Mr. Spargo
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Class Rules and Expectations
Welcome to World Regional Studies and your 7th grade year! This year, our focus will be on the basic tools and concepts of geography, human geography, the geography and history of Europe, the geography and history of Latin America, and the geography and history of Sub-Saharan Africa. Below are some of the things that you will need for class this year. Please read them carefully. I know that this will be a great year for everyone.
Materials for Class:
This is a list of materials that you will be responsible for bringing to class every day.
Rules for Class:
Remember, the point of coming to school is to have a safe, friendly environment in which you can learn and grow. Therefore, don’t ever be afraid to ask us questions. We will always answer them to the best of our abilities. Don’t be afraid to share, either. We're sure that most of you will have a million different ideas racing through your brains as time goes on. That’s perfectly fine! We can’t wait to hear what you have to say. If there is a matter that you think needs to be discussed privately, then see us before or after class so that we can schedule a time to discuss the issue, or send us an email. Finally, try not to get overwhelmed from your 7th grade year at Har – Bur. We are going to learn a lot this year and have a lot of fun!
Materials for Class:
This is a list of materials that you will be responsible for bringing to class every day.
- Notebook
- Pens / Pencils
- Textbook - The McGraw Hill - A History of the World, Early Ages textbook will stay in class and will not go home
- Geography journal - Your Geography Journal must be a composition notebook that is separate from your regular class notebook.
- Flash drive – (recommended) We will be using a lot of online resources this year. While we do use Office 365 to save and transfer assignments, it is also a good idea to have a backup just in case.
Rules for Class:
- Always come prepared – make sure you have all the materials you need, any homework that was assigned, any forms that had to be signed, etc. You are allowed to go to your locker in between every class so there is no reason to go during class time.
- Be Respectful – Every student is required to be respectful of both teachers and other students at all times. This includes raising hands in order to answer or ask questions, as well as to make a general statement in class, and this also means that you do not interrupt someone else who is in the middle of a discussion. Additionally you are expected to be kind and supportive of your classmates.
- Be Patient – Absolutely NO TALKING while I am giving directions or leading a discussion. I promise that everyone will be given a chance to speak in class, as many lessons will often involve a class discussion or debate.
- Make up Work – Everyone gets sick once in awhile. If you are absent it is your own responsibility to come to me as soon as you are back to come get the work that you missed during your time out. You are also responsible for checking the class absent folder for any assignments/ handouts that you may have missed. Missing or late work will NOT be accepted 3 days past the the initial due date.
- Extra Credit – Students will be allowed to retake/redo most assignments for full credit at teacher discretion, therefore, separate extra credit assignments will not be given.
- Class Discipline – If a student is displaying behavior that is inappropriate for class (disrupting class, interrupting others etc.) then a warning will be given. After a warning, students will fill out a reflection log during a lunch detention and a note will be sent home. If the problem continues, then a call home will be made. If, by then, there is still a problem in class then another phone call is made, along with an office referral to the assistant principal.
Remember, the point of coming to school is to have a safe, friendly environment in which you can learn and grow. Therefore, don’t ever be afraid to ask us questions. We will always answer them to the best of our abilities. Don’t be afraid to share, either. We're sure that most of you will have a million different ideas racing through your brains as time goes on. That’s perfectly fine! We can’t wait to hear what you have to say. If there is a matter that you think needs to be discussed privately, then see us before or after class so that we can schedule a time to discuss the issue, or send us an email. Finally, try not to get overwhelmed from your 7th grade year at Har – Bur. We are going to learn a lot this year and have a lot of fun!
Course Description
Description: The 7th grade World Regional Studies course will cover 5 main units including Tools & Concepts of Geography, The Roman Republic and Roman Empire, The Geography and History of Europe, The Geography and History of Latin America, and the Geography and History of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Student Expectations:
Teacher’s Goals:
Learning Activities:
Homework:
In accordance with district policy, homework will account for NO MORE than 10% of a student's grade. Students are expected to complete homework on time in order to be properly prepared for the following day's lesson. Assignments will not be accepted 3 days past the initial due date.
Quizzes and Tests:
All tests will be announced ahead of time to allow students appropriate time to prepare. Quizzes may or may not be announced ahead of time. Retakes will be allowed at the discretion of the teacher, but students who wish to retake an assessment must request the retake and schedule the assessment within a week of grades being posted.
How Report Card Grades are Determined:
10%=Homework 30%=Classwork 30%=Quizzes 30%=Tests
Certain projects (including writing assignments) that are assigned in class will be counted as either a test or quiz grade. Students will be notified ahead of time as to how these projects will be graded.
Student Expectations:
- Students will work to improve their thinking, communicating, technology, and teamwork skills.
- Students will discover and reflect about how their learning is related to the Social Studies Standards.
- Students will make connections between their learning in Social Studies and their learning in other classes.
- Students will come to class prepared and on time.
- Students will show respect to one another and their teachers.
- Students will complete assignments on time and to the best of their ability.
- Students should feel free to ask questions and seek help from me at any time.
- Students should make the effort to do their very best at all times.
- Students will grow in maturity and responsibility as young adults.
- Students will have fun and enjoy the year.
Teacher’s Goals:
- To prepare students for the future by fostering the growth mindset in students personally and academically.
- To help students develop, defend, and express their thoughts and ideas.
- To help students improve their oral, and public presentation abilities.
- To instill a basic understanding of geography in students.
- To instill a basic understanding of the geography and history of the three focus regions of Europe, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa according to the Connecticut State Standards for Social Studies.
Learning Activities:
- Independent and group projects
- Classroom discussions, debates and presentations
- Cooperative learning exercises
- Computers using Word Processing, Internet, etc.
- Microsoft Office 365
- Use of Smart Board technology for all units taught
- Use of the McGraw Hill - A History of the World, Early Ages online resources
- Video/DVD clips
- Quizzes and Tests
- Journal and Reflective Writing
- Oral Presentations
- Other Projects
- McGraw Hill - A History of the World, Early Ages textbook
- McGraw Hill - A History of the World, Early Ages online resources
- Magazines including Junior Scholastic, Newspaper, Internet, Resource Books. etc. …
- Library Books
- Videos
Homework:
In accordance with district policy, homework will account for NO MORE than 10% of a student's grade. Students are expected to complete homework on time in order to be properly prepared for the following day's lesson. Assignments will not be accepted 3 days past the initial due date.
Quizzes and Tests:
All tests will be announced ahead of time to allow students appropriate time to prepare. Quizzes may or may not be announced ahead of time. Retakes will be allowed at the discretion of the teacher, but students who wish to retake an assessment must request the retake and schedule the assessment within a week of grades being posted.
How Report Card Grades are Determined:
10%=Homework 30%=Classwork 30%=Quizzes 30%=Tests
Certain projects (including writing assignments) that are assigned in class will be counted as either a test or quiz grade. Students will be notified ahead of time as to how these projects will be graded.