8th Grade Humanities - Social Studies Course Overview and Class Syllabus Spring Semester 2013
Contact Information Teacher: Lori Foster Phone: 696-6681 E-mail: [email protected] Teacher: Hank Rowe, NBCT Phone: 696-6681 Email: [email protected]
Web Page: http://www.amphi.com/teachers/h/hank-rowe-nbct.aspx My Background: Originally from Texas, I hold a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in History and Marketing from Texas Tech University. I am currently working on my Master of Education and Secondary certification in the Teach Arizona program at the University of Arizona. I have taught in public elementary school in Texas and middle school at Green Fields Country Day School in Tucson. Prior to returning to school, I worked in educational software development, for a private acquisition firm and in business development/marketing. I enjoy running, reading and spending time with my husband Gregg. I look forward to working with all of you over the course of this semester. Course Overview: The Humanities Social Studies class is taught in conjunction with the Humanities Reading class (with Dr. Quarton), and we will frequently be working together to coordinate our content. Like Mr. Rowe, my instruction follows the Arizona Curriculum Standards, as well as referring to the National Social Studies and the Arizona and National Gifted Standards. My goal for the students last year at Coronado is to have them intellectually stimulated and academically prepared for the high school Advanced Placement programs. Understanding and using primary source documents will be an integral part of our learning, as well as critical analysis of issues facing our nation today. Our general coverage for the spring semester is as follows: 3rd Quarter: Election season wrap-up, World War II through Korean War. 4th Quarter: Vietnam through contemporary society / Personal Finance. While we will use Civics Today as well as The American Journey (Glencoe) in the classroom for our primary reference text, most of our material will come from additional sources (primary documents, internet, and media, etc). However, each student will need access to a textbook at home from time to time throughout the year. There are several ways to accomplish this: via internet access (high-speed internet recommended), the CD-ROM editions (includes auditory read along), or a hard-copy of the textbook may be available.
Its going to be an epic semester Cougars!
Expectations: I will expect that students will: be on time and ready to learn (with composition book, assignments, folder for handouts, planner, pen/pencil, and notebook paper a flash-drive will be beneficial). create a positive learning environment free of distractions. complete work and do their best 100% of the time. I will expect that parents will help by being supportive of the learning that needs to take place, monitoring their childs progress and be in communication with me if any questions or concerns come up. Homework: Assignments and activities for the week will be written on the board at the beginning of each week, and should be recorded in their planner. While I do not have nightly not have nightly homework directly from the textbook, students will still need to read and be need to read and be familiar with the material for the chapters covered in addition to the addition to the supplemental information and activities covered in class. If circumstances are circumstances are known that will cause work to not be turned in on time, please discuss this please discuss this with me in advance. Grading: The grade is based on total points out of the total points possible each quarter. The each quarter. The following percentage scale will apply: Above and beyond (100-90%) = A Basically fine (89-80%) = B Couldve done better (79-70%) = C Didnt try (69-60%) = D In Progress/incomplete 50% Forgot about it =F
Grades will include in-class work (approx. 40%), Projects (approx. 20%), and Quizzes (approx. 20%). We will generally have one major research project in each quarter. Thorough Thorough and complete work will get full credit. "Average" work will be just that around around 75%. Anything below (i.e.: last minute work) will be returned as incomplete. I will post grades bi-weekly in the class for students and also on the Parent Portal (Please contact me contact me if you are having difficulty accessing). Extra Credit: limited to a cap of 5% of your total grade allowed within a quarter. See me to quarter. See me to discuss options. Make-up Work: The school policy for making up work for an excused absence will apply. If apply. If any assignments are missed due to an excused absence, it is the students responsibility to find out what was missed and make it up (see assignment calendar or ask!). ask!). Work missed during un-excused absences may not be made up for points. Academic Academic Focus Time (AFT) period on Wednesdays will be used to schedule make-up make-up work. Leaving the Classroom: Students are provided two Toilet Tickets per quarter to be used be used each time a student wishes to use the restroom, get water, go to their locker, etc. The intent is to encourage the students to take care of this business during passing period. Unused tickets may be turned in at the end of each quarter and applied as extra credit.
Behavior Consequences: I expect all students to participate in class, give 100%, 100% of the time and SLANT: Sit up, Listen in silence, Ask questions, Nod to show you are aware, Track by looking at the speaker. By doing this students can earn the following:
Number of Bluebucks Earned 25-50 75 100 150 200 250 300 350 Reward Tardy, bathroom or front of line pass Silver Lanyard 100 pin Free snack bar item; fill out application for blue lanyard Blue Lanyard, 200 pin Lunch off campus w/Mr. Ball Star Cougar pin; one time pass to eat lunch in teachers lounge Lunch off campus w/ Mr. Ball & a friend
Silver Lanyard Privileges Blue Lanyard Privileges Eat in courtyard or cafeteria early All Silver Lanyard privileges 3 books checked out from library No passes needed on campus Silver lanyard soda or sucker slam participant If students are not able to control their behavior in class, they will experience the following consequences: 1st incident 2nd incident 3rd incident 4th incident Verbal warning Loss of daily citizenship points Chat w/ teacher regarding correcting misbehavior/contact parent Lunch in classroom
Its going to be a great semester Cougars!
