Ancient World History 8-Course Syllabus

Mrs. Cummins-Room 1203

Auburn Junior High School

2008-2009

Text:  World History: Connections to Today

Course Description:   This course is World History and Geography from the beginning of civilization to 1500.  Since this is a long period of time, we will be covering material quickly but thoroughly.  If a student gets behind, this could greatly affect their grade as well as their understanding of this class.  As a result, it is imperative that everyone be in class daily.  Students will be held accountable for all material presented to them in class each day!  Although we will be incredibly busy and challenged this semester is going to be a lot of fun!  By the end of the course hopefully you will have a clear understanding of history’s relevance to your life! 

Course Outline:  *This outline is subject to change but will provide you with a general idea of the order we will go in while studying World History this semester.

Ancient World History Pacing Guide

 Writing Assignments:

There will be several different assessments throughout the semester, which will include but not be limited to outlines, web diagrams, short answers or essays on tests, projects, research, ect.

Grading Procedure: Grades are based on total points. Every item that is graded will receive a point value; therefore, your final grade will be your earned points divided by total points possible. Points may vary, but here is a rough estimate of points for each type of assessment:

-         Daily activity/Homework       100 pts.

-         Quiz                                       50 pts.

-         Test                                      120 pts.

-         Project                                   150 pts.

  -Tests:              Each chapter/unit will have at least one major test that may or may not cover multiple chapters.     Tests will consist of a variety of forms of assessment,such as multiple-choice, fill in the blank, short answer, and essay.

-Daily work/ HW/Projects:            This portion of your grade will come from anything in my class that is not an exam   or quiz.  Therefore, anything done in or out of class will count as a grade.  It may be a notebook check, bell-ringer activities, group work assignments, class participation grade, papers, projects, or etc.

  -Quizzes:                        Quizzes may or may not be announced and will strictly come from the material addressed in class from previous days.

-Final Exam:                 This test will be comprehensive consisting of multiple choice and essay questions.

  Grading Scale:

                        A=90-100

                        B=80-89

                        C=70-79

                        D=65-69

                        F=0-64

Materials:            Students should have one three-ring binder, notebook paper, pens/pencils (no red ink), colored pencils, 2 packages of sugar cubes, and  divider tabs designated for the following:  syllabus, bell work, activities, notes/test prep., daily work/activities, supplementary materials, etc.

  Citizenship Grade:     Each student will begin the semester with a 200/200 for a Citizenship grade. You will lose points on this grade by being tardy, skipping class, not bringing proper materials to class, talking, being disruptive, being disrespectful, and major discipline offenses. At the end of each nine weeks, your citizenship grade will be placed into the grade book as your final project grade.  Whether it is a 200/200 or a 0/200 will be your decision.   *All points deducted will be done so on the basis of individual teacher and team discretion.

Use the lines below to keep track of your Citizenship grade throughout the term so that this major grade does not sneak up on you:

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  Bearcat Team Management Plan 2008- 2009

Bearcats:    Tiffany Cummins, Meg Herring, Lyndsey Kunze, Tony Jackson

--The teacher has a right to teach, and each student has a right to learn. Anything that interferes with these rights will not be tolerated. This management plan ensures that these classrooms are positive learning environments for all.

Rules:  The Three R's

I. Be Respectful.

            A. Respect teachers and other students.

·              Raise your hand and listen when others are speaking.

·              Refrain from all negative comments.                        

                        B. Straighten and clean your area of the classroom before you leave.

                        C. Have a positive attitude. Believe in yourself.

D. Avoid whining and complaining. 

II. Be Responsible.

                       A. Work hard, study, and complete all homework and reading assignments.

                       B. For extra help, see your teacher or attend the after school tutoring program.

                       C. Do your own work.  Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated.

D. Be on time.  (Students must follow AJHS tardy policy.)

lll. Be Ready  

                        A.  Be in your seat and begin bell work immediately upon arriving to class.

                        B. Bring ALL required materials to class each day.

            C. Take care of all personal business before arriving to class.

                        D. Listen carefully and follow instructions.

                        E.  Think before you speak.

--All other Auburn City Schools and Auburn Junior High School rules will be enforced as well.

