Texas History Syllabus

Attention Parents and Students:

First of all let us welcome you all to our history classes. This year offers to be one of
excitement and creativity as we explore the world around us and dive into the past
of our American and Texan cultures. Listed below are the time periods that we will
be covering and approximately in what 9 week’s grading period we will be
discussing these topics, some of them may overlap a little. This will help you and
your child get ready for the amount to knowledge, dates and historical figures they
will be learning. It will be a lot!

1st 9 weeks: Geography review, culture, Ice age overview, Indians (both Native
American and Central American), explorers, mission settlements, and beginning of
Spanish rule

2nd 9 weeks:The Road to Texas’ Independence, Texas as its own nation and the
annexation of Texas by the United States.

3rd nine weeks: Civil War and Reconstruction, Frontier and Westward Expansion.
Beginnings of Industry in Texas and Urbanization will be covered as well.

4th nine weeks: Social and Political Reforms, and Texas Government.

In order for each student to learn all of this information and be able to recall
when expected they must comply with my classroom expectations. Below is a list of
what exactly I expect of each student and the consequence if they choose not to
comply.

Expectations:

1. Each student should come to class prepared to begin the day. Passing
periods are for getting water and going to the bathroom. They will need to
bring their interactive notebooks/workbooks, homework/worksheets,
pens/pencils, paper and any other item they may need to complete that day’s
lesson. Students will not be able to go back to their lockers to get anything
or leave for anything once they come to class.

2. When they walk into the classroom, they need to find their interactive
notebook and their seat quickly and quietly. Horseplay will not be tolerated!!
If they have a pencil to sharpen they will need to do this at this time to get
 ready to begin class. When they tardy bell rings, the door shuts and class
begins.

3. Once class begins each student needs to write down the days
assignment in their agenda/or notebook. Class grades make up 35% of
a student’s grade, so low grades can really make grades drop and be hard to
bring up.

4. Lecture/ discussion will be a major part of each day’s activity. Students need
to please raise your hand if you have questions or would like to add to the
discussion to allow flow and order to the class. If you do not raise your hand,
chances are slim that you will be recognized and you may blurt out the wrong
answer causing confusion within the class. ALSO NO TALKING AMONG
STUDENTS WILL BE ALLOWED DURING CLASS DISCUSSION UNLESS IT
IS A GROUP ACTIVITY, STUDENTS HAVE TIME TO TALK DURING
PASSING PERIODS - NOT LECTURE!! If a student is caught talking
during lecture and disrupts class they will be given 1 warning, if
they continue they will be placed on a step and a call to their
parents will be made.

5. Homework and class work will be given, and its due date. Points will be taken
off if work is turned in late; ex: 1 day late is 5 pts off, 2nd day late is 10 pts off,
and 3rd day late is 20 pts off. If work is turned in 3 days late then the highest
grade that can be made is an 80.

6. Missing assignments/absences are the student’s responsibility. If a student is

absent, they need to find out what they missed & have 5 days to make up
any assignments given. If missing work gets out of control (2 or more missing
assignments) for a student, after school detention and/or Saturday school will
be assigned. If the student still does not turn the work in, a 0 will be given as
a grade for that assignment.

7. Tests will be given at the end of each chapter or unit. Tests make up 35% of
the students grade. NO TALKING WILL BE ALLOWED DURING A TEST. IF
A STUDENT IS CAUGHT TALKING DURING A TEST THEY WILL RECEIVE
A 0 ON THE TEST AND PLACED ON A STEP 3.

8. If a student is done with their test they need to work quietly on something
else or read a book, so as to not disturb others still testing- not talk to their
friends or neighbors.

9. Students need to keep their hands and feet to themselves. Food/ candy
needs to be kept outside of the classroom, and note passing is also not
allowed.
 10.No IPODs, cell phones, headphones, Nintendo DS’, Gameboys, PSP’s or MP3
players will be allowed in my classroom. If found in the class, they will be
collected and turned into the office for the parent to come and get at a later
time.

Grading system:

The following is the grading system for this class.

Class work/homework 35%

Quizzes/Tests 35%

9 week exams 20%

Pop quizzes/planners 10%

Supplies needed for this class:

1 subject notebook
Pens (blue, black)
#2 pencils
1-2 Highlighters
1 box of washable markers
2 Glue sticks or 1 bottle
Boys- please bring 1 box of Kleenex tissue
Girls- please bring 1 bottle of hand sanitizer

**All AP / TAG students will also have project occasionally to do for each 9 week
period, specifically designed to enhance the information that they have learned. A
letter will be sent home explaining each project, what is expected of each student,
and a rubric of how the project will be graded.

Occasionally other notes home may be put in the students agenda, and all
important due dates should be written down by the student in the agenda to help
them stay organized. We will be reading classic novels or watching historical movie
clips/ movies occasionally showing specific time periods throughout the year and
some will require permission forms for your child to participate in that lesson. So
please assist your child by checking their agendas regularly.

Also if you ever need to reach any of us with questions or issues you may have
please feel free to email

Ms. Solis

Melissa.solis@killeenisd.org.

Ms. Dejournett

Amanda.Dejournett@killeenisd.org

Mr. Bryant

William.Bryant@killeenisd.org

Mr. Burton

Roy.Burton@killeenisd.org

Ms. Wright

Michelle.Wright@killeenisd.org
 I have read and understand the class syllabus and
what is expected of my child while taking this history
class. I also understand that my child we be watching the
following historical films; Alamo, Gone With the Wind,
Glory and the Cowboys.

If any problems or issues arise during this school year I

can be reached at the following email address and/or
number.

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Parent Signature Date

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Students Signature Date

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Email address Phone number