Pasadena Early College High School

2015-2016 School Year

US History
Course and Behavior Syllabus
Instructor: Mr. Ables
Email: cables@pasadenaisd.org
Phone: 713-740-0310 ext. 01219
Website: www.historyenables.weebly.com
Room: 2403
Conference Hours: M-F 7:15-8:00
Department: PECHS/Social Studies
Course Description:
Welcome to US History! This course is required as a core course within the
Pasadena Early College Program. History is one of the fields inherent in the
interdisciplinary scholastic study we call Social Studies in grade school, and the
Social Sciences in college and professional academia. It can also be considered a
part of the Liberal Arts, a collection of disciplines considered required knowledge
for the continuation of a free society. Just like people in the profession of
medicine, law, or education, people spend their entire lives dedicated to this field,
constantly learning more and making advances in the field. Therefore, it would be
impossible to expect you to know everything inherent in this field just one school
year. So think of this as a broad overview of a specific time period that you should
have an understanding of in order to better understand the field within itself and
the world around you. This knowledge can be used in a variety of facets, including
your future education and careers. By the end of this course, you will have a
better understanding of US History, the social sciences, and the world in general.
Changes in the Syllabus
I reserve the right to change the syllabus at any time for any reason, although I
promise that I will not do so unless it is absolutely necessary or I feel it will be to
the benefit of the students and the overall course.
Materials:
Required:
- A college-ruled notebook (100 sheets)
- Pens/Pencils
- Highlighters
- Post-It Notes
- (300) 3 x 5 Index Cards
Recommended (not required):
- Flash drive or external hard drive
Overall Course Procedures
Attendance
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Life happens and I understand this, but attendance can affect your grade, especially
on days when we have exams or any assignments are due. Lectures and discussions
will also be of great help to you to help you get through any material that you did not
understand at home. On days when important assignments are due or exams are
taken, you need to try your best to let me know ahead of time that you will be unable
to make it to class and the reason why. For exams, you will need to meet with me so
that I may give you a new exam that is different from the ones your classmates took.
If you observe a religious holiday that may interfere with attending class, please let
me know as soon as possible so that we can make arrangements for you. Likewise, if
you have a disability that I am unaware of, please notify me as well so that proper
accommodations can be made for your learning experience. All unexcused absences
will be reported to the parent/guardian on the day of absence. All missing
assignments must be obtained from instructor. It is the duty of the student to obtain
these assignments.
Class Period Procedures
Entering the Classroom
1. Students will enter the classroom quietly and respectfully
2. Students will come prepared with all materials and assignments needed for
the day
3. Students will immediately take their seats and begin the ice breaker
assignment
During Class
1. If students complete an assignment before other students, they may move on
to the next assignment, read, or work quietly on any other work they have,
ensuring they do not disrupt their peers
2. Students will raise their hands before speaking or moving out of their seats
unless otherwise noted by the instructor
Dismissal
1. Students will be dismissed by the instructor, not the clock.
2. Ensure that work area and classroom are clear
Leaving Class
You need to be focused in class. Please take care of your personal needs before
class. If an emergency arises, please ask the instructor for a restroom pass. We
will follow PHS guidelines on leaving the classroom.
B.Y.O.T. Policy
- Laptop use will be TBA, depending on the activity and access
- Cell Phones will not be allowed in the classroom. I reserve the right to take them up
for extended periods of time depending on the number of infractions.
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- Music players such as MP3 players may be utilized WITH HEADPHONES ONLY
when doing INDIVIDUAL work; however, if the device is believed by the instructor
to be a hindrance to student performance the student will no longer be allowed this
privilege
- The instructor reserves the right to take up any electronic device considered by the
instructor to be a hindrance to student performance or used for purposes out of line
with campus or district technology policy.
All other school and district rules will be enforced in the classroom. These include
but are not limited to dress code violations, tardy violations, unexcused absences, etc.
Changes in Class Procedure
NOTE: Procedures and expectations may be introduced or taken away as needed.
Consequences
1. Verbal Warning
2. Student-Teacher Conference
3. Loss of any privileges including changes in seating arrangement
4. Parent Notification and Conference
5. Detention
6. Office Referral
Lecture
A component of the course will be lecture, in order to both cover the material in the
time allotted as well as mirror the college classroom culture. Lectures will typically
be reserved for introducing new topics or concepts within the context of the course. I
will try to make my lectures brief and to the point, but I encourage questions and
discussion as long as students raise their hand or wait for me to ask for questions.
Students also need to take notes.
Discussion
Discussions will typically be reserved until after a lecture and will be after students
have had a chance to review and reflect on the material, either via homework or an
in-class activity. Discussions will initially be teacher led. By the end of the year,
discussions should be 100% student led with the teacher acting solely as the
facilitator. Discussions may become heated debates and that is okay as long as
students are able to handle them responsibly. There are several rules to follow which
illustrate how to ensure discussions are successful. During discussions, students will
not speak over each other, they will not raise their voices to an unacceptable level,
and they will not disrespect each others views. Instead, they will conduct themselves
maturely. They will allow each student to have their say and they will wait their turn.

