Course Description Modern World History Course Syllabus Ottawa Hills High School, 2013-2014 Ms. Temple School Phone: 419-536-5388 ext. 421 E-Mail: jtemple@ottawahillsschools.org The main focus of this class is to study world history and global issues from Absolutism through the 20 th century. As students study these historic eras they will consider the influence of geographic settings, cultural perspectives, economic systems, and various forms of government. Textbook Modern World History: Patterns of Interaction. McDougal Littell. The textbook for this class can also be accessed online at http://www.classzone.com. Please refer to my Moodle site for directions on how to register. Required Daily Materials 1. Textbook (unless otherwise instructed) 2. Binder (at least 2 inches) with dividers 3. Loose leaf notebook paper 4. Blue or black pen and/or pencil 5. Laptop Note-Taking and Binders Success in history relies heavily on accurate and legible note taking. Note taking is a difficult skill to master; however, it is an integral part of the high school and college classroom. You will not have time to write every word from lectures, presentations, or even the textbook. Make sure to look for main ideas or points in both class discussions and readings. Please refer to the note-taking handout whenever format questions arise. Success in history this year also depends on your ability to keep an organized binder. Binder checks will occur at least twice a quarter in order to ensure that all necessary materials are being properly organized. Keeping an organized binder will not only help you succeed but it is also a great way to boost your overall grade! Homework Homework is not busy work. It is designed for you to either acquire background information for the next day s lesson or it will aid in the sharpening of your study skills. At the beginning of each quarter, each student will start with a 50-point homework grade for notes. I do NOT check notes everyday, however, I will go around the room periodically to check them in or ask you to hand them in to the box in order to check for quality. If the notes are not done at all, two points will be deducted from the 50 points. If they are partially complete or of poor quality (teacher's discretion) one point will be deducted from the original 50 points." 1
Grading Weights and Scale Grades in Modern World History are weighted as follows: The grading scale is as follows: Tests and Projects 60% Homework, in-class assignments, quizzes, NHD 40% 100-92 A 91-82 B 81-72 C 71-64 D below 64 F Please be advised of the grading scale. Participation, attitude, and classroom behavior will be considered at the end of each grading period. Graded Assignments Graded assignments include but are not limited to: 1. Tests/Quizzes 2. Homework 3. In class assignments/activities 4. Group Work 5. Projects 6. NHD related assignments Daily Questions or DQs as they may be referred to, will occur at the end of every section s discussion, lecture, activity or presentation. The Daily Questions will consist of two short answer questions about the section that will require a 3-5 sentence response. DQs will be kept in your history binder and will not be turned in until the day before the test. Some days time will be given at the end of the class period to complete the DQs while other days the writing will have to be done at home. It is NOT required that each DQ be finished on the day that it is assigned but please remember that on test day there may be up to 10 DQs that need to be turned in. Also, only a select number of DQs will be graded so make sure to complete each question thoroughly and accurately! Daily Question requirements: 1. Includes 3-5 sentences (1 point) 2. Address all parts of the question (1 point) 3. Use of evidence from the reading (1 point) 4. Accuracy of the answer provided (2 points) Each question is worth 5 points for a total of 20 points. For every requirement that is missing the corresponding points will be deducted. Additionally, with the implementation of the 1-1 initiative students will have the opportunity to complete the Daily Questions on the computer in a word document. If students choose to do the electronic option they will have to print out the assignment and turn it in. All other directions for the assignment apply. 2
Absent Work Every student is required to turn in all homework, projects, and other assignments due that day at the beginning of the class period. If you are absent it is your responsibility to make up the homework, notes, inclass assignments, readings, etc that you have missed. Please do not hesitate to ask questions regarding content that you do not understand or need clarification in the directions of an assignment. 1. According to the student handbook, if you are absent from class you must have an excused absence to make-up work for full credit. You will have the exact number of days absent to make up the work. All absent work is a 0 in PowerSchool until it s made up. 2. If absent work is turned in after the allotted days it will be counted late and points will be deducted. (20% the first day, not accepted thereafter). 3. If you are absent on the day of a test or quiz arrangements will need to be made for make-up during lunch, before or after school. Class time will NOT be used to make-up tests. 4. Ms. Temple also reserves the right to give the absent student a different test that covers the same material, and is worth the same amount of points, when a student returns to school. 5. If you are absent on the day of a test BUT you were present the previous day for the review (meaning you were aware of the test date) it is expected that you take the test on the day that you return. There will be no exceptions. *Please note that all absent work including tests and quizzes will be recorded as a zero until it is made up. Late Work 1. If an assignment is late (turned in after it was initially collected) 20% will be deducted from the score. For example, if an assignment is worth 100 points and it is turned in the day after the due date, the grade received can be no higher than an 80. 