My Specific Expectations for All Students

Every student should:

• • Feel comfortable and welcome in our classroom (if for any reason you don’t feel comfortable please talk to me about the problem so that we can solve it together)

  • Feel free to express their opinion during class discussions

  • Be able to listen to opinions and beliefs that differ from their own without being disrespectful to those who hold those opinions

  • Be able to engage in debate with others who hold different beliefs without becoming angered

  • Arrive on time and prepared to participate in class every day

  • Challenge themselves and work to their highest potential

  • Complete all assignments and hand them in on the day that they are due

  • Develop the ability to communicate their thoughts and ideas effectively in written assignments as well as class discussions and oral presentations

  • Engage in the classroom activities throughout the entire period without causing disruptions that make other students uncomfortable or affect their ability to learn (see personal device policy below)

  • Take their academic work seriously and produce quality, original work

  • Be honest, polite, and respectful to others

Skills we will develop/foster in class:

• • Independent, critical thinking

  • Intellectual curiosity

  • Questioning

  • Reasoning and logic

  • Oral and written communication skills

  • Media literacy

  • Forming and defending opinions/positions

  • Historical perspective

  • Cultural literacy

  • Mental acuity

  • Self-awareness

  • Introspection

Classroom Personal Device Policy

• • Personal devices are electronics such as cell phones, iPods, and tablets.

  • During class time all personal devices will be stored in the storage unit by the door. A power strip and charging cords are available next to the storage unit if you would like to charge your device during our class period.

  • Devices should be silenced to keep us from being distracted by notifications.