Plencner’s 2017-18 Semester Two Addendum

It is important for me, as a teacher, to teach. After getting to know the needs of my classes and students I often make amendments to the syllabus and course rules and inform you of these changes at the turn of the semester. All other policies and procedures remain in effect. I recommend re-reading the syllabus at www.splencner.com/school

(Addendum for Chicago History is below, scroll down.)

APUSH Addendum & Amendments to Syllabus for Sem 2

These changes are required for me to teach this class. Note that the test is May 11th and after that we will be working on Consumer Education and a major summative research project. This is usually a better and easier semester than the first and I hope it will be one this year.

-         Late Work Policy: Students will start with 1 grace , but can get more occasionally through various civic education opportunities. Students without graces may make up late work by completing assignment in supervised tutoring after school and then will receive a 20% deduction of the final grade. This must be done one day after the due date. CLAF policy remains in effect, as is. All late work must be turned in and graded while the student is present after school to assure feedback is given and grades have gone in. Remember that late work must be turned in the day after it is due.

-         Absent Work Policy: This is a reminder that sometimes absent work is not graded until the end of the semester. Absent work must be turned in the day after the student returns with extensions made depending on the length of the absence per the original syllabus. The work must be labelled "Absent." If a student is attending a field trip or school function, this does not count as an absence. A student who attends school, even if on a field trip, must turn in work the day it is due.

-         Turn In Policy: All work must include student’s name and period, as well as a label indicating which assignment it is. It must be placed in the correct bin. No work can be typed without teacher permission. If these rules are not followed, work will be returned ungraded.

-         Assessment: I plan on giving more weight to summative assessments and less to formatives and practice work. I need to raise the stakes to simulate the APUSH test. The new category weights are as follows: Writing, 35%; Practice 25%↓; Exam 30%; Part. 10%↓

-         Attendance:  If student sees a mistake, they should notify teacher by email explaining the situation and which period and date are in question.

CHGO Addendum & Amendments to Syllabus for Sem 2

These changes are required for me to teach this class properly and are being made to help Chicago history students get motivated.

-         Late Work Policy: Students will start with 1 grace , but can get more occasionally through various civic education opportunities. Students without graces may make up late work by completing assignment in supervised tutoring after school and then will receive a 20% deduction of the final grade. This must be done within two days after the due date. CLAF policy remains in effect, as is. Remember that late work must be turned in the day after it is due. If a student would like to use a grce to redo an assignment, they should do so within 2 days of getting the assignment back.

-         Absent Work Policy: This is a reminder that sometimes absent work is not graded until the end of the semester. Absent work must be turned in (labelled absent) the day after the student returns with extensions made depending on the length of the absence per the original syllabus. If a student is attending a field trip or school function, this does not count as an absence. A student who attends school, even if on a field trip or tardy, must turn in work the day it is due. If a student misses a test or quiz or in-class assignment it is their responsibility to get the work made up after school by appointment and within two school days of the missed assessment.

-         Turn In Policy: All work must include student’s name and period, as well as a label indicating a name for the assignment. It must be placed in the correct bin. If these rules are not followed, work will be returned ungraded.

-         Assessment: I tried a new category system last semester as an experiment and am not satisfied that the chnges helped anyone much so I am reverting back to my original Chicago History categories, which are weighted. The new categories and weights are as follows: Practice (formative assessments done as homework or in class), 30%; Assessment (summative assessments that are high stakes, such as tests and quizzes) 25%; Writing (assessments that are writing intensive) 30%; Participation (notes, working in class, spot checks, open assignments) 15%.

-         Attendance:  If student sees a mistake, they should notify teacher by email explaining the situation and which period and date are in question.

- Headphones:  Enough with the headphones during discussion or teacher-led discussions.