Klein Oak High School

Dual Credit US History

Mrs. Debbie Ramsey

832-484-4919

SIXTH Period Conference

Introduction

Hello and welcome to Dual Credit US History. First off I’d like to congratulate you on taking this class. Dual Credit classes are designed to challenge you as students, and I want you to know how impressed I am with your decision for choosing to take on that difficulty. Secondly I’d like to address the fact that many of you are worried about this class and the expectations I have for students. Simply stated, ALL students who complete the course work, study on their own, form study groups, and seek out assistance from the instructor when necessary WILL be successful.

Skyward Parent Connection

It is essential that all students and parents utilize the Skyward Parent Connection to keep a close track of grades. I update the gradebook at least once a week so that everyone will have a good knowledge of their current standing. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor their grades and bring up any irregularities. In the same vein, this is the best way for parents to know how their children are performing in my class.

Course Design:

Dual Credit United States History is a College Course. This is a two-semester survey of American History from the age of exploration and discovery to the present. Emphasis is placed on critical and evaluative thinking skills, essay writing, interpretation of original documents, and historiography.

End of Course Exam (STAAR Exam): The United States History End of Course Exam (STAAR) will be given during the week of May 7th. The precise date of the exam will be provided at a future date. It is an Expectation of the students enrolled in this course to score above an 80% on the exam which according to the state of Texas constitutes commended performance.

Texts: 1301 (First semester)

American Yamp –

Carol Berkin, Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for American Independence

Joel Silby – Storm over Texas

1302 (Second Semester)

American Yawp –

Taylor Branch – The King Years

Glenn Altschuler – All Shook up: How Rock and Roll changed America

Guidelines for Success:

Attendance in this class is essential. Much of the material for success is provided through lecture/discussion. Missing class can create problems. Should a student miss class, arrangements should be made to obtain a copy of lecture notes, handouts, etc (find a buddy and get his/her phone number!) Upon instructor’s permission a classmate who is present may audio record the lecture to share with those who are absent. Should a student miss a quiz or a test, that student is expected to present him/herself at tutoring the next morning to discuss with the teacher an appropriate time to take that quiz or test. However, because students are made aware of the dates of quizzes and tests so far in advance, they should be prepared to take that assessment the next day they are back at school.

Tutorials: It may, at times, be necessary for students enrolled in this course to seek out assistance in their quest for knowledge about the United States of America. Assistance will almost always be provided by appointment after school at an agreed upon time by both the instructor and student, or during Panther Den.

Classroom Rules:

Each Student should abide by the following Guidelines:

  1. Be in class on time and be prepared for the day’s activities.
  2. Be prepared to be involved from the bell beginning class until the bell rings to end class.
  3. Students will remain on task.
  4. Treat all persons with dignity and respect.
  5. Keep a positive attitude and do not allow yourself to become discouraged.
  6. Adhere to the Klein Oak Honor Code at all times.

Weekly Activities

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Quizzes: It is the goal of the instructor to have students quiz weekly.

Exams: Unit exams will be a combination of objective/multiple-choice and/or essay questions.

Homework:Students will be assigned readings to read before they come to class. It is expected that the student is prepared for class.

Late Work:

“Minor Grades: One day late = 30% off. After one week assignment will receive no credit.

Major Grades: 10% off every day its late. No credit after 3 days.

(THIS PERTAINS TO YOUR KLEIN OAK GRADE ONLY, LATE WORK IS NOT ACCEPTED FOR YOUR LONE STAR GRADE)

Re-Take Policy: Students will have the opportunity to complete a reassessment assignment after a major grade of less than 75 for any reason. Depending on the original assessment, there will be different reassessments given. Students who wish to “re-take” an exam or major grade essay assignment will be required to complete the following tasks prior to re-taking the exam or essay.

1)Attend a one hour tutorial session to learn the material that was not originally grasped at the time of the original exam/essay (this is to be set at instructor’s choosing and date/time will be given 3 days in advance so that students may adjust their schedules accordingly, there will NOT be an alternative time for this tutorial session)

2)Attend an after school time of the instructor’s choosing to re-take/re-write the exam/essay. Again, there will NOT be an alternative time, students must make arrangements to be present.

3)Your retake grade ONLY applies to your Klein Oak grade, not your Lone Star grade. Lone Star does not give retakes.

