U.S. History
Lake Alfred Polytech Academy
Instructor: Ember McLeod
Room:
Email: [email protected]
Course website: www.embermcleod.weebly.com
Class Dojo: https://www.classdojo.com/invite/?s=5d4bf595c903f570c2ab5066
Course Description:
Primary content emphasis for this course pertains to the study of American history from the Exploration and Colonization period to the Reconstruction Period following the Civil War. Students will be exposed to the historical, geographic, political, economic, and sociological events which influenced the development of the United States and the resulting impact on world history. So that students can clearly see the relationship between cause and effect in historical events, students should have the opportunity to explore those fundamental ideas and events which occurred after Reconstruction.
Course Text: McGraw Hill Discovering Our Past: A History of the United States, Early Years-Florida Edition 2018
How is my grade calculated?
Grades in this course will be based on a points system where the final classroom grade is calculated based on earned points divided by total points possible. The classroom grade equals 100% of the total course grade. Below are the tentative point values for the most common assignments:
● Tests/Projects/Essays – 100 pts.
● Quizzes – 50 pts.
● Lesson Activities/Homework – 25 pts.
● Entrance/Exit Tickets—10 pts. /wk.
Extra credit is rarely offered and cannot be relied upon to increase a student’s grade significantly. Grades can be viewed in real time through either Student or Parent Portals. If you need assistance, contact the main office, the school website at http://lapolytech.polk-fl.net/ or contact Ms. McLeod via Class Dojo or direct email.
Graded Work
Course assignments are graded and returned to students as soon as is possible. It is the student’s responsibility to ask questions regarding their grades. **Student work that is missing a name will automatically be thrown away. **
Can I revise my graded work to improve my scores?
Assessment/project grades are final and cannot be revised. All other work initially marked as an “F” may be revised once for additional points. The first attempt will be averaged with the second. Revisions are homework unless otherwise directed and must be witnessed by the parent’s signature before the points will be recorded. Students must return the revision within 2 school days of receiving their graded work.
What is the policy for late work?
Turning work in on time is essential to success. Assignments due dates are posted in advance. There will be a 10% penalty per day that the assignment is late. The 10% is taken from the total points possible for the assignment. Assignments may not be turned in for credit after 10 school days. Students with excused absences may turn in work per the Code of Conduct. Longer absences must be prearranged through the office and work collected prior to the absence.
What is the make-up policy?
When a student is absent, it is the students’ responsibility to obtain and to turn in their make-up work. It is NOT the responsibility of the teacher to hunt down a student’s make-up work. Students may check Class Dojo or the class website at www.embermcleod.weebly.com for updates.
What is your cell phone policy?
Cell phones are to be turned off and kept out of sight during class. Failure to comply with this policy will result in discipline as follows:
1st offense: Warning
2nd offense: Confiscation in my locked drawer until end of the day/Parent contact
3rd offense: Confiscation in the office/Office referral
**Repeating the offense may result in Administration permanently banning the use of the cell phone on our campus. **
What is your bathroom policy?
Students are expected to use a hand signal to indicate their need to use the restroom. Students must sign out upon exiting the classroom and to sign in upon their return. Restroom breaks are expected to be brief and limited. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain any material that is missed while they are using the restroom.
Our Year at a Glance:
1. New Beginning in the New World
2. Revolution in the Colonies
3. Forming a Government
4. Launching a New Republic
5. Andrew Jackson’s Presidency
6. Expanding Nation
7. An Era of Reform
8. The North & the South
9. The Union Challenged
Classroom Expectations
● Treat Each Other as Equals
This course will address topics on a daily basis that will lead to passionate discussions on both sides of issues. As a class, we need to be able to value each other’s opinions and make sure that each person has a say. R-E-S-P-E-C-T is the key!
● Come Ready to Participate
Everything we do in class is to enrich student learning, to meet our learning standards for the course, and to add brain wrinkles of knowledge! Coming in to class with a persistent bad/lazy attitude and/or refusing to participate fully will result in progressive discipline.
● Come Ready to Have Fun
You get out of learning what you are willing to put into it. Social Studies is an adventure! We will play games, go on scavenger hunts, role play, debate, work on projects, and HAVE FUN, but I can’t do this without YOU!
● Do your own work
There is ZERO tolerance for plagiarism. Instances of cheating in ANY form will result in a zero for the assignment, parent contact, and an office referral.
Syllabus Receipt & Media Consent Acknowledgement Form
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the policies included within Ms. McLeod’s course syllabus for the 2021-2022 school year. I understand that U.S. History is a challenging course that requires full effort both in class and at home. I understand that attending class, completing assignments to the best of my ability, and studying at school and home is necessary to receive a passing class grade. I understand that failure to comply with the policies in this syllabus may result in adverse actions.
Student Name: ______________________________
Parent Signature: __________________________________ Date:_______________
Parent Contact Email: ________________________________________________________
Student Name: _________________________ School: _________________________
I hereby consent to the participation in interviews, the use of quotes, and the taking of photographs, movies or video tapes of the student named above by Ms. Ember McLeod. I, also, grant to the right to edit, use, and reuse said products for nonprofit purposes, such as use in print, on the internet, and all other forms of media. By signing, I hereby release Lake Alfred Polytech Academy, Polk County School Board, and the Florida Department of Education and its agents and employees from all claims, demands, and liabilities whatsoever in connection with the above.
