CULTURES I
This course is a semester long study of United States, cultures from the Pre-Columbian Native American societies to and including the Reconstruction Era, 1877. This course will emphasize political, social, economic, and geographic concepts that are specific to the events that occurred during the scope of the course of study.
As you study the course material you will be expected to do the following items:
a. Be prompt to class, the school rules for tardiness apply.
b. Bring your textbook to class, unless you are told you do not need your textbook.
c. Bring a social studies notebook to class. Your notebook for
needs to contain the following sections:
Your notebook will be graded for completeness and neatness. A three-ring notebook is the best type of notebook to have.
d. Bring writing equipment, either a pen or a pencil.
e. Raise your hand to be recognized to give a response to questions in class.
f. Ask questions if you do not understand an assignment. You may get help during class, before school, after school, during homeroom, or when you are at home by calling Mr. Herman at 872 -9192. If you have a computer, you may e-mail Mr. Herman at joe.herman@pmsd.k12.pa.us. to get help on assignments.
g. Have seld-discipline. Self-discipline means you are to listen in class, you do not talk during presentations, you do not sleep in class, nor do you get up from your seats without asking for permission.
h. Stay in your seats until the bell for dismissal rings.
i. Be responsible for your textbook and any materials you are assigned. If you do not take care of the materials you will be billed for the cost to repair or replace the materials.
FOR MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS:
To receive grades for this course you will need to be sure you understand that you must submit your assignments on time. If you do not submit your work on time you will have your grade deducted by ten percent per day. After three days the grade becomes a zero.
FOR DAILY ASSIGNMENTS:
You are expected to submit your assignments on time. You will receive a grade for those answers you attempt. If you do not attempt to answer any questions you will not be able to submit the assignment for an opportunity to correct your errors.
HOMEWORK:
This portion of your grade will be daily assignments that will include textbook readings, enrichment assignments, mapping assignments, reaction papers,and other types of assignments. You will have your assignments graded on a percentage scale of 100% to 90% as a A, 89% to 80% as a B, 79% to 70% as a C, 69% to 60% as a D, and 59% to 0% as an F. When you submit your assignments by the due date you will get the chance to correct any responses you have written on your answer sheet.
If you do not answer specific questions or if you fail to do an
assignment you will not be permitted to correct the protions of the assignment you omitted. You are expected to complete your assignments as neatly as possible. Assignments that are submitted that are not completed neatly will not be graded and you will will have to do the assignment again to get a grade. You may correct homework as many times as it takes to get your understanding of the concepts of the assignment, as long as you submit the corrections on the due date. If you are absent from class your homework is due on the day you return to class.
CLASSWORK:
This portion of your grade will be daily assignments that will include discussion questions, role plays, simulations, research time on the internet and in the library, video notes, journal entries, and cooperative learning exercises.You will have your assignments graded on a percentage scale of 100% to 90% as a A, 89% to 80% as a B, 79% to 70% as a C, 69% to 60% as a D, and 59% to 0% as an F. When you submit your assignments by the due date you will get the chance to correct any responses you have written on your answer sheet. If you do not answer specific questions or if you fail to do an assignment you will not be permitted to correct the protions of the assignment you omitted. You are expected to complete your assignments as neatly as possible. Assignments that are submitted that are not completed neatly will not be graded and you will will have to do the assignment again to get a grade. You may correct homework as many times as it takes to get your understanding of the concepts of the assignment, as long as you submit the corrections on the due date. If you are absent from class your homework is due on the day you return to class.
QUIZZES:
These are brief written assignments that will check your comprehension of assigned readings. Quizzes will range from short answer questions to paragraphs to brief essays. The grading system for quizzes is 100% to 90% is an A, 89% to 80% is a B, 79% to 70% is a C, 69% to 60% is a D, 59% to 0% is an F. If you are not satisfied with your grade on the first quiz, you may take a second quiz on the material. The second quiz will not be a repeat of the first quiz but will check your knowledge of the lesson. The second quiz grade then replaces the first quiz grade in the grade book. If you are absent from class you are to make up the quiz before school, during homeroom, or after school.
TESTS:
These are assignments that will assess your ability to comprehend, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate chapter and unit objectives. Tests will be in the form of written exams, essays, projects, and brief research papers. The same percentage scale of 100% to 90% as an A, 89% to 80% as a B, 79% to 70% as a C, 69% to 60 % as a D, and 59% to 0% as an F, will be used.
You will have two major projects during the semester. The projects will be posters, dioramas, a research paper, and/or multimedia presentations. If you are absent from class you are to make up the test before school, during school, during homeroom, or after school.
CLASS PARTICIPATION:
Your presence in class is necessary for you to do well in class. You will be given a class participation grade that is determined by your attendance in class, your preparedness for class, and your responses to discussion activities. You are considered to be prepared for class if you have your textbook, notebook, writing materials, and any other papers that are needed for each lesson.