20th Century Topics (IB History 2) – 2nd Semester

Mr. Baker

 

Telephone:  (410) 969-9010 x223      Email:  wbaker@aacps.org                Planning:  _____

 

OMHS Mission Statement:  The mission of Old Mill High School, a community rich in diversity with a multitude of programs, is to promote academic excellence and global perspective through collaboration and self-assessment in an effort to prepare productive citizens in an ever-changing world.

 

I show RESPECT for Self when I come to class with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.

I show RESPECT for Learning when I come prepared to class and follow classroom rules/instructions.

I show RESPECT for Others when I listen to what others are saying and give them my full attention.

I show RESPECT for Property when I take care of the objects that are in my classroom.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Students will analyze the causes of current social problems which impact U.S. society and the globe.

 

UNITS OF STUDY

Unit I               Issues in Social Stratification

Unit II                         Genocides

Unit III                        Equality Issues

Unit IV                        Adolescent Issues

 

Course Goals/Standards: 

  • Students will be able to effectively, eloquently, and elaborately write essays that uses knowledge that they have gained in class and through homework assignments
  • Students will develop into inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who will help create a better and more peaceful world through empathy, intercultural understanding, and respect
  • Students will become active and compassionate in the issues we discuss
  • Students will understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right

 

Materials:  Binder, textbook, pens and pencils (Please bring these items to class each day)

 

COURSE AND CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS/POLICIES

 

A/B Day Schedule:

The A/B day calendar is posted on the OMHS website, as well as the AACPS website.  A/B days are locked in for the school year and will not change, regardless of school cancellations. The A/B day calendar can also be found on the OMHS website, www.oldmillhigh.org.

 

Academic Integrity:    Please see p. 18 in the Student Code of Conduct.

In order to promote the pursuit of academic excellence and learning, Anne Arundel County Public Schools expects its students to conform to specific standards of academic integrity.  Academic integrity is an integral part of promoting self-respect, trust, student achievement, and positive relationships among all stakeholders in our school community.  Academic integrity means exhibiting honesty in all academic exercises and assignments.  Academic Dishonesty refers to any form of misconduct that occurs in relation to all formal academic exercises.  All parties involved in cheating on an assignment will be given a zero on the assignment in addition to other consequences.

 

Attendance: 

Attendance is very important to your success.  Whenever you are absent, your parent/guardian must provide a note of explanation to the school within three days of your return to school.  Absences in excess of five consecutive days require a physician’s note.   When you are absent, it is your responsibility to complete make-up work (see Make-Up work policy).  You will be allotted the same number of days equal to the number of days absent to make-up your work.  Students with three or more unlawful absences in a marking period may receive an “E” for the marking period. 

 

In addition, Board of Education’s Administrative Regulation JBA defines excessive absences as “A student who is absent six or more days a semester….regardless of cause.”  This is twelve days per school year.  In secondary school, credit may be withheld due to excessive absences. 

 

Make-up work:

When a student is absent, it is the student’s responsibility to get the make-up work.  The student will be allotted the same number of days equal to the number of days absent to make-up work.  I have a website at www.mrbaker.org that has each day’s drills, lecture notes, classwork, and homework.  Please visit it if you are absent!

 

Tardiness:

Learning can only take place when students are present in class and ready to learn and teachers are ready to teach!  Teachers will consider a student late once the late bell rings and a student is not in the classroom.  Consequences for tardiness to any instructional period, including returning from lunch will be as follows:

 

# Late Consequence

1.         Verbal Warning          

2.         Parent Contact

3.         Parent Contact & Teacher Detention

4+.       Referral to Administration

            Mandatory Parent conference           

5.      1 Hour Administrative Detention

6.      2 Hour Detention / attendance letter

7.      Suspension (for Insubordination)           

 

Grading:

Grades are earned by student to document mastery of course objectives, skills, content and concepts.  In this class, 60% of the student’s grade will be based on mastery while 40% will be earned through completion.  Rubrics will be provided to guide students for performance based assignments.

 

A student’s grade will be determined through a point system.  These points will carry the following weights:

Assessments (Tests, Quizzes, Projects) – 60%

Classwork – 20%

Homework – 20%

           

Grading Scale:

            A         100% - 90%     

            B           89% - 80%     

            C          79% - 70%     

            D          69% - 60%     

E          59% or below

 

High School semester grades are determined by averaging three weighted letter grades.

