Syllabus/Grading Policy

World History & Geography

2021-2022 SY

Syllabus

Welcome to World History and Geography! My name is Ms. Samuel and I am so excited to explore the ancient world with you. In addition to a Master’s degree in Education, I also have a degree in Archaeology and History, so this subject is very interesting to me! I am a native New Mexican and this is my fourth year at MVMS. We are going to have a great year together!

Email: Jacqueline.Samuel@rrps.net


Supplies

  • One composition or spiral notebook (any color)

  • Pencils and Erasers

  • Colored Pencils

  • At least one highlighter, any color

  • Glue sticks, pair of scissors and ruler

  • Fully charged chromebook (earbuds and mouse optional)

Textbooks

There is a classroom set of textbooks, but student will be able to check textbooks out from the MVMS Library. They also will have access to the online textbook as well as important information through my class website. This eliminates the need to carry a book around.

World History Course

This course covers Ancient World History from the Paleolithic Era through the Middle Ages. We will cover many interesting topics and civilizations along the way. We begin the year by first learning about the Five Themes of Geography.

We are a 1:1 chrome book classroom and we will be utilizing this technology often to enhance our learning. In addition, we will be completing several hands-on projects throughout the year.

Topics to be Covered

Quarter 1

  • Unit 1: 5 Themes of Geography

  • Unit 2: Paleolithic Age to Neolithic Age

  • Unit 3: Mesopotamia

  • Unit 4: Ancient Egypt

Quarter 2

  • Unit 5: Ancient China

  • Unit 6: India

Quarter 3

  • Unit 7: Ancient Greece

  • Unit 8: Ancient Rome

Quarter 4

  • Unit 9: The Middle Ages

Grading

I will use a variety of instructional and assessment activities throughout the year. In accordance with Rio Rancho Public School District’s guidelines, assessments will be weighted as follows: Tests = 70%, Homework/Practice = 30%. Letter grades will be given as follows: A = 90% to 100%; B = 80% to 89%; C = 70% to 79%; D = 60% to 69%; and F = less than 60%.

Assessments are developed using Common Core State Standards.

Because students must have an understanding of how the grades they receive are determined, they will receive rubrics and/or detailed scoring guides in advance for major projects/writings. In an effort to encourage students to turn submit work in a timely manner, feedback and guidance will be given as part of an ongoing effort to help students learn.

Missing or incomplete assignments and tests may be taken or submitted by the end of each Unit. Students will have the opportunity to resubmit work according to MVMS Social Studies' department policy. Depending on the assignment, students will be given the opportunity to make corrections, retake an assessment, or complete an alternative assessment. For practice assignments, the new grade will replace the original grade. For assessments, the new grade will be averaged with the reassessment grade.

Communication

Students and parents are always welcome to contact me. I am available for phone calls and meetings (by appointment only please) each day before and after school. Even though your student is in middle school, they need your support now more than ever!

The best way to contact me is through e-mail: jacqueline.samuel@rrps.net. You also may call me at my Direct Line: 505-962-3439, Ext. 57734, but the phone system is set to direct all calls to voicemail while teachers are teaching. If you must reach me during the school day, please call the Front Office.

Procedures

· At the beginning of class, quietly be seated and begin the “Warm Up” activity. Place completed homework in the Homework basket. If you are late, the school tardy policy will apply.

· During class, listen and follow directions. Students may use bathroom passes as directed. You may drink water during class, but no food or gum are allowed. Cell phones must be turned off at all times.

· At the end of class, pack up your belongings only after you have been asked to do so. Clean the area around your desk. Remember, the teacher dismisses you, not the bell!

Classroom Rules

  • Come to class prepared.

  • Be in your seat when the bell rings.

  • Listen when someone is talking.

  • Follow directions the first time they are given.

  • Treat teachers and classmates with kindness and respect.

  • Take care of our school and our classroom.

  • No unauthorized use of electronic devices.

  • No food or gum.

Hierarchy of Consequences

If you choose to break the rules, you choose these consequences!

1. Verbal Warning

2. Lunch Detention

3. Email or phone call to parent

4. Referral to Administration

Serious offenses can, at the teacher’s discretion or as stated in school policy, result in more severe consequences regardless of previous steps taken.

I will recognize positive behavior and performance by both individuals and the entire class. Incentives will be chosen by the teacher generally, but guidelines for rewards will be addressed more completely in class.



MVMS Grading Practices

2021-2022 SY

District-Wide Grading Break-down for 6th Grade

  • 70% assessment (Tests and Projects)

  • 30% practice (Classwork & Homework) *Homework will be assignments not finished in class.

Late Work

I will accept late work, however students only have until the end of the unit/chapter to complete and submit any late work. I strongly encourage you to turn work in by the due date to ensure you have adequate time to redo assignments by the end of the unit. Remember, I need to grade your work and pass it back before you can redo it. Turning work in late delays this process and you may run out of time. When an assignment is not turned in on time, a grade of zero will be entered into Power School as a place holder. It will be marked as late in the grade book, but students have the opportunity to earn full credit upon submission during the unit.

School Wide Retake Policy

All students can make up ANY grade in the “assessment category” and the highest grade earned will be recorded in the gradebook. Retakes of assessment allow students to demonstrate mastery of the standard, not just memorization of the previous assessment, therefore the retest could be a different assessment. It is important to note that the retake policy is not intended to be used as a regular practice by a student. In all Social Studies classes at MVMS, students will do test corrections instead of test retakes. Students will have one opportunity for test corrections for full credit.

  • It is the student's responsibility to show the teacher they are prepared for the retake either verbally or in writing.

  • It is the student's responsibility to notify the teacher they want to retake the assessment.

  • It is the student's responsibility to complete the retakes in a timely manner preferably before moving to the next major assessment grade, but must be before the last day of acceptable late work.

Students may go to any class during their lunch period or teacher provided time for reassessment under the following conditions:

  • Students must request a pass or retake from their teacher.

  • Teacher must approve the student requested retake time.

  • Students with a pass will be allowed to get in the front of the lunch line (but not the snack bar) and must be present in the classroom within the first 10 minutes of lunch. This is for lunch-time tutoring or lunch-time retakes that the teacher approved.

Deadlines for Reassessment

Redo's for practice assignments must be completed by the end of each unit. Assessment (test) corrections must be done within two weeks of the Test. Unit end dates are posted at all times. I will remind students as we move through the unit about the approaching deadline for work.

*Teachers may encourage students, but it is the responsibility of the student to let the teacher know they are ready to ‘retake’ an assessment.



What does my grade mean poster.pdf