Syllabus

** Northwood High School ** World History Syllabus 2011-2012

Teacher: Ms. Keever Room: 603 Phone: (919) 542-4181 Email: slkeever@chatham.k12.nc.us Northwood High School Website Learning Lab: Mon & Thurs 3:15-4:15

Introduction Letter for Parents and Guardians:

__I. Course Description:__ Building on the knowledge and skills learned in middle school, students taking World History will (1) develop the ability to read, discuss, and write about academic texts, (2) engage in a rigorous and relevant curriculum that prepares them for post-secondary education and the world of work, and (3) develop the content knowledge and literacy skills needed to perform well in the class. In addition to teaching the North Carolina standards, this course aims to improve student’s academic, cultural, and technological capabilities.

This course examines World history, from the emergence of civilization to the current global era. By studying human history, we open great opportunities to understand and improve the world we live in. We use history to help create a vision of a better world, and our studies will increase students’ ability to make their vision a reality. During the semester you will…
 * read a wide range of texts to include speeches, diaries, newspaper articles, biographies, photographs, charts, and various other primary sources;
 * develop your ability to read and comprehend challenging texts and ideas;
 * participate in academic discussions;
 * write a variety of academic responses to primary and secondary sources;
 * develop your ability to consider various points of view for their merits, as well as detecting bias or fallacy;
 * engage in independent research on a historical topic relevant to the curriculum with the goal of drafting, revising, and publishing a final paper (Honors);
 * work collaboratively on assignments and projects;
 * participate in short presentations;
 * learn hundreds of new history terms and practice academic vocabulary; and
 * participate in technology-based lessons and activities.

__II. Grading:__ Grades are divided into the following categories:
 * Tests & Projects: 25%
 * Homework & Classwork: 50%
 * Notebook: 25%

**Tests** A test will be administered at the end of each of six units, with a cumulative final exam at the end of the semester. Reading quizzes will be administered on a random basis to make sure you are reading and studying. Missed quizzes and tests must be made up after school within one week or will be recorded as a zero. Retesting is available within one week after school for an __//**average**//__ of the two test scores.

**Projects** Various individual and group projects will be assigned during the semester. Grades will be based on a variety of categories, including but not limited to research, organization, teamwork, and product presentation. Absences will affect the final grade on group and individual assignments. One letter grade will be deducted per day from the final grade of any late submissions.

**Homework & Classwork** It is your responsibility to know about and keep up with homework and classwork assignments. Copying will not be tolerated, and zeros will be assigned to any and all identical submissions. You cannot learn anything new without using your own brain! If you are absent, it is your responsibility to ask a classmate, or see me //outside// of class, to get the assignment. I expect to see students after school to work on late assignments.

**Performance** Part of your grade will be based on your performance in class. How you present yourself to the world matters, and you will practice in this classroom. You will be graded on being a responsible student and citizen. Here’s what that looks like:
 * Being present and on time
 * Paying attention as you work
 * Participating in discussion
 * Asking questions and clearing up confusions
 * Sharing ideas and defending your positions
 * Presenting your work and research to an audience
 * Being productive and on task when working with a group

**Grades will be available on the Northwood High School website for you to keep track of your progress, attendance, and assignments. Grades are always subject to change so check your grades often. __Parents are strongly encouraged to obtain login information from your student or by emailing the teacher.__**

__III. Expectations for the Course:__

**Organization** One who is organized forgets to do things less often, turns in assignments more regularly, and ultimately lives with less stress.

**Planners** Write it down daily or use the iCal program on your laptop. Look at it again when you go home. A successful student uses his or her planner to record homework assignments, daily agendas, important due dates, and school events. Use your month-at-a glance for planning future events and your week-at-a-glance for planning homework and other important daily activities.

**Notebooks** Organization is key to success. Maintain an organized notebook for each class. Use folders to organize class handouts, graded papers, and current assignments. Part of your grade and success in this class will depend on your willingness and persistence in following directions for your notebook.

**Materials** For this class you will need the following supplies: __Textbook, One 5-subject spiral notebook for history ONLY, a folder for handouts, blue or black pens, pencils, and highlighters__. These materials are essential to class participation and learning. If you consistently come to class without your materials, you will be subject to disciplinary action (i.e., phone call home, detention, or administrative intervention).

__IV.__ __Policies and Procedures:__ We follow rules in society to maintain a sense of order, safety, and security. Rules, expectations, and procedures at school are no exception. We may not always agree with the laws or rules, but we must do our best to live by them. In this class, we follow all **__school rules__** at all times: you may not listen to personal music devices, use your cell phones, eat food, or drink liquid other than water in class. Students in violation of the dress code will be referred to the office for administrative intervention. See your student handbook for other policies you are responsible for //whether you have read the handbook or not//. In addition to school rules, our **__class rules__** include the following:
 * **Focus Your Mind.** When the bell rings, you must be in your seat with materials ready and working silently on the warm-up.
 * **Do Your Work.** You must be working on approved materials at all times in the classroom. This includes websites and other technological uses.
 * **Be Nice.** At all times, respect yourself, other people, and our space.

In general, be kind to others and support each other. Students who put others down for doing well make it painfully obvious that they do not believe in themselves or have hope for their future. Be positive, smile often, and work hard and good things will be drawn to you.

**Consequences for Disregarding the Rules** 1. A warning is given. 2. After-School Detention (ASD) is assigned and parent contacted. 3. If student continues to disrupt learning, administrative action will be taken. 4. Major disruptions will be met immediately with a referral to In-School Suspension.

**Attendance and Tardies** Come to school everyday! Be on time! Remember, everyone contributes to the classroom environment, so your presence is important. Being late also causes unnecessary disruptions, so make it your goal to arrive on time. __After the first day of school, I do not mess around with “grace” tardies. Students will receive ASD with me for their first two tardies__. Additional tardies will result in administrative action, eventually leading to suspension.

Students who are absent and late do not do as well in the end. Work is missed, tests become difficult to make up, zeros are recorded, and confusion abounds in the classroom. More than nine absences results in loss of credit for the course.

**Bathroom/Hall Passes** When you leave the classroom, you cause a disruption for others and lose valuable class time for yourself. Take care of your responsibilities on your own time, not ours. You will be granted the occasional emergency trip to the restroom or locker, but abuse of this privilege will result in ASD and parent contact. Bathroom requests within 15 minutes of a bell or during teacher instruction will not be honored.

**Note on Professionalism** Take pride in what you do! The work you produce is a direct reflection of who you are. All work must be complete, legible, maintained, and organized. Assignments that have been folded, crumpled, or destroyed in some other way will not be accepted.

**Note on Plagiarism and Cheating** Plagiarism is illegal and immoral. If you copy someone’s work or ideas and give the impression they are your own, or neglect to give proper credit to the true author, you will receive a zero for the assignment, and you will not be given the opportunity to re-do the assignment. The same applies if you are the one being copied from (online discussion threads are an exception). In addition, the office and parents will be alerted of any offense of plagiarism or cheating, including first offenses.