Signature of Parent/Guardian:
___________________________________________ Date: ___________________
Email Address and/or Phone of Parent/Guardian: _____________________________________
Lake Alfred Polytech Academy
Instructor: Ember McLeod
Room:
Email: [email protected]
Course website: www.embermcleod.weebly.com
Class Dojo: https://www.classdojo.com/invite/?s=5d4bf595c903f570c2ab5066
Course Description:
Primary content emphasis for this course pertains to the study of American history from the Exploration and Colonization period to the Reconstruction Period following the Civil War. Students will be exposed to the historical, geographic, political, economic, and sociological events which influenced the development of the United States and the resulting impact on world history. So that students can clearly see the relationship between cause and effect in historical events, students should have the opportunity to explore those fundamental ideas and events which occurred after Reconstruction.
Course Text: McGraw Hill Discovering Our Past: A History of the United States, Early Years-Florida Edition 2018
How is my grade calculated?
Grades in this course will be based on a points system where the final classroom grade is calculated based on earned points divided by total points possible. The classroom grade equals 100% of the total course grade. Below are the tentative point values for the most common assignments:
● Tests/Projects/Essays – 100 pts.
● Quizzes – 50 pts.
● Lesson Activities/Homework – 25 pts.
● Entrance/Exit Tickets—10 pts. /wk.
Extra credit is rarely offered and cannot be relied upon to increase a student’s grade significantly. Grades can be viewed in real time through either Student or Parent Portals. If you need assistance, contact the main office, the school website at http://lapolytech.polk-fl.net/ or contact Ms. McLeod via Class Dojo or direct email.
Graded Work
Course assignments are graded and returned to students as soon as is possible. It is the student’s responsibility to ask questions regarding their grades. **Student work that is missing a name will automatically be thrown away. **
Can I revise my graded work to improve my scores?
Assessment/project grades are final and cannot be revised. All other work initially marked as an “F” may be revised once for additional points. The first attempt will be averaged with the second. Revisions are homework unless otherwise directed and must be witnessed by the parent’s signature before the points will be recorded. Students must return the revision within 2 school days of receiving their graded work.
What is the policy for late work?
Turning work in on time is essential to success. Assignments due dates are posted in advance. There will be a 10% penalty per day that the assignment is late. The 10% is taken from the total points possible for the assignment. Assignments may not be turned in for credit after 10 school days. Students with excused absences may turn in work per the Code of Conduct. Longer absences must be prearranged through the office and work collected prior to the absence.
What is the make-up policy?
When a student is absent, it is the students’ responsibility to obtain and to turn in their make-up work. It is NOT the responsibility of the teacher to hunt down a student’s make-up work. Students may check Class Dojo or the class website at www.embermcleod.weebly.com for updates.
What is your cell phone policy?
Cell phones are to be turned off and kept out of sight during class. Failure to comply with this policy will result in discipline as follows:
1st offense: Warning
2nd offense: Confiscation in my locked drawer until end of the day/Parent contact
3rd offense: Confiscation in the office/Office referral
**Repeating the offense may result in Administration permanently banning the use of the cell phone on our campus. **
What is your bathroom policy?
Students are expected to use a hand signal to indicate their need to use the restroom. Students must sign out upon exiting the classroom and to sign in upon their return. Restroom breaks are expected to be brief and limited. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain any material that is missed while they are using the restroom.
Our Year at a Glance:
1. New Beginning in the New World
2. Revolution in the Colonies
3. Forming a Government
4. Launching a New Republic
5. Andrew Jackson’s Presidency
6. Expanding Nation
7. An Era of Reform
8. The North & the South
9. The Union Challenged
Classroom Expectations
● Treat Each Other as Equals
This course will address topics on a daily basis that will lead to passionate discussions on both sides of issues. As a class, we need to be able to value each other’s opinions and make sure that each person has a say. R-E-S-P-E-C-T is the key!
● Come Ready to Participate
Everything we do in class is to enrich student learning, to meet our learning standards for the course, and to add brain wrinkles of knowledge! Coming in to class with a persistent bad/lazy attitude and/or refusing to participate fully will result in progressive discipline.
● Come Ready to Have Fun
You get out of learning what you are willing to put into it. Social Studies is an adventure! We will play games, go on scavenger hunts, role play, debate, work on projects, and HAVE FUN, but I can’t do this without YOU!
● Do your own work
There is ZERO tolerance for plagiarism. Instances of cheating in ANY form will result in a zero for the assignment, parent contact, and an office referral.
Syllabus Receipt & Media Consent Acknowledgement Form
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the policies included within Ms. McLeod’s course syllabus for the 2021-2022 school year. I understand that U.S. History is a challenging course that requires full effort both in class and at home. I understand that attending class, completing assignments to the best of my ability, and studying at school and home is necessary to receive a passing class grade. I understand that failure to comply with the policies in this syllabus may result in adverse actions.
Student Name: ______________________________
Parent Signature: __________________________________ Date:_______________
Parent Contact Email: ________________________________________________________
Student Name: _________________________ School: _________________________
I hereby consent to the participation in interviews, the use of quotes, and the taking of photographs, movies or video tapes of the student named above by Ms. Ember McLeod. I, also, grant to the right to edit, use, and reuse said products for nonprofit purposes, such as use in print, on the internet, and all other forms of media. By signing, I hereby release Lake Alfred Polytech Academy, Polk County School Board, and the Florida Department of Education and its agents and employees from all claims, demands, and liabilities whatsoever in connection with the above.
Signature of Parent/Guardian:
___________________________________________ Date: ___________________
Email Address and/or Phone of Parent/Guardian: _____________________________________