Mrs. Cruz*****Email: cruzk@mdusd.k12.ca.us**
Room 704*****Website: www.freewebs.com/karnacruz
Phone: 925-687-2030 ext. 8361.
World Civilizations
Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year! I am very excited to be teachingWorld History and the impact it has in today's society. I know that this is going to be an educational and successful year. I know that with support and communication from both me and you, students will have a very successful and enlightening year ahead of them. We will discuss and debate the validity of our information and how it applies to us in today's society. Please read through the following syllabus together so that you can understand my policies and procedures. Your signature indicates that you agree to support class procedures and to ensure a successful year for your student. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me to set up an appointment. Please avoid drop-in conferences as this makes it very difficult for me to prepare and do a thorough job of discussing what challenges your student might be facing.
Materials for Class:
MANDATORY: A 3-ring binder with at least 200 pages of filler paper. All Students must keep a history binder. No other coursework should be in this binder- only world history!!!
A FLASH DRIVE FOR ALL ESSAYS!!
Pens or pencils ALWAYS!!
Colored pencils or color pens
Gluesticks
Five Basic Rules:
Arrive on time, alert, prepared, ready to work.
Be courteous, be polite to EVERYONE!
Take responsibility for your own learning. DO THE WORK AND DO IT WELL!!
Listen carefully. Ask appropriate questions.
Remove hoods, sunglasses/no cell phones or headphones; they will be taken NO WARNINGS!!!
Expectations:
You must participate in class discussions, it broadens the mind and is part of your grade. If you have unexcused absences, you cannot make up participation points. Be wary of this, those points are not invisible (you will see a marked effect this has on your grades)!! All Students must keep a history binder. No other coursework should be in this binder- only world history!!! If you miss a class, check the Make-up Box in class for previous work, then get it out of the bin marked for the day you missed. Previously assigned work is due when you return!! If you miss notes, or a study guide due to absence, then you need to get the information from a friend. Projects and essays are assigned in advance; therefore, are due on their due dates! I staple all homework and class assignments together. Once I do this, you cannot turn anything in until the next time I collect work. FOR LATE WORK:
1st Quarter- 2 days late + a reduced grade by 50%
2nd Quarter- 1 day late + a reduced grade by 50%
3rd Quarter- By the end of the day + a reduced grade by 50%
4th Quarter- Due on Due date, BEGINNING OF CLASS!! NO LATE WORK!!
For every excused absence, you have ONE day to make up the work you missed on that day (not infinite amounts of time); be diligent! I WILL NOT grade late work the week before progress reports/report cards! To participate for extra credit work, you have to complete 100% of your assignments.
Grading Policy:
90-100= A
80-89= B
70-79= C
60-69= D
59 == F
Discussion/Participation/Reading Book= 20%
Homework/Notebook/Essays= 35%
Tests/Projects= 30%
Finals= 15%
Plagiarism- We will go over plagiarism in detail. Anything that is borrowed and not cited, be it on essays or homework or projects is plagiarized!! There are no second chances on this. If you plagiarize, you will fail the assignment and not receive a chance to make it up!! I will also call your parents and inform your vice principal if it is a major project or test in order to ensure that there is no misunderstanding in why you are failing. BE WARNED!!!
Required Outside Class Reading- You must read 250 pages a semester(a total of 500 pages this year) from the approved list attached. The reading must be relevant to what we have studied in 10th Grade World History, and you may not choose a book outside of the reading list unless I APPROVE IT IN WRITING! You will be responsible for keeping a reading log and writing a book review ACCORDING TO MY FORMAT, in which you will prove that you read the book and did not just copy a review. If you are not convincing, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT! I WILL be asking questions that you must be able to answer within your review. You will also need to tie the book into the theme(s) we covered in class. You must inform me of the books you are reading by the progress report dates of 1st and 3rd quarters. The book reviews (like the binder checks) are worth 200 points each. You MAY NOT choose the same books that are required reading for your English class.
Required Research Essays- You must complete a researched essay with a "C" or better in order to pass World History. Your expectations will be written out, and throughout the year we will work on how to research and put together an historical essay. Plagiarism results in an automatic zero!
My Advice to You- Be on time and ready to work. Have an open mind, some of the things you will learn this year will greatly surprise you. DO YOUR WORK! In the end, only you can make yourself succeed or fail. I never had a student fail that turned in all of his/her work. Oh yes, keep your binder organized; it is worth 800 points, which is significant.