the
revolutionary war and the civil war. We will begin the second semester covering the industrial age. Progressing through the 20th
century, we will cover the World Wars, the Cold War and civil and women’s rights.
Expectations
Students are expected to do no less than their very best work and to fully participate in each class session. The curriculum is
challenging and will place demands on students that meet a standard high school social studies course. Students are encouraged to
seek out additional help from the instructor during class hours and outside of class as necessary.
Policies
Make-up Work:
Grading:
Students are expected to attend all classes on time and are responsible for making up assignments and class
work due to excused absences in a timely manner. Make-up work for a missed class session must be made
up within two school days of the student’s return to school. In the event of an absence of two or more days,
students are encouraged to consult with the instructor to set up a reasonable make-up schedule.
The course grading scale follows the percentage scale established by the school. End of quarter percentage
grades will not be rounded up or down.
Formative Assessment (10%) – Formative Assessment is part of instruction, it provides information
needed to adjust teaching and learning while they are happening. It is used to show both the teacher and
student about student understanding at a point when adjustments can be made. These adjustments help to
ensure students achieve educational standards within a certain time frame.
Summative Assessment (90%) – Summative Assessments are given to determine the level of mastery
achieved by the student at the end of a period of learning. Summative Assessments include, but are not
limited to tests, quizzes, projects, etc.
Retakes will be available throughout the quarter for all Summative Assessments. Once all formative
assessments have been completed for each unit, students will be able to retake the associated summative
assessment. Retakes can be done on Wednesday mornings or on the students particular flex period.
Flex:
Flex sessions are an extension of class time for review, individual study, make-up/re-take testing,
conferences, and other course-related work. No new work will be introduced but students are expected to
come prepared to do assigned work for the course. Flexing out will be determined by the teacher and
students may be required to stay in class during flex.
Classroom
Responsibilities:
I will take pride in working to the best of my ability; I recognize that quality communication
requires both listening and speaking; I will get along with others through respect and cooperation; I realize
that the choices I make today will influence my future; I recognize that in my home, school and
community, some decisions are not mine to make.
Materials:
Students should keep course materials in a three-ring binder and always bring their binder, blue or
black-ink pens, and a highlighter to class. Students will need to bring their copies of the textbooks with
them to each class session.
Academic
Integrity:
Students are expected to complete all written work independently. Assignments completed both
outside of class time and during class must be the student’s original work in order to receive credit and be
handwritten. Turning in work that is not your own, original work is a violation of the PFHS honor code and
will be dealt with according to school policy.
Contact Information
The following contact information is provided for students and their parents. Please do not hesitate to seek help and/or
clarification from the instructor.
Phone: (571) 434-3200 (please ask for the social studies office or leave a message)
E-mail: lynn.ewald@lcps.org or michael.daniel@lcps.org