1. Welcome to United States History/Government My name is Mrs. Nugent And I’m glad you are here!!!

2. Who am I? I have been a teacher for approximately 30 years. This is the beginning of my 12 th year at Hill School of Fort Worth. Since joining the staff at Hill, I have taught: 2-12 th grade P.E., 2-6 grade Art, 11 th grade Geology, 9 th grade Geography, 6 th and 10 th grade World History, 3, 6, 8 th grade Computers, 7 th and 8 th grade Science, 8 th and 11 th grade American History and 12 th grade Government, just to name a few …..!! But American History/Government is my passion. I am presently taking graduate level American History classes. I love my husband. I love my two adult daughters. I love my dogs. I love history, and I will do my part to help you love it too; the rest is up to you!

3. Things to know #1. Grades Tests will earn you 50% of your quarterly grade. Homework will earn you 50% of your quarterly grade. What that means is that each test will end up weighing more on your final quarterly grade because you will always have fewer tests then you will have homework assignments. This means…… you actually have to study for the tests!!!!

4. Things to know # 2. Due Dates Homework will usually be assigned a little at a time; so you can manage how much you do each night. However, it is due on the announced due date and is expected to be e-mailed to me BEFORE 8:30 on the due day. No exception (except in the case of absence or bodily harm.)

5. WHY BEFORE 8:30?? Because…….. While I will personally grade your assignments, you will need to know the correct answers for the tests, which is almost always the day after the homework is due. That means during class, you will put in the correct answers so you can study, but you will get a grade on the work you turned in to me before 8:30…. even if you have to turn it in incomplete, otherwise you will earn a zero.

6. Oh Yeah, by the way… I will send you an e-mail (and a copy to parents) if I don’t have your assignment turned in on time…….. that means YOU get to explain to your parents why you didn’t turn in your assignment. Clever, Huh ????? (That’s the advantage of ME having Years of Experience.)

7. Why would a teacher do that? Because…. My job is to prepare you for your future, which means you need to understand deadlines before it gets you fired from a job. See? Aren’t you lucky you’re in my class?!

8. Things to know # 3. Question of the day You will receive an e-mail from me every Monday-Thursday with a question of the day. The question of the day will come from your book if you are in U.S. History class or if you’re in Government, it will be one of the citizenship questions. You need to e-mail the answer to me no later then 8:30 AM on the following day.

9. Why do I have to answer a question of the day? You mean besides because I said so??? OK, here is the real reason: U.S. History: Because even though I assign the chapters for you to read, I know many of you will not bother, sooooooo this way, you at least have to open the book. Government: Because the citizenship test will be on the final exam and you will need to know the answers. And for both classes: Because you’ll get a daily grade for your answers (which are always due by 8:30 the next day).

10. More about the question of the day… A chart will be posted on the white board with your progress. You can use it to make sure you got the answer right. Parent are notified about your question of the day progress (or lack of progress) when progress reports go out. See how much I love you all??

11. Things to know # 4. Leaving the classroom There are four flag magnets on the white board: 1.Bathroom/water 2. Medicine 3. Locker 4. Counselor *If you need to leave the class for any of the 4 reasons listed on the magnet, please put the appropriate flag magnet at your place and leave the class. *You don’t have to ask permission, but only one student can leave the room at a time. * Don’t leave in the middle of class discussions. *Don’t abuse the privilege. Remember, all the privileges you get can and will be suspended if abused. Disclaimer: you are responsible for any and all materials you miss while you out of the classroom.

12. Things to know # 5. absence/homework When you are absent: See handbook for school policy….. But one more thing…… (are you surprised?) ALL your assignments and due dates are on RenWeb and the website; and it is YOUR responsibility to keep up with all assignments.

13. Things to know # 6. Web Site Web site you need to put in your “favorites”: (even if it isn’t really a favorite!) http://hillschoolsocialstudies.wikispaces.com/ This Site is were you go to get: 1.All assignments for this class 2.Audio for the book if you need help reading the chapter. 3.Information that relates to the chapters. 4.Power points for each chapter. (11 th & 12 th grade only)

14. Things to know # 7. Bean bags There are no assigned seats, this includes chairs and bean bags. A word about bean bags: Girls and boys are not allowed to sit on beanbags next to each other.

15. Things to know # 8. group/partner work You will be doing a lot of work with a partner or in a group this year. Normally, you will get several grades for this type of assignments:  One grade on your part of the assignment.  A peer/self evaluation. You can find a copy of the peer/self evaluation form on the social studies web site.

16. Things to know # 9. Excuses, excuses Before you open your mouth to give me an excuse for any reason….. Think it through.  Have you done all you could have done to solve the problem?  My question will always be, “what else could you (should you) have done?” Have a good answer! Be Responsible, Don’t make excuses, Make Things Happen!

17. Things to know #10. Your job This class is designed to allow you to learn and have fun. But what you get out of it will be what you put into it. Your actions will determine what type of class you end up with on a daily basis. Always come to class prepared to get started, the routine will usually be the same……so be ready to go the minute you get to class. (I’ll start class whether you are ready to go or not!)

18. Things to know #11. Title page On the day of each chapter test, you will need to e- mail a title page to me before 8:30 AM. Instructions for the title page and a grade rubric can be found on the web site. I was going to eliminate the title page, but last year’s students asked me to keep it. They realized that it was good for two reasons: 1.It is easy, and helps build up the overall homework average. 2.It helps students review information for the test. (that’s why I started doing it!)

19. Final thoughts ( no, really…..) I like it cold in my classroom, so dress accordingly. When I’m talking, you don’t talk. Don’t throw me under the bus in order to save your skin. I get really cranky when student misleads their parents into thinking that I was the one that was at fault.(unless I actually was at fault; then it is ok.)

20. So that’s it for now; I look forward to an awesome year!