Classroom/Course Expectations

7th Grade Social Studies

Mr. Christian Johnson

Room F-15

Office Hours: Monday/Tuesday  2:21-3:10

Course Syllabus/Expectations

Introduction:  Social Studies 7 is the first half of a two-year course.  This course is designed to cover American History until 1865.  Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of the major ideas, themes, eras, developments, and turning points in the history of the United States and New York until 1865.

Course Text:  America:  History of Our Nation; Prentice Hall

Classroom Rules:

1.  Students are expected to be PREPARED each day they arrive at my door.  All books, notebooks, writing utensils and classroom materials should be with the student upon entering the classroom.  Any student who is not prepared will be asked to stay for a 9th period detention (2:20-3:04 P.M.)

2.  Students are expected to be ON TIME each day.  On time means both feet are inside of my classroom when the bell rings.  Any student who has an unexcused tardy will be asked to stay for a detention.

3.  Students are expected to be RESPECTFUL of themselves, their classmates, and myself.

4.  Students are expected to have POSITIVE ATTITUDES when they arrive in my classroom each day.

5.  Students are expected to ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in their learning.  Students will be encouraged to take risks in their learning.  There is no such thing as a "stupid" question!

***Noise level will be appropriate to the classroom activity.

Homework Policy:  Students will be assigned homework 3-4x's a week depending on our unit of study.  Homework must be FINISHED by the time students enter the classroom.  Any student with an incomplete homework assignment will be assigned a homework detention for that day.  Incomplete assignments will be worth 1/2 credit.  Students will have until the end of that day to turn in the homework assignment in order to prevent them from having to stay for homework detention.  Students who are absent will be given the number of days they were absent to turn in the missing work.  A student who is absent on a Monday will be expected to turn in any missing work by Wednesday.  Individual arrangements can be made.  A make-up board will be posted in the back of my room for students who may have missed an assignment.

Grading Policy:  Students will be given credit for most things they do in my classroom.  My grading policy is based on a total points system.  The following items will factor in to a student's final average: Tests, Quizzes, Homework, Projects, and Classroom Participation.

Total Points System:  90-100%= A, 80-89%= B, 70-79%= C, 65-69%= D, 64% and lower= F

Tests: 30-40 points per test,  Quizzes: 10-20 points per quiz,  Homework assigments: 5-10 points per assignment,  Projects:  point value will be based on particular project, Final Exam:  will be worth just as many points as the four individual quarters.  ***Cheating will not be tolerated!  A grade of "0" will result as well as further consequences.  Please see student handbook for further information regarding this issue.

Classroom Supplies:  Students will be expected to arrive each day with the following:  1.  Pen or Pencil       2.  Red three-ring binder   3.  Red spiral notebook 4.  A set of colored pencils should be readily available to students  ***Students will be assigned a textbook to take home with them.  I will have a classroom set for them to use here at school.

Teacher Availability:  I have scheduled office hours on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2:20-3:04 P.M.  On most days, I will be in my classroom until 3:30 P.M. (+/-), barring any unforeseen circumstances.  I have an "Open Door Policy."  If you have any questions or concerns regarding your son or daughter's progress, please feel free to contact me for a conference.  I will frequently be contacting those parents who provide email addresses to update them on upcoming tests, projects, homework assignments and units of study.  Part of my Philosophy of Education states that in order to ensure student success, communication between the teacher and parent is essential.  Far too often, communication between the teacher and parent focuses on the negatives.  I feel students should be recognized for the positives as well!

Please contact me at 716-625-7272 x5615 or cjohnson@starpointcsd.org if you have any questions or concerns.  I look forward to a great year!