World History

Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Campbell

Email: kgardiner@ellingtonschools.net

                                               mcampbell@ellingtonschools.net

            Welcome to Ellington High School and welcome to World History.  We look forward to working with each and every one of you this year and together we can make this a great year.  World History is a very broad subject so we will be covering a lot of material at a steady pace this year so it is important that you stay organized and complete all assignments on time.

Ellington High School Mission Statement

Ellington High School prepares students to become knowledgeable, respectful citizens who value learning, integrity, personal well being, equity and diversity.

Ellington High School Expectations for Student Learning

Academic

The EHS student will:

-          Listen and view with understanding.

-          Read and write effectively.

-          Reason effectively, think critically, and solve problems.

-          Utilize resources including media, computers, and other technologies.

Civic

The EHS student will:

            -Meet the responsibilities of citizenship.

            -Demonstrate leadership and service to the community.

Social

The EHS student will:

            -Practice moral and ethical conduct.

            -Affirm diversity and practice respect.

            -Demonstrate skills and competencies for personal well being and growth.

Course Overview

This course examines the western and non-western world from 1000 A.D. to the present.  Students will analyze how religious, economic, political, social and intellectual developments have shaped the world of today. The major chapters of study which we will focus on include; the High Middle Ages, Renaissance, Reformation, Scientific Revolution, Islamic Empires, Absolutism, the Enlightenment, French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, Nationalism, Imperialism, World War1, Russian Revolution, Totalitarianism, World War 2, and various regions of the world since 1945.

An emphasis throughout this year will be placed on primary source analysis, persuasive writing, and skills to become an independent learner. This course will include CAPT practice in the area of persuasive writing which helps to prepare students for the test during their Sophomore year. A highlight of the year is a fourth term research paper in which students utilize research and writing skills that they have been working on throughout the year.

Grading Policy

Grades in this class will be determined using a points system. This means that each project, test, homework, class assignment, etc. will be worth a certain number of points. So your grade for the semester is found by dividing the points you have earned into the total number of points available for the semester. An example of this is if 300 points were available for semester 1 and you earned 240 points then your grade for the semester would be an 80, 270 points would be a 90.

Tests/Projects: There will be a test at the completion of each unit, there will be at least one major project each semester. 

Quizzes: Quizzes may be given in the middle of a unit of study.  Assignments more involved than homework may also count as quizzes.

Homework: Late homework will not be accepted unless absent when due. Although individual homework assignments are usually worth 5 points, these assignments add up over the course of a term. Students who do not complete all of their homework not only hurt their grade but often do poorly on tests and quizzes since they have not read and studied the assigned information.

Class Participation:  We define class participation as being prepared for class, being actively involved in class discussions, group work and completing in class assignments.  Students should be prepared for class everyday and share in the learning experience.

Class Room Rules

-Become familiar with your student handbook, all these rules apply in this class.

-The main rule of this class is respect!  Respect your classmates, respect your teachers, and respect yourself. This means you are conducting yourself in an appropriate manner i.e.; no horseplay, no inappropriate language, treating others the way you would like them to treat you.

-Report to class on time. All unexcused tardies result in a class absence. Any student reaching 22 absences may lose credit for the class.

-Report to class prepared and organized. This means you have all of your materials i.e.; book, notebook, folder, homework, classwork. You will not be allowed to go to your locker to retrieve materials and you will lose participation points for coming to class unprepared.   

-Organization is key to doing well in this class. Be sure you have a separate place in your notebook for World History and you have a folder or binder dedicated specifically for this class.

- Respect the classroom. This means do not touch the windows, blinds or any other property without teacher permission.

-Bottled water is the only beverage you may have in class, no food is allowed.

-Do not ask to use the Lavatory or get a drink unless it is absolutely unavoidable. 

-In the event of a fire drill you must report to the teacher when outside for attendance.

-Late assignments will be down graded a letter grade each day late. Reminder, late homework will not be accepted.

-Make-up work guidelines are in the E.H.S. handbook.  Make-up tests and quizzes must be taken within 5 days of the original test.  Students are given 2 days for each day absent to make up the necessary work. It is in your best interest to make work up as timely as possible.

-Students should only email assignments as an absolute last resort. i.e.; computer/printer problems, absent from school. Any student emailing an assignment must also turn in a paper copy the next day.

-Any form of Plagiarism will not be tolerated.  Do not copy others and try to pass it off as your own work.  You will receive a zero and further disciplinary action may be required.  When researching all resources being used must be cited.

