Position+Paper


 * Mr. Walkowiak**
 * 9th Grade American History I**

__**Course Description:**__ The ninth grade United States History course begins with the Colonization of America and ends with the beginning of Reconstruction.

__**Course Units of Study:**__
 * Review of U.S. Geography - States and Capitals
 * The establishment and growth of the American Colonies
 * The American Revolution
 * The Constitution
 * The Westward Movement
 * The Civil War and Reconstruction

__**Instruction Methods:**__ Direct Instruction and Cooperative learning

__**Instructional Tools:**__ Textbook, Written and Oral Reports, Projects and Presentations, Guest Speakers and Field Trips (if possible), Videos and the Social Studies Computer Lab with available resources.

__**Classroom Rules**__ • Have RESPECT for teachers, substitutes, fellow classmates, their belongings and yourself. • Be PREPARED for class (book, notebook, portfolio, assignments, pen/pencil) • Students will NOT BE PERMITTED to go to their locker to get missing homework assignments, etc; they forgot to bring to class. • Come to class with a learning attitude. • Be on TIME for class. • No abusive, rude or profane language will be tolerated. • Only one person talking at a time and pay attention to what they are saying. • Cheating on a test, quiz or assignment will result in an automatic zero. • Only 2 people to the bathroom per period, repeat offenders will be dealt with, check handbook on bathroom policy • Class is over when I say it is over, the bell does not dismiss you. • All other rules in the student handbook will be enforced in class.

__**Student’s Homework Responsibilities**__ • All assignments will be neatly completed and turned in on time. • Students are responsible for making up homework and class work due to an absence from school • **One day late homework will be accepted for a grade equivalent to that of a “C”, minus anything else that may be wrong with the given** • **Any assignment turned in after one day late will not be accepted by the teacher and will receive a zero.** • Any assignment forgot in their locker and turned in at a later time the same day, will still be marked as LATE! Or if you choose to get the forgotten item out of your locker once class has begun, you will be marked as an unexcused late! • For papers or projects, students will be penalized one letter grade for each day the assignment is late. • Homework is a very vital aspect of this course and should be taken seriously. Any student that does not do homework on a regular basis is placing himself or herself in danger of failing this course. • Homework will be assigned approximately 0-3 times weekly and on weekends if need be!
 * assignment.**

__**Evaluation**__ • Students’ grades will be comprised of tests; quizzes, pop quizzes and homework/class work assignments. • Students will be graded on a total points system. • All assignments and tests/quizzes must be done in blue or black ink or pencil. • Anyone caught cheating will receive an automatic zero.

__**MID-TERM EXAM**__
 * Students will take a mid-term examination on the first half of the year. The **__mid-term will account for 6%__** of the final grade for the year.

__**FINAL EXAM**__
 * The final exam will count as a fifth marking period and will be based on the whole school year. If you have an “A” average EVERY marking period, you will be exempt from taking the final exam. The __**Final Exam will count as 14%**__ of the students final grade.

__**Extra Credit**__ • Extra Credit will be given on a limited basis. (i.e. on tests or assignments given in class) • No projects will be accepted at the end of a marking period to boost up grades. • One video taped program relating to any part of the curriculum will be accepted once a marking period along with a summary and critique of the taped. Downloaded material must be discussed prior to download to see if it is acceptable. program for 50 points. (NO STORE BOUGHT/PRE-RECORDED VIDEOS WILL BE ACCEPTED) • No extra credit for the fifth marking period (THE FINAL EXAM)

• Will be taken into account when determining the final grade for the marking period. • When the student is on the thresh hold of moving up to the next letter grade participation and behavior will be considered. • If a student has a zero for any assignment in the marking period, I will not round up, even with good behavior and participation.
 * __Class Participation and Class Behavior__**

__**Student Portfolio**__ • Students must keep a class portfolio in which they are to keep all assignments, tests, quizzes etc. (No papers will be given out if a student loses them!) • The portfolio is worth 100 points and will be graded. • (NO PHOTOCOPYING MISSED ASSIGNMENTS FROM OTHER STUDENTS OR USING THEIR PORTFOLIO FOR THE TEST; THIS WILL RESULT IN A ZERO ON THE TEST!) • In the event that students share their binders with each other on test day, both parties will be given a zero for cheating. Also, If the student doesn't have his/her binder on the day of the test, a late penalty will be enforced, the student may take the test the next day but for no higher than an 84%. • The portfolio could be a three-ringed binder or a simple folder.

__**Absence/Make-Up**__ • Students are responsible for making up any work due to an absence. • Students must approach the teacher at the beginning of class and remind him they were absent and he will inform the students on what they missed. • For further information refer to the student handbook.

• In order for your child to have a successful school year it is imperative that WE work together to stay on top of your child’s academic progress. • If you need to contact me, the school phone number is (570) 325-3663. My email address is cwalkowiak@jtasd.org • Furthermore, besides calling you on the telephone, I may send home progress reports in which you will have to sign and send back to school with your child. • Through a combined effort on both our parts, your child’s school year should be a successful one.
 * __Parent Teacher Communication__**