World History Syllabus

Ms. Vanessa Tharp Phone: 503-431-5589 vtharp@ttsd.k12.or.us Website: http://misstharp.weebly.com

Welcome to World History and Geography! This course is designed to help you understand how actions of the past have influenced us today. We will be looking at the whos, whats, wheres, whens, whys, and hows of various events, revolutions, and conflicts throughout the world (both past and present). You will experience a wide variety of assignment types (from discussions, projects, group work, to essays and art) throughout our studies, so expect to bring your creative side to learning. My instruction is based on Oregon State Standards and the Common Core Curriculum for the Social Sciences, and you will see these displayed for every unit. Possible units to be covered are as follows: Personal and Family Histories, Geography of the World, Social Studies Vocabulary, Timelines, Map Skills, The Age of Exploration, Industrial Revolutions, Industrial Revolution, Imperialism, The Middle East, China, India, Africa, Mexico, Russia, World War I, World War II, The Cold War, Womans Suffrage, Terrorism, Current Events, and more! Possible Themes: Power and Authority, Religion and Philosophy, Interactions with Environment, Economics, Culture, Empire Building, Science and Technology and others.

Expectations
I have high expectations for your standard of work, integrity, and behavior. Standard of Work I am putting a lot of thought and effort into making this an informative and interesting class. Please reciprocate that by always putting your best effort into assignments, group work, or class discussions. For more in-depth assignments, I will give detailed grading instructions and/or rubrics so you know exactly how to show your understanding. Integrity I expect all of you are honest and hard-working. However, every year I have to call home and take other measures as a result of cheating. I take this issue very seriously even for seemingly small assignments. We will work as pairs or groups frequently, but what you turn in must be YOUR work. Helping each other understand concepts and talking things out is highly encouraged, but direct copying shows me you didnt put any effort into it, or didnt understand it. Either way, we have an issue. When two assignments come back identical (or close enough to tell cheating has taken place), both will receive a score of 0.

 More importantly, plagiarism, or directly using the words of another as

your own, is illegal and will result in a 0 and higher disciplinary action. When in doubt, CITE YOUR SOURCE!

Behavior The use of electronic devices (cell phones, ipods, gaming systems, etc.) is not allowed during class time unless specifically needed for an activity and with the teachers permission.

All other school policies including those pertaining to food in the

classroom, tardies, inappropriate language, etc. will also be followed according to TuHS guidelines. Please respect the gender, ethnicity, work ethic, sexual orientation, religion, beliefs, politics, families, fashion sense, hair cut, socioeconomic status, age, interests of all you come in contact with. I do not stand for any words/behavior that put someone down and there will be discipline action if needed. My #1 rule is: Dont be rude! (simple as that! )

We will have in-class discussions and some small group work.

Grading Policy:
Assignments will come in various forms: homework, in-class work, quizzes, tests, projects, simulations, discussions and more.

Late Work/Absence Procedures

Work turned in late will receive 50% of your earned credit. A missed test MUST be made up the next class day (at lunch, on my prep, or after school) unless arrangements have been made with me at least one class day before the test.NO EXCEPTIONS! Large projects are NOT accepted late without clearing it with me at least two days in advance.

Technology in the Classroom

This year I plan to integrate more technology into our classwork. We may occasionally may have a class set of ipads. We will work on procedures to utilize them efficiently and appropriately. Each student will be assigned a specific ipad to use, and I strongly suggest each student have a set of earbuds/headphones to use when individual assignments arise. (Nothing fancy!) We will also use Google Docs so make sure you have your Google Doc Permission Slips signed online with the School District! http://google.ttsd.k12.or.us/

Video Policy
To supplement our classroom learning, I occasionally show films or parts of films or TV shows. In general, these are short documentary-style clips of a historic nature. I do, however, show a few fictional adaptations of historical events that have theater ratings of PG or PG-13. The school board policy regarding film states that parent permission be obtained for students to view films above a G rating. See Parent Communication/Permission Page, please sign and return.

Accommodations:
Any student with special instructional needs (those designated as TAG, on IEPs, 504s, or any other student who may need additional resources in class) will receive academic instruction that is appropriate to their rate and level of learning. This may mean accelerated/decelerated pacing, challenge activities, specialized groupings, and more. Please, if you feel like you are not challenged, or if you feel overwhelmed.come TALK TO ME!!! I am more than happy to work with you to meet your learning needs. TAG STUDENTS: To ensure that students designated as "Talented and Gifted (TAG) receive academic instruction that is appropriate to their rate and level of learning, the curriculum and instruction of this course may be differentiated to include specialized groupings, compacting of curriculum, accelerated pacing, and providing of extension/challenge activities. HB 2220: Recent changes to Oregon State law require school districts to separate academic performance from behavior in the grading process. A new TTSD report card and transcript system is under development to meet these requirements and we will forward more information as this new system is implemented. Dont forget there is Homework Club every Tuesday and Thursday at Tualatin HS library from 3-4:30pm students get help from teachers, support staff, have access to computers and printers and a snack. There are rides home from an Activity Bus. Mr. Prescott oversees the program if you have any questions: jprescott@ttsd.k12.or.us or 503431-5679. Final Note: I am looking forward to a great year with you. Please know that communication is key with me my prep is 2A and 2B for first semester and I have 2nd lunch on both days. Email and after school is the best time to see me. My email is vtharp@ttsd.k12.or.us

Parent Communication/Permission Form Please sign and return ASAP. Parent Contact Information for:__________________________________(Student name) Parent name(s):_____________________________________________________ Phone number:______________________________________________________ Email:_____________________________________________________________ Film Policy

To supplement our classroom experience, periodically we will be viewing media that deals with mature themes and situations. The few films and film clips selected have been chosen to help students experience history in a more real way. The school board policy regarding film states that parent permission be obtained for students to view films above a G rating. Though almost all of the pieces I show are documentary-style and do not have ratings, there are some pieces with a few mature words and images. I may also show parts or all of PG or PG-13 rated films. Parents--please indicate your preference by checking the appropriate box: I am aware and approve of my daughter/son occasionally viewing material of a mature nature to better understand psychology. I do not want my daughter/son to view material that is rated PG or PG-13. I would prefer him/her to have an alternative assignment. Thank you. If you have questions, please contact me.

I have reviewed this syllabus and understand the opportunities for and expectations of my student.
____________________________________________________________________________ (Parent signature here) ____________________________________________________________________________ (Student signature here)