Sociology

Mr. Gardiner

Email: kgardiner@ellingtonschools.net

Ellington High School Mission Statement

Ellington High School prepares students to become knowledgeable, respectful citizens who value learning, integrity, personal well being, equity and diversity.

Ellington High School Expectations for Student Learning

Academic

The EHS student will:

-          Listen and view with understanding.

-          Read and write effectively.

-          Reason effectively, think critically, and solve problems.

-          Utilize resources including media, computers, and other technologies.

Civic

The EHS student will:

            -Meet the responsibilities of citizenship.

            -Demonstrate leadership and service to the community.

Social

The EHS student will:

            -Practice moral and ethical conduct.

            -Affirm diversity and practice respect.

            -Demonstrate skills and competencies for personal well being and growth.

 Course Description

Sociology is the comprehensive studies of human society and social interaction. Groups rather than individualism are the central focus of this course. The basics of sociology will be looked at which include its origins and founders along with the sociological perspective and investigation. Contemporary society will be studied with emphasis on culture, groups/ organizations, race and ethnicity, sex and gender, the family, education, and population/ urbanization. Current events also serve as a central focus of this course as we observe elements of sociology unfolding before our eyes.  As part of our studies, we will be addressing the EHS expectations for student learning and academic integrity.

Goals of the Class:  (Sociology)

Upon completion of this course students should be able to:

1.  Understand the purpose, methods, vocabulary, and contributions of sociology.

2.  Know how sociologists view humans and human behavior.

3.  Know what sociology seeks to accomplish and how it differs from similar social

    sciences. (Anthropology, psychology, philosophy, history, economics, and political

    science).

4.  Comprehend, utilize, and apply basic sociology vocabulary and knowledge of

     sociology in oral discussions and written papers.

5.  Understand the concepts relating to sociology.

6.  Understand how social structure (culture) and group behavior impacts individuals

     and society.

7.  Identify Values, Norms, and Cultural Shifts.

8.  Recognize change agents within society (technology, multiculturalism, birthrate

    and age demographics, globalization and global society).

9.  Apply Knowledge and concepts of sociology to the world today.

10. Identify institutions that are part of social structure and explain their purpose

    (family, court system, mass media, politics, and religion).

11. Assess major problems of American Society.

12. Identify major sociological problems in American society (poverty, crime,

     prejudice, changing values, minority relations).

13. Identify possible causes of problems in American society.

Grading Policy

Grades in this class will be determined using a points system. This means that each project, test, homework, class assignment, etc. will be worth a certain number of points. So your grade for the semester is found by dividing the points you have earned into the total number of points available for the semester. An example of this is if 300 points were available for semester 1 and you earned 240 points then your grade for the semester would be an 80, 270 points would be a 90.

Tests/Projects: Tests will be given after a chapter of study, papers may also count as a test when appropriate, and long term project assignments will be worth significant point totals. 

Quizzes: Quizzes may be given in the middle of a unit of study.  Assignments more involved than homework may also count as quizzes.

Homework: Late homework will not be accepted unless absent when due. Reading assignments will often be homework and reading quizzes may be given following an assignment. Homework also includes staying up to date with current events and sharing relevant information with the class as it applies to sociology.

Class Participation:  I define class participation as being prepared for class, being actively involved in class discussions, group work and completing in class assignments.  Students should be prepared for class everyday and share in the learning experience. Class discussion and informed debates will play a large role in this course, to do well participation is essential. Participation points will also be rewarded for students who share a current event with the class and use aspects learned in sociology to help explain the event. Participation points will be determined twice each term, once at the midpoint and once at the end of the term. 

 Class Room Rules

-Become familiar with your student handbook, all these rules apply in this class.

-The main rule of this class is respect!  Respect your classmates, respect your teacher, and respect yourself. This means you are conducting yourself in an appropriate manner. i.e.; no inappropriate language, treating others the way you would like them to treat you. This course contains a great deal of class discussion, some of which may involve sensitive issues at times, so it is essential that students respect the opinions of other classmates, even when disagreeing.

-Report to class on time. All unexcused tardies result in a class absence. Any student reaching 22 absences may lose credit for the class.

-Report to class prepared and organized. This means you have all of your materials i.e.; book, notebook, folder, homework, classwork. You will not be allowed to go to your locker to retrieve materials and you will lose participation points for coming to class unprepared.  

