Course Description
Individuals & Societies covers ancient world history. This includes Early Man, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Ancient China, Greece, Rome, and other civilizations. Throughout the school year we will examine “big idea” themes centered around the following concepts: human innovation, societal economic structures, eco-sustainability and the foundations of government and democracy. Our focus is on understanding the past in order to make sense of our present, following the IB Learner Profiles, and especially the responsibility of students to become citizens of local and global communities. Note that Individuals & Societies may cover controversial topics. Please let me know if there are any concerns.As part of Individuals & Societies coursework, Art will be covered. Students will be expected to put forth their best effort while developing their skills in different art mediums. Through the use of Visual Thinking Strategies, students will establish a personal relationship with art based on critical analysis and reflection.
Class Requirements/Academic Expectations
5. Plagiarism/Cheating: Any student guilty of cheating or plagiarism (presenting work as one’s own without proper citation) will receive a zero grade on the assignment/assessment with no make-up allowed along with a home notification.
Suggested items in order to succeed (Have these items ready at the beginning of class):
Folder or binder for handouts (at least a section of a binder) (will be given)
Notebook or composition book (will be given)
Binder Paper
Writing Utensil and erasers.
Colored pencils/Markers/Highlighters
Scissors
All readings, including various primary sources and the textbook will be provided. Textbooks do not need to be brought to class unless instructed.
Academic Course Grading: Reports, projects, journals, tests/quizzes, class assignments, and daily guiding questions will be used to determine your Academic grade and will be based on mastery of content/skills. All in class assignments will be turned and kept in portfolio folders that may be brought home. Detail, spelling, neatness, and grammar are all taken into account. Points will be assigned to work with a minimum of a D needed to pass the class. Make sure to keep all notes, texts, and assignments (including those graded). Check the no name bin before discussing an assignment with a missing grade. Weekly grades will be posted on PowerSchool (link at RooseveltMiddle.org) and in class every Monday and may be checked before or after class. Do not discuss your grade with teacher during class. The academic grading scale based on the IB system is:
A – F grades are determined as a percentage :
Percentages Grade (Projects) (Daily/Weekly work)
87 – 100 = A = 7-8 4
62 – 86 = B = 5-6 3
37 – 61 = C = 3-4 2
25 – 36 = D = 1-2 1
24 or ß = F = 0-2 0
CITIZENSHIP GRADING/CLASS RULES AND EXPECTATIONS
Citizenship grades will be based on how well a student follows class rules, procedures and expectations as well as the IB Learner Profile Traits. In order to keep a positive learning environment, we are going to observe the following rules along with rules established by the class, which affect your Citizenship grade:
PROCEDURES
Tardies: Students who are late to class must have a pass with them. Students are to enter quietly without disrupting the class. It is the student’s responsibility to talk to a student or teacher at the end of class to determine what they miss/need to make up. Note that tardies and absences will affect your citizenship grade and can lead to Saturday School. Not being in your desk when the bell rings constitutes a tardy.
Bathroom Passes: Please ask to use the bathroom and make sure to sign out and take a pass, which is required. Only one student is allowed out of the classroom at a time therefore do not as permission if the pass is gone. Time spent out the classroom should be quick and make sure to sign in when you return. If leaving the classroom becomes an abused privileged, passes will be more regulated.
Food/Drinks: As per Roosevelt policy, gum is prohibited on campus. You may not eat or drink in class without permission, including during lunch
Electronics/Cell phones/Other items: Please refrain from using any technology that is disruptive to the classroom, including wearing earphones that are not attached to electronics, unless instructed to by the teacher. As per Roosevelt policy, electronics and other distracting items such as hats may be taken away during class if they cause disruptions. Please note that computers will be used in the classroom. It is the student’s responsibility to properly put away computers, use only their assigned computer, and only use them for required assignments.
CONSEQUENCES:
There will be one warning and then the consequence will best fit the disrupted behavior. The consequence will be directly figured out with the student based on their specific needs and in order to best help them make positive decisions, including use of a student reflection form and being sent to a buddy room. In severe cases that greatly disrupt the learning environment, there will be no warning and the student may be required to immediately leave the class to the office. Disruptive behavior including tardies, late work, lack of preparation/participation and academic dishonesty will also affect your Citizenship grade but may be further discussed to raise your grade. The citizenship grading scale is:
E=Excellent, G=Good, S=Satisfactory, N=Needs to improve, U=Unsatisfactory
Use of Videos and Technology
Throughout the course, instructional video clips will be used in news events, speeches, and informational videos. These instructional clips will always engage students in the standards and purpose of lessons and are all rated PG and below or not rated when a documentary/news. Permission for controversial films or clips will be explicitly asked before viewing. Students will also utilize Google Classroom to complete assignments, which are district monitored.
Individuals & Societies covers ancient world history. This includes Early Man, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Ancient China, Greece, Rome, and other civilizations. Throughout the school year we will examine “big idea” themes centered around the following concepts: human innovation, societal economic structures, eco-sustainability and the foundations of government and democracy. Our focus is on understanding the past in order to make sense of our present, following the IB Learner Profiles, and especially the responsibility of students to become citizens of local and global communities. Note that Individuals & Societies may cover controversial topics. Please let me know if there are any concerns.As part of Individuals & Societies coursework, Art will be covered. Students will be expected to put forth their best effort while developing their skills in different art mediums. Through the use of Visual Thinking Strategies, students will establish a personal relationship with art based on critical analysis and reflection.
