7Th Grade World History Course Syllabus
7th Grade World History Course Syllabus
Valley Charter Middle School
Mr. Waterman
2016-2017
* Students and parents/guardians, please read this syllabus carefully, sign the last page and return it no later than Friday, September 2ndth. Note under material requirements that each student is expected to have a history binder or notebook for this class. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by e-mail.*
Course Description
Over the course of this year, students will explore early world history from the Ancient Roman Empire to Early Modern Europe. By taking this class, students will gain an in-depth understanding of these historical periods by writing essays, completing hands-on projects, and participating in class discussions. I look forward to working with both students and parents to achieve our goals.
Topic Overview
Unit 1: The Roman Empire
Unit 2: Rise of Islam
Unit 3: Medieval China
Unit 4: Medieval Japan
Unit 5: Medieval Africa
Unit 6: Meso-American Civilization, Andean Civilization, and European Colonization
Unit 7: Medieval to Early Modern Europe
Class Expectations
- Respect everyone and everything.
- Try your best to learn.
- Try your best to help your classmates learn.
Class Policies and Information
Electronics Policy
Students are not allowed to have any personal electronics (phones, ipods, gameboys, etc.) on their person on school grounds at any time. If there is a reason parents feel that their student needs to have a personal electronic for use before they enter or after they leave campus, these devices must be placed in lockers as soon as the student enters campus and left there until the student leaves campus.If parents need to contact their child during school hours, they may contact the office. If I see any student breaking this rule, I will confiscate their personal electronic and their parent or guardian will have to pick the device up at the office.
After School Detentions
This year we are holding after school detentions on Fridays between 3:15 and 4:15. Students will receive one after school detention as a consequence for every three infractions they receive from school staff for misbehavior.
Plagiarism and Cheating
Plagiarized assignments will not be accepted. If a student is found to have cheated on a test that student will receive a zero on that test.
Toys
Students are not allowed to use or have out any toys, such as “tech decks,” during class. All toys will be confiscated and parents will have to retrieve them from the office.
Eating and Drinking
Students may drink water in class as long as the water is in a closed container. No other food or drinks will be allowed. If students show that they cannot drink water from a plastic bottle in a manner that is not disruptive, they will lose that privilege.
Required Materials
Each student must have either a binder (or space in a binder) or a notebook for history. Additionally, students should always have a pen or pencil and loose paper (or paper that can be removed from a notebook). Students may also appreciate having scissors, glue sticks, and markers or colored pencils, although this is not a requirement and they may choose to use class art supplies.
Absences and Grading Policies
If a student is absent, they will have an extension equal to the number of days they missed to finish any assignment that was either due while they were absent or that was worked on in class while they were absent.
Homework extensions will only be given if a student is absent on the day a homework assignment is assigned or absent on the day homework is due.
If a student is absent on a test day, the student must be ready to take the test the day they return.
Students must make sure to ask me (Mr. Waterman) for any assignments they missed while absent. If a student is absent and I do not give them their make up work because they did not ask for it, that will not excuse them from the late work policy. Students must also copy down any notes they missed while absent from a classmate.
In cases of extended absences, alternative arrangements will be made on a case by case basis.
Late Work Policy
Homework will not be accepted late.
All other assignments may be turned in late, but will lose 10% each class day the assignment is late. After 10 class days, the assignment cannot receive any points.
Grading
Student work will be graded on a letter system. These letter grades will be entered into the grade book as percentages as follows: A= 100, B=85, C=75, D=65, F=55 (Note: F work receives a 55 – an assignment that is not turned in receives a 0)
Grade Categories
Each assignment will belong to a certain grading category. Categories are worth different percentages of the total grade. Assignment categories will be marked on each assignment in student Illuminate accounts.
Cooperation/ Participation: 5%
Warm-ups: 10%
Homework: 10%
Essays: 15%
Projects: 15%
Classwork: 15%
Tests: 30%
Cooperation/ Participation
Students will be graded for participation based on the following rubric. Note that speaking in front of the whole class is not the only way that students can show participation.
5 points: The student always contributes to a productive learning environment that helps everyone learn.
4 points: The student almost always contributes to a productive learning environment that helps everyone learn.
3 points: The student usually contributes to a productive learning environment that helps everyone learn.
2 points: The student sometimes contributes to a productive learning environment that helps everyone learn.
1 points: The student occasionally contributes to a productive learning environment that helps everyone learn.
0 points: The student almost never contributes to a productive learning environment that helps everyone learn.
7th Grade World History Course Syllabus
2015-2016 School Year
Please sign below to acknowledge that you and your parent/guardian have read and understand the terms of this course. Please return only this page to Mr. Waterman no later than Friday, September 2ndth. Keep your copy of the syllabus in your history binder or somewhere safe.
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Student's Name (print) Class Period
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Student's Signature Date
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Parent's/Guardian Name (print) Telephone Number/E-mail
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Parent's/Guardian Signature Date