wgsyllabus

Welcome to the 2008-2009school year. This website will be used to keep the students and parents updated on current assignments.

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Mr.Withey's Class Links

Honors World Geo/ Ancient Civ Homepage

World Geo/ Ancient Civ Homepage

Ancient Civilization Syllabus

Medieval History

Ancient Civilizations Course Information

Mr. Withey
303-387-3085
E-Mail:  Darren.Withey@dcsdk12.org
Office Hours:4th and 5th period, by appointment

Course Overview:

Welcome to class!  This course is intended for those students who are willing to learn about people and events that have come before us�from the dawn of time until present day.  We will focus on all significant civilizations that have formed our present world�those of Africa, Asia, Meso-America, Europe, with an emphasis on those cultures that have had the biggest impact on American society.  It is designed to challenge many dimensions of the student�although traditional study methods will be used, projects and assignments that require active participation (and sometime courage) will supplement them.  Role-playing, class discussion, formal debate, and public speaking will play a prominent role in this class.  I hope that all of us, working together as a team, can make this a valuable and fun experience.

I will always be available to help you with your class work or homework during Access time, or by appointment.

Course Goals and Objectives/ District Standards Addressed:

Social Studies : The student demonstrates an understanding of the concept of movement as the interaction across earth and space that connects places. This interaction occurs with the flow of human and natural phenomena.
High School: (9-12)
1.1 	Understands how natural phenomena, human migration, and settlement affect the lives of people and the environment.
 
Social Studies : The student demonstrates an understanding of culture as the learned behavior of people, including their belief systems, languages, social relationships, institutions and organizations, and forms of expression.
High School: (9-12)
2.1 	Understands how physical geography shapes the culture and history of societies.
2.2 	Understands the historical significance of religions and philosophical beliefs and how they developed and spread.
2.3 	Understands how cultural values and beliefs are reflected in and shaped by cultural activities (e.g., art, literature, architecture, sports, music).
 
Social Studies : The student demonstrates an understanding of location and place as related to people, environments and events in the past and present.
High School: (9-12)
3.1 	Knows how to locate groups of people, places, and environments on the Earth.
3.2 	Knows the physical and human characteristics of places studied.
 
Social Studies : The student demonstrates an understanding of interaction between people and groups, how they modify their environment, and the consequences of dependencies, adaptations, and modifications.
High School: (9-12)
4.1 	Understands how physical and human systems connect and interact and the consequences of those interactions.
4.2 	Knows historical developments and events and historical causes and their effects.
4.3 	Understands the circumstances under which societies have interacted and the results of those interactions.
4.4 	Understands that a major issue in history is the continuing struggle to distribute wealth, privilege, power, and responsibility. 
4.5 	Understands how United States foreign policy is influenced and/or carried out and its relation to current issues.
 
Social Studies : The student demonstrates an understanding of change through the interpretation and prediction of its causes and effects.
High School: (9-12)
5.1 	Knows how to recognize parallels between historical events and present situations and evaluate similarities, differences and consequences.
5.2 	Understands the impact of scientific, economic, and technological developments on individuals and societies.

Social Studies : The student demonstrates an understanding of the chronological organization of events and major eras.
High School: (9-12)
6.1 	Knows the chronological organization of historical events and major eras in the history of the United States and the world. 
6.2 	Knows the principles which are used to determine and define eras and how to compare alternative models for organizing history.
 
Social Studies : The student demonstrates an understanding of resources, their allocation and use.
High School: (9-12)
7.1 	Understands that choices are made because natural, human, and capital resources are scarce.
7.2 	Understands the characteristics of different economic systems as related to the production, distribution, and exchange of goods and services.
7.3 	Understands that the exchange of goods and services within, between and among nations creates economic interdependence and wealth.

Grading and Evaluation:

Quizzes and Tests:  Quizzes over vocabulary, assigned reading, and the previous days� work may be give at any time, so it is important to come to class prepared ever day!  Major tests, on the other hand, should never catch you by surprise, I will always give you several days notice before a test.

Homework:  Homework is to be expected, although not every day.  As long as you are in class everyday and do your best, many of the assignments for this course can be completed in class.  But every now and then you will need to do some work outside of class.  When homework is assigned, it is your responsibility to have it turned in on the due date at the beginning of class.

Grades:  Grades in this class are based on a point system.  Every assignment will be worth points, and your total points at the end of the semester will determine your grade.  In addition to points earned for tests, quizzes, homework, etc., you will also earn points for sharing learning with your classmates.  When you ask questions, work appropriately in groups, and participate in class discussions, everybody benefits (and your grade goes up!)