Class Requirements/Academic Expectations
- Quizzes: Quizzes (including daily guiding questions) will consist of multiple choice, matching, short answer, and essays. Students will have advance notice of formal quizzes with a unit review.
- Make-Up Work: It is YOUR responsibility to make up any assignments that you missed if absent or tardy. All assignments and due dates will be announced and posted in the classroom along with missed materials, which will also be posted on Google Classroom (using a student id and given password. Parents, please ask your student or myself for access to their login information). Students will be given the same amount of days absent to make up assignments from the date of return. Each day requires a graded guiding question, along with other assignments and projects you may miss, therefore being absent and not making up work will greatly affect your grade. Do not ask the teacher during class what you missed. Check Google Classroom and ask classmates. You may ask the teacher after class, during lunch or after school. If you know in advanced of your absent, please let the teacher know two days priors to receive materials the day before your absence begins.
- Late Work: Late work shows lack of preparation needed to be ready and participate in the class therefore write all due dates in your planner (given by the school). Any assignment turned in or due for homework must written in your planner and signed by Ms. K. before leaving the classroom to ensure that you and your guardian know what is due/being graded. Late work will not be accepted unless discussed with the teacher. Students may redo any assignment though; therefore effort and promptness are required for academic success.
5. Plagiarism/Cheating: Any student guilty of cheating or plagiarism (presenting work as one’s own without proper citation) will receive a zero grade on the assignment/assessment with no make-up allowed along with a home notification.
Suggested items in order to succeed (Have these items ready at the beginning of class):
Folder or binder for handouts (at least a section of a binder) (will be given)
Notebook or composition book (will be given)
Binder Paper
Writing Utensil and erasers.
Colored pencils/Markers/Highlighters
Scissors
All readings, including various primary sources and the textbook will be provided. Textbooks do not need to be brought to class unless instructed.
Academic Course Grading: Reports, projects, journals, tests/quizzes, class assignments, and daily guiding questions will be used to determine your Academic grade and will be based on mastery of content/skills. All in class assignments will be turned and kept in portfolio folders that may be brought home. Detail, spelling, neatness, and grammar are all taken into account. Points will be assigned to work with a minimum of a D needed to pass the class. Make sure to keep all notes, texts, and assignments (including those graded). Check the no name bin before discussing an assignment with a missing grade. Weekly grades will be posted on PowerSchool (link at RooseveltMiddle.org) and in class every Monday and may be checked before or after class. Do not discuss your grade with teacher during class. The academic grading scale based on the IB system is:
A – F grades are determined as a percentage :
Percentages Grade (Projects) (Daily/Weekly work)
87 – 100 = A = 7-8 4
62 – 86 = B = 5-6 3
37 – 61 = C = 3-4 2
25 – 36 = D = 1-2 1
24 or ß = F = 0-2 0
CITIZENSHIP GRADING/CLASS RULES AND EXPECTATIONS
Citizenship grades will be based on how well a student follows class rules, procedures and expectations as well as the IB Learner Profile Traits. In order to keep a positive learning environment, we are going to observe the following rules along with rules established by the class, which affect your Citizenship grade:
- RESPECT others and their belongings. This includes appropriate language and not talking when others are speaking.
- Have class materials ready and assignments turned in on time. This includes following instructions on the board when you enter the class.
- Participate in/outside of class (may affect academic grade). This includes not being absent or tardy.
- Talk to me about any issues or concerns you have.
PROCEDURES
Tardies: Students who are late to class must have a pass with them. Students are to enter quietly without disrupting the class. It is the student’s responsibility to talk to a student or teacher at the end of class to determine what they miss/need to make up. Note that tardies and absences will affect your citizenship grade and can lead to Saturday School. Not being in your desk when the bell rings constitutes a tardy.
Bathroom Passes: Please ask to use the bathroom and make sure to sign out and take a pass, which is required. Only one student is allowed out of the classroom at a time therefore do not as permission if the pass is gone. Time spent out the classroom should be quick and make sure to sign in when you return. If leaving the classroom becomes an abused privileged, passes will be more regulated.
Food/Drinks: As per Roosevelt policy, gum is prohibited on campus. You may not eat or drink in class without permission, including during lunch
Electronics/Cell phones/Other items: Please refrain from using any technology that is disruptive to the classroom, including wearing earphones that are not attached to electronics, unless instructed to by the teacher. As per Roosevelt policy, electronics and other distracting items such as hats may be taken away during class if they cause disruptions. Please note that computers will be used in the classroom. It is the student’s responsibility to properly put away computers, use only their assigned computer, and only use them for required assignments.
CONSEQUENCES:
There will be one warning and then the consequence will best fit the disrupted behavior. The consequence will be directly figured out with the student based on their specific needs and in order to best help them make positive decisions, including use of a student reflection form and being sent to a buddy room. In severe cases that greatly disrupt the learning environment, there will be no warning and the student may be required to immediately leave the class to the office. Disruptive behavior including tardies, late work, lack of preparation/participation and academic dishonesty will also affect your Citizenship grade but may be further discussed to raise your grade. The citizenship grading scale is:
E=Excellent, G=Good, S=Satisfactory, N=Needs to improve, U=Unsatisfactory
Use of Videos and Technology
Throughout the course, instructional video clips will be used in news events, speeches, and informational videos. These instructional clips will always engage students in the standards and purpose of lessons and are all rated PG and below or not rated when a documentary/news. Permission for controversial films or clips will be explicitly asked before viewing. Students will also utilize Google Classroom to complete assignments, which are district monitored.