Integrated Social Studies

Mrs. Call

Room 205

2009-2010

COURSE OVERVIEW

What is Integrated Social Studies (ISS)?  Unlike other classes, ISS is a course that includes three subjects:  civics, economics, and geography.  First we will study government: what is it, why people have it, and how it works in the real world.  Then we will study economics: choices people and societies make with regard to how goods and services people need should be distributed.  Lastly we explore world geography:  countries, climates, people, cultures, and maps.  In essence, this class will you better understand how this world, its governments, and economic systems function and your role in it as a global citizen.

CLASS SCHEDULE

First Semester

Second Semester

Integrated Social Studies

Mrs. Call

Room 205

2009-2010

Classroom Goals/Rules:

• Be in your assigned seat when the bell rings.
• Place all backpacks, purses, etc. on the floor and not on desks.
• No food or drinks permitted in the classroom (except water)

·         Come to class prepared and ready to learn.

·         Assignments turned in on time and completed/printed out prior to class.

• Take responsibility for makeup work when you are absent.
• Work cooperatively when asked to do group assignments.
• Remain quiet and respectful when the teacher or other students address the class.
• Raise your hand if you have questions.
• Speak in a respectful manner at all times.
• Stay on task, be an independent worker, and do not disturb others around you.
• Keep your head up; sleeping in class is not permitted.
• Do neat, careful, accurate work on assignments, papers, and projects.
• Remain in your assigned seat until the bell rings and do not pack up until instructed to do so by the teacher.
• Learn and understand the content related to the course.
• Become more active, productive, and participatory citizens.

Guidelines for Success:

• Take Responsibility
• Commit to Learning
• Honor Self and Others
• Serve and Contribute

Commodore Four:

1. Turn of all personal technology from 8:25-3:15.
2. Follow the 10/10 rule. Hall passes available only after 10 minutes into the block, until 10 minutes before the block ends.
3. Use appropriate language.
4. Report to Class on time and Follow all schools rules.

Materials:

• Textbooks
• Pen/Pencil
• Paper
• 3-Prong Folder with Pockets (will be provided for you)

Grades (Scale and Value):

·         Fayette County Public Schools Grading Scale will be used.

                A= 92-100

                B= 83-91

                C= 74-82

            D= 65-73

.5 and above grades will be rounded up

.4 and below will not be rounded up

·         Your grade will be averaged as follows:

o        Category I: Formative                          50%

§         Includes daily in-class work, homework, and participation.

o        Category II: Summative                       50%

§         Include, tests, projects, folder checks (end of unit).

ISS Folder (provided for you): 

• 3 prongs
• 2 pockets
• Labeled and in the following order:

     Left Pocket: Class Syllabus & Unit Content Sheet

     Right Pocket: Unit Handouts

     Contained in the Prongs:  unit notes; unit returned work; (in this order, chronologically).

• Your folder will stay in class everyday in your designated classroom box. All class work will be stored in your folder.
• At the beginning of each unit you will receive a content sheet.  This content sheet will be filled in each day with the assignments we complete (both in class and outside learning).  The folder will be checked at the end of each unit.  Some assignments will be turned in for me to check your progress, while other assignments (example: notes) will stay in your folder for me to check at the end of the unit. 
• At the conclusion of the unit, we will clean out the folders and a copy of your test will be kept in your assessments folder, located in the filing cabinet next to the student resource center.  As we move closer to the end of semester we will revisit these tests as a way of preparing for exams.

Community Service Project:

During the first semester you will be required to complete three hours of community service.  In connection with the service project, we will work on a writing piece that will address the role of service in a high school setting.

A list of service projects will be provided and will include a wide range of options to include projects on the Tates Creek campus to various projects within the Lexington community.

Classroom Procedures

Entering the classroom:

• Arrive on time.
• Get your text book and folder, then go directly to your assigned seat
• Place your backpack or books underneath your chair in the given spot.
• Read the board for the daily agenda and assignments.
• Promptly begin the day’s opening activity.  This is otherwise known as “A Moment of Zen.”
• Do NOT walk around the classroom or hang out with your classmates.  You may visit the student resource center if you realize you need supplies.

Moment of Zen:        

• In your assigned seat, you should complete the opening activity (usually new paper reading, entry slip, reflection, unless otherwise noted)
• This is a time for you get organized and focus.  It is also a time for the teacher to take attendance and so forth.
•  This will be first 10 minutes of class, typically music will be played and once the music stops, class will begin.

Tentative Class Schedule:

• 10 Minutes: Opener
• 20 Minutes: Content
• 20 Minutes: Activity (individual/group)
• 20 Minutes: Content
• 10 Minutes: Class Discussion
• 10 Minutes: Exit Slip/ Closure. (You are to remain in your seat until the bell rings)

Tardy to Class:

• If you are in the hallway when the bell rings without a note, you are tardy.
• You must have a note from TCHS faculty/staff to enter the classroom if you are late.
• If you need a note from the main office, go to the START on time table and sign the tardy list.
• The office will provide a colored note that will admit you back to class.
• When you do return with a note, just enter class while making the least amount of disturbance as possible. 

