Current Events
GOOGLE CLASSROOM CLASS CODE FOR 4th PERIOD IS l2oav7n
Mrs. Kissamis
heidi.kissamis@d426.org
CURRENT EVENTS SYLLABUS
Contact Information:
email - heidi.kissamis@d426.org
phone - 815-522-2654
The best way for students to contact me is to talk to me in class, before school or after school. However, I am coaching middle school volleyball and my availability after school will be limited until mid October. Students and parents feel free to email or call about any issue I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Course Description:
This course will cover current issues happening in the world, including local, national, and global locations. These events will be examined with regard to their global impact. Various media sources will be used, including the Internet, newspapers, magazines, and television. This course will consist of assignments using reading and writing skills, as well as geographic and sociological concepts. Students will learn to critically examine current events by focusing on cause and effect analysis.
Course Objectives: As a result of this course, students will be able to…
address essential questions that reflect and issue of the modern world
develop supporting and essential questions through investigation, collaboration, and using different sources
gather and evaluate information from multiple sources while considering origin, credibility, point of view, authority, structure, context, and corroborative value of the sources
identify evidence that draws information from multiple sources to revise or strengthen claims
construct and evaluate explanations and arguments using multiple sources and relevant, verified information
articulate explanations and arguments to a targeted audience in diverse settings
Academic Expectations:
Have class materials ready to use
Respect the classroom and everyone in it - INCLUDING YOURSELF
Listen carefully to directions and follow them
Be ready to think–participate–learn!
You may be called on to answer questions
When you are given class time to work, you need to be working
You need to be an active participant in group work
Students are expected to follow the rules in the Parent/Student Handbook in this classroom.
Academic Honesty:
Students are expected to complete their own work.
Any plagiarized work will automatically be counted as a zero without the opportunity to make up the assignment.
If you allow someone to copy your work you will also receive a zero without the opportunity to make up the assignment.
No Communication (verbal, non verbal, electronic, etc.) during tests. Any communication or use of a cell phone will be automatically counted as a zero.
Behavioral Expectations:
No snacks– water in clear containers only
Be on time
Pick up all trash and don’t make a mess
Do not write on the desk
Keep your hands and feet to yourself (even if you are playing)
Respect others opinions
Be good listeners (no talking when someone else is talking)
No putting someone else down
no swearing
No yelling or other behavior which distracts other students and/or your teacher
NO PHONES
if you have a cell phone out you will be asked to take it to the office
Students are expected to follow the rules in the Parent/Student Handbook in this classroom.
Discipline Policy:
good behavior will be rewarded with Hawk Pride cards
students demonstrating poor classroom behavior may have the following consequences
verbal reminder
verbal warning
discuss behavior with teacher either during or afterclass
office referral and/or detention (call home to discuss behavior with parents/guardian)
* the teacher reserves the right to send anyone to the office immediately if the behavior warrants removal from the classroom
Tardy Policy:
students must show up to class on time. In the event that a student is tardy,
1st tardy: Enter into grade book, verbal warning
2nd tardy: enter into grade book, verbal warning,
3rd tardy: enter into grade book, verbal warning, call home
4th tardy: enter into grade book, verbal warning, call home, detention
Hall Passes:
You will be allowed 2 hall passes a quarter
The passes are for 5 minutes - if you are gone longer you will owe me double the minutes after or before school
If you need to leave the room and do not have any passes left - you may be given permission to leave the room, but you will owe me double minutes for however long you are gone
If you do not use your hall passes they can be exchanged for a missing assignment or extra credit at the end of the quarter
You still need approval before leaving the classroom and not all requests will be granted
Academic Grades:
Grades are based on total points accumulated on quizzes, tests, homework, class assignments, daily class participation, and projects for the semester.
Final exams are worth 20% of the final semester grade.
Semester grades are calculated as percentages using a scale of 90% = A, 80% = B, 70% = C, 60%= D, <60% = F.
Required Materials:
notebook and paper
writing utensil
at times we will use colored markers and pencils, if you would like to use your own you must bring them to class or use one of your hall passes to get them (otherwise I have both in the classroom
Late Work:
Students are expected to turn their class work in on the due date. Work turned in after the due date will be marked down 20%.
Students are always free to discuss with me the reason their class work is late; if they do this when the assignment was originally due, then the late penalty may not be applied.
Makeup Work:
Students have one school day for each day absent to turn in all makeup work (unless arrangements are made with the instructor for more time).
Not all class activities can be made up, as they require direct participation by the student.
*syllabus is subject to change