Course Syllabus

Andrew Stover - Dolphins Email: andrewstover@fcschools.net CCMS Tel: 919.554.4848

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 CURRICULUM:

In adherence with the NC Essential Standards, this year students will focus on world history beginning around the year 1400 CE and continuing to modern times, with a specific focus on Geography, History, Economy, Culture, and Government.

CLASSWORK (40% OF THE FINAL GRADE):

UNIT PACKETS: Students will put a packet together in my classroom for each unit. Every lesson we do will be checked for completion and accuracy and daily lesson grades will be posted at the end of the unit. Check below to see my makeup policy.

ONLINE ASSIGNMENTS: Due to the irregular availability of technology and glitches in our network, I am NO LONGER ACCEPTING work completed online. I will post all assignments on Canvas, but daily work must be done in the packet.

HOMEWORK: At this time, I do not have plans for homework.

MAKEUP: Students can makeup ALL assignments without penalty up to one week after we have completed our unit. Incomplete assignments are posted as a 50, and should be completed and turned in for re-grading. Because all assignments can be made up for full credit, I do not offer extra credit.

SKILL ASSESSMENTS (60% OF THE FINAL GRADE):

ASSESSMENTS: Students will be assessed regularly on key Social Studies skills including Map Interpretation, Graph and Chart Interpretation, Challenging Text, Critical Thinking and Cause/Effect. I will analyze and track student performance and progress in those areas.

RETAKES & CORRECTIONS: Students automatically get a second chance on all assessments. I find that correcting wrong answers is helpful in learning from one's mistakes.

HOW IS THE GRADE POSTED?: The corrected assessment score is the only grade that gets posted to PowerSchool.

HOW CAN MY CHILD STUDY?:  Since assessments are skill based, the only way to prepare at home would be to practice the skill that will be assessed. I have posted practice tests and other useful resources HERE.

CALCULATING GRADES:

Although we have a smaller number of assessments, those grades make up the lion's share of the total average. Here is a formula to help you figure out your final average:

(AVG of all classwork assignments x 0.4) + (AVG of all assessments x 0.6) = TOTAL

INFORMATION & UPDATES:

I will mostly communicate dates and general information through email. If you have not received any emails from me, please contact me so that I can add you to the list.

Also, feel free to visit My Twitter or My Facebook for some updates, lesson information, positive behavior reports, and school information. If you have Twitter or Facebook, please feel free to Follow my page and get updates in your news feed.

BEHAVIOR:

I have a class wide positive behavior plan that offers rewards for meeting and exceeding certain expectations. I give the students daily challenges and reward them for completing work in their collaborative groups. To maintain this plan, I utilize Class Dojo. Contact me for parent login information on Class Dojo, where parents can see how many challenges their kids are getting on a daily basis. Rewards include music in class, free seating, and weekly individual rewards for top point earners. Most of the time, kids just want us to recognize their hard work!

Parents can also see individual negative behaviors here. Weekly consequences for negative Dojo strikes include a warning, silent lunch, phone call home, and referral to administration (We'll call you before it gets to a referral).