MonticelloTrailsMiddleSchoolMuseum
Course Syllabus
MUSEUM T.E.A.M.Together Everyone Achieves More
__Explore Your World!______Empower Yourself!______Excel In Everything You Do!__
Mr. Keil Hileman - Social Studies 913-422-1100 Ext.5233
*** A good time to contact me is during my plan time, which is 2:15 – 3:00 and before or after school
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Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to the start of a new school year at Monticello Trails Middle School! We are off to a great start and anticipate an exciting year. We are truly making history this year. We will be the first School in Kansas and very possibly the nation to have it’s own Museum and Museum Class within the school building.
Having taught Social Studies grades 5-12, I will be using all my talents and skills to get your student ready for High School and beyond. Working together we can provide your child with opportunities for academic and social growth.
Communication is the key to any good relationship. Be looking for grade level and building newsletters that will be mailed home each month. Please feel free to call me whenever you have a question or concern regarding your child’s education. If I can’t come to the phone when you call, you are able to leave a voice mail message for me. I will return your call as soon as possible. (913-422-1100) Ext. 5233
Museum Connection’s main purpose is to connect students to history by using Museum Videos and Artifacts. The Museum Connections Guidelines and building policies are attached. Please take time to review these procedures with your child. I look forward to working with you and your student this year at MonticelloTrailsMiddle School. I appreciate your time and effort.
I have found that the best approach to teaching is a visual and hands on methodology. I started collecting teaching artifacts for my classroomMuseum ten years ago. Our Museum has grown through student created projects and donations from outside sources i.e. local businesses, parents, the P.T.O., grandparents, church groups…etc. My students have learned and enjoyed more and more lessons with each Museum acquisition. Quite frankly we live in an age of spectacular visual and physical experiences. Having students surrounded by artifacts that teach is the best way I have found to motivate and educate my students.
If you come across artifacts that you think our Museum could use please feel free to contact me. Many of our Museum’s most amazing items have come to us from some unusual circumstances, connections, sources and contacts.
My students look forward to being in my class each day. They never know what new items they will see and learn about. This anticipation is invaluable as a instructional tool. Students will be motivated to get through with homework, quizzes and exams in order to reach project times, “show and tell” or “pass around” days. The Museum’s artifacts are used to motivate and educate my students. Our Museum could not exist without the support of our district, community and students.
Course Objective:
Students will develop an understanding of, and appreciation for the cultures and concepts being studied in their core Social Studies classes.
Museum Course Outcomes:
The student will be able to:
Discuss, Analyze and Compare the similarities and differences of several ancient cultures.
Reflect , Explain and Discuss the archeological and cultural implications from artifacts and inventions of several ancient cultures.
Utilize Critical Thinking Skills to Analyze various historical information sources for accuracy and relevance.
Current Applicable Sixth Grade Course Outcomes :
The student will be able to:
GEOGRAPHY
III. Communicate the influence of geographic factors on historic events and human conditions.
CIVICS/GOVERNMENT
V. Demonstrate the significance of government and law in various societies.
HISTORY
- Identify the contributions and influences of key individuals from various historical eras.
IX. Communicate how technological advancements have impacted economic, social, or environmentalconditions.
X. Recognize the defining characteristics (i.e. art, architectural landforms) or various cultures andhistorical eras.
ECONOMICS
XII. Demonstrate how human wants and needs led to trade, exploration and colonization.
Course Philosophy :
This course is based on the instructional technique and concept of “Hands-On” learning to help students Explore, Learn and Remember the ancient cultures they are studying.
Course Products : Civilization Handbooks, Culture Project and Paper (see attached guidelines)
Course Description :
In this 9-Week Course, students will Study Museum Artifacts, Investigate and ExploreVideo Presentations and Create Projects to better understand the major cultures studied in their 6th Grade World History class. Students will create a “Civilizations Handbook” during the course. The Student created “Civilization Handbook” will contain the following information on each Culture or Time Period for use by students in their Core Social Studies Classes:
Civilization Handbook Contents:10% Of Final Course Grade
1. Museum Artifact Notes
2. Notes From Lectures, Discussions & Video Presentations
- Internet sites and links for further research on the culture
4. Written Project Description Paper – ( about their created projects)
- Oral and Written Quizzes over Lectures, Discussions and Videos
*** Students will need a simple three-ring folder for this course. This will be used to hold their “Civilization Handbook.” Students will need to keep this in their Binder / Notebook and bring it to class every day.
