Mr. B World History/World Geography 1

Second Semester World History/World Geography

Teacher: Mr. B

Contact Information: Room #E109

(c): (602) 329-0951

(e): sbenson4@email.arizona.edu

Office Hours:

I will be in my classroom before school to help out with any

questions regarding assignments, projects, or anything that is on

your mind!

Welcome back! For the second semester, I will be leading all classroom instruction as well as

developing all lesson plans, assignments, and projects with Mr. Woods helping out. I cannot wait

to get the semester started and I look forward to working with all of you as we discover

significant world events together! This semester, we will be starting with the religious conflicts

in the Middle East during the Crusades, working our way through medieval Europe, colonization

of Africa, Asia and the Americas, political revolutions and independence in the 18th, 19th, and

20th centuries, and finally ending with an analysis of the present day.

We will be continuing our analysis of Power and Authority, Religious and Ethical Systems,

Revolution, Interaction and Environment, Economics, Cultural Interaction, Empire Building, and

Science and Technology. We will also be utilizing Blooms Taxonomy (from first semester) to engage in critical thinking.

One change from first semester is that we will be paying extra attention to different viewpoints

of people not usually covered in history books. We will be participating in many different

activities and projects that will get us thinking about how different people view history and we

will discuss why they may hold different viewpoints from our own.

I need each of you to read this syllabus, then have your parent or guardian read it, and finally

both of you need to sign the last page and return it to me as soon as possible. This semester will

be very engaging and eye-opening, and I look forward to leading all of you on this journey!

- Mr. B

About Me:

I graduated from the University of Arizona in 2013 with BA in Political Science and a minor in

History and am currently completing my Masters in Secondary Education. I love astronomy, going to concerts, and playing with my cat Lulu!

Mr. B World History/World Geography 2

Second Semester Topics and Assignments Unit 1 11th-12th Century Europe, Asia and the

Americas with a focus on religious conflict

and trade.

Unit 2 13th-15th Century Europe, Asia, and the

Americas, with a focus on religious

transformation, exploration, and public health.

Unit 3 16th 17th Century Europe, Asia, the New World, and Africa with a focus on

exploration, the Enlightenment, colonization,

and the slave trade.

Unit 4 17th 19th Century, covering global events including the American and French

revolutions as well as scientific innovation.

Unit 5 20th Century significant events, covering

WWI and WWII, as well as U.S. domestic

and foreign policies.

Unit 6 The 21st Century to present day, including

post-9/11 geopolitics.

Throughout the semester, students will continue to complete their spiral notebook assignments

every week, with at least three presentations/group projects per unit.

Mr. Bs Classroom Procedures

At the Start of Class:

- I will have either a statement, question, paragraph, picture, etc. on the white board that students will have to respond to

on a piece of paper.

- Once finished with their reflection, students must turn this bell work into me or the TA.

- This bell work will be counted for a grade based on completion as well as serve as proof of attendance.

At the End of Class:

- I will remind students when there is a couple of minutes remaining before the bell so that they can clean up their

work area, finish up whatever they are working on, and can

ask last minute questions.

- The bell does not dismiss you, only I can dismiss you! Please remain seated until I formally dismiss all of you.

Assignments:

- Spiral assignments are due every Friday.

Mr. B World History/World Geography 3

- If your spiral is late, you can turn it in each week after it is initially due with a 10% deduction per week.

- So, if you turn it in one week late, the best grade you can get is a 90%, the next week is an 80%, and so forth.

Absences:

- Please check on the Synergy site to see what assignments you may have missed. - For missed presentations/group projects, I will assign you an individual assignment.

Tardy Policy:

- If you are late to class, please come to me at the end of class so I can mark you as present.

- Please do not disrupt the classroom if you arrive late; quietly find your seat and I will inform you of what is going on in the class.

Smartphones:

- At Chaparral, we have a Bring Your Own Technology Initiative. So when we are working on assignments or projects, students will be allowed to use their smartphones

for WORK RELATED PURPOSES ONLY!

- If I see misbehavior regarding smartphones, I will have students place their smartphones in an envelope on their desk to ensure they are not distracted.

- Failure to follow these directions may result in more serious consequences.

Mr. Bs Classroom Expectations

- When you enter class, please find your seat and begin bell work immediately.

- Be respectful to yourself and to others. - Be prepared with all assignments and materials. - Listen when others are talking. - Raise your hand to be called on or to ask a question. - Maintain an inside voice during all group work. - Maintain a clean work environment. - Remain seated until I dismiss you.

Mr. Bs Classroom Behavior Consequences

Positive:

- Allowed to listen to music during readings and assignments. - A positive note sent home. - Receive Mastery Points that can be used to get out of an assignment or makeup a

poor grade.

Negative:

- Intervention by ME.

Mr. B World History/World Geography 4

- Personal discussion of problem behavior. - Note or phone call home regarding problem behavior. - Parent-Teacher-Student conference. - Referral to the Principal.

Mr. Bs Grading Policy

Grades for the semester will be divided among the following categories:

- Bellwork 10% - Spiral Notebook Assignments 30% - Group Projects/Presentations 40% - Final Portfolio 20% - Total: 100%

A: 90-100 B: 80-89 C: 70-79 D: 60-69 F: 59 and below

Mastery Points:

- Students will have the opportunity to earn Mastery Points that can be used to increase a grade or get out of a future assignment.

- Students receive Mastery Points by being active participants during Friday Discussions; group

leaders during group projects; or display other

traits of a great student.

Mr. B World History/World Geography 5

Please read over this Syllabus and then sign your name, date and return to me.

I have read and understood the procedures, policies, and

expectations of Mr. Bs second semester World History/World Geography class.

Student Name

Student Signature

Parent/Guardian Signature

Date