I would like to welcome everyone to my class for the 2012-2013 school year. All students are expected to work hard and participate this year as we study American history from the Age or Exploration (1400s) to Reconstruction (1880s). Below you will find a list of information that will better prepare you to succeed in my class. If you do your best (be Ready, Responsible, and Respectful) you will have no problem being successful in my class. Respectfully, Mr. Easterling ASSIGNMENT TYPES: 1. Projects (worth 100 – 200 points) – There will be 3 projects given this year, you will be given information at least a month before the due date. 2. Chapter Test (worth 100 points) –There are 2 components that will make up the overall chapter test grade. 1st: There will be a blog question posted on my online classroom at the start of the chapter. Students MUST get online (either at school or home) and complete the essay question prior to the day they take the chapter test. The grade of their essay answer will either add/subtract 4% points to their multiple choice test score. (Grammar/Spelling/Punctuation will be graded!) 2nd: Students will take a multiple choice test on the first day of the week following the end of the chapter review. 3. Grading Period Test (worth 100 points) – Will be given at the end of each grading period and will be based on the Ohio Content Standards taught. Students will receive a review guide that provides them with information to be covered on the test. 4. Class Participation (worth 100 points) – All students will begin with full points at the start of the grading period. You can lose participation points for any disruptive behavior (i.e.- disrespect or cheating) & for not completing the ISN work for a chapter. 6. Key Words & People (KWP) Quiz (worth 50 points) – Will be given the day after the KWP HW is corrected. All questions/answers are based on the KWP HW. 7. Geography Quiz (worth 25 – 50 points) – Will be based on previously given worksheet. 8. Review Quiz (worth 25 – 50 points) –Prior notice and practice homework will be given. HOMEWORK POLICY There will be 3 different types of homework given in my history class. Geography Maps, Key Words & People (KWP) HW, & Chapter Reviews. None of these assignments will be taken for a grade, but we will correct them in class and they will provide the best help on all graded quizzes or tests. SEMESTER / FINAL GRADE PROCEDURE My semester/final grades are determined by the average of percentages earned in the semester or year. There will be a final exam at the end of the year that counts as 1/9 the final grade in my class average. INTERACTIVE STUDENT NOTEBOOK (ISN) Each student will be issued a ISN to be used along with the textbook. Each copy is $8.00 with the cost of the first copy being included on your student fees. DO NOT LOSE YOUR ISN!! CLASSROOM POLICIES: I EXPECT YOUR BEST AT ALL TIMES! BE READY, RESPONSIBLE, & RESPECTFUL! Failure to meet those expectations will result in anything from a call home, lower grade, extra work, to DAC. Cheating on test, quizzes, or projects will not be tolerated! If you give or receive answers without my permission or copy another person’s work (plagiarize); you will be given a zero on the assignment and will lose thirty points from your class participation grade. ABSENCE POLICY: You are responsible to make up any work that you miss in the same amount of time that you were absent. If you are out sick you must find me before homeroom and figure out what you missed and when you need to complete/make it up. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY—I will not hunt anyone down to make up work (homework or tests) it will just become a zero if not made up!

If you are going on vacation, you must see me as soon as you know you will be missing to get any work you will miss. If you do not see me before you leave you will only have two (2) days to compete/make-up the work before it will turn into a zero. HISTORY VIDEOS: There will be some use of supplemental videos in this course such as the movies The Crossing, Gods & Generals, & Gettysburg; and documentaries: America: The Story of Us, The Presidents, & First Invasion: The War of 1812. While some of the videos contain mature language and/or battle reenactments they provide an excellent way to illustrate many of the events we will discuss this year in class. While all of the videos are age appropriate, any parent not wishing their son/daughter to view these videos need to let me know and I will allow their child to go to the library during the viewing without any consequence. CONTACT INFORMATION : If for any reason a parent or student needs to get in touch with me the best way would be via email. I will typically check my email several times a day and a few times over the weekend. I am available for conferences from 7:50 – 8:25 AM (Monday – Friday) on school days. EMAIL – [email protected] PHONE – (330) 882-3812 **Please do not wait until a situation gets bad before acting. If there is any issue or concern you feel needs to be brought to my attention please do so immediately! Please follow the chain of command with concerns/issues—1. Teacher 2. Principal 3. Superintendent. It’s a matter of professional respect and courtesy. –Thank you! Please Sign & Return Just The Bottom Portion To Mr. Easterling ASAP! ------I have read the following with my son/daughter ______and understand what is expected in 8th grade American History for the 2012-2013 school year. I understand that I need to contact Mr. Easterling if I ever feel there is a situation that needs to be addressed.

______Parent Signature Date Student Signature