9 Honors World History - Wellsboro Area School District

							Honors World History
Content:      Honors World History is a required 9th grade course in social studies. It has been broken
              into 2 separate sections worth .5 credit apiece. The first half will run from August
              through mid-January culminating in a 1st semester final exam. Students will investigate
              the development of the modern world and its impact on the creation and development
              of the United States. Our primary focus will be on Europe, Asia and the Middle East,
              however we will occasionally investigate South America, Canada, and Africa as well.
              Students will be engaged in 21st Century skill preparation throughout this course.

              As an Honors course, students will be expected to complete summer reading, journaling
              and a discussion board. Homework will be frequent to provide an opportunity for
              enrichment activities that coincide with the curriculum.

Materials:    This course will primarily be an investigative course in world history using primary,
              secondary, and tertiary sources. We will use the text World History: The Human
              Experience as a guideline, however most work will be done via external sources.
              Students will not be assigned a text for which they will be responsible unless it is
              requested. (See the following site for a usable definition of sources
              http://www.lib.umd.edu/guides/primary-sources.html#secondary )

              Many assignments will be completed in class, however outside resources may be
              needed. Those students without computers or internet access are asked to let Mrs.
              Wieder know so that accommodations can be made to complete the assignment.
              Computer programs we will use include word, excel, adobe reader, photo story, movie
              maker, blackboard, and PowerPoint. This list is not inclusive; however should a program
              used not be available at home, accommodations will be made.

Assessment:   Students will be assessed on a points system through various modes throughout the
              semester. Students will be assessed both individually and in group activities. The
              following measurements will be used:

                         Written Tests / Quizzes
                         Verbal Quizzes
                         Written Assignments
                         Homework
                         Classroom Activities
                         Group Project
                         Research Paper
                         Journaling
                         Class Participation
                         Notebook Check

              Rubrics outlining project expectations will be given prior to the assignments to clarify
              scoring.
               This year, the Wellsboro Area School District will be utilizing an on-line grade book
               accessible by parents. In an effort to keep parents informed as to their child’s progress,
               the grade book will be updated every Friday by 3:30pm.

Classroom Rules: This classroom is one of exploration and learning. Open discussion and participation
               are expected of all students. We will follow the Freshmen Team Course Guidelines in
              addition to the following classroom rules.

           1. Respect your peers and the teacher’s ideas, materials, and classroom materials.
           2. Be on time to class. I will excuse you to the restroom upon arrival if asked.
           3. Should you need to leave the room after class has begun, you must have your agenda
              and you must sign-out.
           4. Please ask if you don’t understand. I am not a mind reader and often misunderstand
              smiles for comprehension.
           5. If you are absent, you must present an approved school slip to receive / complete
              missed work.
           6. Homework is due the day it is assigned. Should you be absent from class, you must
              submit it upon your return to this classroom. School approved field trips are counted as
              attendance in class. Students are responsible for missed work. See me prior to leaving
              for your trip.
           7. These rules may be modified as needed by this teacher and classroom discussion.
           8. Classroom behavior is handled by this classroom teacher. Infractions will be handled on
              a case-by-case basis. I like to handle my own penalties if possible. Referrals may be
              made to the school administration when deemed necessary.

       Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. My email address is
       jwieder@wellsborosd.org or call the school at 724-3547. They will contact me with messages,
       and I will return the call as soon as possible.

       Thank you and I look forward to this wonderful year.


       Jodi L. Wieder
       Jodi L. Wieder
Signature Page
Please return completed no later than September 2, 2011 for full credit.

Parents,

Once you have read the above document, please detach this form and sign so that your student may
return it to me for a classroom homework assignment. Please feel free to contact me with questions or
concerns. I may not be able to contact you until late afternoon or during the evening, but I will return all
emails or phone calls as soon as I am able.

I thank you for the opportunity to work with your student. I am excited about this school year and look
forward to meeting you.

Sincerely,
Jodi L. Wieder

Student Name: _________________________________________________

Parent Name: __________________________________________________

I have reviewed the syllabus with my child. Should I have questions, I will contact you as soon as
possible.

Please check (√) one of the following.

_____ We have a computer with internet access.

_____ We do not have a computer with internet access.

Parent Signature: __________________________________________________________________

Date: __________________________

Comments: _______________________________________________________________________

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