7th+Grade+Texas+History

Class Syllabus:
__ Goals for the Class: __ I have two big, main goals for this class:
 * 1) You will think in this class. You will think and write and explain more than you are used to.
 * 2) The second is that I want everyone in here to be able to tell the story of Texas history from different points of view. Over the course of the year, we will look at Texas history from the perspective of Native Americans, Mexican settlers, Anglo-Americans, etc.

__ My Non-Negotiables: __
 * Everyone embodies respect: respect for others’ time, respect for other’s feelings, respect for others’ property, and respect for ourselves.
 * Everyone takes responsibility for his or her own actions, choices, and outcomes.

__ Class Standards for Students: __
 * 1) Show up to class on time.
 * 2) Show up to class ready to start.
 * 3) By the second bell, be seated in your seat working on bellwork.
 * 4) Complete, have ready, and turn in all work when it is expected.

__ Materials: __ Every student needs to have all the following every day for class: __ Class Procedures: __ If there are any discipline issues with someone not following any of the class rules, you will earn the following consequences:
 * 1) Loose leaf college ruled paper
 * 2) Two things to write with (pencil or pen of any color that is readable)
 * 3) A three inch binder with the tabs: Notes, Graded Homework, Quizzes/Tests/Essays. We will be doing binder checks.
 * 1) The first time – a warning from me. Can include a look, a reminder to focus, or tap on the desk as I walk by.
 * 2) The second time – I will talk to you individually and you will fill out the reflection sheet. It will also go on the infractions list.
 * 3) The third time – I will call Ms. Scrutchin. I will also be calling home and let your parents know of the unacceptable behavior and how you and I plan to improve the situation.


 * Late work. If you turn something in late, it will be one letter grade down per day (aside from excused absences).
 * Only water in the classroom. No soda, no pringles, no chocolate teddy grahams (Cody will take them up, and his stomach will appreciate your donation).
 * Homework and assignments will be posted on the homework calendar and the Google Classroom page.

__ Grades: __ Grades in my class will be based on a point system (all point values may change depending on the assignment):
 * Each daily/homework assignment will be out of 5 pts.
 * Each day we do a discussion or days when I grade participation will be out of 5 pts.
 * Each weekly assignment/quiz (which requires more effort and time) will be out of 10 pts.
 * Each test/major writing assignment (which would involve research and making drafts)/project will be out of 25 pts.

At the end, I will add up all the points you have earned and your grade will be the percentage of points earned over the total amount possible. Say we have 200 total possible points. If you had earned, 160 points, your average would be 160/200, or 80%.

Some work I will be grading on effort. Some I will be grading on skill. I will always let you know ahead of time how I will be grading an assignment. If I forget to, remind me. Ask me.

Timeline for Returning Graded Work:
 * Daily writing, homework || 2 days ||
 * Weekly writing, vocab quizzes || 3 days ||
 * Major writing, projects, tests || 1 week ||

__ Electronic Devices: __ Use of electronics (phones, tablets, mp3s, etc.) is up to me. We will occasionally use phones to look up information in class or listen to music while writing. When I give explicit approval, they are fine. Otherwise, they should be out of sight and silent so they do not distract.

__ Plagiarism: __ Plagiarism is taking credit for someone else’s ideas or work and making seem like you made it. Because it is dishonest and disrespectful, there is no place for it in our class. There will be serious consequences if it does. Don’t let it happen.

__ Rough Class Schedule: __ This is likely to change somewhat over the course of the semester, but this is the timeline we will be working from. Semester 1: Semester 2:
 * Texas Basics and History of Texas from perspective of a Native American || Weeks 1-4 || History of Mexican Texas || Weeks 9-12 ||
 * History of Spanish Texas || Weeks 5-8 || History of Texan Texas || Weeks 14-16 ||
 * Early History of American Texas || Weeks 1-4 || The Growth of Modern Texas || Weeks 9-12 ||
 * American Texas after the US Civil War || Weeks 5-8 || Texas History Museum Creation || Weeks 14-16 ||

= = =2013-2014= =Instructor: Cody Shilling= There are 2 overarching goals for the class this year: 1. The first is that I want our class to be a place where everyone is comfortable with challenging themselves. Some people will do better at certain activities we do than others, but this class will always be a space where no one feels ostracized or outcast or made fun of. Asking questions will always be a part of this class. 2. The second is that I want everyone in here to be able to tell the story of Texas history from different points of view. Over the course of the year, we will look at Texas history from the perspective of Native Americans, Mexican settlers, Anglo-Americans, etc. Sometimes we will be writing. Sometimes we will do presentations or class discussions.
 * Goals:**

If there are any discipline issues with someone not following any of the class rules, you will earn the following consequences: 1. The first time – a warning from me. Can include a look, a reminder to focus, or tap on the desk as I walk by. 2. The second time – I will talk to you individually and you will fill out the reflection sheet. It will also go on the infractions list. 3. The third time – I will call Ms. Scrutchin. I will also be calling home and let your parents know of the unacceptable behavior and how you and I plan to improve the situation.
 * Discipline:**

Grades in my class will be based on a point system:
 * Grades:**
 * Each daily/homework assignment will be out of 5 pts.
 * Each day we do a discussion or days when I grade participation will be out of 5 pts.
 * Each weekly assignment/quiz (which requires more effort and time) will be out of 10 pts.
 * Each test/major writing assignment (which would involve research and making drafts)/project will be out of 25 pts.

At the end, I will add up all the points you have earned and your grade will the the percentage of points earned over the total amount possible. Say we have 200 total possible points. If you had earned, 160 points, your average would be 160/200, or 80%.

Some work I will be grading on effort. Some I will be grading on skill. I will always let you know ahead of time how I will be grading an assignment. If I forget to, remind me. Ask me.

Timeline for Returning Graded Work: Semester 1: Semester 2:
 * Daily writing, homework || 2 days ||
 * Weekly writing, vocab quizzes || 3 days ||
 * Major writing, projects, tests || 1 week ||
 * Units:**
 * History of Texas from perspective of a Native American || Weeks 1-4 || Mexican Texas || Weeks 9-12 ||
 * Spanish Texas || Weeks 5-8 || Texas Revolution to US Statehood || Weeks 14-16 ||
 * Texas Leading up to the US Civil War || Weeks 1-4 || The Growth of Modern Texas || Weeks 9-12 ||
 * Texas before and during the US Civil War || Weeks 5-8 || Texas Today || Weeks 14-16 ||
 * Books:**
 * "Texas & Texans". Eds. Anderson, Wooster, De León, Hardt, Winegarten, and Boehm. Glencoe/McGraw-Hill: NY, 2003.
 * Fehrenbach, T.R. "Lone Star: A History of Texas and the Texans". De Capo Press: no city, 2000.