Deep Run High School

Virginia & United States History

2015-2016
Mr. Rob Rumans
Mrs. Bonnye Gordon
rcrumans@henrico.k12.va.us
brgordon@henrico.k12.va.us
rumanswildcats.weebly.com
www.schoolspace.henrico.k12.va.us
Office Hours: Monday 12:40 1:12
Wednesday 12:15 12:48
Course Description
We will examine the historical development of American ideas and institutions from the Age of Exploration to
the present. While focusing on political and economic history, you will gain a working knowledge of American
culture through a chronological survey of major issues, movements, people, and events in United States and
Virginia history. Students will acquire historical and geographical analysis skills to explore in depth the events,
people, and ideas that fostered our national identity and led to our countrys prominence in world affairs. This
course is designed to support your success on the Virginia and United States History SOL assessment in May
of 2016.
Class Expectations
1. Respect yourself, the teacher and others.
2. I dismiss you, not the bell.
3. Be prepared for class each day.
4. Silence all cell phones before class and store them away. After your first warning, it will be collected.
5. Use your laptops responsibly. Stay on task.
Required Materials
I attempt to utilize the laptop as much as possible. All notes and assignments are administered electronically.
All assignments should be submitted electronically. You may still find the following items useful:
- (1) 3-subject notebook
- Blue or black ink pens
- colored pencils
- Two highlighters, any color

Please make the following appreciated contributions to the class:

Block 1 One box of aloe-free tissues
Block 2 One box of aloe-free tissues
Block 3 One box of latex-free Band-Aids
Block 5 One box of aloe-free tissues
Block 6 One package of blue or black ink pens

Course Content
Early America: Early Claims, Early Conflicts (VUS.2-3)
Revolution and the New Nation (VUS.4-5)
Expansion and Reform (VUS.6)
Civil War and Reconstruction (VUS.7)

Emergence of Modern America (VUS.8-10)

The World at War (VUS.11-12)
The US Since World War II (VUS.13-15)

Grading Policy
Grades will be determined by a combination of tests, student blogs, projects, quizzes, homework and
classwork.
Your grade will be calculated with the following method:
- 40% Tests/projects/blog
- 30% Quizzes
- 20% Classwork
- 10% Homework
The Henrico County grading scale is as follows:
A (90-100)
B (80-89)
C (70-79)

D (65-69)

F (64 and below)

Tests: Tests will be given as part of each study unit. Tests will be announced ahead of time in class, posted
on the board and listed on the website calendar. Tests will generally consist of a variety of multiple choice and
matching questions. Any material discussed in class (maps, charts, artwork, readings, etc.) is fair game.
Study guides and other review materials (Quia and Active Inspire activities) will be available on the class
website before all tests. To do your best in this class, you are highly encouraged to review the material
routinely, not cram before the test.
Blog: Each student will be expected to maintain a blog. A blog has been created for you through
Edublogs.org. We will go through the process of using your blog together in class. Throughout the year, you
will be asked to respond to a question or consider an issue based on recent classroom content. You must
keep your blog current as they will be graded once at the end of every marking period for a test/project grade.
I strongly encourage you to not fall behind. Refer to the Blog Assignment document found on the Assignments
page.
Projects: Students will be assigned projects throughout the year. Some units will culminate with a project
rather than a test. Other projects will help prepare us for unit tests. Students will receive instructions sheets
for each project with clear guidelines and any rubrics. Projects will usually be technology-based, in-class
group assignments or research projects and will often involve a class presentation. Technological difficulties
are not acceptable reasons for a project to be turned in late. Utilizing Google Docs for group work is
highly advised to aid in collaboration.
Quizzes: Quizzes will be given to assess student progress. Quizzes may vary from multiple-choice, matching,
or short answer questions. Graded quizzes will be returned for use as study materials. On occasion results
from a game of Kahoot may also be used as a quiz grade.
Classwork: Classwork consists of a wide variety of activities and lessons. You can expect to have a graded
classwork assignment during nearly every class meeting. These will vary from review or critical thinking
questions based on that days content, a primary source analysis such as a document or a collection of
images, and discussion board responses. Our required Passage Based Reading exercise in each marking
period will also be scored as a classwork grade.
Homework: Rejoice! I rarely give homework assignments. Homework is generally reserved for uncompleted
classwork assignments, the completion of study guides, and outside assignments when the classroom

