American Studies

Classroom Procedures & Policies:

What do I do when I come into class?

  • If you’re wearing a hat, hang it on the classroom hat rack.
  • Quietly sit down in your assigned seat and take out your notebook.
  • Ladies, put your purses on the floor. (No, purses on your lap… We are aware of the texting in your purse strategy!) Boys, leave your backpacks on the floor (for the same reason).
  • If there is HW written on the whiteboard, then copy it down in your notebook.
  • Then, complete the “warm up” in your notebook.
  • When you finish your warm up, update the Table of Contents in your notebook. Then, quietly wait for the teacher to start class.

What do I do if I have a question about what the teacher is saying or I have something brilliant to contribute?

  • Simply, raise your hand and I will call on you shortly.
  • Please do not shout out your thoughts spontaneously without being called upon first. More than one person may have something to contribute to the class discussion. Interrupting can be disruptive to whoever is speaking and I know you don’t want to be rude.

What do I do if I am absent?

  • Ask a classmate to see their notebook. Copy the starter question and find out what else you missed. Pick up any handouts from the extra handout boxes that are located in each classroom.
  • An assignment that was due during an EXCUSED absence will be allowed to be turned in one day after you return to school. If the absence was UNEXCUSED, you will receive a ZERO on all assignments turned in that day.
  • Quizzes do not have to be made up if your absence was EXCUSED.
  • If you are absent on a test day, you may make up that test by appointment within the allotted time I give for that grading period.

What if I don’t have an assignment the day it is due? May I turn it in late?

  • No, late work is not acceptable.

What if I’d like to discuss my grade? Or, what if I have questions about an assignment?

  • I am available after school until 3:15 or by appointment.

Do I have to wear my FHS ID to class?

  • Yes, if you do not have your ID around your neck, you will be sent to your building office.

May I go to the restroom?

  • You should use the restroom before school, at lunch, and between classes.
  • You may only use the restroom if it’s an emergency.
  • You must have a pass to use the restroom.
  • Only one student is allowed out of class at a time.
  • Do not ask to go to the restroom during instruction or classroom discussion time.

What are the consequences for being tardy?

  • You are considered tardy if you are not in your assigned seat when the bell rings.
  • If you are tardy, I will mark you tardy on attendance.
  • For every 3rd tardy to 1st and 5th period, you will earn a detention from A office.
  • For every tardy to 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, and 8th periods, you will earn a detention from A office.
  • If you come to class late and your tardy is UNEXCUSED, you may not make up the quiz that may have been done before you arrived to class.

What are the consequences for not following school rules and classroom expectations?

  • If you have a hard time contributing to a positive learning environment there will be consequences: 1) warning 2) loss of class participation points 3) detention and parent contact made 4) referral
  • Students who cannot stay in the classroom without disrupting or disrespecting others will need to leave the classroom.
  • Any defiant or aggressive behavior that results in a potentially unsafe learning environment will result in an automatic dismissal from the classroom to your building office.
  • If you are having a problem with a classmate or have a concern regarding the class or classroom environment, please come see me to discuss a solution.
  • For more details on school rules and consequences please refer to your FHS handbook.

When is it time to leave?

  • It is time to leave when I dismiss you; not the bell.
  • DO NOT line up at the door. You aren’t in elementary school!

Do I get graded on my class participation?

  • Yes!
  • Class participation is a part of your quarter/semester grade.

How do I lose my class participation points?

  • Being tardy to class
  • Wearing a hat in class
  • Not completing homework or class work assignments
  • Not having your Notebook in class.
  • If you are off task
  • not following directions
  • Talking excessively or talking while I’m trying to teach
  • Being rude, disrespectful, or argumentative to anyone in the classroom
  • Not doing the “warm-up”
  • Not having your “appointment clock”
  • Use of profanity or vulgarity
  • Having your cell phone out
  • Copying other people’s work
  • Cheating on tests or quizzes
  • Doing homework or assignments from another class
  • Not doing your share while working in pairs or groups
  • Packing up early/quitting working before the class is over
  • Chewing gum or eating
  • Getting out of your seat and roaming around the room
  • Passing notes
  • Not wearing FHS ID
  • Having a backpack or purse on your lap

May I listen to music during class?

