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Plato Academy
Course Syllabus
Middle School 6th Grade World History
2012-2013
“Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn and you will.”
---Vernon Howard
Contact Info:
INSTRUCTOR
Ms. Slavin
E-MAIL
[email protected]
PHONE
(727) 286-6249
CAMPUS
Plato AcademyPalm Harbor
1601 Curlew Rd
Palm Harbor FL 34683
Course Description:
Middle School World History is the forum for students to explore and
understand the past, present, and future through engaged learning of
historical events, figures, and civilizations. The primary content for this course
pertains to the world’s earliest civilizations to the ancient and classical
civilizations of Africa, Asia, and Europe. Students will be exposed to the
multiple dynamics of world history including economics, geography, politics,
and religion/philosophy. Students will study methods of historical inquiry and
primary and secondary historical documents.
Materials:
 Notebook and/or folders with all necessary paperwork
 Pencils and/or pens, erasers, highlighter
 Binder- marked with name and grade for easy recognition
Expectations:
The Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like them to treat you.
Do not enter the classroom if a teacher is not present. Quietly wait outside the
door along the wall mindful that other classes may be in session.
o Please be on time and have all materials ready for class. If you do not
arrive on time with all materials, you will be marked TARDY and will sign
the TARDY or MISSING SUPPLIES LISTS. Accumulation of three
signatures per marking period may earn a consequence.
o Have all completed homework on your desk at beginning of each class.
o Copy day’s homework exactly into the agenda, and leave open for teacher
to check and stamp.
o Please respect school property, and all others’ property.
o Appropriate and respectful behavior is to be shown to others at all times.
Social Studies Notebook:
o Clearly print your name and grade on front cover.
o Neatly organize your notebook into 4 sections using dividers:
WORKSHEETS, NOTES, HOMEWORK, and TESTS/QUIZZES
o This CLASSROOM PROCEDURES sheet should ALWAYS be the first page
in your notebook.
o Homework will be given to reinforce what was introduced in class. It
should take no more than 15-20 minutes to complete, and will count for
10% of your average.
o Current events are discussed at the beginning of class daily, and it is
important that you are aware of events which may affect your role as a
citizen of the world.
o Tests will be given at the end of each chapter or major division and will
be announced a week ahead whenever possible.
o Textbook Internet Resources for McGraw-Hill Discovering Our Past- A
History of the World are available at connected.mcgraw-hill.com. Enter
user name and password; click on your networks book; select your
chapter and lesson.
Computer Use:
o You are responsible for your assigned computer ONLY and returning it to
its original location after use.
o Computers may be used after required work is completed to work on
Study Island or FCAT Explorer or other school- related assignments with
teacher permission.
o The “History” will be checked periodically in order to maintain your
progress in the required assessments and practice models assigned.
Assignments – Class Work and Homework
o ALL assignments are to follow school policy and have a PROPER
HEADING in the upper right hand corner of the paper:
FIRST and LAST NAME :
Iman A. Student
CLASS/ ASSIGNMENT :
7B -Civics, page 62: questions 4-7
DATE: August 22, 2012
o Typed writing assignments are encouraged whenever necessary. Please
use Times New Roman 12 and black ink only.
o
Homework Policy:
Students will receive homework every night except for most Fridays
and holidays with the exception of reading. Nightly, students will receive
approximately one hour of homework for sixth grade and eighty minutes
of homework for seventh grade, this does not include reading. However,
this may vary depending on the unit of study. Assignments will be
turned in at the beginning of the each class period, if they are not turned
in at this time they will be marked late.
Math homework must be completed at home in pencil. Students
who write illegibly will receive a zero or point deductions. Homework
brought in the following day will receive a maximum grade of 50%.
Students will have one day to turn in late assignments. After the grace
period assignments will be considered a zero.
Students who do not turn in a homework assignment will be
required to fill out a “No homework” sheet to be kept by the teacher.
Cell Phones: Students may bring cell phones to school. However they must be
turned off and kept in the student lockers or backpacks. Cell phones may not
be turned on while on school property. Cell phones being used or found on will
be confiscated by the staff until a parent is able to pick up the cell phone. Cell
phones may not be used to call home for illness or due to forgotten items. If a
student is ill they need to use the front office to call home.
Medications: All medications must be turned in to the office with the
appropriate paperwork. Students may not administer their own medications or
keep their medication with them. This is a strictly enforced rule to keep all
students and staff safe at school.