-As many of you know organization is key to doing well in school. Be sure you have a separate place in your notebook and a folder or binder dedicated to this class.

- Respect the classroom. We are guests in this room, including myself.

-Bottled water is the only beverage you may have in class, no food is allowed.

-Do not ask to use the Lavatory or get a drink unless it is absolutely unavoidable. 

-In the event of a fire drill you must report to the teacher when outside for attendance.

-Late assignments will be downgraded a letter grade each day late. Reminder, late homework will not be accepted.

-Make-up work guidelines are in the E.H.S. handbook.  Make-up tests and quizzes must be taken within 5 days of the original test.  Students are given 2 days for each day absent to make up the necessary work. It is in your best interest to make work up as timely as possible.

-Students should only email assignments as an absolute last resort. i.e.; computer/printer problems, absent from school. Any student emailing an assignment must also turn in a paper copy the next day.

-Any form of Plagiarism will not be tolerated.  Do not copy others and try to pass it off as your own work.  You will receive a zero and further disciplinary action may be required.  When researching all resources used must be cited.

Sociology

Life Experience Project (Minimum of 5 written pages)

This project is to be something that you have never done before. “To live is to learn”. I want you to learn something new about yourself and about other people you are in contact with. The best way to do this is to take on the challenge of a new experience in your life.

Therefore  

You must pick something to experience.

It must be something that you have never done before.

It should be something you want to do.

And lastly, you must do it!!!!

Ideas??? They are all around you. Open up your eyes and ears and use them. Remember, this is to be something that you have NEVER done before. It should be entirely new for you. It should not be anything illegal or that could place you physically at risk. This experience should also have the written approval of your parent or guardian and myself before you can start. If you cannot think of anything, ask me and I shall be more than happy to pick apart your inner most wishes and desires.

This assignment will not be so easy for many of you. In fact, it might be very difficult. This project will take a combination of time, thought and commitment. It would indeed be much easier to go out and write a five page paper.

What do I expect from you?

1.   Chose an experience. Remember, it must be something entirely new.

2.   Sign up your experience with me at least one week before you do it. The experience must have my approval along with your Parent or guardian. If you have not signed up by that date, your experience will not be accepted.

3.   Before you do your experience, you must write down your expectations.

·         Your expectations will include everything that you expect to get out of your experience. It will include all the things you thought about prior to doing it.

·         Will I be nervous? Afraid of doing the wrong thing?

·         What will other people be saying? What do you think will happen?

·         What are the different things going through your mind?

Write down all that you can. This must be writ­ten out first, for without your expectations your assignment will be incomplete!!

4.  DO lT ! !

5.  After you complete your experience, or during it, make or keep a record of what happened. Be as specific as possible. This is so I know what you did.

6.  REACT TO YOUR EXPECTATIONS. Did your expectations, written before starting this ex­perience, really come true? Really react!! Do not spare the words.

7.   Last and most important, what did you learn about yourself from this experience? What did you learn about other people? (You must have learned something about others.) What did you learn about and from your environment? (Think very hard on this one.)

ALL OF THE ABOVE MUST BE COMPLETED FOR CREDIT TO BE GIVEN TO THIS ASSIGNMENT!!

When typing out your paper using the following format.

Font is “12”, Double spaced, Times New Roman script.

First page – Expectations - number and list in order the expectations you have for this experience.

Next few pages – Record/description of your life experience.

Write about your experience. (Three pages minimum)

Next page(s) – Reaction to your expectations. Number and list your expectations for page one and write about how they were met or not met base upon your experience.

Last page(s) - What did you learn about…?  Make 3 separate paragraphs using the headings Yourself, Others, and The environment.

LIFE EXPERIENCE PROJECT - GRADING RUBRICS

A. Expectations for the experience:                 5 points

B. Record/description of your experience:       10 points

C. Reactions to your expectations:                15 points
D. What did you learn about                           15 points

          Yourself? (+5)

           Others? (+5)

           The environment? (+5)

Total # of Points = 45

            Approval for Sociology / Contemporary Issues Life Experience

In four to five sentences, describe the experience you would like to do:

What is the date or dates of your experience. Remember, this must be done one week in advance:

Dates: ___________________

           ___________________

           ___________________

Parent/Guardian Approval: __________________________________________

Teacher Approval: ___________________________________

Please note that missing a day or two of school to complete this assignment does not count as an excused absence from school.