Class Expectations
2021-22 Class Expectations
Mrs. Whitworth Rm 246 Grades 9,10, 11, 12
US History I to 1877 (Honors and College)
This course will follow the progress of U.S. history from the Constitution to the period of Reconstruction following the Civil War. Major political, intellectual, and social topics of the period will be studied. Special emphasis will be placed on the Constitution. Students will read, evaluate, and analyze primary sources and literature to help them understand topics.
News and Media Literacy (Semester 1 and 2 Course)
This course examines topics such as analysis of media, and the impact of journalism at various periods of United States history. Students study these topics by exploring and researching guiding questions such as, “Why is a free press essential to democracy?” and “What are principles of responsible journalism?”
Introduction to Psychology I (Semester 1 and 2 Course)
This course introduces basic concepts within the field of psychology. A developmental approach will be stressed to make students keenly aware of the interrelationship between areas of study as a whole and the broad spectrum of human behavior.
Student Mission Statement
We will respect ourselves, respect each other, and respect the classroom, both its contents and especially our time in it. Doing so will create a positive learning climate for students, teachers, and administration.
General Information
On the following pages you will find valuable information concerning day-to-day classroom requirements, along with grading, homework, and extra help policies and a list of items students will be required to have in all classes.
Grading
I will tabulate grades using a points system.
Assignments will vary according to the length and complexity of each item. Formative assignments (assignments given as student check-ins while learning new material such as reading checks, exit tickets, section quizzes, etc.) will receive between 5-30 points. (There may be times when a formative assignment receives more than 30 points but these items will be rare.)
Summative assignments (assignments given to assess students’ knowledge of what has been taught in a unit such as tests, projects, etc.) and will receive 30 points or more. A unit assessment, for example, could potentially earn more than 100 points.
Explanation of Participation/Preparedness
This category of the grading policy is designed to assist my students in learning how to be prepared for school. 30 points will be awarded at the end of each term. The points earned in this category will depend upon their ability to come to class with their required supplies, on time, and attend all digital Google Meets. Any assistance in helping my students be consistent in being prepared for both in-person and digital classes will be welcome.
Students are expected to gather everything they need for class prior to the period bell ringing. Because lockers won’t be used this year, students will be carrying all their items with them from class to class.
Students are also expected to use the restrooms prior to coming to class. Students will be allowed to use the restroom for emergencies only during once in-person classes begin.
During mask breaks, students will need to remain at their individual desks (not getting up out of their seats and walking around the classroom).
Required Supplies for Class
Students will be required to bring their computer and charger to class everyday. All assignments will be given in digital format. Please be sure to charge computers the night before coming to school every day.
A notebook will also be required during class time this year. Students will also need their own writing instruments (pen, pencil, etc.).
Textbooks can be signed out and brought home on an as needed basis as I don’t have enough hard copies for every student. PDFs of all the chapters will be available in Google Classroom.
Assignments
Most assignments will be located in Google Classroom. There will be paper assignments throughout the school year.
All completed digital work will be expected to be submitted in Google Classroom. Any work submitted outside this platform will not be graded. Students who send completed work as email attachments, etc., will be directed to submit work to the Google Classroom platform in order to receive credit for their work. Paper assignments will be collected on their due dates.
Late Work
All assignments are expected to be completed and submitted/passed in on their respective due dates. However, all assignments MUST be turned in one week from when they were assigned in order to receive credit. If assignments aren’t turned in, a 0% will be earned as the grade for those items.
(All assignments will vary in point value depending on the length/amount of work required for each assignment as explained above).
Make-Up Work
All make-up work due to an absence must be completed and passed in/submitted within 5 days of the absence as outlined in the school handbook.
Google Classroom
All students will be expected to enroll in their specific Google Classroom(s). Each Google Classroom will have a specific code and students will receive an email invite to join their Google Classroom during the first few days of school. Assignments, forum posts, and other digital requirements will be found in these class specific locations.
Classroom Rules
See the Student Mission Statement at the top of this packet.
We will respect ourselves, respect each other, and respect the classroom, both its contents and especially our time in it. Doing so will create a positive learning climate for students, teachers, and administration.
Classroom Discipline
Will be as follows:
1st Offense: Verbal warning
2nd Offense: Teacher detention
3rd Offense: Office referral
Any type of serious offense will mean an immediate office referral.
Use of electronic devices outside of student computers without permission is strictly prohibited. First offense will result in a verbal warning. A second offense will result in confiscation of the device, to be returned to the student at the end of the class period. Any further offenses of electronic device use will be referred to the office. Please refer to the Parent/Student Handbook for further explanation of this policy.