--1st Marking Period = 40%                 --2nd Marking Period = 40%                --Final Exam = 20%

 

Homework:

Homework is assigned on a regular basis.  All work should be attempted and completed to the best of the student’s ability.  Homework is posted in the classroom each day on the “Homework” board.  It is the student’s responsibility to record the Homework in their agenda.  

 

Interim Report and Report Card Distribution dates: 

The distribution dates are posted on the www.aacsp.org website, as well as on the Old Mill High website, www.oldmillhigh.org. 

 

Participation:

Instructional activities are used during every class to help the student think and reflect on course content.  Students are encouraged to actively engage in daily instruction.  Students will be given a participation grade based on how many times you volunteer.  Further information will be given to the students.

 

Passes:

Students must receive permission from the teacher to leave the classroom.  The teacher will complete the pass prior to the student’s exit from the classroom with the necessary information.  All students in the hallway during class time must have a pass indicating the time, destination, and an approving signature.

 

Re-do and Intervention Procedures:

Assessments may be redone under the following conditions:

#1 – If the assignment was given a serious attempt

#2 – If the student comes after school on a Wednesday to receive a review before they retake it

Classwork and homework may NOT be redone unless there are extenuating circumstances.

 

Extra Help Opportunities:  

Study buddies in class

Advisory Period

NHS Tutoring (during Advisory)

Extra Help Day:  Wednesdays 2:10 -2:50 & by appointment

Other

 

“E” Free Zone:

The staff at Old Mill High School is committed to providing a quality education to all students.  As educators, we believe that all students are capable of achieving academic success.  Therefore, in an effort to insure that all Old Mill High School students reach their full potentials, we have adopted a “no repeat/no failure policy,” entitled the “E Free Zone.” 

 

Please be advised that starting in the 2011-2012 school year, students who fail a course will only be permitted to recover or earn that credit through Twilight school (only offered for first time ninth graders), evening high school, or a summer school program.  No repeater classes will be offered during the regular school day.  It is our hope that by holding our students to the highest academic standard that all students will become productive citizens in a globally challenging world.  Please remain encourage your student and check grades regularly through Parent Connect or by calling or emailing teachers.  Know when report cards and interims are distributed and discuss them with your students.

 

Final Exams:

High School final examinations are comprehensive evaluations for the semester.  Final examination periods are two hours in length (with the exception of final exams for second semester seniors which are one class period in length).  Final examinations will include a variety of question types and at least one essay question. 

 

The principal may deny credit for those courses in which course requirements are not completed. 

 

Course requirements include the completion of a final examination/alternative assessment for each course; however, the final examination or alternative assessment shall be waived at the election of a student should he/she take the Advanced Placement (AP) or IB examination in the same subject. 

 

Students unable to take a final examination due to an emergency situation may, with the approval of the Principal, be permitted to take a make-up examination at a later date.  Exams are not given early.  Under extenuating circumstances, and solely at the discretion of the Principal, a waiver to the final examination may be considered. 

 

Student Progress:

Because parents are partners in the education of their child, communication between teachers and parents is vital to student success.  Written notes, notes in the student agenda book, telephone conversations, e-mails, face-to-face Parent- Teacher conferences (scheduled through the Counseling Department), student grade reports and interim reports are all excellent means of maintaining appropriate and open communication with parents.

 

Parents can also monitor student progress with our electronic grading system, Parent Connect XP.  Families are encouraged to refer to www.oldmillhigh.org regularly for school news.

 

 

Please sign and return to Mr. Baker.

 

I acknowledge that I have read and understand the Course Syllabus and will comply with the expectations/policies as stated, along with the policies/regulations of AACPS, specifically regarding the Academic Integrity policy. 

 

 

Class – Social Issues of the 21st Century

 

Period/Day – _____

 

 

 

Student Name (Print)                         _____________________________________________________

 

 

Student Signature                               _____________________________________________________

 

 

Student Email (PRINT CLEARLY):      ______________________________________________________

 

 

 

Parent Signature                                ______________________________________________________

 

 

Parent Email (PRINT CLEARLY):        ______________________________________________________