About
Course Description
World History is a required Social Science course for sophomores, which satisfies 2 semesters of the high school graduation requirements for social sciences. Students in World History will learn to act responsibly, honestly and ethically by analyzing such topics as a freedom, democracy and the problems facing different regions of the world. They will become culturally empowered individuals by engaging in problem solving activities and by learning about the importance of being an active participant in a democratic society.
Students will become effective communicators as they will be required to read, write and speak using the World History textbook. In addition to learning about history, the course will be imbedded with reading and writing strategies that will help develop the student’s academic vocabulary and help prepare them for the California High School Exit Exam.
Grading Policy
Every student begins with an “A”. What you do from here on determines whether you keep that grade. Grades are based on a point system. Every assignment is assigned a point value. Your score will be added to a running total and then determined by the following percentages:
A = 100 – 90 B = 89 – 80 C = 79 – 70 D = 69 – 60 F = 59 – Below
Major Factors for Grades
There are THREE major factors that will lead to your success in this class.
1. 55 % – FORMAL ASSESSMENTS – Exams and Quizzes: There are quizzes on class material and unit exams approximately every six weeks. In addition, students will be assigned one essay per unit as an alternate form of assessment. Class debates and Socratic seminars also count as assessments.
2. 30 % – CLASS WORK/HOMEWORK – Most work will be assigned in your Interactive Notebooks: This is a notebook that contains class notes, homework, class assignments and quizzes. Notebooks must be kept neat and decorated as this will count as part of your notebook grade. Students will be expected to practice skills learned in class every night at home. All homework assigned will be a continuation and reinforcement of the learning from class.
3. 15% – FINAL EXAM
It is very important that students practice their skills at home every day, as it will lead them to mastery of the content standards. The majority of grade, however, will come from the assessment of those skills. Students MUST complete their homework assignments in order to master the material.
Retesting/Late Work Policy
Students are responsible for all assignments, including the interactive notebook assignments, even on days they are absent. Students will be given opportunities to make up assignments after school through the use of Mastery Learning and re-teaching sessions scheduled by the teacher.
Failure is not an option. If a student fails to turn in an assignment, they will be expected to turn the work in as soon as possible. If a student wants to submit work in late, they must first have a conference after class with the teacher to make arrangements for the late work. Work must be submitted within the agreed upon time frame in order to receive full credit.
