U.S. History Prehistory to 1900
Hillcrest High School 2015 - 2014
Instructor Information
Instructor
Andrew Nolen
Email
asnolen@tcss.net
Room Location
Rm. 203
General Information
Description
The study of the early history of the United States in Grade 10 forms the foundation for
understanding the development and principles of modern American society. Beginning
with the earliest explorations of American continents, this course offers a chronological
study of major events, issues, movements, individuals, and diverse groups of people in
the United States from a national and an Alabama perspective. In addition to gaining
essential knowledge regarding this period of our nation’s past, students develop
historical-thinking skills, which include chronological thinking, historical comprehension,
historical analysis and interpretation, historical research, and analysis and decision
making.
Parent-Teacher Contacts
Please make sure I have up to date contact information. Each student will receive a
contact sheet at the beginning of the year. If changes arise during the year please alert
the instructor.
Progress notes will be sent home periodically. These reports will be given to each
student. Parent conferences may be arranged at any time during the grading period.
Please call the office to arrange a time. I am available during 4th (10:35 – 11:30) and 7th
(1:30 – 2:20) periods each day.
*Need additional help? I am available each day before school, except when I have a
meeting or duty (to be announced)
Course Requirements
Make up work

Required Materials
 Composition notebook
 #2 Pencils
 Black or blue pen and red or green
pen
 Three-ring binder with lined paper


When you have an excused absence, get
your make up work from the class website,
the make-up folder, or another student as
soon as possible.
It is the student’s responsibility to receive
make-up work, not mine!
Absences must be excused for
assignments to be made up!
*All School and System Policies apply (see
handbook).
Expectations

A positive attitude in an atmosphere of mutual respect is expected at all times
Building Excellence One Patriot at a Time



Students are expected to comply with all the policies set forth by the Tuscaloosa
County Board of Education regarding tardies, make-up work, standards of behavior,
etc…
Attendance is required to successfully complete the course. A portion of the
content will extend beyond the scope of the text and will be covered only in the
classroom discussion.
All students will be required to read and analyze assigned pages in the textbook as
well as primary and secondary materials that I will provide.
Class Rules








Bring all materials to class. You may not leave the room once class has begun
(except emergency)
Eating or drinking in class is prohibited. (Exceptions: bottled water or medical
reasons)
Be in your seat and working on the bell ringer when the tardy bell rings
Speak only with permission from the instructor
Stay in your seat unless instructed otherwise
Show respect for others and yourself
The bell does not dismiss you, the teacher does
No cell phones allowed in class unless specified by instructor
Consequences for failure to comply
o 1st offense – A verbal reminder of the rule
o 2nd offense – Parental notification of continued refusal to obey rule
o 3rd offense – Student will sign the “Book of Shame” (confiscation of cell
phone, or other distracter)
 Book of Shame – Student will write a 1-page essay on what it means
to be responsible. The student will explain why their actions did not
show responsibility and how it will change in the future.
 Students assigned this punishment will sign and date the essay and
have their parents do the same.
 Failure to comply will lead to Principal Referral
Grades
Grades will be calculated by points earned divided by total points possible. The typical
unit will be as follows:





Tests – 100 pts.
Vocabulary Quiz - 30
Bell ringer check – 20 pts. – Notebooks will be checked every test day. All days
must be completed to receive a grade
Unit Reading Questions – 50 pts.
Other grades will be added at the teachers discretion
**To be graded work must be complete and neat. Any non-legible work will be returned
and must be reworked before credit can be given.
Building Excellence One Patriot at a Time
U.S. History to 1900
Class Contract
Mr. Nolen
I would like to welcome you all to this U.S. History class. I am very excited for the
journey we will take together over the course of this school year. We will be exploring many
fascinating topics. As a group we will discover how normal everyday people have worked
together to create the complex history of the human race. My goal is that each student will
realize, through this course, that we are all writing the history that will be written about this
time and age.
In order for us to be successful we must establish a classroom climate that cultivates
the requirements for achievement. I ask that the student and at least 1 parent/guardian of
said student read and sign this “class contract”, signaling that you agree to abide by the rules
outlined in the attached course syllabus. Please detach and return this document to me by
Monday August 17, 2015. If you have any questions/comments/or concerns please do not
hesitate to contact me at: asnolen@tcss.net
Information about your student: Please complete the following section to better help me
serve your student.
What is your student’s greatest strength? ____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
My student would be more successful in History class if…__________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
My child really enjoys…_________________________________________________________________________________
Please tell me anything else you would like to brag on about your child: __________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The best way to contact me is: _________________________________________________________________________
Please sign that you have read and agree with this document:
Parent/Guardian: _________________________________________________
Student: _________________________________________________
Building Excellence One Patriot at a Time