Cheating

• Refer to your student handbook for a complete description.
• If you copy another student’s work = You and the student’s paper you are copying will receive a “0”.
• Plagiarizing= Copying and pasting others words into your essay or project, you will receive a “0”
• Receiving answers from other sources = You will receive a “0”

Bathroom/Locker/ Hallway Passes:

• The 10/10 rule always applies.
• You may ask to leave the room only after the daily instructions have been given.
• Please do not ask for the pass during “lecture” time. 

• Asking to return a Library book, turning in your absentee note, going to get a pencil from the family resource center, going to the school bank/book store, asking to go sign up to see your Councilor: ARE ALL THINGS YOU DO ON YOUR OWN TIME.

Supplies:

• Some type of notes will be taken everyday.
• Ensure you have all supplies by the conclusion of the Moment of Zen.
• If you are missing some sort of supply, you may check the student resources area of the classroom before the conclusion of the Moment of Zen.
• When in doubt politely ask a student sitting close to you to see if they will let you borrow what you forgot to bring to class.

Heading your paper:

• On the top right corner, include your FULL name, date, and class period. On the top line of the paper, write the assignment title.
• “NO NAME” papers will not receive any credit for the assignment.

Locate Daily Assignments:

• The agenda will be written on the front board daily
• Look there to find dates of when homework, projects, or tests will be due.
• You may also consult the course’s webpage.

Turning in Assignments:

• All assignments must be turned in on the specified due date.
• In the event of an absence, whether it be excused or unexcused, your work is still due when you return to school.
• If you turn in a late assignment, half credit will be given as long as it is turned in during the current unit.

Returning Assignments:

• Papers will be graded on a weekly basis.
• Obtain your graded assignments (not tests), by checking your classes graded assignment folder located in the student resources area of the classroom.
• Please keep all returned assignments for the semester (see folder).

Finding out Grade Status:

• Refer often to Infinite Campus for your grade status.  Make sure your parents have a login and password (the counseling office can assist if they do not).
• I will give you an “individual” grade printout after every exam or every three weeks.
• If you still have a question about your grade, you can see me before or after school but NOT during class.

After an Absence:

• FCPS policy – refer to the student handbook.
• It is your responsibility to follow up on what work was missed due to an absence.  However, this should ONLY be done before/after school or before/after class on the first day returning to school.
• On the day you are absent, you can call the school at 381-3620 and request that your teachers have provide your assignments to the counseling office. Your parent/guardian can then pick it up after school.
• Another option is to email Mrs. Call the day you are absent; colleen.call@fayette.kyschools.us and I will email you back by the end of the day with your make up assignment.
• Classroom absent work will also be placed in your classroom folder located in the student resources area of the classroom.
• You have one class period to complete your assignment. Please write absent work and the date you were absent on the top of your paper. Return the assignment in your class’s homework turn-in folder.

End of Class dismissal

·         Before dismissal each student must have the area around his/her seat free of trash, papers, and clean.

·         Any supplies borrowed or used during class should be returned to their proper locations.

Cell Phones/Electronic Devices:

District guidelines will be followed.  See Code of Conduct.  Cell phones are to be turned off and put away between 8:30 and 3:15.  Emergency situations must be cleared through one of the principals. 

School Dress Code:

Students must follow the guidelines set forth in the student handbook.  If you are found to be out of compliance, you will be asked to correct the violation immediately.  If you are unwilling or unable to correct the violation, you will be sent to the office.

Consequences for Rule Violations:

Depending on the violation, the consequence could be a teacher/student conference, and/or referral, and/or parent/teacher conference.  Typically the following guidelines will apply:

1^st offense - verbal warning.

2^nd offense- verbal, hallway, phone call home to parents

3^rd offense- referral

Communication with Families:

• Email is the easiest way to communicate with families.  My email is colleen.call@fayette.kyschools.us
• Website: http://www.staff.fcps.net/ccall
• I am also available for phone calls during my planning period or before/after school hours.  My phone number is 381-3620 ext 205.
• I will be sending a letter home if your child drops a significant letter grade or if your child is failing.

·         Communication with parents/students will be handled on an as-needed basis.

Mrs. Call’s Class Schedule

“A” Days

A1           Global Economics                8:25-9:55

A2           Global Economics                10:00-11:30

A3           Planning*                              11:35-1:40              

A4           ISS                                          1:45-3:15

“B” Days

B1           Global Economics                8:25-9:55

B2           Global Economics                10:00-11:30

B3           Global Economics                11:35-1:10

B4           Planning                                                1:45-3:15

* During A3 planning I will have supervision duty from 12:05-12:35.  I have ‘D’ Lunch everyday, 1:10-1:40.    

Please feel free to contact me anytime with questions or concerns.  I look forward to working with you this school year!

PARENTS PLEASE SIGN THAT YOU HAVE READ THESE RULES AND HAVE YOUR CHILD RETURN THIS PAGE TO CLASS.

I have read the classroom rules sent home by _________________________________ (student’s name) for Mrs. Call’s Social Studies Class.

Parent/Guardian’s Signature:  _____________________________________________ 

Date:  ____________________

Parent/Guardian comments, questions or anything I should know about your child’s learning style:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian’s Email: ______________________________________