schedule dictates. You should take advantage of this fact by reviewing class materials in an ongoing
preparation for quizzes and tests and maintaining your blog as a standing homework assignment.
Please note: If you have any questions about your grade or need extra help, please see me before or after
school or during office hours. You may of course discuss your grade with either Mr. Rumans or Mrs. Gordon.
Deep Run Retest Policy
Any student who fails a major project/assessment has the opportunity for reassessment. If a student wishes to
redo a failed project or retake a failed assessment, he or she must ask the teacher within one week of
receiving the failing grade. It is the students responsibility to meet with the teacher and make remediation
plans before school, during office hours, or after school. This will vary depending on the teachers availability.
Students will not be given the same assessment they have already taken. A 65 is the lowest passing grade on
the new grading scale; therefore, students are retesting for a 65.
Also, a student who receives a 9-week average of 0-54 can receive a one-time average of 55 for MP1 OR MP2
only.
Cheating/Plagiarism
Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated at all. This includes but is not limited to talking during a test,
copying information verbatim on an assignment, sharing information about tests and assignments by written or
electronic means, or using the Internet inappropriately. Any of these actions will result in the student earning a
zero for that assignment along with appropriate administrative action. This is not something I take lightly. Do
not do it.
Computer Issues and Cell Phones
Any student found using their computer or phone for any reason other than US/VA History (online games,
shopping, work for another class, non-academic websites, texting, etc.) will first receive a warning. A second
offense will result in the collection of their laptop or phone which will likely result in an inability to complete that
days assignments.
Attendance Policy
Students should arrive to the classroom on time. Any student not in the classroom when the bell rings must
bring a pass or will be counted tardy. Excessive tardiness will be reported to parents and administration.
Excessive absences or tardies will negatively impact your success in this class and for you seniors, impact
your exam exemption status. Keep in mind, more than six unexcused tardies to school will result in you taking
each and every one of your final exams. First and Second blocks, heed this warning! Any combination of
more than 10 total absences, excused or unexcused, will result in your inability to be exempt from final exams.
Make-up Work and Late Work Policy

All work due on the date of an absence must be turned in the day you return to school. (tests
arrangements must be made the day you return to school.)
Only missing work due to excused absences will be granted full credit.
It is your responsibility to obtain make-up work from me before or after class, from a friend or online.
Our class website includes daily classroom agendas and all documents and assignments.
All make-up work must be done in that many days of which you were absent. For example, if you miss
two days due to an illness, you have two class days to complete the missed assignments.
All of the assignments in this course are designed to help you master the course content and succeed
on assessments. It is important that you complete them all, on time or late.
Late work will always be accepted. Late assignments will lose 10% a day to a maximum of 30%. This
means that late work can still be turned in for the current marking period at any time. An assignment
more than three days late will be able to earn up to a maximum of 70%. I want you to do the work.

The start of a new marking period is the deadline for outstanding make up work. For example, Q1 work
may not be submitted after the first day of Q2. Exceptions will only be made for extenuating
circumstances.

Textbooks
A classroom set of textbooks will be available. They can be found in the classroom bookcase. If you would like
a textbook issued to you, please let me know. We will otherwise utilize the textbook as a classroom resource.

United States and Virginia History Syllabus

Please detach this page from the syllabus and retain the syllabus for your records. This syllabus is an
agreement between us. Your signatures indicate your understanding and acceptance of our classroom
policies. Return this signature page as your first homework assignment.
Parents: Please feel free to contact myself or Mrs. Gordon at any time with any questions you might
have. Please access our classroom website at rumanswildcats.weebly.com to help support your son or
daughter to succeed. There you will find daily agendas, a calendar of events and a weekly blog I will use
to keep you informed about our classroom activities. I hope that we all have a successful school year.
I have read and understand the expectations and procedures set forth in this syllabus. Please sign, date, and
complete the information below. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions at any time.
Student: Name (please print) _________________________________________
Student Signature: __________________________________________ Date: _____________
Student Email: _____________________________________
Parent/ Guardian Name (please print): __________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: ___________________________________________ Date: _____________
Parent Email: ______________________________________
Parent Phone Number: _______________________________