Grading scale: 	
Your grade will be weighted as follows:

90-100%: 	A    Exams (including essays & projects): 50%
80-89%:   	B    Homework:			          10%
70-79%:		C    Classwork:			          25%
60-69%:		D    Quizzes:			          10%
0-59%:		F    Participation:		                         5%

Late Work and Make-Up Work:

Late assignments MAY be accepted, but docked points everyday it is turned in late.

You are responsible for your work, not your friends, parents, or the environment.  (I will NOT give credit for any assignment that has been copied by someone else, cheating is NOT accepted!)

It�s due, whether you are here or not!  Simply, make arrangements to get the work done and in class on time.  I will accept late homework until the unit test date, but not after that!

I will not accept ANY late major projects!!!

Textbook and Notebook:
World Geography, Glencoe/McGraw-Hill Companies, 2003.
World History Connections to today Volume One.  Prentice Hall, 2003

You will need to have a three-ring notebook with 5 dividers that is just for this class.  Spiral notebooks and folders will not work.  Please arrange and label your dividers this way:
1. NOTES                                               
2. CLASSWORK                                    
3. MAPS
4. VOCABULARY
5. EXAMS

You are responsible for your notebook and must bring it to class every day.  You will be required to turn in your notebook every so often for a �notebook check.�  These checks will be graded!  Your notebook grade is based on three things:
1. Completeness- You have all of your work for this class (only) in your notebook.
2. Organization- The work is in order (i.e. within the appropriate divider.)
3. Neatness- Pages are not torn, excessively wrinkled, or stained.  Work is easy to read.

Other Materials:  It is very important that you have the following materials each and every day:
1. Your 3-ring notebook with dividers.  Always keep some extra paper in it.
2. At least one pen, either blue or black ink.  I would prefer pens over pencils.
3. Any books that have been checked out to you.

Classroom Expectations:

Work Ethic: You should generally expect to create something daily.  Sometimes this will consist of notes taken during class, often this will also require reading to be done outside of class.  I will always expect it to be done.  If you would ever like to discuss the amount or complexity of the homework assigned, please do not hesitate to see me.

Attendance:  Most of the work for this course will be done in class�and that means you need to be here!!  It is very important that, if you need to be absent, a parent or guardian calls the school to excuse the absence.  If your absence is excused, you need to see me as soon as possible to get your make-up work.  If you are gone and the absence is not excused, you will NOT have the opportunity to make up any work that you missed.  You should also know that in the case of a prolonged absence you might face the danger of losing credit even if the absences are excused.  If you know you might be gone for a long time, you need to talk to me right away so we can see if we can work something out.

You are responsible for making up any work that you miss for any reason � you cannot count on me to remind you that you have missed an assignment.  Come and visit during the Access period every now and then to make sure you are up to date.

School is a study of endurance, be in class, ON TIME so WE can make something happen.  Be sure you take care of things you need to�On Your Time.

Behavior Expectations:  
* Every student will do their work to the best of their ability.
* Each student will listen with their hearts as well as their ears.
* Each student will extend the respect that they feel that they are owed.
* Be good!  Try your best!  Ask questions when you don�t quite �get it.�
* Respect:  In this class, I will treat each and everyone of you with respect.  I expect the same from you.  I tend to treat others the same way that I would like to be treated.  Respect is a two-way street.  Please respect your classmates, yourself, and your teachers.

GETTING SOMETHING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL

BE POSITIVE!
A few people walk away from something they have invested in.
The more you become involved in school, the more you will get out of that experience.
If you fail to plan, then you should plan to fail.
When all else fails, read the instructions�carefully!
IGNORANCE IS SIMPLY NOT KNOWING, STUPIDITY IS MAKING THE CHOICE TO BE IGNORANT!
You�ll always miss 100% of the shots�YOU DON�T TAKE!!
Do it right the first time!
Attitude is everything!
EXPECT TO DO WELL!!!

MR. WITHEY�S DUMB RULES

Don�t Sit on Top of the desk.
Someone else may want to put their head down�

Don�t ask, �Is this Important?� or �Should I take notes?�
These kinds of questions prove that there are such things as Dumb Questions�

Worry about what is going on IN the room�(Never be caught looking out of the door or window during class.)
We can arrange for you to outside looking in�

Pretend that you like your teacher, even if you don�t.
Because I always have!

SUMMARY

High School is your final preparation for adulthood.  You have a mission to help make this a world a better place for yourself and the members of your community.  I take your mission seriously!  I�m looking forward to a great year.  Definitely, a very busy one, filled with a lot of learning, hard work and hopefully, some fun thrown in.

Student Statement of Understanding

I have read and understand the requirements for this class.  I will take the necessary steps to be prepared for this class.

(X)_________________________________________     DATE___________________

Parent/ Guardian Statement of Understanding

I have read, discussed, and understand the requirements for this class with my son/daughter.  My son/daughter will take the necessary steps to be prepared for this class.

(X)__________________________________________    DATE___________________

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