1.
SCHOLASTIC:
A. Grades: Grades will be based on an accumulation of points and will be calculated according to the following schedule:
o Homework, assignments and projects = approx. 50%
o Tests, Quizzes, Finals = approx. 45%
o Participation and Work Ethic = approx. 5%
Grades will be assigned using percentage points. In no case, will it take more that the following percentages to achieve the following grades:
90% = A-,
80% = B-,
70% = C-, 60% = D-,
59.9%- = F
B. HOMEwork, ASSIGNMENT & PROJECTS: This is an AP Class, so you will need to put in effort on your own time. I also recommend working in small study groups. In general, you will be assigned homework each weeknight (i.e. Monday-Thursday). All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period, unless otherwise stated. Because approximately 50% of your grade will be derived from your performance on homework assignments, it is definitely in your best interest to complete all assignments on time. PLEASE NOTE: I will not accept make up work at the end of the semester.
C.
Tests:
There will generally be a test
following each Chapter and/or Unit that we cover in the text/class.
These will occur every 5-10 days throughout the semester.
Tests will be composed of multiple choice questions, matching, video,
fill-in, short answer, and short essay items.
Occasionally we will also complete other forms of assessment – papers,
posters, artwork & other unique forms. Quizzes may happen on any day, so keep up and be prepared.
Final
will be accumulative over the entire semester.
D.
Attendance:
Regular attendance is expected of all students.
Excessive absences will be detrimental to your scholastic grade.
Also District policy may mandate a failing grade if you violate District
“minimum attendance” requirements.
E. TARDIES: By School Policy you are deemed tardy if you are not in the room when the bell ringed.
F.
Make-Up
WORK:
1. Assignments: If you have missed class work because of an excused absence, then you will be given the opportunity to make it up for full credit. It will be your responsibility to find out what assignments you have missed and arrange with me to get them turned in.
2. Tests: All students should plan on making up any missed tests on the day of their return after an absence. In the event of a prolonged absence, you will need to arrange for additional time. Time may be available before and after school.
G.
LATE
WORK:
Work turned in late will be accepted for only ten (10) days after
the due date. All grades for late work will be reduced as follows: Minus
11% Late Day One, and Minus10% for each day following.
No work will be accepted after Ten (10) School Days from due date.
H.
EXTRA CREDIT:
I will provide “Extra
Credit” throughout the school year. This
provides an opportunity for students to improve their grades and focus on
special interests with in the subject area.
“Extra Credit” is encouraged of all students who are not satisfied
with the grades they are receiving through normal class work.
The Teacher must approve
all extra credit work ahead of time and in writing. The written approval must accompany your extra credit work.
“Extra
Credit” is not a replacement for normal class work or Late Work and will be
weighed differently when added to the overall grade points.
2.
CITIZENSHIP:
A. GRADES: Citizenship grades will be based on your willingness to learn the subject matter and your participation in class – cooperation, common courtesy, and respect for yourself, the other students and the Teacher. Positive, mature and responsible citizenship is expected.
B. TARDIES: Tardies/Lockouts/T.A.S. (Teacher Assigned Suspension – in school) will affect your citizenship grade. School policy will be strictly followed.
C. TRUANCIES: Unexcused absences (truancies) will have a serious negative effect on your citizenship grade. Furthermore, they will affect your scholastic grade in that no make-up is allowed for assignments missed due to unexcused absences.
D. PASSES: Passes will be issued only in the case of emergency and at the teacher’s sole discretion. You are responsible to take care of any personal business (bathroom, drink of water, getting your books, etc.) BEFORE class begins. You will be issued 5 Bathroom Passes you may use throughout the semester. I will have a Hall Pass, Nurses Pass and Bathroom Pass. If you use a pass, you will be expected to sign out and sign back in. If there is a medical reason for bathroom use, please provide a note to the school nurse and me.
E. FOOD/DRINK: NO FOOD (including GUM) OR DRINK in class - EXCEPT WATER
F. REQUIRED PREPARATION: You will be expected to come to class prepared every day. This means when the bell rings you are in your seat with your notebook, a writing utensil, your textbook and any assignments that are due. Even though it will affect your citizenship and scholastic grade, not being prepared does not constitute an “emergency” and you will not be issued a hall pass to get material you know you should have at the beginning of class.