Student Resources:
Museum Artifacts, Guest Speakers, Museum Texts and Video Presentations, Classroom Encyclopedia Sets – Internet Searches – Encarta – Grolier’s CD ROM – Atlas & Almanacs Classroom Sets - Grade Level Social Studies Textbook, Media Center, Field Trips
Teacher Resources:
Museum Artifacts, Museum Texts and Video Presentations, Guest Speakers, Media Center, Grade Level Social Studies Textbook, Field Trips - Resource Books
Course Outline: 6th Grade World History Cultures:
Unit 1 - Early Cultures - Ice Man, Tribal Units
Unit 2 - Ancient Egypt
Unit 3 - Ancient Greece
Unit 4 - Ancient Rome
Unit 5 - Ancient India
Unit 6 - Ancient China
Unit 7 - Ancient America: Inca, Aztec & Maya
Unit 8 –Student Project Presentations
Course Evaluation:
Homework10%
Class Project25%
Exams-Quizzes, Oral & Written25%
Participation& Organization30%
*Civilization Handbook10% - Final Course Product
Extra Credit Opportunities:
*** All signed notes regarding extra credit should be placed in the back of your Civilization Handbook.
Watch Movies & Videos:If students watch a movie or video on any of the units we study during this class they simply have to get a signed note from their parent/guardian that explains what they watched and when they watched it.
Write Movie Reviews:If students watch a movie or video on any of the units we study during this class they can write a one page double spaced movie review for extra credit. The margins must be ½ inch all the way around and the font size must be equal to Arial 12. They simply have to get a signed note from their parents that explains what they watched and when they watched it.
Read Books: If students read a book on any of the units we study during this class they simply have to get a signed note from their parents that explains what they read.
Write Book Reviews: If students write a book review on a book they read regarding any of the units we study during this class they can write a one page double spaced book review for extra credit. The margins must be ½ inch all the way around and the font size must be equal to Arial 12. They simply have to get a signed note from their parents that explains what they watched and when they watched it.
Extra Credit Civilization Handbook Materials: Students may gather or create any of the following items for extra credit. The items must relate to one of the units studied in this course. I.E.: Maps, Pictures, Timelines, Biographies, Graphs, Articles, etc.
Civilization Handbook - Requirements Checklist:
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Early Cultures –Ice Man & Tribal Units
Required: Notes on Museum Artifacts
Required: Museum Discussion / Lecture Notes
Required: Museum Video Notes
Required: One Picture
Required: One Article
Required: One Timeline
Required: All Exams and Quizzes Oral or Written
Extra Credit Pictures, Graphs, Timelines, Articles
Extra Credit Parent Letters
Ancient India
Required: Notes on Museum Artifacts
Required: Museum Discussion / Lecture Notes
Required: Museum Video Notes
Required: One Picture
Required: One Article
Required: One Timeline
Required: All Exams and Quizzes Oral or Written
Extra Credit Pictures, Graphs, Timelines, Articles
Extra Credit Parent Letters
Ancient China
Required: Notes on Museum Artifacts
Required: Museum Discussion / Lecture Notes
Required: Museum Video Notes
Required: One Picture
Required: One Article
Required: One Timeline
Required: All Exams and Quizzes Oral or Written
Extra Credit Pictures, Graphs, Timelines, Articles
Extra Credit Parent Letters
Ancient America: Inca, Aztec & Maya
Required: Notes on Museum Artifacts
Required: Museum Discussion / Lecture Notes
Required: Museum Video Notes
Required: One Picture
Required: One Article
Required: One Timeline
Required: All Exams and Quizzes Oral or Written
Extra Credit Pictures, Graphs, Timelines, Articles
Extra Credit Parent Letters
Ancient Egypt
Required: Notes on Museum Artifacts
Required: Museum Discussion / Lecture Notes
Required: Museum Video Notes
Required: One Picture
Required: One Article
Required: One Timeline
Required: All Exams and Quizzes Oral or Written
Extra Credit Pictures, Graphs, Timelines, Articles
Extra Credit Parent Letters
Ancient Greece
Required: Notes on Museum Artifacts
Required: Museum Discussion / Lecture Notes
Required: Museum Video Notes
Required: One Picture
Required: One Article
Required: One Timeline
Required: All Exams and Quizzes Oral or Written
Extra Credit Pictures, Graphs, Timelines, Articles
Extra Credit Parent Letters
Ancient Rome
Required: Notes on Museum Artifacts
Required: Museum Discussion / Lecture Notes
Required: Museum Video Notes
Required: One Picture
Required: One Article
Required: One Timeline
Required: All Exams and Quizzes Oral or Written
Extra Credit Pictures, Graphs, Timelines, Articles
Extra Credit Parent Letters
1
Final Exam: Student Created Culture Project & Paper:
The final activity for this class will be the creation and presentation of a project that reflects any aspect of any culture covered during Museum Connections. You must design and create a project that reflects any aspect from one of our units. You must write a typed, double space one-page explanation of the project. Pick a project that best exemplifies the culture or topic in the unit you have chosen. The project can be any aspect of any unit. The choice is totally yours. Find something that inspires your imagination.
You may work alone, in pairs or small groups. Choose your group carefully. You will all receive the same grade if you work together. You can work on the project during the entire nine weeks class. This will give you more time to design, research and complete a quality project. You may work with someone from another hour. Be organized and don’t waste your time!
The project will be graded with the five criteria below. Each aspect of the grading will be worth 20,000 points. This is the equivalent of a small exam. Each aspect will be graded on a scale of one to ten. This will then be multiplied by 2,000, for a total point value of 100,000. Be sure your team covers the important aspects thoroughly. Missing any one project aspect can drop your project grade to a “B-.”Your project must be ready to present to the class by the last week of the Quarter. You may start your working on your project as soon as you wish. The more effort you put into it the more amazing it will become. This project and paper will be your Final Exam for this course with a total value of 25% of you course grade.