Pasadena Early College High School

2015-2016 School Year
Active Learning
This course will incorporate various methods of active learning to meet the diverse
learning styles of the students. Active Learning will incorporate active reading, active
listening through audio-visual facets of learning, and group work to help maximize
student learning and potential. It will also incorporate various hands-on learning
activities to better help students grasp the material.
After Action Reviews or AARs
This is a critique system which we will be incorporating into the classroom. This is
the system used by the US Army following training exercises and missions which
help Soldiers and their peers gauge what they did well and what they can improve on
in the future. It will always consist of Three Sustains, which the students feel went
well in the class or assignment. It will also consist of Three Improves, which the
students think could be improved. Often the AARs will be used by the teacher in
order for the students to help the teacher improve how they are instructing the
courses to best meet the students needs. After Action Reviews will often be in the
form of anonymous Exit Tickets or open discussions where the students evaluate
what they have learned.
Tutorials
I will offer tutorials every day from 2:30 3:00 except when otherwise noted.
Depending on the material covered, I may stay as late as 4:00 PM on certain days.
All students are strongly encouraged to attend in order to review anything they do
not understand. If any student needs more time or requires a special time, tutorials
and meetings can be made ahead of time by appointment.
Assignments:
Formative Assessments
- This includes all exams and quizzes that are not Curriculum Based
Assessments
- One quiz per week
- Meant to discourage cram studying
- The quizzes are not meant to stump you.
- Questions will test your knowledge on all the content that has been covered in
class up to that point in readings, lectures, and discussions.
- The quizzes are designed to transition you from multiple choice exams such as
the STAAR test to more refined methods of testing your knowledge which you
will encounter in college.
- Exams will be formatted the same as quizzes, only longer.
- Exam material will be taken from both lectures, discussion, and readings
Summative Assessments
- Includes 6 weeks Curriculum Based Assessments
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Grading:
Formative Assessments
Summative Assessments
Total

95%
5%
100%

Late Work/Retest Policy

I accept late work and retests, but do not mistake my kindness for weakness.
Unless approved by me prior to an assignment being turned in late or a retest, you will
have to work for this opportunity. I will go by a case by case basis, but typically you will
have to have a conference with me on why you should be allowed to retest or turn in late
work as well as a personal statement with yours and a parent signature verifying the
reason for this circumstance. For retests, you then must also show me all the work you
have completed in class and we will go over it step by step in order to figure out how you
prepared for the first exam and what you misunderstood. Based on that, I may ask that
you complete any work you did not do for practice at home or in class and for another
conference before allowing a retake. Even then, the retest will not be the same as the
first exam. In fact, it will more than likely be more challenging, but I will not attempt to
stump you. The information that it covers will still be the same. Best advice is to make
sure you turn your work in on time and do your home/classwork to best prepare for
exams.
Communication:
I am a teacher seeking pupils with an earnest desire to save the world. And only
those who value education, knowledge, wisdom, and temperance can save it. As my
pupils, I want to make you the teachers. I want you to go out into the world, educate
others, and make it a better place. I am here to help you succeed in this course and in
life. I want you to achieve your goals and become a contributor to the community, to
society, and to the world.
So come talk to me. Take advantage of tutorial times or make an appointment
with me outside scheduled hours. I can help you with other courses as well, if necessary
(especially history, college courses, research, writing, and editing). Throughout your
time here at Pasadena Early College High School, I hope you will feel comfortable
coming to me for anything you need, even after you leave this course.
Tutorial times are the following: M/T/W/Th/F 2:30 P.M. to 3:00 P.M or by
appointment. My email is cables@pasadenaisd.org and my office phone number is 713740-0310 ext. 01210. You can also get in touch with me via my website at
www.historyenables.weebly.com.
Cooperative communication is an essential tool in achieving success. Thus,
communication between the school and your families will help guide your success.
Please ask/call/email me if you ever have any questions. Again, I am here to help
you succeed!
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I look forward to a great year in US History. Last but not least, I commend you
for taking on the challenge of the Early College High School program and I will do
everything within my power to ensure that you not only succeed, but excel in this
endeavor.
NOTE: Full Course Calendar is TBA and the instructor reserves the right to change
schedule at any time

OATH: I have read the syllabus and agree to adhere to all classroom expectations and student
expectations for the PECHS US History of the 2015/2016 school year.
Student Name: ___________________

Date: __________________

Student Signature: _________________