‘Bring Your Own Device’ Policy: Unless it has been explicitly stated otherwise, cell phones are not allowed in my classroom. On examination dates all cell phones will be placed in your bags, placed in the front of the room, and can be retrieved upon dismissal by instructor to their next class.

Students must always have paper and writing utensils, even if they intend to use an electronic device.

While students are encouraged to use technology, all in class assignments.

Grades:

Daily Assignments = 30%, Tests/Summative Grades = 70%

Rubric: 100-90 = A, 89-80 = B, 79-70 = C, below 70 = Failure

I expect ALL assignments to be turned in on the day they are due, this is a Dual Credit class, expectations are high.

Per Klein Oak policy; there will be NO Extra Credit, there will be NO curving of grades or exam scores.

Classroom Procedures:

What do you need for class every day?

●Pen/Pencil

●Tablet

●Spiral Notebook or loose leaf paper for note taking

●A positive attitude and willingness to work hard. What you achieve in this class will be directly related to the effort you give.

Tardy Policy:Any student arriving after the tardy bell rings will be countedtardy pass. It is expected that all students are in class and ready to start class.

Restroom Policy: According to campus guidelines students will not be able to leave the room during the first 10 minutes or the last 10 minutes of class. At all other times students can use the bathroom with teacher permission, please take the appropriate pass at the front of the room. Students are not required to ask permission; it is up to their discretion to miss valuable instruction time or not. Please take the pass by the door.

How to find out what the daily assignments are:

Internet Access:

To facilitate the modern student as well as accommodate all parents and guardians, it is necessary to maintain a "virtual classroom" by way of the class website, Schoology or Lone Star D2L located on the Lone Star webpage. It is my recommendation that everyone bookmark Lone Star for simplicities sake. The class calendar, as well as ALL class assignments, handouts, due dates, and supplementary materials will be posted on Schoology and Lone Star D2L. The site is maintained on a weekly basis to reflect the pacing of the class; I make every effort to post reading assignments as soon as possible to allow students the opportunity to get started on the assignment. WARNING: It is the students' responsibility to check the virtual classroom every day; ignorance of a particular assignment, whether the student is present in class or not, is not an acceptable excuse.

Finding out grade status

Parents/Guardians are able to access grades through the Home Access Center/Skyward and Lone Star D2L . It is required for all student to have access to the Home Access Center and Lone Star D2L to make sure that they are up to date on their own progress and to ensure that all grades are accurate.

Student responsibilities after an absence

If a student is absent there is no excuse to claim ignorance of assignments/due dates due to the fact that the instructor maintains a website that contains ALL class assignments, handouts, due dates, and supplementary materials, it is up to the student to find out what they missed if they are absent. If the student missed a test or quiz they should adhere to the KOHS Make-Up Work Policy.

Communication Procedures With Parents/Guardians:

If a need arises, the BEST way to contact me will be through e-mail.

My email address is: or

Consequences for Classroom Rules and Code of Conduct Violations

  1. Warning
  2. Parent contact will be made
  3. Office referral

Tips for Students and Parents: The single most important contributor to student success is whether he/she completes each readingassignment and its accompanying work. There is no substitute. There are No shortcuts in Dual Credit United States History. Do the reading faithfully.

Remember, although we are in high school, this is a college course. We will discuss topics that may be new and different. Please keep an open mind. You do not have to agree with what you read and hear, but you will need to think historically. Keep an organized comprehensive notebook for both semesters and use it to review. Proper prior planning prevents poor performance. This is especially true of college courses. Complete all writing assignments.

Do not worry about your grade unless it is failing. And if your grade still bothers you, there are always corrections or more thorough study will help your next grade.

Form and join an informal study group with students in the same class. These are very successful. The military academies and superior universities require students to form groups and pair up. The group is not a substitute for reading or the work, but two heads are often better than one. This also allows students to help and teach each other, which is the best way to learn. The more a student discusses something, the better you will understand it. To be clear: in no way, shape, or form does this condone cheating. Everyone knows the difference between working together and being academically dishonest and I expect you to do what is right at all times.

If you have a question or concern, call, email me, or come by. I will help you all as much as is possible. Email is the best way to reach me and I encourage you to do so if there is every anything I can help you with.

Also attached please find the Lone Star College Syllabus for this course.

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