Maher – U.S./Va. History
United States and Virginia History
Dear Parent / Guardian,
Your child is currently taking U.S. and VA History. I thought it would be pertinent to get your information at the
beginning of the school year. This way it will be easier for us to contact one another. Feel free to email me at anytime.
Attached is a copy of the course syllabus. Please read through the syllabus to become more familiar with the topics
being covered. Please feel free to keep the syllabus for your own records. It can also be found on the CMS website.
Please use the website to keep up-to-date with events in class. It will provide you with the most information.
We are sure we will have a great year. Thanks for taking the time to fill out this form and peruse the syllabus.
Student Name (Print) ______________
Signature:______________ Date ______
Bill Maher
Briar Woods High School
William.maher@lcps.org
Maher – U.S./Va. History
INFORMATION:
Name:_____________________________________
Grade: 11
Class: U.S. and Va. History
Period:_____
Guardian Information:
Name:_________________________________________
Home Phone #:______________ Cell # ______________
Email:_________________________________________
Materials Needed: (Everyday)
1. 3 Ring Binder
2. Pencil, Pen
Maher – U.S./Va. History
Government Class Guidelines – Mr. Maher
Course Description:
This course will cover the history of the United States of America from colonization to present day. The school
will provide each student with a text: The Americans. The text will be used as a reference. Supplementary
notes and readings will be assigned every week. This course will prepare students for the Virginia Standards
of Learning test administered in the Spring.
Course Outline:
Content/Topics:
1st quarter – Standards 11-1 to 11-5
Exploration /Colonization: SOL 11-1,11-2 and 11-3
American Revolution: SOL 11-4
Constitution and Democracy: SOL 11-5
2nd Quarter – Standards 11-6 to 11-8
Early National Period: SOL 11-6
Civil War and Reconstruction: SOL 11-7
Industrial Revolution and the Progressive Movement: SOL 11-8
Midterm Exam (10 % of grade)
3rd Quarter – Standards 11-9 to 11-12
World War I and Foreign Policy: SOL 11-9
Roaring Twenties, Great Depression, New Deal: SOL 11-10
World War II: SOL 11-11 and SOL 11-12
Maher – U.S./Va. History
4th Quarter – Standards 11-13, 11-17, 11-18
1950’s Cold War, Policy and Impact: SOL 11-13
1960’s Kennedy/Johnson, Cold War and Vietnam and Civil Rights: SOL 11-14
Decade of the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s: SOL 11-15
SOL Review Project
Final Exam (10% of Final Grade)
Grading:
1. All tests, quizzes, projects and homework will be assigned a point value. Your quarter grade will be
determined by the total number of points earned, versus the total number of points assigned.
2. Homework / Class work/Projects: 25% of grade Tests / Quizzes: 75% of grade
3. Homework turned in one day late (or the next class meeting) will receive one-half credit. After that a zero
will be recorded. (No Exceptions) Homework will be checked or collected at the beginning of class.
4. Tests, quizzes, and assignments must be made up within five school days after your return from an
excused absence. It is your responsibility to see that the tests, quizzes and assignments are made up. If
the work is not completed, the grade will become a zero. Make-up work should be done before school or
during your study hall period.
5. Students will take a mid-term and final exam. (Senior Exam exemption will be followed)
Grading Breakdown:
1st quarter
2nd quarter
Mid-term exam
3rd quarter
4th quarter
Final exam
20%
20%
10%
20%
20%
10%
Make-up Work:
Attendance, organization, and work ethic are essential for success in this course. I do realize that students will
be absent. It is, therefore, your responsibility to get and promptly (absent one day, one day to make up
work) complete any assignments missed as a result of an excused absence. Failure to complete work in
a prompt manner results in a grade of zero. Work will not be accepted for absences that are unexcused
Class Notebook:
1. A notebook grade will be given at the end of each quarter. The grade will be equivalent to
approximately one quiz grade (20 points). Students without a notebook will not earn the points, but WILL
NOT receive a zero. The notebook checks are extra points not mandatory course points. Notebooks will
be collected and checked twice every quarter. (10 points each check) There is no make up work or late
work for a notebook check. This check will occur randomly at the teacher’s discretion.
2. Notebooks must be a 3 ring binder and be divided into the following sections: (binder must be 1.5” or larger)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Warm-ups/Five Minute Writing Assignments
Classnotes
Handouts/Worksheets/Projects
Homework
Tests/Quizzes (keep all quizzes and tests in your notebook)
Maher – U.S./Va. History
Attendance:
Tardies – Tardies are very distracting and require more time and work for the teacher. The other
students in class are distracted by tardies. To receive the most out of class, we must begin on time
and utilize every minute possible. I require that you be in your seat when the bell rings.
Absences - Attendance in class is absolutely essential to the successful completion of the course
Teacher Expectations:
Use the class CMS web page: The web page is updated every week and will keep you organized
and improve your grade in the class.
Be prepared. Students should bring the following to class everyday:



Textbook (when needed)
Notebook (bring to class everyday)
Paper, pencil and pen
Be polite. Any conduct that is considered negative or demeaning to others in class will not be
tolerated. Discipline and parental contact will occur. Everyone in class is an individual. Everyone
learns at different speeds and has their own unique abilities and characteristics. Respect everyone
the same as you would want them to respect you.
Be positive. Everyone can succeed in this class. You are encouraged to see me for help if you
need it. Please ask questions about content or procedures that you do not understand.