  • No
  • There is a significant amount of research that shows you CANNOT learn new material while listening to music; unless, the music is classical or instrumental. May I eat or drink during class?
  • You may have water in class.

What do I do if I need a progress report or permission slip signed?

  • Papers that need to be signed should be left on my table by the computer.
  • I will only sign progress reports on Thursdays or Fridays.
  • DO NOT interrupt my other classes to get a progress report signed.
  • Please use Parent Connect to check your grades.

What do I need to bring to class?

  • Notebook
  • Textbook and/or novel
  • Pen & pencil
  • Highlighter & glue stick
  • Positive attitude

What’s your grading policy?

  • You will be graded on class participation, class work, homework, and various forms of assessments (including notebooks, quizzes, tests, essays, projects, and debates)
  • You may not turn in late work.
  • Grading will not be stopped at progress reports or quarter report cards. Only at the semester.
  • While the progress reports and quarter report cards inform students and parents of student’s current grade heading into the end of the semester, it is the semester grade that remains on your permanent transcripts and counts toward college eligibility and admission consideration.

What is the grading scale?

100+% A+

98-94% A

93-90% A-

89-87% B+

86-83% B

82-80% B-

79-77% C+

76-73% C

72-70% C-

69-67% D+

66-63% D

62-60% D-

below F

  • What will we study in English?

The English 3 anthology, Huck Finn, The Jungle, persuasive essay on the U.S. Constitution, The Great Gatsby, Inherit the Wind, The Grapes of Wrath, The Color of Water,The Crucible, Civil Rights debates, The Secret Life of Bees, and The Things they Carried

  • What will we study in U.S. History?

Declaration of Independence, American Revolution, the U.S. Constitution, Civil War, Reconstruction, Westward Expansion, Industrialization, Immigration, Urbanization, Progressivism, Imperialism, WWI, the Twenties, Great Depression, New Deal, WWII, Cold War, 1950s, Korean War, 1960s, Civil Rights, and Vietnam

What skills will I learn or improve upon?

  • Critical thinking skills (bias, point of view, perspective, compare/contrast, well supported opinions, etc.)
  • Organization
  • Vocabulary
  • Cultural awareness, understanding, and tolerance
  • Geography
  • Using technology
  • Speaking and listening skills
  • Cooperation
  • Reading strategies/improving reading comprehension
  • Primary & secondary documents (text, political cartoons, newspapers, letters, photos, etc.)
  • Study skills
  • Understanding graphs, charts, timelines, etc.
  • Research skills
  • The writing process
  • Note taking, outlining, etc.
  • Test taking strategies

July 31, 2012

Dear Parents and Guardians:

As part of our American Studies class, w will be showing portions of historical movies through-out the school year. These movies may include:

  • The Patriot R
  • Roots NR
  • Glory R
  • GettysburgPG
  • Far and Away R
  • Fly Boys PG13
  • PBS: Memory of the Camps
  • Life is Beautiful PG13
  • Saving Private Ryan R
  • 13 DaysPG13
  • The Great DebatersPG13
  • We Were Soldiers R
  • ABC News: The Century
  • History Channel: holiday series, The Hatfields and the McCoys,How the States Got their Shapes, 102 Minutes that Changed America, 10 Days that Changed that America, and The Story of Us
  • various other documentaries from the History Channel and National Geographic

For more information on movie ratings go to the Motion Picture Association of America website If you do not want your child to watch any of the above listed movies, please notify me in writing. At your request, he/she will be placed elsewhere during the movie and receive an alternate assignment.

Sincerely,

Mr. Baxter, Mr. Beede, Mrs. Houston, and Mrs. Torres

My child has permission to watch the above movies during American Studies. I received the information about the optional field trips to AngelIsland and Washington DC/NYC/Philadelphia/Gettysburg. I have also read the American Studies grading policies and classroom procedures. I am familiar with the FHS Student Handbook and all other school rules and discipline procedures.

Parent/Guardian SignatureDate

Student SignatureDate