2. Ms. Temple reserves the right to give the student a different assignment that covers the same material, and is worth the same amount of points. 3. Assignments will not be accepted after the first initial late day. Moodle and Google Drive (https://moodle.ottawahillsschools.org) Because of the new one-to-one initiative here at Ottawa Hills High School I would like to give students the opportunity to use this technology on a daily basis. With this being said, my Moodle site is up and running for student use. On the Moodle site students will be able to access homework assignments, PowerPoints, and all NHD related materials as well as a myriad of useful links and learning tools. It is my plan to update Moodle chapter by chapter so that all necessary materials may be found online. Google Drive is an outstanding learning tool for our students especially for the National History Day Project. Google Drive allows students to collaborate on the same document (or PowerPoint, spreadsheet, etc.) without being at the same computer or even in the same room. This will be an integral part of the NHD process as it is a partnered effort. Google Drive eliminates the need for flash drives or e-mailing assignments back and forth throughout the editing process. The one-to-one initiative makes this process even easier as all students will have the same access to technology and be able to use it to it s fullest potential. Please name any Google Document that you begin using the following system: Period_Title of the Document_Last Name (Example: 8_NHDFinalPaper_Smith) 3
Academic Integrity Academic integrity is the foundation of Ottawa Hills High School s commitment to academic honesty and excellence. Academic integrity is grounded in values such honesty, respect, and fairness. With each assignment that is turned in there is an assumption that all work is representative of one s own efforts. Any violation of the OHHS Handbook s policy on academic integrity will be sent to Mrs. Patterson as a discipline issue. A few additional items 1. All nightly assignments are written on the front board. It is your responsibility to check the board each day that you are in class for that night s assignments. I will do my best to remind you of assignments that are due but some personal responsibility is required. 2. If a student has a question about a grade I ask that they come speak to me directly and as soon as possible. Please do not wait until the end of the quarter or semester to ask about a grade. 3. Parents AND students---please track academic progress via PowerSchool. I try to put assignment due dates and test dates in as soon as possible so that both students and parents are aware. Checking PowerSchool regularly will help alleviate some issues come the end of the grading period. 4. Please note that the laptops will be used periodically throughout the course, but not everyday. Students are to use MacAirs during class only as directed by the teacher and are expected to come to class with their laptop charged. Please try and keep MacAirs off the floor but instead hang them on your chairs 1 st Semester Ch. 5 Absolutism in Europe Ch. 6 Enlightenment and Revolution Ch. 7 The French Revolution and Napoleon Ch. 8 Nationalist Revolutions Sweep the West Modern World History Course Outline 2 nd Semester Ch. 11 The Age of Imperialism Ch. 13 The Great War Ch. 14 Revolution and Nationalism Ch. 15 Years of Crisis Ch. 16 World War II Ch. 9 The Industrial Revolution Ch. 17 Restructuring the Postwar World Ch. 18 The Colonies Become New Nations National History Day National History Day (NHD) is a highly regarded academic program for elementary and secondary school students. Each year, more than half a million students, encouraged by thousands of teachers nationwide participate in the NHD contest. Students choose historical topics related to a theme and conduct extensive primary and secondary research through libraries, archives, museums, oral history interviews and historic sites. After analyzing and interpreting their sources and drawing conclusions about their topics significance in history, students present their work in original papers, websites, exhibits, performances and documentaries. These products are entered into competitions in the spring at local, state and national levels where they are evaluated by professional historians and educators. The program culminates in the Kenneth E. Behring National Contest each June held at the University of Maryland at College Park. In addition to discovering the exciting world of the past, NHD also helps students develop the following attributes that are critical for future success: critical thinking and problem-solving skills, research and reading skills, oral and written communication and presentation skills, self esteem and confidence, and a sense of responsibility for and involvement in the democratic process. More than 5 million students have gone on to careers in business, law, medicine and countless other disciplines where they are putting into practice what they learned through NHD. More information can be found in the NHD handbook found on my Moodle. 4
I have read and understand the above expectations: Date: Period: (Student Signature) Date: (Parent Signature) Parents, should I need to contact you which method do you prefer? (home phone, cell phone, e-mail, etc.) Please feel free to contact me at any time throughout the course of the year. Thank you for your time! Jessica Temple Please sign and return this portion of the syllabus for the first grade of the quarter worth 5 points. 5