Mr. Dove’s U.S. History Class, Room 110
Classroom Policies, Procedures & Expectations

The following information contains my classroom policies and procedures. If you have any questions or
concerns, feel free to contact me using the information listed later in this document.
The following is a list of supplies students will need for this class. Students will be required to bring
these supplies again second semester. I will take a grade for them on Tuesday, September 4th. These
supplies will be left in my classroom. Please let me know if you are unable to get any of these items by
that date.

• 70 page (minimum) spiral notebook
• two gluesticks

Grading Policy

1. Tests/Projects/Notebook: 40% of 9 weeks average (usually 3 or more test grades)
2. Daily Work/Homework: 60% (worksheets, warm up questions, etc.)

Assignments/Late Work

All assignments are due on the date specified by the teacher. Any assignment turned in after the due date
is considered to be late and will have the following penalties applied:

Calendar days = school days (excludes Saturday & Sunday, and/or school holidays)
Students with more than 3 late assignments in a 9 week grading period may face additional consequences.

- When a student is absent, it is her/his responsibility to get make up assignments,
tests, and notes from the website or ask the teacher. Most assignments can be found on the class website
at: www.cmshistory.com
- Students with EXCUSED absences have 1 class day to complete missing work
for every day of class missed.

Extra Credit/Credit Recovery:

While late work is not accepted if it is more than 3 days old, the student does have the opportunity to
complete different assignments (known as credit recovery) to replace the zero they received for the late
assignment. They also have extra credit opportunities that can be used at any time during the school year.

Examples of Extra Credit & Credit Recovery

1.  Current Events

A. cut out/print a news article and write a ½ page summary of the article
B. Bring original article & summary to class to share in front of class for 1 point
added to your 9 weeks average
C. You can earn a maximum of 9 points per 9 week grading period. (Only 1 article per day)

2.  Online Practice Quizzes – these can be found on this website and will replace your
lowest grade. You may only take each practice quiz ONCE. No re-takes!!!
3.  Turn in Hallway Passes- each student is given 3 hallway passes each 9 weeks that can be used to go to
the restroom, library, other teacher’s room, during my class. At the end of the 9 weeks, each unused
hallway pass may be returned to the teacher for various extra credit rewards.
4.  Various credit recovery assignments will be announced in class that could involve textbook
assignments, writing essays, doing internet research, completing a project, etc.

Classroom Expectations and Policies

1.  Be on time to class (in door when bell rings). 2nd tardy per 9 weeks is teacher detention. 3 or more
tardies per 9 weeks is an office referral.
2.  Bring all required materials to class.
3.  Respect yourself, the teacher, the other students, and guests at all times
4.  Maintain a positive attitude
5.  Actively participate in class discussions and activities
6.  All campus and district rules will be enforced and followed- parents will be
contacted for discipline infractions.
7.  The use of cell phones, CD players, I-pods, or electronic devices of any kind, etc. is not allowed in my
classroom. If you have them, I better not see or hear them!

Course Overview

Eighth grade American History is a full year survey course covering the beginning Exploration of the
New World through the end of Reconstruction. Key concepts that will be covered throughout the year in
this course are:

First Semester
Map Skills/Geography
European Settlement of the Americas
Events leading to the American Revolution
The Declaration of Independence
The American Revolution
Self-Government and the Continental Congress
The Constitution and Ratification
Government and Citizenship
The New Republic

Second Semester
Presidents: Adams through Monroe
Jacksonian Democracy
Reform Movements
Expansion/Crisis/Pre-Civil War
Reconstruction

RETURNING THIS PAPER IS WORTH 10 POINTS ON OUR FIRST QUIZ!

Parents,

Thank you for taking the time to read through our class syllabus. I’d like to take one final moment to
exchange contact info and inform you of a tool I’ve made available to students and parents. Please read
and discuss the following syllabus with your child. Please fill out, sign and date below and cut off and
return the bottom portion of this letter to the teacher. Your signature is simply an indication that you have
read and understand the syllabus. If you have any questions regarding the class or would like to talk
about your child’s progress please call or email me. The best way to reach me is through email, as I
check it several times each day and can respond in 24 hours or less.

School Phone: (830)221-2300
School E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Home E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Conference Period: 4th period 11:35-12:30pm

I have also created a website available 24 hours a day for students and parents to do the following:

• view a calendar with ALL assignments for the current 9 weeks
• print out extra copies of worksheets, rubrics, etc handed out in class (great for students who frequently “misplace” their work)
• view and print out extra copies of any lecture notes given in class (great for students who are absent when we take notes)
• complete extra credit assignments offered at various times throughout the year
• do practice assignments/games to prepare for upcoming tests and quizzes
• view an online version of our history textbook
• listen to podcasts of a summary of each chapter in the book
• check their history grades online

To start using this valuable resource, simply type in: http://www.cmshistory.com in your internet
browser and begin the adventure!

Sincerely,
Donovan Dove
Eighth Grade U.S. History Teacher

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