Hubbard Course Expectations

2009-2010 Mrs. Hubbard World History Julia Landon Middle School Course Expectations and Guidelines Mission Statement: Our mission at the Julia Landon College Preparatory and Leadership Development School is to create college bound students with a deep commitment to public service and a true understanding of their leadership skills within the global community. Course Overview: World History focuses on building the processing skills required to be an effective researcher, and to be able to communicate that information orally, visually, and in writing. This course focuses on the way people interact and have interacted with one another and the world around them. Students will understand the development of the world community within the context of history by examining connections to the past. The culture, economics, geography, government, and history of different civilizations provide the foundations of this curriculum. Opportunities for the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills are basic to the learning process. This course employs a multi-discipline, concept oriented instructional approach that allows for alternative, active approaches to instruction. Successful completion of standards is based on assignments and teacher judgment. Tentative Course Outline:

Quarter 1 Pre history Mesopotamia

Quarter 2 Egypt India China

Quarter 3 Greece Rome

Quarter 4 Byzantine The Middle Ages Renaissance

Expectations: Students are expected to come to class prepared each day, ready to learn. They are required to have their 1) text with materials and writing tools, 2) planner, 3) paper notebook (prongs required) and 4) independent reading book. Students are expected to engage in classroom discussions each day, to actively seek knowledge, and to choose to increase their reading, writing, and vocabulary skills. Course Goals: • Students meet Florida Sunshine State Standards and the Duval County Public Schools performance Standards for World History, Grade 6. • Students will research information using a large variety of resources, and will communicate that information with plagiarism-free writing. • Students will learn to cite their sources using MLA Style.

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Students will be active participants in the History Fair research project. This year’s theme is “Innovation.” Students will acquire skills that will enable them to research information and apply that knowledge in real-world applications. Students will learn strategies that will increase their meta-cognitive (thinking about thinking) skills. Students will learn and use at least 40 vocabulary words each nine week period, both in writing and conversation. Students will use independent reading time to meet the Florida Sunshine State 25-Book reading standard.

Grading Criteria (County Grading Scale) A (90-100) Excellence*; B (80-89) Above Average; C (70-79) Satisfactory; D (60-69) Needs Improvement: F (<60 Failing) Please note that the grade of excellence will only be awarded to students whose work is both superior and outstanding. Class engagement that is positive and supportive to the lesson objectives is a must for a grade of A. Students must be willing to constantly edit, revise, practice, and improve their abilities in order to attain excellence. Class Participation: Student engagement (includes brain-storming, oral responses, group discussions, small group projects, silent reading, etc.) Instructional Assignments: This includes written assignments (notes, graphic organizers, paraphrasing, research and research papers (including the History Fair), projects, computer exercises, and homework.

Progress Monitoring Assessments, Tests, Quizzes: This includes quizzes, oral responses, vocabulary, chapter and unit tests, and any specifically assigned (differentiated instruction) progress monitoring tools chosen for the student. Homework: Students will be assigned homework. They will receive 2 points for each assignment completed as per the rubric. They will receive one point for a homework assignments needing improvement. They will have an opportunity to redo any homework not meeting the standards. All work must have the student’s first and last name, class period, date, and page number on the top right hand side of the paper. Tests: Students will be given several tests during the nine weeks. They will take quizzes, section and chapter tests, a nine week’s test, and a final exam. Students will always be given notice of any major test and the student should be prepared to take the test on the date given. Make-ups will only be given to students who have an excused absence on the date of the test. If you are absent the day before the test you are still required to take the test on the date given. Homework is always a good source for test questions. Projects: Students will be given various projects during the nine weeks period. There will be appropriate time given to complete the projects. The projects for the first two nine weeks will be concentrated on the county required History Fair project. There will be grades on several parts of the History Fair project as it is taught. Some projects will be group and some individual, both will be graded. Quizzes: Quizzes will be given periodically over the nine weeks period. Some will have advance notice, like vocabulary, and others will be given with no notice. The student will not be able to retake these quizzes. The teacher will always review the material before the quiz. Most will be over the homework and class work that students have had a chance to complete. Notebooks: Students will be required to maintain a notebook for this class. The notebook should have all homework and class work in order with the progress report. The notebook will be reviewed randomly. The work in this notebook should always be available for the teacher as proof their progress. The student will need another notebook to use for History Fair. It will contain the rules, research (note cards) and a rubric for the student’s project. Progress Report dates are 09/22, 12/3, 2/24 and 5/6. Attendance: Students are responsible for checking with the class scribe and the teacher’s “source book” for information, updates, and assignments discussed on the day they were absent. Unless the absence is of excessive duration or appears chronic in nature the student will not be penalized. This statement does not apply to major projects or exams. Make-up Work Policy: The student has two days for each day absent to make up work according to the Duval County policy. Any other problems or emergencies should be discussed with the teacher. Conferences: Conferences are scheduled through the guidance office at 346-5650 x 114. I may be reached at [email protected]. Unfortunately, I cannot always check my e-mail before school due to the early starting time.