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“I HAVE SWORN ON THE ALTAR OF GOD ETERNAL HOSTILITY TO EVERY
FORM OF TYRANNY OVER THE MIND OF MAN” – Thomas
Jefferson
This quotation from America’s third President underscores my
deep belief in the free exchange of ideas as the essence of
democracy and the fundamental first principle of humankind's
“inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness”. It is in this spirit that I approach each class I
teach. Ignorance is NOT bliss and wherever Truth takes us, we will
go - however unpleasant the destination happens to be. But we will
have fun getting there!
Parents, I have no particular “office hours” but please
be advised that I am available Monday through Thursday from 1450 to
1530 (1515 on Wednesday) without appointment in Annex #103 or with
appointment at your convenience via treese@aislagos.com
In the meantime, what follows below are some “classroom
expectations” for your kids enrolled in either American
History or World Geography. You will get a hard-copy of this at
back-to-school night and it should be signed by you and returned to
me as soon as you are agreed. I’m sure you will find these
tenets pretty much standard operating procedure. If not, I’d
like to hear about it. To wit:
a) This is a discussion-oriented class.
Participation will constitute 20% of your grade. In the past, that
figure has tended to be around 50 points.
b) Other assessment tools include chapter tests,
fairly frequent quizzes, homework, time-lines, maps and research
exercises.
c) When a reading assignment is given as
homework, it is quite likely that you will be assessed over the
content of that assignment.
d) When a written assignment is given as
homework, the assignment itself is the assessment.
e) You get a day’s grace for every day you
miss. That means that if you’re absent 2 days, you get 2 days
to make up any missed work.
f) Please DO NOT come back to school after an
absence and ask: “What did I miss?” All assignments
will be posted on-line.
g) Reasonable consideration will be given to
internet “problems”, but don’t press your
luck.
h) Late work is assessed at 50%. Two days late is
a zero.
i) If you miss a test or quiz, you will make it
up on the day you return!
j) Mr. Reese believes in extra credit. You WILL
be given credit for going the extra mile.
k) If you need extra credit, I may be able to
assist you, but I will NEVER answer the question: “What can I
do (for extra credit)?” It goes like this: you come to me
with an idea and I’ll say yes or no.
l) I can’t know how much an extra credit
assignment is worth until I see it. If it looks like little effort
was put into it (no matter how “big” or lengthy it is),
you won’t get much credit for it.
m) During the 4th quarter ONLY, I do not accept
late work.
n) Artists and artisans (actually, any creative
people) will be richly rewarded.
o) Typing – except when required – is
extra credit.
p) I will not attempt to read hieroglyphic
script. A necessary re-write will result in a late charge.
q) You text retails for about $90.00. Take care
of it! And bring it to class every day unless otherwise
notified.
r) I can always be reached at either
treese@aislagos.com or celticrees@yahoo.com
s) Better to fess up to not being ready than to
cheat. Really!
t) Fifty % is the lowest grade you can get on a
test – unless you don’t take it at all.
u) Volunteering carries more weight than
conscription.
v) Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
w) It always pays to keep up with current events
in any class taught by Yours Truly. “WHAT??!! But this is a
HISTORY class!!!” The explanation is on the other side of
this paper.
x) You are assumed to be college-bound. I can
help with that. Really.
y) Empathy is better than sympathy in studying
history.
z) Except when commenting on Grandma’s new
hat, honesty is always best.
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