Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
I
know it is impossible to answer all your questions here, so if there is
something you are still wondering about or don’t understand just email me
from my contact page. Communications is the key!
Question: What historical eras are covered in 11th grade U.S. History?
Answer: The course starts with Chapter 5: Changes on the Western Frontier (Westward Expansion) and usually ends with Chapter 24: An Age of Limits (Nixon and Watergate). Nevertheless, whenever possible I try to connect the past with the present and include recent history in the curriculum.
Question: Are students responsible for what they learned in 8th grade U.S. History on the TAKS Test?
Answer: There are some questions from the 8th grade Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test for 11th grade. That is why we spend time reviewing The Revolutionary Era, The U.S. Constitution, the Civil War, and Reconstruction prior to the TAKS test in the Spring. This is information is also included in the "Crude Facts" TAKS review booklet we give each student right after Spring Break. *A copy can also be downloaded on my TAKS Review page.
Question : Do students need to bring their textbook to class everyday?
Answer: I maintain a class set of the textbook, The Americans: Reconstruction through the 20th Century: McDougal Littell, in the classroom. Therefore, students can keep their book at home and use it to complete homework assignments.
Question: What supplies do students need to buy?
Answer: lined paper (loose leaf or spiral bound), pencils, blue and/or black pens, and a three-ring binder (preferably a 1 ½” or 2”). In addition, you will need a spiral notebook (10 ½ “ x 8” 70 sheets) that will be kept in the classroom for writing assignments. I have used and new notebooks available in the classroom. The used notebooks are free and the new ones are only 25 cents until they are gone. A pair of inexpensive headphones or earphones that can be used with a computer is recommended for internet assignments, because for some tasks they will be required to listen to video and audio.
Question: What is your policy on extra credit?
Answer: I occasionally assign extra credit at the end of the grading period for students to boost their grade. This is a privilege. Students should not assume that they are entitled to it. Furthermore, if they have missing assignments they will not be eligible for extra credit until all missing work has been submitted.
Question: What if I can’t make tutorials on Wednesday or Thursday afternoons to take a missing test?
Answer: I arrive at school early every morning and can stay almost any afternoon if I know in advance. The opportunity to make up missing tests during class is rarely offered. However, some tests are currently available online and this option can sometimes be offered in cases of extended absences.
