Course Expectations

Honors Modern World History

Mr. Christie

Welcome!

Welcome to all Junior students and parents! I am looking forward to an exciting and challenging year in Honors Modern World History.

My goal is to challenge every student to do better this year than ever before. Honors courses require effort, responsibility, preparation, and a commitment to learning. The habits you develop this year—both academically and personally—will help prepare you for college, careers, and life beyond high school.

Your choices matter. Attendance, academic performance, work ethic, behavior, and your ability to accept responsibility all contribute to your success. This is your opportunity to build a strong foundation for your future. Do not wait until tomorrow to make the right choices—start today!

Course Description

Honors Modern World History is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of the major geographic, historical, social, political, and economic developments that have shaped the modern world.

Throughout the year, we will examine major eras and events including:

Industrialization
Imperialism
Nationalism
World War I
The Interwar Years
World War II
The Cold War
September 11, 2001
The Post-9/11 World
Current Events and Contemporary Global Issues

Students will be expected to think critically, analyze historical evidence, participate in discussions, make connections between the past and present, and support their ideas with evidence.

Class Expectations

Students are expected to follow all rules outlined in the Kiski Area High School Student Handbook as well as the expectations listed below.

1. Promptness

Students are expected to be in the classroom, seated, and prepared to begin when the late bell rings.

The only exception is when a student has an appropriate SmartPass or has been directed to be elsewhere by a teacher or administrator.

Being on time is your responsibility.

2. Preparation

Come to class prepared every day.

Students are expected to have:

School-issued Chromebook
Pencil or pen
Notebook or required materials
Completed assignments
Any other materials specifically requested by the teacher

Being prepared is an individual responsibility. Do not rely on another student to provide what you need.

3. Individual Responsibility

You are responsible for your own education and your own choices.

You are expected to:

Know what assignments are due.
Complete your own work.
Meet deadlines.
Bring the necessary materials to class.
Ask questions when you do not understand something.
Make up work after an absence.
Monitor your grades and academic progress.
Accept responsibility for your actions and decisions.

“I didn't know,” “I forgot,” or “Someone else didn't tell me” does not remove your responsibility.

If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and complete the required work. Check with another student, check the online classroom, or speak with me. Do not wait for someone else to tell you what you missed.

4. Accountability

Every student is accountable for his or her behavior, effort, and academic performance.

Your choices have consequences—both positive and negative.

I will provide you with the opportunity, instruction, resources, and support necessary to be successful. You are responsible for taking advantage of those opportunities.

If you make a poor choice, you will be expected to accept the consequences without making excuses or blaming someone else.

Take ownership of your choices. Learn from your mistakes. Make better choices moving forward.

5. Production & Assignments

Classwork, homework, projects, quizzes, and tests are an important part of the learning process. Assignments will be assigned a point value.

Students are expected to:

Complete assignments on time.
Put forth their best effort.
Follow directions.
Submit their own work.
Complete assignments even when they are difficult.
Use class time productively.

Homework and classwork are for your benefit. Assignments will help you prepare for quizzes, tests, discussions, and larger assessments. Choosing not to complete an assignment may negatively affect both your grade and your understanding of the material.

Late Work Policy

Late assignments will receive a one-letter-grade deduction for each school day they are late.

For example:

1 day late = one letter grade deduction
2 days late = two letter grade deductions
3 days late = three letter grade deductions

It is your responsibility to submit assignments on time.

Do not wait until the last minute. Plan ahead and meet your deadlines.

6. Respect & Politeness

Treat everyone in the classroom with respect.

Students are expected to:

Respect the teacher.
Respect classmates.
Listen when others are speaking.
Use appropriate language.
Respect different opinions and perspectives.
Take care of classroom property.
Keep the classroom clean.

Remember: You are here to learn, not to put on a show.

You will be treated with respect, and I expect the same in return.

7. Cell Phones & Electronic Devices

NO CELL PHONES DURING CLASS INSTRUCTION TIME.

Cell phones must be turned off or silenced and put away during instructional time according to school and classroom expectations.

The purpose of this policy is to create a learning environment that is productive, focused, and free from unnecessary distractions.

NO HEADPHONES OR EARBUDS

HEADPHONES AND EARBUDS ARE NOT PERMITTED DURING CLASS INSTRUCTION TIME.

Students may not have earbuds or headphones in either ear during instruction unless specifically given permission by the teacher for an educational activity.

This includes:

Wireless/Bluetooth earbuds
Wired earbuds
Headphones
One earbud
Both earbuds
Listening to music
Phone conversations

If you need to hear what is happening in class, you need to be able to hear the teacher and participate in class.

8. Stay Focused on the Task

During instructional time:

DO NOT:

Work on assignments for another class.
Work on unrelated assignments.
Use your phone.
Use headphones or earbuds.
Put your head down or sleep.
Distract other students.
Have side conversations while instruction is taking place.

KEEP YOUR HEAD OFF YOUR DESK DURING INSTRUCTIONAL TIME.

If you have completed your work, ask what you should be doing next. Do not use class time to work on something unrelated to this course.

9. Leaving the Classroom

Students are expected to remain in the classroom during instructional time unless they have permission to leave.

Students will not be excused to leave the classroom while they are:

Using a cell phone
Wearing earbuds or headphones
Working on another class's assignment
Sleeping or putting their head down
Refusing to participate or follow classroom expectations

Take care of personal needs before class whenever possible.

10. Participation

Students are expected to participate in the learning process.

Participation may include:

Class discussions
Asking questions
Answering questions
Group activities
Partner activities
Analyzing historical evidence
Completing classroom activities
Sharing ideas and opinions respectfully

You will not be expected to speak every single day, but you are expected to be engaged and ready to participate.

11. Academic Integrity

All work submitted for a grade must represent your own effort and understanding unless the assignment specifically allows collaboration or the use of outside assistance.

Cheating, copying another student's work, submitting someone else's work, or misrepresenting someone else's work as your own is unacceptable.

If you are unsure whether something is permitted, ask before submitting the assignment.

12. Make Good Choices

Success in Honors Modern World History requires more than simply earning good grades. It requires responsibility, accountability, effort, preparation, respect, and perseverance.

I want every student to succeed. I will do my part to provide you with instruction, assistance, feedback, and opportunities to learn.

You must do your part.

Remember:

Your education is your responsibility.
Your choices have consequences.
Your effort matters.
Your future starts with the decisions you make today.

Let's have a great year!

A Note to Parents/Guardians

I am pleased to be working with you to provide your student with the best educational experience possible. Communication between home and school is an important part of student success.

If I can assist you or your student, please feel free to contact me.

School Phone: 724-845-8181
Mr. Christie's Extension: 5413
Email: jim.christie@kiskiarea.com

Email is the best and fastest way to reach me.

Please also regularly check your student's grades and academic progress through Skyward.

Thank you for taking the time to read these expectations carefully. I look forward to working with you and your student throughout the school year.

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