Course Basics

Mrs. Lee

September, 2002

CLASS EXPECTATIONS AND GUIDELINES

These guidelines are for the benefit of us all. I would like you to take them seriously when you are in my class because it will help everyone learn as much as you can in my classroom.

My Expectations

I expect that you will treat each other courteously and respectfully at all times.
I expect you all to work hard.
I expect that you will come to class on time and ready to work (ie: to have your notebook, pen/pencil, homework,etc.)
I expect you to take responsibility for your work and pride in your work.
I expect that you will be doing a lot of good writing, hard thinking and purposeful learning.
I expect you to do the readings as homework and we will use the class time to help clarify and to add on and enrich what has not been covered in the textbook. I will let you know if you will need your textbook for class the following day, and I expect that all of you will have them.
I expect you to take notes during class because tests/quizzes will reflect my lectures and our classwork.
I would like all of you to keep updated with current events. We will be doing an activity with current events once a week or every other week.

Respecting Each Other

I begin with and emphasize this point the most. These are the guidelines that will be expected of you in my class:

Everyone, including the teacher, will be treated with respect.
Put-downs or purposely hurtful comments or actions will not be tolerated.
No one will be allowed to disrupt the learning process of others.

GRADING POLICY

This is a general guideline for the grading breakdown. The change in weighting depends on how large a project you will complete, how many homework assignments you have or how many tests and quizzes you take.

Papers/Essays/Projects 25-35%

I will be asking you to do a lot of writing this year. It is the only way for me to know what you are thinking and what you are learning. Each term will have at least one large project or paper.

Test/Quizzes 20-25%

Tests and quizzes will cover information from your reading and from handouts and lectures that I will give in class. Tests will always be announced beforehand. Some quizzes may be unannounced.

Homework 15-20%

I will be assigning and checking homework every class period. It is important to keep up with your homework assignments so I can know how you are progressing through the year. Some homework units will be cumulative, meaning that they will build up to bigger projects or papers. Please prepare assignments legibly, in black/blue ink.

Class Participation/Attendance 10-15%

Class participation is a crucial part of my class. It does not just mean how many times you raise your hand to answer a question, but also includes how well you participate in group work, which we will be doing often. We will also be spending time completing tasks during class and the work you do will also be graded.

Notebook 10-15%

Please have a spiral bound notebook (at least 100 pages) devoted solely to history as well as a binder for handouts. I will go into more depth how I would like the notebook organized. I will be collecting your notebooks every now and then to check them and will grade them at the end of each term. I am also an advocate of an occasional open notebook test/quiz, so it will be to your benefit to keep your notebook and binder well-organized.

Issues that affect grades:

Attendance/Tardiness

Chronic absenteeism will affect your grade negatively. During the course of the year most of us will be ill at times or the victim of unfortunate accidents or emergencies. Please have your parents follow the absence policy of the school and I will take an excused absence into consideration. For unexcused absences (ie, if you cut a class), you will NOT be allowed to make up the work, including tests and you will receive a zero for a participation grade. You will also receive a failing grade for the term if you cut 3 classes.

You are also expected to be to class on time. I follow through on the attendance/tardiness policy of the school (3 tardies/term and subsequent tardies = one hour Saturday school). I will accept notes for tardies from other teachers only if they involve something academic (ie: staying late to finish a test). Please ask your teacher for a note if you will be late. Chronic tardiness can also affect your participation grade.

Make-up Policy/Late work

It is your responsibility to schedule and make-up work within a reasonable amount of time. Homework done may be shown to me the day after you are absent. If you are absent for an extended amount of time for an illness, you will be allowed a reasonable amount of time to make up any work. If a homework assignment is late one day, it will be given half-credit. For papers and projects, the grade will drop one full grade for each school day that it is late, unless prior arrangements have been made.

Extra Help

I will be available for extra help in the mornings at 7:00 am by appointment or after school from Monday-Thursday by appointment. I will have my schedule on my bulletin board so that you may also utilize your free periods for extra help. You can usually find me in my classroom (Room 29) or the English/Social Studies Office (Room 28). It is your responsibility to take the initiative for extra help sessions. Seek help early in the quarter – do NOT wait until the end of the quarter.

Supplies needed for World History

For Classroom:

8 ½ inch spiral bound notebook, at least 100 pages
3-ring binder for handouts
ball-point pen with blue or black ink or pencil/eraser
felt-tipped colored markers or colored pencils for map work
highlighter(s)
glue stick (optional)
scissors (optional)
ruler (optional)

At Home:

Dictionary

World Atlas/Map

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