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How to Succeed in History

  1. What do I need to bring to class every day?
  2. (1) Yourself (attend class everyday),
    (2) a pen and #2 pencil,
    (3) 3-ring binder with dividers for each of your subjects,
    (4) three-hole punched lined paper, and
    (5) colored pens and pencils (optional, but recommended)

  1. What materials should be included in my binder?
  2. Your notebook should always include the following:
    (1)Calendar with assignment calendar filled in daily/weekly,
    (2)course syllabus, classroom expectations, and other handouts to be used throughout the
    semester as reference, and
    (3)homework, lecture notes, worksheets, and other class assignments

Note: work is collected only at the end of each unit of study, so it is essential that you keep
all your work!

  1. How will I be graded?
  2. Regular reading and writing assignments will be given throughout the semester. These will
    include mapping exercises, vocabulary and analytical writing assignments, as well as major
    research projects. Tests and quizzes will be given regularly. Tests will be a combination of
    multiple choice, true-false, fill-in, matching, map skills, and essay questions. A final
    examination will be given to all students at the conclusion of the term. A final percentage
    will be calculated at the end of the term based on the following percentages:

  1. Class assignments, Homework, and Projects
  2. Quizzes and Unit Examinations
  3. Final Examination (Fall and Spring Semester)

(45%)
(40%)
(15%)

Course Grading Scale: 100-90% = A, 89-80% = B, 79-70% = C, 69-60% = D, 59-0% = F

Note: Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Your first offense will result in an
automatic “0” on the quiz, exam, or homework in question as well as a referral. The
second offense will result in being dropped from the class with a grade of “F”.

  1. When are assignments due?
  2. Daily assignments and periodic projects are due at the beginning of class on the date
    indicated by your instructor. Late work is not acceptable (except under special
    circumstances approved by your instructor prior to the assignment’s due date).

  1. How do I make up missed assignments?
  2. For an excused absence, call a classmate, my office (596-3600 X309), e-mail Mr.
    McDowellat (dmcdowel@mac.com) or Miss Long at (leesy113@hotmail.com),or check the
    assignment calendar in class when you return. You may ask me before or after class if a
    missed assignment is not clear. You have as many days as you were absent to turn in your
    work. Work assigned before your absence is due upon your return. Quizzes, exams, or
    class assignments missed due to a tardy lock-out or period truancy cannot be made up.
    Being absent the day before a test does not excuse you from taking the test on its
    announced date. All test dates are announced several days in advance, so keep track of
    them on your daily calendar. If you are absent on the day of a test, it must be made up on
    your own time within three days of your return. Make-up test days are posted; you must
    arrange for other times with me if the posted days are not convenient. Not completing the
    exam within the time allotted following an absence will result in a score of “0”. Remember,
    you are responsible for keeping track of assignments to be turned in or quizzes/tests to be
    made up. “I didn’t know” or “I forgot” are not acceptable excuses.

  1. What format should my assignments follow?
  2. Assignments must follow the following format if you wish to receive full credit:
    (1)Put your name, date, and class period in the upper right margin of your paper
    (2)Use a title or appropriate heading to label the assignment on the top line of the paper
    (3)Use only standard binder paper, do not rip pages from a notebook
    (4)Complete all assignments (unless otherwise indicated) in ink
    (5)Be neat – folded, mutilated, or scribbled papers will not receive credit
    (6)Write legibly – print or type your assignments if your writing is not legible

  1. What class procedures and expectations do I need to remember?
  2. Below you will find Mr. Mr. McDowell’s “House Rules,” “3 R’s”, and Classroom
    Expectations, Procedures, and Consequences:

Mr. McDowell's“HOUSE RULES”

  1. No food, drinks, or GUM are permitted in the classroom.
  2. Be in the classroom PRIOR TO the tardy bell.
  3. RAISE YOUR HAND before speaking or getting up from your seat.
  4. Stay in your assigned seat until the FINAL BELL rings.
  5. Come to class PREPARED and ready to learn.

Finally, I will expect you to understand and follow the “3 R’s” in my classroom:

R esponsibility- I strongly believe that every one of my students has the ability to
succeed-not only in my classroom, but in all their chosen endeavors. I will teach you the
skills you will need to succeed at West Hills and later in college, but it is YOUR
responsibility to see to it that you are in class on time every day, attentive, and prepared for
the day’s lesson.

R espect- all students will show respect for each other’s person, opinion, and property, in
addition to demonstrating a concern for the feelings of others. That means listening to
points of view that may differ from your own and accepting the right of others to voice that
opinion using appropriate language. It means, in short, making the “West Hills Way” your
way. Not simply because you are told to do so, but because it is in your individual and our
collective interest to do so.

R ights- each student that enters my classroom has the right to expect my full attention to
the lesson at hand in addition to working in a safe classroom atmosphere that fosters
learning. If any student chooses to interfere with my teaching or another student’s learning,
I reserve the right to ask that student to leave my classroom (followed by an appropriate
consequence).


Classroom Expectations, Procedures, and Consequences:

 Late to class?

 Lockout (see WHHS tardy policy)

Food, drink (with the exception of water in a clear container), or gum in classroom?

 Confiscation and detention issued

Choose not to participate in an activity?

Three Strikes (*)

Bathroom passes

You will receive three (3) bathroom passes for the semester; those not used can be turned in for extra credit at the end of the semester

Speaking out of turn or other classroom disruptions (e.g. cell phones, pagers, personal stereos, electronic games, etc.)?

Three Strikes (though I reserve the right to impose additional consequences as discussed in class based on the nature of the disruption)

Leaving your desk prior to the final bell or asking permission?

Detention issued

*

“Three Strikes” refers to my policy that I will ask you once (no more, no less) in a given period
of time to stop a certain behavior. The second time I need to speak with you regarding the
same behavior I will also issue a detention. If I must speak with you a third time, I will issue a
referral, call your parents, and ask that you leave the classroom.