Projects do not have to be expensive and “pre-made” or purchased. I will provide, glue, markers, scissors, colored paper, rulers and resource materials for research. How you put your project together and what you create is entirely up to you. You do not have to spend any money on this project. Use the materials in your garage, attic and home. Ask me for help finding materials. You would be surprised what I have stashed in my room for you to use. I may have even forgotten until you ask me. You can also modify or enhance a current Museum Project / Artifact to improve it for our Museum. Have fun with this project. Make something you can learn from and remember. I will help you any way I can. Go for it!
Project Grading: - 100,000 points
Teacher Comments:
Research & Design - Historical Accuracy
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Creativity -
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Use of Color - Overall Project Appearance
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Explanation Paper & Presentation to Class – 1/2” Margins, Size 12 Arial Font, Double Spaced - One Typed Page Min.
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Overall Project Effort In & Out of Class
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Final Project Grade Total Points:
Units for Project Topics: Early Cultures - Ice Man, Tribal Units,Ancient Vikings, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Cultures of Medieval Europe , The Renaissance, Ancient Inca, Ancient Aztec, Ancient Maya*** Remember This project and paper is 25% of your final course grade
MUSEUM CONNECTIONS FINAL EXAM:
PROJECT EVALUATION AND GRADING SHEET
Projects Due The Last Week in the Quarter
WHAT ANCIENT CULTURE DOES YOUR PROJECT COME FROM?______
WHAT IS YOUR PROJECT IDEA?______
PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS: ______
(MAKE GOOD CHOICES
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Project Grading: - 100,000 points -
Teacher
Research & Design - Historical AccuracyComments:
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Creativity -
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Use of Color - Overall Project Appearance
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Explanation Paper & Presentation to Class -
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1/2” Margins, Size 12 Arial Font, Double Spaced - One Typed Page Minimum
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Overall Project Effort In & Out of Class
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GRADE SCALE:Total Points:
A - 90,000
B - 80,000 Final Project Grade
C - 70,000
D - 60,000
F - 59,000 0R BELOW
Classroom Guidelines:
The following guidelines are for your information so you know what we expect during classroom activities.
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1. All Federal, State, USD 232 and MTMS rules are in effect.
2. Dismissal is by the teacher and not by the bell or intercom.
- Gum is not allowed in the school building. Candy will be allowed in our classrooms if it is provided by the teachers or on special occasions. (Like your birthday!) This policy will only be in effect as long as students are responsible for their candy wrappers. If students are not taking care of the carpets and rooms, this rule will change. It is totally up to you as a Class.
4. Use Active Listening when others are speaking and show respect for the feelings and beliefs of others.
Life is too Short to be mean to each other! Put Downs - Are Not Acceptable
5. If you are given permission to leave the classroom during class time, please leave quietly. Sign the “sign out log” and make sure you have your grade level pass with you.
6. Heading For All Papers: Be sure to start at the top right corner of every page. Page Separation
1. Full Name (First and Last)
2. Date
- Hour
Do not wait for the bell to start working. Get whatever materials you need, and start the assignment. This time before class can also be used to enter the homework assignment in your agenda.
7. Do not have your books and materials in the aisles. Keep all of your materials in organized and safe locations. Preferably in or on your desk. Titanium Discussion Brain Tumor Story
8. Sustained Silent Reading - S.S.R. Students should have an AR book that they can read each day.
9. Daily homework is considered due when the bell rings at the start of each class period. No daily papers will be accepted late without penalty except in the case of an excused absence.
Late work grade reduction - 30% will be taken off for one day late 0% will be given for two days late
10. You are expected to bring your binder / notebook and all necessary materials to class each day. This includes your three ring notebook, agenda, folder, paper and pen or pencil.
11. Your Museum Connections Folder must remain in your Binder / Notebook at all times. This folder will become your Civilization Handbook and should be brought to class every day. This Civilization Handbook is worth 10% of your final grade and you can not earn a “A” in this class if you do not have it completed at the end of the nine weeks.
13. District Grading Scale: Your grades will be determined as follows:
A+ / 100 / 97.55A / 97.54 / 92.55
A- / 92.54 / 89.55
B+ / 89.54 / 86.55
B / 86.54 / 82.55
B- / 82.54 / 79.55
C+ / 79.54 / 76.55
C / 76.54 / 72.55
C- / 72.54 / 69.55
D+ / 69.54 / 66.55
D / 66.54 / 62.55
D- / 62.54 / 59.55
F / 59.54 / 0
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Classroom Rules and Consequences, There are 5 basic rules to follow:
1. Have all appropriate materials and supplies ready at your assigned seat and be seated when the bell rings or you will be counted tardy. You need to be in your seat with your agenda open, or you will be counted tardy.
2. Make sure to use the rest room, drinking fountain and pencil sharpener before the bell signals the start of class.
3. Respect the people, equipment and furnishings of the room. Please treat them as you want to be treated.