Download King William High School Course Syllabus 2016

King William High School
Course Syllabus 2016-2017
World History I
Mrs. Megan Hirsch
Room 508
[email protected]
(804)769-3434
Course Description
World History I is a yearlong course in the study of world history culminating in June with the Virginia
Standard of Learning exam for the course. Yearlong preparation, study, and guided review will prepare the
student for success on this challenging exam.
This course provides a study of the history of the world beginning with prehistory through the
Renaissance. Over this year, the class will explore key world events, cultures, important figures, global
interaction, exploration, and geography. Emphasis will be placed on ancient and classical civilizations and
their contributions to modern society.
It should be understood that the history course will be challenging and time consuming. In the learning
process, there will be lecture, teacher-led discussions, and student-driven activities. Students will be
required to read, take notes, and complete homework. Students will be tested every other week and
assigned a project and writing assignment every grading period.
SOL Standards
World History to 1500
WHI-1: The student will improve skills in historical research and geographical analysis by interpreting
primary and secondary sources, using maps, globes, artifacts, and pictures, identifying major geographic
features, identifying the locations of civilizations, analyzing trends in human migration and cultural
interaction, and analyzing the impact of economics.
WHI- 2: The student will demonstrate knowledge of early development of humankind from the Paleolithic
Era to the agricultural revolution
WHI- 3: The student will demonstrate knowledge of ancient river valley civilizations, including those of
Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus River Valley, and China and the civilizations of the Hebrews, Phoenicians,
and Nubians
WHI- 4: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the civilizations of Persia, India, and China
WHI- 5: The student will demonstrate knowledge of ancient Greece in terms of its impact on Western
civilization
WHI- 6: The student will demonstrate knowledge of ancient Rome in terms of its impact on Western
civilization
WHI- 7: The student will demonstrate knowledge of the Byzantine Empire and Russia
WHI- 8: The student will demonstrate knowledge of Islamic civilization
WHI- 9: The student will demonstrate knowledge of Western Europe during the Middle Ages in terms of its
impact on Western civilization
WHI- 10: The student will demonstrate knowledge of civilizations and empires of the Eastern Hemisphere
and their interactions through regional trade patterns
WHI- 11: The student will demonstrate knowledge of major civilizations of the Western Hemisphere,
including the Mayan, Aztec, and Incan
WHI- 12: The student will demonstrate knowledge of social, economic, and political changes and cultural
achievements in the late medieval period
WHI- 13: The student will demonstrate knowledge of developments leading to the Renaissance in Europe
in terms of its impact on Western civilization
Resources
The course will use the text, World History: Volume 1, by Ellis & Esler. You are required to bring your
textbook to EVERY SINGLE CLASS SESSION. You cannot complete in class assignments without your
textbook, and your grades will suffer as a result.
Classroom Rules and Procedures
1. ALL rules and regulations outlined in the King William Student Code of Conduct for 2016-2017 will
be enforced in this classroom.
2. Students are required to be on time and to be prepared with the appropriate materials for every
single class. On time means sitting in the assigned seat when the bell rings. Tardiness will be dealt
with according to the King William Student Code of Conduct. Being prepared includes having
pen/pencil, paper, binder, textbook, the day’s assignment, and being ready to work and participate.
Students should not come to class expecting to borrow these items from other students or
the teacher.
3. Inappropriate behavior, comments, and attitudes will not be tolerated. The teacher expects the
utmost respect and conduct of every student.
4. The faculty and administration will not tolerate cheating in any way. Students found cheating,
plagiarizing, copying homework, etc, will be dealt with according to the Honor Code for King
William High School. DO NOT CHEAT IN ANY WAY!
5. This class requires active participation. Come to class ready to discuss the topic of the day.
6. Students assigned to MIP will take their textbook, notebook, and any other materials to MIP and
complete all work. Failure to complete assigned work will result in an automatic zero for that
particular assignment.
7. NO FOOD OR DRINK in the classroom.
8. It is the responsibility of the student to see the teacher about missing or late work.
Homework will be graded as 100 when hand-in complete and on time, 90 if it is one class day late
or partially incomplete, as 80 if it is 2 class days late, etc.. Homework will not be accepted after it is
5 classes late. Absent make-up work must be completed within the time frame outlined in the King
William Student Code of Conduct and may not exceed 3 consecutive days. The student’s first day
back in class after an absence counts as “Day 1”.
9. Long term essays and projects must be turned in on the due date, even if the student is absent from
class.
10. The classroom is a learning environment. Therefore, students should come to class every day ready
to participate and learn as much as they can. To help the student in the learning process,
homework will be assigned every day that the class meets.
11. There will be a project and take-home writing assignment given for each of the four nine weeks.
Details about each assignment will be given to the students well in advance of the project due date.
12. Students have the opportunity to re-take any test or quiz for an improved grade. Students are only
eligible to re-take tests once, after attending a review session with the teacher after school. Tests
and quizzes are to be re-taken before or after school at the teacher’s discretion. STUDENTS MAY
NOT RE-TAKE A TEST/QUIZ IN CLASS.
Teacher grading policy
Test Average (4 tests/9 weeks):
Quizzes:
Homework:
Class work/ In-class assignments:
Prepared/Participation:
40%
20%
15%
15%
10%
A
B
C
D
F
100-93
92-85
84-77
76-70
Below 70
Course outline per grading period
1st Nine Weeks
 Prehistory (Paleolithic and Neolithic Eras)
 Ancient River Civilizations (Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus River Valley, and China)
 Classical Civilizations (China, India, and Persia)
 Greece
2nd Nine Weeks
 Greece
 Rome
3rd Nine Weeks
 Byzantine and Russia
 Islamic Empire
 Eastern Empires (Asia)
 Western Empires (Maya, Aztec, and Inca)
 Early Middle Ages
4th Nine Weeks
 Middle Ages [Early and Late] (SOLs 9 and 12)
 Renaissance
 Review
Materials
Students will need:
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2 or 3 inch three ring binder
15 dividers
Two packs of loose leaf
Pens (blue or black) and Pencils (#2)
Highlighters
Dry erase markers
******Teacher Website: Go to King William Website, on the left side click “Teacher websites”, find
Hirsch, Megan. This website will provide a calendar of upcoming tests, quizzes, assignments, and
links to important handouts and notes for absent students. ******
Course: World History I
Teacher’s Name: Mrs. M. Hirsch
Student’s Name: _____________________________________________
I have read the syllabus for the course listed above, and I understand and will comply with its contents.
Student’s signature: ____________________________________________
Date: __________
PARENT/GUARDIAN
I have read the syllabus and will expect my child to comply with its contents.
Parent’s signature: ______________________________________________ Date: ____________