Social Studies Foundations

Instructor: Mr. Taff** I am available to meet before or

Room: 258 after school and by appointment.

Phone: Ext.4265

Email:

“History is a people’s memory, and without a memory, man is demoted to the lower animals.”Malcolm X

Social Studies Foundations is a course that builds the fundamental skills of social science. These skills include, but are not limited to: interpreting maps/charts/graphs, analyzing political cartoons/bias/opposing viewpoints, and connecting past to present.

Grade Scale:Units of Study:

93-100A

90-92A-

87-89B+

83-86B

80-82B-

77-79C+

73-76C

70-72C-

67-69D+

63-66D

60-62D-

0-59F

Grade Expectations:

A Student displays an unusually high level of application of ALL skills and concepts and evidences excellence in the quality of the finished product with exceptional participation.

B Student demonstrates a basic mastery of ALL skills and concepts and also applies them to new and complex situations with good participation.

C Student shows comprehension and a basic application of skills and concepts with average participation.

DStudent shows weak acquisition of skills and concepts including poor or incomplete assessments and limited participation.

FStudent does not meet minimum course requirements and must retake the course.

Course Requirements:

  • Daily participation
  • Homework
  • Bi-monthly Vocabulary Tests
  • Bi-monthly ACT Skill Quizzes
  • Quizzes
  • Unit Tests
  • Semester Final Exams

Homework Policy:

  • Homework and projects are to be turned in on time for full credit.
  • Work will only be accepted up until one day late for ½ credit, after that it becomes a zero. Teacher discretion and absences will be noted.
  • ALL unit work MUST be turned in before taking a unit test.
  • Work that is turned in late will not be eligible for full credit.
  • Absolutely no cheating or plagiarism is tolerated. All cases will be reported to administration. See student handbook.
  • Making up tests and collecting missed assignments is the student’s obligation. Please make arrangements with me to complete missing work.

Respect and Responsibility

As a high school student, your behavior should be monitored, modified, and controlled at all times by you…and no one else. Unfortunately, it sometimes becomes necessary for others to take over that role if the student fails to do so.

  • Have respect for other people and their property.
  • A goal of this class is to make Social Studies come alive and have fun in learning. Having fun at someone else’s expense through disruption or name-calling will result in disciplinary action.
  • NO IMPROPER USE OF CELL PHONES & PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY in class. I will confiscate it if issues arise.
  • NO FOOD in class, you may bring drinks into class as long as they are covered.
  • Please see the sign while entering the classroom for the size limit on bags and purses that are allowed in class. A string bag with a single pocket is allowed.
  • Come to class promptly and be prepared with the following materials:
  • An open mind ready to participate
  • A folder and a notebook specifically for Social Studies class
  • Pen or Pencil
  • Failure to bring proper materials to class repeatedly may result in a detention
  • I will record tardiness. 3 tardies will result in a detention, then a detention will be issued for each following instance
  • Each student will be given a total of 3 passes per quarter, unused passes may be redeemed at the end of the quarter for extra credit