Presented to You By

Presented to you by:

Mr. Sedlacek

“It is good that war is so horrible for we may grow too fond of it” Gen. Robert E. Lee, Confedrate States of America This quote has been echoed throughout the ages. War is easy to get into but finding a resolution is difficult. Yet time and time again man continues to make the decision to go to war and forgets the consequences that do arise when nations go to war. We reminisce about the glorious victories and the accomplishments of people during the time of war but forget the consequences and situations and countless number of people suffering through starvation, torture, loneliness, pain and even death that accompanies all wars. “War is Hell”

In this class, we will look at the causes and the struggles that the United States had to go through during wars throughout its history from World War I through the Present War on Terror. Students will be responsible to create and present multiple presentations throughout the semester about a war from the perspective of their choice. War affects the home front, marriages, daily life and people. The students will do research and present their findings to the class about the complete picture of war. We will also view several interpretations of wars by Hollywood and discuss the aspects of what is real and what has been exaggerated for entertainment.

Mission Statement

My goal is to lead the students though the discovery of the history of war that is not commonly written in textbooks. I will present this information in a way where the student will have a responsibility to be an active learner. The students will understand the challenges of the common citizen during a period of war.

Mr Sedlacek’s Classroom Policies

Mission Statement

My goal is to present information that all U.S. citizens should know in a non-bias manor. I will also give assignments that require students to read information, analyze it and think critically for higher understanding and apply that information to create assignments for a portfolio demonstration of knowledge. I will also require that students review information numerous times within a chapter in order to remember the important information.

Class materials

1.  Folder with loose leaf paper or some form of notebook 2. something to write with.

Technology policy

We all need to use technology in any future endeavor.

This being said, we need to know when and where it is appropriate and not appropriate to use our technology.

You may use electronic devices at the appropriate times. This means if you are trying to look up information for any assignment. You may not use your devises when I and explaining any information or assignment. It is very frustrating to re-explain assignment because a student was not listening while I was explaining the assignment the first time.

Please do not read any texts while I am explaining information. This only serves to distract you making it harder to learn information. Remember, our goal is to learn.

If I question you using a device and you are using it for appropriate purposes, please explain how you are using the devise. Please don’t get offended and lash out sarcastically.

If I catch you using you devise at an inappropriate time. I will follow the policy below;

First offense= take phone away and it will be returned at the end of class.

Second offense= phone will be taken and returned at the end of the school day

Third offense= phone taken and given to main office where parent will need to pick up the

phone.

It is easy for me to tell when you are texting when you are staring down at your lap. You may check you texts at the end of class.

Right time wrong time

Right times= when you are finding information for an assignment when working on own or in groups.

Wrong time= when I am explaining information or explaining an assignment

Tardy to class policy

You need to get to class on time. This is a simple responsibility. When the bell rings, I will usually close my door to take attendance. If you are not inside the door when the bell rings, you are tardy. Please wait outside while I take attendance. When I’m finished, I will open the door to hear your reason for being late. I do this because if many students arrive to class late it is very difficult to take accurate attendance. Also, being on time is a simple responsibility. It’s the details that can make a person a success or a failure. If you come a few minutes late for an interview, you may not get the interview.

Cutting Policy

I am pretty good at catching students who are cutting and I will make the effort to confirm all absent students. If you cut, I will automatically refer you to the office.

Book Bags policy

There is to be no book bags or purses permitted on the desks. Either carry you books to class or place you bags on the floor or on the side ledge or back table.

Class Participation

This is our world and you are encouraged to have an opinion about it. But remember, your opinion should be based on facts. Every student in my class is encouraged to speak out and have opinions. I want students involved in class discussion and students are encouraged to ask any question that they have. All questions are important and this is your opportunity to learn valuable information, so in short, ASK QUESTIONS!

Class Rules and Consequences

It is very important for the class to behave in a manor in which all the students have the opportunity to learn in a positive learning environment. In order to maintain a good learning environment, all students will be expected to follow ALL of the school rules. These rules are written in your student agenda which is given to every student on the first day of school. If any of these rules are not followed, the student will be disciplined appropriately. If the behavior is interrupting other students from learning, I will correct the misbehavior using the following behavior plan.

Mr. Sedlacek’s Behavior Plan

1st offense – warned to stop the behavior

2nd offense- I will change the assigned seat

3rd offense- removed from class and possible detention

4th offense- detentions given, call to parent or guardian possibly sent to the office

**There is to be no electronic devices used in class except for a laptop computer unless approved in special situations. If an electronic devise is disrupting a students learning, I will confiscate it and the parent will have to pick it up from the front office. This includes cell phones and MP3 players.

Grades

I usually keep updated grades posted in Progressbook. I usually update grades over each weekend. The student can check his or her grade at anytime. Grades and missing homework assignments should not be a surprise.

Weighted Grades

A student’s quarterly grade will be weighted in that 45% or their grade is based on chapter test scores. Tests are the most important grades and students should review classroom assignments before each test. I will demonstrated how to use class materials to study for each test. 35% of the quarter grade is based on in class and homework assignments. The final 20% is based on a combination of participation quizzes or projects depending on the quarter. If you would like exact percentages, please contact me and I will provide that information.

Attendance

Bottom line is to not miss class. Missing classes results in missing important class material which leads to lower grades. If the student does miss class, it is the student’s responsibility to see me either before or after school to get missing assignments. I can not explain missed assignments in the beginning of class when I need to begin a new lesson with limited time.

Hall Pass

Hall Passes will be issued for emergency purposes only! The student needs to be in the classroom to learn. The student will have three passes per quarter and must sign out the pass on the sheet in the front of the class.

Parent Involvement

Research consistently shows that parent involvement results in higher grades, better attendance, and better overall student performance in all classes. How should parents get involved? There are many organizations that parents can get involved with in the school. Most importantly, parents should speak with their child and know what they are learning in school. An informed parent can begin interesting discussions about their experiences with that topic especially in History classes. Real life experiences are the best way to understand important topics. By doing this, parents can also instill their own values and beliefs to their children. Parents should also visit my homework page regularly to make sure that their child is completing homework assignments.

Lastly, make sure that your child has a quiet place to complete homework assignments and please make sure they get to bed at a decent time. This means off computers and phones. I can do a better job in educating your children if they are not falling asleep and irritable in class. Research shows that sleeping helps the student organize the information they learned in school, which will make them a better student. A high school student should get nine hours of sleep or as close to that as possible per night.

Communication is essential! If you have problems with getting information from your child, feel free to contact me in any of the following ways:

Phone: 216-485-8100 ext. 8663

Website: http://www.brooklyn.k12.oh.us/olc/teacher.aspx?s=69

Email:

Leave me a message and I will return your call or E-mail as soon as possible. I can get busy during the school year and don’t follow each student’s progress as mush as I should. If you have any questions about a grade or an assignment, please contact me and that issue will be brought to my attention

I am looking forward to another school year with your child and with establish a working relationship with the parents. I get excited about social studies and will try to inspire that same excitement with the students. Please sign below to indicate that you are aware of the rules and expectations of this class. This is also a homework assignment worth points.

Thank You and I am looking forward to working with you to educated your child,

Kevin Sedlacek

Social Studies Teacher