Course Expectations 2017-2018
World History Honors
Instructor: Mr. James Smerek
LHS Room 1203
Phone: (702) 799-1777 Voice Mail 2203
Email:
Website Address: www.legacyhigh.net
Course Scope:
This one-year course examines societal development from the Renaissance to the present with an emphasis on emerging ideologies, expansion of empires, growth of nations, and an increase of global interdependence. Students develop an understanding of current world issues and relate them to their historical, geographical, political, economic, and cultural contexts. Instructional practices incorporate integration of diversity awareness including appreciation of all cultures and their important contributions to society. The appropriate use of technology is an integral part of this course. This course fulfills the World History/Geography and the Arts/Humanities credits required for high school graduation.
Course Goals:
1. To compare the interrelationships among human institutions, including political, social, cultural, religious, technological, and economic. [NS: H1.0, H2.0, H3.0, H4.0]
2. To analyze the relationship between the physical environment and historical trends and events. [NS: H1.0, G5.0, G6.0]
3. To evaluate how the arts and humanities of diverse civilizations relate to historical developments. [NS: H3.0, G7.0]
4. To assess the historical development of diverse political systems.
[NS: H1.0, H2.0, H3.0, H4.0, C13.0, C16.0]
5. To cite evidence supporting the role economic systems play in determining historical events and contemporary issues. [NS: H4.0, E9.0, E11.0, E12.0]
6. To synthesize the causes and consequences of complex events such as wars, conflicts, and revolutions. [NS: H1.0, H2.0, H3.0, H4.0]
7. To investigate the impact of science and technology on human and physical systems.
[NS: H1.0, H3.0, G 6.0, G8.0]
8. To apply the content literacy skills necessary to analyze historical documents, artifacts, and concepts. [NS: H1.0, H2.0, H3.0, H4.0, G5.0, G6.0, G7.0, G8.0, E9.0, E11.0, C16.0]
9. To use information, media, and technology literacy skills necessary to research, communicate, and demonstrate critical thinking.
[NS: H1.0, H2.0, H3.0, H4.0, G5.0, G6.0, G7.0, G8.0, E9.0, E11.0, C16.0]
Textbooks
The following text(s) will be utilized in this course:
« World History: Connections to Today, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005
Student Supplies
Students are expected to have and maintain the following supplies all year:
« Folder or binder to organize completed worksheets, handouts, and review materials for quizzes and tests
« Spiral notebook dedicated to this course (college rule)
« Notebook/filler paper (college rule)
« Two ink pens (blue or black)
« Two No. 2 pencils
« Highlighter
« Color Pencils are recommended, but optional.
Tardy Policy
Tardiness is a serious disruption to the educational program. Every student is required to be in his/her seat when the tardy bell rings. With that in mind, the Legacy High School Tardy Policy will be strictly enforced. On the first and second tardy, the student will be warned; on the third tardy, the parent will be contacted; on the fourth tardy, a detention will be assigned; on the fifth and all subsequent tardies, the student will be sent to the deans’ office and placed on a Required Parent Conference.
A student who is more than 30 minutes late to class will be counted absent from that class. Classrooms will be locked when the tardy bell rings. Teachers will issue a tardy if a student is late to class. They will mark tardy in Infinite Campus.
1st tardy = Verbal Warning, student initials on tardy slip.
2nd tardy = Verbal Warning, student initials on tardy slip.
3rd tardy = Call parent, student initials on tardy slip.
4th tardy = Detention, student initials on tardy slip.
5th and additional tardies = Referral to the deans’ office with documentation of progression
Random tardy lock-out sweeps will be conducted. Students out of class without a pass will be issued an RPC.
Grading Policy
· Grading Scale: 90% - 100% A
80% - 89% B
70% - 79% C
60% - 69% D
Below 60% F
· Rounding Policy: Grades will only be rounded at progress or grade reporting times. Grades 0.5 or higher will be rounded to the next higher percentage. Example: 89.5% will be considered 90% and an “A” grade.
· Citizenship Grade: Citizenship grade will be determined on the student’s overall classroom behavior, following of classroom rules, and work ethic throughout the quarter.
· The course grade will be broken down and weighted as follows:
1. 30% - Homework/Class work assignments
2. 60% - Quizzes, Tests, Projects, and Papers
3. 10% - Class participation (includes, but is not limited to): asking/answering questions, be prepared for class (with all materials needed), staying awake, and following directions.
· Extra Credit will occasionally be available to all students in the class (at teacher discretion).
· Semester Grades: 42.5% Quarter 1/3 Grade
42.5% Quarter 2/4 Grade
15% Semester Examination
Make-up Work, Late Work, and Attendance
· Make-up procedures- After an absence, students will be expected to check the make-up work area in each class. Students must obtain make-up work within three days of an absence, unless other arrangements with the teachers are made. Students are responsible for getting/requesting make-up work and scheduling before or after school to make-up tests/quizzes.
· Late work – Any assignment that is late will receive a letter grade deduction school day for a maximum of three days late.
o If the assignment is one day late, the highest grade you can receive is a B
o … two days… C
o … three days… D
o … four days and beyond… F
· Hours of Availability- Students are welcome to come in before or after school (except Tuesdays after school). It is recommended that students schedule an appointment with the teacher when possible.
Attendance
After the seventh unexcused absence, students will be denied credit and will receive an “F” for the course.
Classroom Behavior Expectations
· Classroom Behavioral Expectations
o Regular class attendance
o Participation in all class activities
o Follow classroom rules and all school rules at all times.
o Required school supplies
· Classroom Rules
1. Be Prompt – Students should be in their assigned seat, ready for activities when the bell rings.
2. Be Prepared – Students should have all the required supplies and any additional supplies requested by the teacher. Students are to have read and be prepared for activities prior to coming to class.
3. Be Positive – Students should have a positive attitude and give their best effort in all activities.
4. Be Polite – Students should show respect for themselves, their peers, and their instructor. This respect extends to the property of the school, peers, and instructor. Students should maintain good manners as well.
5. Be Productive – Students are expected to complete all work to the best of the abilities. Work should be neat and handed in on time.
6. No Food or Drinks: Absolutely no food or drinks of any kind in the classroom, especially gum. If a student is caught chewing gum, points will be deducted from their total grade. A student who is found frequently chewing gum will be given detention and/or a U for the quarter.
7. No Nuisance items: No nuisance items are allowed in the learning environment. Items such as but not limited to the following-walkmans, IPods, cell phones, pagers, game boys, sharpie pens, whiteout, pictures, and photographs. They will be confiscated and turned into the Dean's Office. Parents/Guardians will then need to retrieve them from the Dean's office.
Consequences
« First offense: Student is counseled and reminded of classroom rules
« Second offense: Parent notification
« Third offense: Detention and Parent notification
« Fourth Offense: Detention, Parent notification, and referral to counselor
« Fifth Offense and beyond: Referral to the dean
If a student is severely disruptive, he or she will be escorted and sent immediately to the Deans Office. Should the student fail to appear for detention or be insubordinate, a referral will be sent to the dean.
Please complete this page, remove from packet and return to school by September 13, 2017.
Acknowledgement of Course Expectations
World History Honors (Mr. Smerek)
We have read and discussed the course description and expectations.
______
Student’s name [last, first] Student’s Signature
______
Parent Name Parent Signature
______
Home phone Work/Cell phone
Email Address: ______
Electronic Textbook
If my child’s course has an electronic version of the textbook, that can be accessed at home through the internet, I am giving permission to not check out a text book for this course. I have internet access at home to use the electronic version.
Note: Not all classes offer an electronic version and a textbook will be checked out to the student.
Parent Signature: ______
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