8th Grade U.S. History Class Guidelines
Justin Afflerbach Phone: (830) 914-2803
E-mail: (this is the preferred method of contact)
Website:
Course Description: In this course your student will learn about the history of the United States from the early colonial period through Reconstruction. This course is based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Social Studies, Grade 8. I have attached a 9 weeks based outline of the course on my school website.
General Class Rules:
- Come to class with a positive attitude and ready to learn. This means that you need to be actively participating each day!
- Show respect for your classmates, your teacher and all property in the classroom, both personal and school property/equipment.
- Listen to, and follow directions. I ALWAYS explain everything that you need to know or do. Please pay attention!
- Food, drinks and gum are not allowed. Water is OK.
- Clean up after yourself every day. Return any supplies/equipment neatly to its proper location.
- Follow all school rules at all times, as well as all rules posted in Mr. Afflerbach’s classroom.
- Follow the Classroom Behavior Expectations as instructed. These are visibly posted on the wall for your reference. They outline expected behavior during different classroom scenarios.
Supplies:
You are expected to come to class prepared with the supplies you will need to be successful. I will give you most of the information that you need to know. You will keep this information in your journal. If you fail to bring a pen/pencil with you, you can borrow one from a classmate, or you canpurchase one from Mr. Afflerbach (pencil - 10 cents, pen - 20 cents). Sharpen your pencil before the bell rings each day!
The supplies you need for U.S. History include:
- composition notebook- pen (blue or black) - pencil - notebook paper - other supplies as needed for projects
Grading Policy:
- Minor Grades = 40% of your nine weeks grade - In-class Assignments, Homework, Warm-ups, Quizzes
- Major Grades = 60% of your nine weeks grade - Tests,Projects, Journal Check
- Semester grades will equal 90% of your grade and your semester finals will be 10%. You will have one final at the end of December and one at the end of May.
- Progress reports will be handed out at the end of the 3 week grading period, and must be signed and returned, if a student’s grade is below 75.
- Parents are encouraged to utilize the Parent Portal to monitor their student’s progress.
Late Work:
It is very important for your success in this class that you complete all assignments on time. You will turn assignments into your class period’s designated tub. Do not take any student’s work out of any box for any reason!
Late assignments will lose points as follows:
- 1 day late = 10 point deduction - 2 days late = 20 point deduction - 3 days late = 30 point deduction - 4 days late = No Credit
-The assignment will be graded, and then the points will be taken off
Re-teach/Re-test
A student will be allowed to re-test if they fail to demonstrate mastery of TEKS on a summative assessment
The grade on the re-assessment will be recorded as no higher than 90% of Re-test grade. (For example 100%=90, 90%=81)
Student must fill out a request to re-test form and attend one tutorial prior to re-test
Makeup Work:
It is the student’s responsibility to ask the teacher for makeup work the first day the student returns to school. The student will have 1 day, per day of absence to makeup the work. If the student does not ask for makeup work, and the equivalent number of makeup days has passed, then the student will receive a zero on all makeup work for that absence. If a student has homework or a project due that day they are absent, then it is the student's responsibility to turn in that assignment/project to the teacher, their first day back to school. Otherwise, they will receive a zero or late grade, as applicable.
Warm-ups:
Each day when you enter the classroom, there will be a warm-up ready for you to work on. You may not come into class and just walk around. You are expected to be in your seat, prepared with all materials, and starting your warm-up when the tardy bell rings. Warm-ups will be turned in every two weeks and will count as a daily grade.
Tutorials:Tuesday-Thursday before school, Wednesday/Thursday after school
If you need additional help, I am available before and after school, but you must make arrangements with me prior to the time you plan to come for help. Tutorials will also be offered during lunch upon appointment.
Tardy Policy:(Per Semester)
- 1st & 2nd Tardy = Warning - 4th Tardy = 2 Lunch D-Halls
- 3rd Tardy = 1 Lunch D-Hall - 5th & 6th Tardy = Office Referral
Hall Passes:
You are expected to stay in the classroom during class time and will not be allowed out of class. It is your responsibility to bring everything with you to class and take care of a restroom break, getting water, etc. during the passing period. If there does end up being a situation in which you need to leave the classroom, you MUST have a pass written by Mr. Afflerbach or another teacher.
Behavior Rewards & Consequences:
You are expected to followclassroom rules and teacher instructions at all times. Positive behavior will be reinforced and rewarded. Examples of rewards and consequences are listed below.
Positive Incentives: Consequences:
- Verbal Praise - Verbal or Written Warning
- Positive Parent Contact - Seat Change
- 5 minutes of free class time - Removal from Activity/Project
- Bulldog Pride Ticket - Parent Contact
- Choice of partner/group - Lunch D-Hall - entirety of lunch (3rd D-Hall=office referral)
- Think Paper
- Parent or Administrator sitting with student
- Parent Conference
- Office Referral
A difference of opinion will be discussed outside of class time and will be done so in a civilized manner. Argumentative discussions that involve yelling are unacceptable. Arguing with the teacher in the classroom will not be tolerated. Extreme behavior may result in an immediate office referral. Keep this sheet in your Journal for your reference throughout the year. Both the student and parent need to sign the following page and return it to Mr. Afflerbach immediately
8th Grade U.S. History Class Guidelines
Please sign and return this page to Mr. Afflerbach immediately.
(This is due for a grade by Friday, August 25th. If you turn it in on time, it is a 100)
I have read, understand, and agree to follow all of Mr. Afflerbach’s guidelines for the 2017 - 2018 school
year.
Printed Student Name: ______Period: ______
Student Signature: ______Date: ______
Printed Parent/Guardian Name: ______
Parent/Guardian Signature: ______Date: ______
Parent/Guardian Phone Number: ______
Alternate Parent/Guardian Phone Number: ______
Parent/Guardian E-mail: ______
(This will not be shared. It is the best way for Mr. Afflerbach to communicate with you and will be used for positive notes, concerns, and general class information and notices about upcoming major grades. If you do not have an e-mail account, I strongly encourage you to get one. You can access the internet at the community library.)
Parent/Guardian/Alternate Contact Name: ______
Parent/Guardian/Alternate Contact Phone Number: ______
Parent/Guardian/Alternate Contact E-mail: ______
For my own reference:(this is simply to help me plan logistics of research projects and has no bearing on grades)
Does your child have computer access at home? ______
Does your child have internet access at home? ______