Uniforms: Students are required to wear uniforms as specified in the student
handbook. If a student is out of uniform they will receive two verbal warnings.
The third offense will require parents to bring an appropriate uniform to school
for the student to wear.
Lockers: Students are responsible for all belongings in their locker. According
to Florida State law all lockers may be searched at any time by school
personnel without student permission. Plato Academy is not responsible for
any lost or damaged items in lockers. Per administration we are not having
locks on the school lockers.
Backpacks: Students may bring backpacks to school, but backpacks are to be
left in their locker. No backpacks will be allowed in the classrooms.
Lunch Money: All student lunches need to be purchased online at our school
website [email protected]. There is a .50 extra charge for all
orders placed at school instead of online.
Make-up work Policy
If a student misses a day of class it is their responsibility to discuss
missing work with the teacher. All absent students will be given equal number
of days of absence to make up assignments without penalty. If a student has a
planned absence it is their responsibility to discuss assignments that will be
missed with the teacher ahead of time.
Attendance Policy as per Plato Academy Code of Conduct/Student
Handbook:
Good attendance and punctuality are very important characteristics that all students
need to acquire. Attendance is important to learning because when a student is absent
they miss the strategies necessary to master skills being taught in class which are
needed to be successful. Plato puts a lot of emphasis on good attendance and being at
school on time.
In General
1. Students who have been absent five days or more in a grading period may be
required to bring a certificate of illness from a licensed doctor to the school.
2. Every three "tardies" or early pick-up will result in the student receiving one
unexcused absence.
3. Within 48 hours of a student’s absence the parent will send a note or call the
school explaining the absence. If that contact does not occur, the absence will
be recorded as unexcused.
4. Excessive absences may lead to a referral and/or
parent/teacher/administration conference.
5. 15 unexcused absences will result in staff contacting the truancy office and/or
social services being contacted.
Assessment Rubric:
90-100
80 - 89
70 - 79
60-69
below 60
A
B
C
D
F
Assessment Procedures:
Test and Quizzes- 50% of final grade
Homework- 25% of final grade
Classwork- 15% of final grade
Participation- 10% of final grade
Rules:
Be respectful.
Be prepared.
Be responsible.
Consequences:
1st step- Verbal Warning- visual, verbal or proximity cues.
2nd step- Two interventions which will be chosen by the teacher (ex- seat
change, parent contact, loss of privilege etc.)
3rd step- After school detention. All detentions will be served on Mondays 3:104:00.
4th step- Administrative referral.
Report Cards
Middle
October 10
November 29
January 28
March 13
May 1
June 12
Mission Statement:
To assist our students in achieving their full potential by requiring and
nurturing high academic and behavioral standards in a safe, supporting,
challenging and enthusiastic environment fostered by a commitment and
cooperative effort between the schools, parents, guardians and community.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
The following is the intended schedule of instruction. It is subject to change and to be enhanced by
additional fieldtrips and activities.
Topic
Introduction: The study of geography and history provide the basis for understanding the
development of human civilizations that have led to the world’s current institutions.
Early Humans: Agriculture and metallurgy are the two key technological inventions that
transitioned human beings from hunter-gatherers to farmers, which, over time, led to the rise of
early civilizations.
1st Marking Period Ends
Ancient Greece: The ancient Greeks developed a complex society with
remarkable achievements in the arts, sciences and government. These
achievements continue to influence culture, science and politics in the world
today.
2nd Marking Period Ends
Ancient Rome: The ancient Romans made important contributions to government,
law and engineering. The cultural achievements of the Romans continue the art,
architecture and literature of today.
Ancient Sumer and Mesopotamia: Ancient Mesopotamia is located in the Fertile
Crescent and was the first civilization to embody all seven characteristics of a
civilization.
3rd Marking Period Ends (1/17/2012)
Ancient Egypt and the Near East: The civilization of the ancient Egyptians
developed in response to its desert environment and the flooding of the Nile River.
The ancient Egyptians and the near East civilizations created well-organized and
complex civilizations, which were also home to the world’s first monotheistic
religion, Judaism.
4th Marking Period Ends (3/1/2012)
Ancient India: Ancient India’s two major religions, Hinduism and Buddhism, have influenced
culture and society throughout Asia.
5th Marking Period Ends (4/12/2012)
Ancient China: Ancient China was a culture known for many important inventions
and a unique perspective on government and family life that still influences China
today.
Ancient Meso and South America: The civilizations of the ancient Meso and South
America developed in response to its challenging environment.
6th Marking Period Ends (6/7/2012)