WRITTEN WORK

                All written work must be done on 8 ½ ”x 11” white, lined paper, which has a ruled margin; spiral notebook paper is not acceptable.  Please write or print legibly and observe the proper use of capital and lower case letters. Illegible work will be returned for you to redo. All essays must be word processed, unless they are written in class.  You must submit a handwritten draft or notes with your word-processed work.

HOMEWORK

                Homework is due on the announced date; if you are absent, work is due the first day you return to school, unless you have contacted me prior to class and made other arrangements. In case of extended absences due to illness, individual arrangements will be made. It is your responsibility to see me well before the start of class to see what you have missed, or to check what is due. All work that is assigned will be completed, but only that work which is turned in on time will be graded. Students who do not complete homework will be required to stay after school. Students who do not stay after school will receive a school detention. In case of repeated incidents, a parent conference will be required before a student can return to class.

NOTEBOOKS

                You will need to have a separate 3” three-ring binder for this class. Notebooks will be collected periodically and graded according to criteria that will be distributed separately.

JOURNAL

                You will be expected to keep a class journal, which will be assessed periodically. Everyday you will be expected to complete a brief journal entry, which describes what you learned, what you contributed to class, and how you prepared for class.

TESTS AND QUIZZES

                You will only be tested on material that has been assigned or discussed (remember that watching or reading the news is a daily assignment). If you miss a test or quiz, you will be expected to take it the first day you return to school during non-class time. It is your responsibility to see me to make arrangements for a missed test or quiz; make-ups for unannounced quizzes will be given at my option.

RESEARCH PAPERS

                You will be expected to complete at least one research paper (honors students will have an additional one per quarter) These may be thematic, historical, or a literary analysis and will include a thesis which must be supported. Each assignment will have detailed guidelines.  All research papers must be word-processed and have a limited number of Internet citations.  Unless otherwise noted, there is a limit of one (1) Internet source per research paper. Papers will have the value of a test grade. 

PROJECTS

                At least once during each marking period, you will be required to complete a detailed project. Honors students will also be required to complete a Vermont History Day project. Projects may include oral presentations, bulletin boards, exhibits, annotated bibliographies, and multimedia presentations. All projects must be word-processed; word processors are available in school if you do not have one at home. Ample notice will be given for these projects and criteria will be distributed clearly detailing the assignment.  Once a final due date is announced, extensions will not be given and projects will not be accepted late (even for a lower grade). Unless otherwise noted, there is a limit of two (2) Internet sources per project.

CURRENT EVENTS

                You are expected to be familiar with current events.  Students are expected to watch or listen to a daily newscast or read the daily newspaper before coming to class. Several news magazines and newspapers are available in the library.  Each student will also regularly receive a news periodical.

ASSIGNMENTS

                An assignment sheet will be posted online on a regular basis; this will provide you with an overview of what will be covered and when assignments are due. It will also allow you to budget your time.  You should check it for changes, especially if you are absent.  If you do not have online access at home, you can print it at school.

ATTENDANCE

                Absent students should use the assignment sheet online as a guide so that their work is current when they return to class. Students are responsible for work they miss. Because there is really no way to make up a class lecture or activity, students should try to schedule appointments during non-class hours. Students involved in extra-curricular activities must notify me at least one day in advance if they are going to miss a class, or else risk a zero if work is due or a test/quiz is given. Students who are in school, but leave early are expected to turn in work before leaving. A folder will be available in the library with material for students who are absent. Please refer to that.  If I am not there, leave a note with the folder.  Students who are absent the day a project or paper is due, should arrange to have it delivered to the school; if that is not possible, call me at school and I will pick it up.

INTERNET USE

                Students who cite sources on the Internet for research or projects will be required to submit the full text of the citation with their paper or project. Students are expected to be familiar with the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th edition. Link to the Proctor High School Library is www.proctorhs.org.  Students should use this to search the library collection and access the Vermont Online Library as well as resources in Gale, SIRS, Grolier and Citation Maker.  The American Republic text has a website, www.tarvol2.glencoe.com, which is also helpful. Remember, to use the Internet at school, you must return the signed "Acceptable Use Form."