G.
RESPECT:
It is my intent, and will be my ongoing effort, to utilize these rules
consistently in the classroom. Respect
is one way which we all recognize our collective responsibility.
In this regard, the teacher, not the students, has an additional
responsibility to utilize his discretion concerning the classroom guidelines.
That being said, there is one thing I will not tolerate at any time and
that is disrespect. Whether directed at the teacher, guest in our classroom or
fellow students, the quickest way to earn an unsatisfactory grade in citizenship
is to be disrespectful. There is no
place in any academic setting for putdowns, name-calling, and foul language or
laughing at fellow students for honest effort.
Those who break these rules will see their citizenship and scholastic
grades suffer tremendously as a result.
3.
EXPECTATIONS: VERY
HIGH
“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
“There is no substitute for hard work.”
Whether or not you do well in this class will depend on your attitude and the amount of effort you are willing to put forward. I operate under the assumption that all students are attending this class with the desire to excel in their grade and pass the AP Test. I fully expect that each of you will complete all of your assignments, come prepared for each day, and do everything within your power and ability to be attentive, cooperative and productive during each class. These should be your primary goals concerning this class. My goal will be to assist you in achieving your highest possible level of success. Every one of us is different, but each of us is capable of excellence, no matter the level of our skills, abilities or intellect. We will all work together to raise the bar of your expectations and maximize your success.
4.
MOVIES – As part of our ongoing study we
will be viewing some movies that may have “R” Ratings. None of these movies
are so rated do to sexual contend, but rather for violence and language
(example: Schinneler’s List). Please
review the list below and if you would prefer your student not view them, please
let me know and I will make other arrangements for them on those days.
Pharaoh * Troy * Alexander the Great * 300 Spartans * Ben Hur * Gladiator * Braveheart * Alexander Nivensky * Kingdom of Heaven * Genghis Khan * Magnificent Seven * Columbus * Cromwell * Becket * Pride and the Passion * Agony and the Ecstasy * A Man for all Seasons * Henry V * Henry VIII * Elizabeth * 1492 * Last of the Mohicans * Patriot * Scarlet Pimpernel * Tale of Two Cities * War & Peace * Waterloo * Cortez * 1776 * Amistad * Alamo * Glory * Gettysburg * Gods & Generals * Dances with Wolves * Last Samurai * Rough Riders * Zulu * Zulu Dawn * Wind and the Lion * The Jungle * Untouchables * All Quiet on the Western Front * The Lost Battalion * Grapes of Wrath * Chariots of Fire * The Longest Day * Schindler’s List * Battle of Britain * Tuskegee Airman * Big Red One * The Pianist * Saving Private Ryan * Band of Brothers * Pearl Harbor * Tora Tora Tora * Pork Chop Hill * Chosin * Dr. Strangle Love * Guess who is coming to Dinner * Go tell the Spartan * We were Soldiers * Thirteen Days * Killing Fields * Black Hawk Down * Bravo Two Zero * Courage Under Fire * No Man’s Land * Wag the Dog * Apollo 13 * Hotel Rwanda * Invisible Children
5.
AVAILABILITY:
I
will be available before school and after school most days.
Though I cannot accept a phone call during class time, please leave a message on my voice mailbox. I will contact you as quickly as possible.
619-668-6172,
Room P-20 Temporary by Tennis
courts (back to room 865 2nd Semester- Hopefully!?!)
jneill@guhsd.net
As I coach the Grossmont’s JV Soccer Team and Varsity Lacrosse Team, my schedule will vary from Late November through May.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Detach Here - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Student’s Name: ______________________________________________________________________
(Please print)
Student’s Email: ______________________________________________________________________
Student’s Signature: ___________________________________________________________________
I
have read and reviewed the attached class procedures with my
student/son/daughter.
Parent’s Name: _______________________________________________________________________
(Please print)
Parent’s Signature: ____________________________________________________________________
Parent’s Email: _______________________________________________________________________
Best Phone Number to contact you at: ____________________________________________________
Comments/Questions: _________________________________________________________________
Thank
You!