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EARLY WORLD HISTORY
Mr. Almeida
[email protected]
The mission of the Lincoln High School community is to educate all students
in a safe, nurturing and respectful environment that empowers them to
become lifelong learners and productive citizens in a global society.
Course Description
Welcome! I am glad you are here and I am sure because of your presence and
participation we will have a great year!
Lincoln High School’s World History program is a two-year study of the political,
social, economic, intellectual and aesthetic factors that comprise civilization from the
dawn of civilization to the present day. The first course of the two-year study is
Early World History and Geography. This rigorous class will train students to think
critically and to engage in cultural analysis. Students will read literary and
informational texts for comprehension and analysis. Students will develop writing
skills to become proficient in social studies and to meet the requirements of the
Rhode Island Grade Span Expectations in Historical Perspectives. Students will
develop an understanding and appreciation of our global heritage through the study
of the great ideas of humankind.
In order to create individual responsibility and personal communication skills,
students will work independently and in cooperative learning groups. A variety of
instructional methods will be employed to help students become lifelong learners in
a global society.
We will be spending a considerable amount of time writing in this course. Writing
assignments will range from informal in nature to a very structured and formal
style. It is my hope that as the year goes on your writing will improve. If you do not
consider yourself a strong writer do not worry. I will be providing you with a great
deal of support.
Curriculum Units
Timeline
Unit 1: Early Man/River Civilizations
20 days
Unit 2: Classical Civilizations
76 days
Unit 3: World Religions
44 days
Unit 4: Medieval Times
46 days
Proficiency Based Graduation Requirements
Students will receive many opportunities to fulfill their PBGR requirements
throughout this class. The various tasks assigned in this class will meet many of the
Lincoln High School mission statement indicators but ultimately it is the student’s
responsibility to ensure that all PBGR requirements are met.
Day-To-Day Policies
 Bring your notebook—which you use only for history—and a writing utensil
to class everyday. It is important that you bring your notebook to class
everyday as you will be expected to take notes from the lectures. The
notebook should have a section for classroom notes and a section for freewrites. The notebook will be collected once a quarter and graded. In addition
to your notebook, you need to bring your history folder to class everyday. You
will be receiving many handouts this year so sticking handouts in the back of
your history notebook or history textbook will not do. The folder is part of
your notebook and so it will be taken into consideration when notebook
grading takes place.
 Textbooks should be brought to class everyday unless I tell you otherwise.
Days may go by when we do not use the textbook but do not assume that it is
alright to leave the text in your locker or at home.
 If you miss class please refer to the absent folder for any missed handouts or
homework assignment. If the folder is empty do not assume that there was
no homework. When in doubt please see me at the end of class.
 All work you turn in must be your own. There are serious consequences for
cheating. Remember there are consequences for both the copier and the
person who allows a fellow student to copy their work. Zeros will be assigned
to all students involved. Plagiarism is considered cheating. Receiving a zero
on a major grade (essay, test, project, etc.) can have a devastating effect on
your grade. If you do not understand an assignment or you are having
trouble, come see me so I can help you.
Grading Policies
100 points -- Student Assessments
50 to 100 points -- Projects (including quarterly notebook checks, essays, etc.)
10 to 20 points -- Homework
STUDENT ASSESSMENTS
 Formal assessments may take various formats: test, quiz, essay, project, etc..
Tests will always be announced but quizzes, on the other hand, may not
always be announced. Tests are expected to be completed within the allotted
class time (IEP or 504 Plan provisions excluded).
A) If you are absent the day of the review you are still required to
take the test upon your return to school.
B) Because the essay portion carries the most weight on a test, a
formal writing style is expected. That is, essay questions must be
answered using a five paragraph format (thesis, three supporting
arguments, conclusion).
PROJECTS
 In this class there will be projects and many mini-projects. Typically you can
expect at least one or more mini-projects a unit. Some projects will be
required to be completed in class while other projects will be completed
outside of class.
HOMEWORK
 Homework will normally fall into the following grading categories:
+ = 10
 =8
- = 7
Ø = No credit given. Assignment must be resubmitted for credit.
A) Homework should be handed in on-time. Late homework will only
receive partial credit. Homework handed in after two days of the
original due date will receive no credit. If a student fails to turn in an
assignment after two days s/he will receive a zero for the assignment
and will not be allowed to make up the work.
B) Work must be completed either in pencil or black/blue ink.
Homework in any other ink color will not be accepted.
Expectations Regarding Classroom Behavior
1) Be on time for class. Habitual lateness to class will result in teacher detention.
2) Only one person in the room should be speaking at a time meaning there should
be no side conversations taking place during instructional periods. To speak when
someone else is speaking, whether it is the teacher or another student is simply
rude.
3) Stay in your seat during class time unless told otherwise by the teacher. If you
get out of your seat without prior permission you will receive an automatic
detention. This is a safety issue. It is the responsibility of the whole class to make
sure our time together is both safe and productive.
4) Consistent behavior which is unbecoming of a student, such as making it
impossible or near impossible for your fellow students to learn or for the teacher to
teach, will result in office referrals and/or parental/guardian notification.