WORLD HISTORY I

Ms. Kuo | Room 169 (B, C) and Room 174 (E, F)

COURSE EXPECTATIONS

EXTRA HELP:
I am available before and after school and throughout the day by appointment. Come see me!

E-MAIL: PHONE:
jkuo@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us (781) 861-2320 x2856

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The goal of freshman world history is to help you develop core historical knowledge that you can use to enrich your understanding of
the world today. We begin our year with ancient India and continue to the beginning of the Early Modern Period in Europe. This class
also places an emphasis on learning the tenets of the major world religions. Throughout the year, we will be using primary sources to
engage our critical-thinking skills and will be connecting our studies to current events.

TEXTBOOK:
This course uses World History: Patterns of Interaction.

CLASS PREPARATION:
Students are expected to come to class on time and prepared every day. Class continues until you are formally dismissed. Do not pack
up early. Please bring the following materials to class daily:

• A three-ring binder, with loose-leaf notebook paper, that is only for world history.
o This binder should have four dividers:
 general materials and permanent papers that you will need all year (like this syllabus)
 loose-leaf notebook paper for class notes and assignments
 homework
 quizzes and tests
o You will empty out the binder at the end of each unit and keep it in a permanent file at home. It is important to
maintain an organized binder and permanent folder because the final will be cumulative.
• A composition book (no spirals)
• An assignment notebook
• A writing utensil
• Any materials I request in advance

HOMEWORK:
Students can expect homework assignments at least once a week. Assignments will be posted on the board and on the class website,
and students should record it in their assignment notebooks.

Homework is due at the beginning of class on the day it is due. Late homework is not accepted for full credit. If you are absent on
the day homework is due, it is your responsibility to turn it in when you return. Homework may be checked for participation or for a
grade.

Zeros Aren’t Permitted (ZAP) program: If you did not turn in homework during class on the day it is due, you will need stay during
Z block (2:25 p.m. to 3 p.m.) either that afternoon or the next to complete the work for half credit. Homework completed thereafter
will receive no credit.

You are expected to carefully and completely read any assigned textbook pages or handouts and be ready to contribute to class with
the information.

Unless otherwise specified, assignments may be handwritten or typed.

But if you choose to type your assignments, you are responsible for printing out these assignments. All typed assignments, including
homework, must already be printed out before the beginning of class. I do not print your assignments. No e-mailed assignments are
accepted.

GRADING PROCEDURES:
Grades are determined on a point system, so there is not a set “percentage” that each assignment is worth. Rather, each assignment is
given a value.
For example, a quiz might be worth 40 points, and the highest possible score will be 40/40.

Quizzes will be both announced and unannounced. Tests will be announced one week in advance.

Any questions or concerns about grades must be discussed outside of class time and after 24 hours have passed. No grade-related
questions or concerns will be discussed before 24 hours.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Students are expected to follow the Lexington High School honor code at all times. Please see the student handbook for information
on academic integrity.

TARDINESS and ABSENCES:

Please consult the student handbook regarding the school’s attendance policy. Tardies will be counted toward class participation.

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR and EXPECTATIONS:

1. Respect the learning environment
2. Give your full effort
3. Be on time to class

ELECTRONIC DEVICES:
MP3 players (such as iPods), cell phones, PDAs and other such devices are not allowed in the classroom and, if seen used, will be
confiscated. It will be given to your dean for the duration of the school day, and you will retrieve it from him.

CLASS PARTICIPATION:
Participation will be assessed each quarter using the participation rubric to be given in class. The participation grade is worth a quiz
grade.

CLASS BLOG:
There is a class blog for Room 169. This blog is updated with the class weekly agenda, homework assignments, useful links and
documents, and extra credit assignments. The URL for the class blog is http://mskuoworldhistory.blogspot.com.

TWO FINAL NOTES:

This syllabus provides general guidelines for the class, and its contents may be subject to change.

I will endeavor to be on time to class, but there might be rare emergencies when I might be late.

There is no “10-minute rule” after which students may dismiss themselves. If no teacher appears, one student should go to the
nearest office to report the absence of a teacher and await instructions. Any student absence because of alleged “confusion”
surrounding a teacher absence will be considered unexcused. (Student/Parent Handbook)
WORLD HISTORY I

PLEASE RETURN THIS SHEET TO CLASS ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 10, 2010

STUDENT NAME: _________________________ CLASS COLOR: ___________ (_______/5)

I have read and understood the entire contents of this syllabus.

_____________________________________________ ___________________
Parent/guardian signature date

_____________________________________________ ___________________
Student signature date