Gill
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Allen High School World History
2013-2014 Course Description & Guidelines
Teacher Information:
Mr. Preston Gill
Preston_Gill@allenisd.org (email is quickest method of contact)
Phone:
469-319-6289 ext-5640
House 100 Room G 144
Tutorials: Mornings: _________________________________Afternoons_________________________________
(Late afternoons (after 4:00) by appointment only)
I.
Required Materials
 5 Subject Spiral Notebook
 Pens (any legible color)
 #2 pencils for scantron tests
 Map pencils (to be maintained by the student)
 Class special _____________________________________*
* In order to reduce the amount of required supplies and cost to your family, each class period will be asked to bring one
item (in unopened, new condition) for general use by all classes. All supplies can be purchased for lower costs at
discount stores such as Dollar General or Wal-Mart, instead of specialty office supply stores.
II.
Computer Access:
Access to a computer will be an integral part of World History. Students will be required to complete on-line
assignments and research on a regular basis. Students should consider computer access a part of their class
supplies.
III.
Skyward Family & Student Access:
Students are expected to regularly access their own Skyward account (not a parent’s account) to check for
updated grades, messages from your teacher, as well as to complete assigned online assignments. Online
assignments can only be accessed through the student’s account. Weekly updates and reminders will be
posted in Skyward for parents and students to stay on top of upcoming deadlines in World History. Please
take the time to make sure that your email address is correct and up to date in the Skyward system so
that you can receive these updates. For more information on Skyward Family Access, please visit the AISD
website.
VI.
Class Notebook
Each student must prepare and maintain a 5 subject spiral notebook for World History. This spiral may not
contain work from other classes. Students are responsible for bringing his/her spiral to World History every
day. The Spiral should be organized exactly with the seven following tab headings in this order:
Tab 1:
Tab 2:
Tab 3:
Tab 4:
Course Guideline/Resources
Prehisory to 500 B.C.
500 B.C.-A.D. 600
600-1450
Tab 5: 1450-1750
Tab 6: 1750-1914
Tab 7: 1914-Present
IV. BYOD or “Bring Your Own Device”:
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Allen ISD is committed to moving students forward in a 21st century learning environment. As part of this
plan, AISD allows high school students to access the EagleNet wireless network using their own technology
devices (laptops, Smart Phones, iPads etc.) during the learning day. With classroom teacher approval,
students may use their own devices in the classroom to access and save information from the Internet,
communicate with other learners and use the productivity tools loaded on their devices. I am a firm
supporter of BYOD program As a result, it will be helpful if students bring their own devices on particular
days. However, please know there is a time and place for everything. BYOD is not meant to support texting
and gaming during class – legitimate educational/classroom use only. Also, please be aware that you will be
responsible for keeping your own device safe and secured.
V. Smart Phones:
Smart phones have many useful apps that can help you succeed in class. Here are some of the apps you
might find useful for class:
 Skyward Student App
 Dictionary.com (free)
 QR + (free) (reader for QR codes)
As you find more apps that you think would be helpful for the course, please let me know! There are a few
world history apps available for purchase. Use caution and your best judgment!
VI.
Class Website
This course will rely heavily on the use of a website. Students and parents are encouraged to use our class
website to keep up with the calendar of daily homework and reading assignments as well as upcoming
quizzes, exams, and projects. Please note that the webpage calendar will always have more detailed
information than other electronic sources of information.
For website access, go to http://www.allenisd.org/allenhs. Click on faculty websites. Then, scroll down the
page and click on Hutchison, Christina. Regular website updates will include due dates, homework
assignments, handouts, exam reviews, class notes, and more. Please remember to check the class website
regularly.
VII. Class Conduct/Expectations
 Arrive before the tardy bell and prepare for class
 Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak (always be respectful)
 Complete all assignments
 Always wait for permission to use the hall pass
 Remain seated until dismissal from the teacher, not the bell
 School issued badge should be worn at all times
Consequences for Actions:
Positive:
1. Improved academic performance
2. Phone call/e-mail home
3. Homework pass
4. Teacher recommendations
Negative:
1. Warning and/or talk with student
2. Talk with student and/or call home
3. Detention and phone call home
4. Referral to office
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VI. Homework, Late Work, & Makeup Work
Homework:
 Homework will be assigned almost daily in some form. Most often, students will be assigned a section of
the book to read and take notes from and/or will be provided a supplemental reading appropriate to the
unit of study. Quizzes will be given over readings and notes.
 You will complete all your homework assignments.
 Homework is due at the beginning of the period, or as assigned by the teacher.
 All daily grades will be required to be hand written unless otherwise specified prior to the due date. No
typed test reviews or daily assignments will be accepted.
Late work:
 Late Work Penalty: Accepted one day late for a starting value of a 70; two days late for a starting value of a
50; zero after two days.
Make-up work:
 Make up work is due the next class day after being notified of the assignment.
 It is the student’s responsibility to check the assignment calendar or ask another student about the
homework. Ask the teacher last.
 Any previously assigned work is due on the day the student returns to class. Students are responsible for
abiding by make-up work deadlines.
 Students who do not complete make-up work or who fail to abide by deadlines will earn a late grade, or a
grade of zero, for each missed assignment. This can include tests.
 Due to extensive prior notice of due dates and upcoming quizzes and tests, students who are absent the
class before a test will not be excused from the test on the day of their return. The student will take the
test as scheduled.
VII. Grading
Grades are calculated as follows:
 50% - Tests, essays, papers, projects
 30% - Quizzes and mini-projects, class notebook
 20% - Daily work, participation, and discussion
There is no re-testing in World History on any quiz or test. However, quiz & test corrections will be allowed with
specific guidelines that must be met.
There are several types of quizzes given in this class—note quizzes, Skyward quizzes, reading quizzes. They will be
announced prior to the event. Occasionally, students will be given pop quizzes to check retention, concentration,
and/or acquired skills.
Extra credit is not given on an individual basis. When it is offered, it will be to the class as a whole.
No assignment, quiz, or test will be curved.
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IX. Special Note
The amount of information covered in world history is vast. It is imperative that all students complete the reading
assignments. In the high school setting, social studies classes are a key element in developing good reading and
comprehension skills. Do not wait until the last minute to begin your reading assignment and/or other homework
activities. You will not retain the information or master key concepts by rushing to get work done on time.
Academic dishonesty in any form is unacceptable. This includes, but is not limited to, copying any kind of work from
another student or sharing answers with another student (collusion), plagiarism, or using any form of aid (a.k.a. cheat
sheet) on a test or quiz. The testing environment is less than stellar and the challenges and temptations are many.
Nevertheless, cheating in school has become far too acceptable among many students and needs to be eliminated. If,
for any reason, a student is perceived as cheating, especially during a test, the following actions will be taken:
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The assignment or test will be confiscated.
The student will be asked to remain after class.
The student will call a parent to report the incident.
The student’s principal and the advanced academics coordinator will be notified
Student intervention on the assignment or test will take place which could ultimately result in a
grade of zero.
I strive to be fair, consistent, and available for assistance to each student. Success in this course will depend on the
timely completion of assignments and maintaining communication with the teacher. If you have questions or concerns,
please feel free to contact me in a timely manner using the contact information provided at the beginning of this
handout.
You and your parent/guardian must sign the provided acknowledgement and return to me indicating that you have read
and understood the World History syllabus. Please keep the rest of this handout in your history notebook under Tab 1:
Course Guidelines for the remainder of the school year.
Thank you,
Coach Gill
AHS World History Teacher
Allen Strong!
This syllabus will remain in Tab 1: Course Guidelines section of your notebook for the entire year.
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