All of these rules are covered in the AJHS Student Handbook.

 Consequences:

· Warning

· Student conference with all Team members

· Specialized consequence

· Parent notification

· Administrative involvement-Office Referral

*The order and use of consequences may vary based on the severity of the rule violation.

Procedures:

I.              Entering class

A. Bellwork will be on the board or overhead every day.

B. Title, date, and independently work on bellwork in the designated section of your notebook.

C. Be in assigned seat, with all materials on desk, quietly working when the bell rings.

II.         Passing Periods

A.     Cross-Team Students:  Bearcat students will remain on the Bearcat hall unless they are leaving for an elective class or they are cross-teamed.  If a student is cross-teamed, they will receive a specialized sticker for their agenda.  This is their pass into any other building.

B.    Bearcat Hall Pass:  Each Bearcat student will receive a Bearcat Hall Pass at the beginning of each nine weeks.  This pass allows them to leave each Bearcat classroom three times during the nine week period.  This includes getting homework out of lockers, going to the front office, and using the restroom.  Once these passes are used, the student will not be allowed to leave the classroom until the next nine weeks.  If the pass is lost, the student will have to wait to receive a new pass until the next nine weeks.  If a student makes poor behavior choices while out of the classroom, this pass can be taken away by any Bearcat teacher.

III.        Make-Up Work  (See page 20 of Student Agenda) 

·         For the Bearcats, students will be asked to “Sign Up to Make Up.”  In a designated area in each Bearcat classroom students can view the test/quiz calendar.  On a separate sheet they must sign-up for a time to take the test, and the teacher must approve this simply by initialing the date and time written down by the student.  Tests and quizzes must be made-up within a week of the absence. 

·         As for missing classwork/homework, students are encouraged to complete this as soon as possible after the absence.  All missing work will be recorded as a zero and will be handled through the Bearcat Zero Policy.  Please see below.

IV. Bearcat Zero Policy

A.     All missing classwork/homework will be entered as a zero in the teacher gradebook.

B.    Students will be given a copy of their progress reports ONE WEEK before official progress reports are sent home to parents.

C.   All missing work will be highlighted on this student progress report.

D.   Students will have three days to complete and turn in this missing work.  The work must be handed in all at once with the progress report stapled on top.

V. Disruptions

A. Gum, candy, food, or drinks are disruptive to class and should not be brought to school.

B. Non-instructional items (cell phones, CD players, etc.) are also disruptive and are not allowed.

C. Students are expected to follow the school dress code. Avoid clothing that may be distracting.

VI. Detention Assignments

A.   As a consequence before administrative action is taken, students will be assigned pages to copy from their agenda / student handbook.

B.   All work must be handwritten and turned in at the beginning of class the next class day.

C.   It will not be accepted unless this slip is signed by a parent or guardian and returned with the assignment. Failure to turn in assignment and signed slip the next class day will result in an additional page. Failure to complete additional page(s) will result in an office referral.

D.   Students completing assignment during instructional time will be assigned additional pages and/or given an office referral.

--All procedures are in accordance with the AJHS student handbook. Please refer to it for details. Let’s all do our part to make this a successful year!

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Students and Parents feel free to e-mail me at any time and I will respond as quickly as I can.  I can be reached through:    tgcummins@auburnschools.org.  My web page is:  www.auburnschools.org/ajhs/tgcummins and the Bearcat web page is:  www.auburnschools.org/ajhs/bearcats .  This web site will be updated regularly and should be used on a regular basis to ensure that you are informed about class procedures and important dates and resources.

  *I am available before and after school for any student who needs additional help.  I am also available to parents through arranged conferences or telephone for those desiring to discuss their student’s progress and participation in class.  The telephone number for AJHS is (334)887-1960.  If I am not able to take your call, please leave a message and I will return your call as soon as possible. 

NOTE:  The teacher reserves the right to update the syllabus if necessary for instructional benefit.

Please sign and return this section of the syllabus to ensure that I know both student and parent have read its contents.  Thank you.

Student signature_____________________________________________________

Parent signature______________________________________________________

Parent phone numbers________________________0r______________________________

Parent email address______________________________________________