Welcome to Mr. Morial's World History Class!

1. Mr. Morial World History-Rm. 402 Welcome to our class! My main goals are to introduce you to global medieval history; teach reading strategies that allow you to better access and analyze historical documents; improve your critical thinking skills; and equip you with new skills to express yourself with. Our class will consistently be a brave space, full of growth-minded learners, where all members feel equally important, safe, respected, and capable. • Unit 1: World Geography Review & Introduction to Medieval History (1 week) • Unit 2: The Fall of the Roman Empire (3 weeks) • Unit 3: Medieval Europe & Byzantine Empire (3 weeks) • Unit 4: Medieval West Africa (2 weeks) • Unit 5: Medieval China (2 weeks) • Unit 6: The Americas (3 weeks) • Unit 7: Italian Renaissance & Reformation (2 weeks) • Unit 8: Modern Age (3 weeks) Areas of Study You will need: You will need: Journal Activities 25% 30% Group Work and Class Discussions 15% Reading and Text-Dependent Responses 30% Assessments Class Rules: • Pens • Positive Attitude • Pens • Be on Time • Be prepared • Be polite • Be ready to think • Be open to new ideas • Be willing to take risks • Do Your Own Work • No Inappropriate Tech Usage • Pencils • Pencils • Notebook • Highlighters • WH 7 Divider Tab • Folder (Optional) • Positive Attitude • Open Mind • Notebook • Highlighters • Pencils • 2” 3-Ring Binder • Divider Tabs • (See attached supply list for further details)

2. Policies Policies Academic Dishonesty Cheating and Plagiarism of any Kind Earns an Automatic “F” for the assignment and a minimum of 2 Teacher detentions (Trust yourself! You’re too talented to cheat!) Tardy Policy Being Tardy to Class Earns a Habitual Punctuality Statement. 3 Tardies Earns a Teacher Detention Progress Reports Progress reports will be printed and given to students every Tuesday. Signed Progress Reports are due one week after they are distributed. GRADING Grades are posted online via (PowerSchool) and are based on cumulative points. If you do not know the URL or your private password for the online grade book, please see the school office staff. Cheating/Plagiarism Cheating or plagiarism of any kind earns an automatic “F” for the assignment and a minimum of 2 Wednesday detentions E-DEVICES • Cell phones are to be used ONLY when the “License to Tech” sign is on the whiteboard. • Inappropriate usage will get them confiscated for the period. • After 3rd offense, parent must be involved in return of phone • Being caught cheating with a device will cost you phone privileges for the quarter Discipline Hierarchy Verbal Warning & Reset Relocation and Reflection Sheet Detention: Lunch Curb, Wednesday, or Afterschool Referral to Administration Homework Homework (HW) should always be turned in on time. Late Homework If you don’t turn in a HW assignment on time, you will have three (3) days to make it up. For each day the assignment is late, you will lose 10% of the grade. After the third day you will get a ZERO for the assignment. Excused Assignments If a legitimate reason like a family or medical emergency, or other situation beyond your control arises, let me know and I will work with you. BUT, I must know you need leniency to give it! Academic Honesty All Homework must be ORIGINAL WORK! Cheating or plagiarism of any kind WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!!!!

3. EXPECTATIONS HINT: If you hit a bullseye with each one, you will do quite well in this class! Enter Class Ready to Work Follow Directions Stay on Task Give full attention to speakers/presenters Raise Hand Before Talking Ask for Help when Needed Participate As Best As You Can Be Creative Trust Your Abilities Express Yourself Be a Friend, Not a Bully Help Create a Safe, Fun, and Productive Learning Environment Formative Assessment • Formative assessments will be given whenever new concepts/texts/learning strategies are introduced. • This will allow me to measure your understanding of the concept/text/learning strategyand build my IMs and IPs accordingly • In a nutshell, if you don’t understand something, these assessments will let me know so I can provide you with support. Conversely, if you have a very firm grasp on a given concept/text/learning strategy, I’ll know to create a more challenging activity for you • These assessments WILL NOT BE GRADED. They are simply a tool I use to make personalize the learning experience to each student’s needs.

4. Classcraft in our Classroom • Our class will make heavy use of Classcraft, starting Week 2 of School • Classcraft will help us with: behavior management, teamwork, academic performance, and making class more fun • Most, if not all Classwork will be structured as a Classcraft Quest • Visit www.Classcraft.com for details, including handbooks for students and parents, an intro video, and the permission slip needed to play Classcraft

5. Mrmsela.weebly.com Class Website Your One Stop Shop for all things related to Mr. M’s World History Class! Course materials, grades, an overview of my teaching philosophy, and other goodies can be found by visiting the link above. Aside from yourself, the website will be your best ally in n passing the class. The following sections pertain to the various communication methods at your disposal. Make good use of them. DO NOT SUFFER IN SILENCE! Help me, help you! C N O T C A T Gmail Accounts: Many assignments will have the option to be submitted via Google Docs. You will need to access your @aspirestudent.org Gmail account to participate. Keep track of your login info! You’ll be using it often. Contact Info: My email address is morial.williams@aspirepublicschools.org. The Contact page of the class website is also linked to my email account. Please send me your email address as well as your parent/guardian ASAP! In emergencies I can be reached via phone (preferably text) at 209-898-4704. I’m really looking forward to learning together this year!