Contact Information:
Mr. Scott Arrasmith
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mrarrasmith.weebly.com (extra information - google classroom will be main source)
Course Description:
The Ancient Civilizations course will begin with the emergence of humans and trace their existence through the establishment of the first civilizations to the rise and fall of the first empires. 6th grade is a major turning point in students' education. The focus of the course will challenge students to move beyond the rote memorization of facts and events to issues of causality and reasoning. Throughout the course students will examine primary and secondary sources and develop their skills of research. Students will be challenged to determine the perspectives and biases of authors and encourage students to gather information from a number of sources before developing their own opinions.
Course Objectives:
Students will be able to exhibit the Student Learning Outcomes of New West Charter
1. Be quality producers
2. Be technologically literate
3. Be community contributors
4. Be effective collaborators and communicators
Course Outline:
Semester 1
Unit 1: Maps and Components
Unit 2: Hunters and Gatherers to the Agricultural Revolution
Unit 3: Mesopotamia
Unit 4: Ancient Egypt and Kush (order of unit is subject to change)
Semester 2
Unit 5: Ancient China (order of unit is subject to change)
Unit 6: Ancient India (order of unit is subject to change)
Unit 7: Ancient Greeks
Unit 8: Rise and Decline of the Roman Empire
Grading breakdown:
**All assignments including class-work/homework, projects and assessments will be assigned a point value, but the student’s final grade will be weighted on the below 3 categories
Assessments (Tests, Quizzes & Writing Assignments) ..……………..….50%
Classwork and Homework …………………………….……………..…..…25%
Projects ………………………………………………………...………....…..25%
A- 89.5%--100%
B- 79.5%--89.4%
C- 69.5%--79.4%
D- 59.5%--69.4%
F- 0%--59.4%
Homework Policy:
Students will have class time to work on assignments. Students that do not finish their assignments during class time will finish the assignment for homework. Students will be asked to take handwritten notes on all reading assignments. Student notes will NOT be permitted on formal unit assessments unless told otherwise by Mr. Arrasmith.
Students should expect:
1. In-class assignments not completed during the period will be completed as homework and will be due at THE BEGINNING of the following day’s class.
2. All assignments will have the students full name (FIRST AND LAST) and the student’s period. If students do not put their period on an assignment 2 points will be deducted from the students total score. If a student does not put their full name on an assignment 2 points will be deducted from the total score.
Absences:
It is the students responsibility to complete all assignments missed when they are absent from class
It is the students responsibility to get the work missed while absent (google classroom and/or ask a trusted classmate/friend). Class presentations and assignments are posted daily to Google Classroom.
Work will be made up in a timely manner (i.e. If you’re absent for 2 days, and it is EXCUSED, you will have two days from when you return to turn it in).
Late Assignments
Students must receive permission from Mr. Arrasmith to turn in assignments that are over a week late. Assignments over 2 weeks late will not be accepted.
- In the event that you do not turn in a PROJECT when it is due, points will be deducted from the overall grade. If you know you are going to be absent, you are more than welcome to turn in the project early.
- In the event you were absent when a QUIZ/TEST was given, you must take the test the day you return (unless you made accommodations with Mr. Arrasmith before returning).
- If you did not complete an assignment for family reasons or any other extenuating circumstance not in your control, please speak with Mr. Arrasmith directly.
Google Classroom:
Students will be using technology throughout this course. All computer work that is done in this class will be done through Google Classroom. Students have accounts that have been set up using their New West Charter email account. If a student forgets their password to their account on a given day they will be unable to participate in class for that day. There is no quick fix to recovering a password during class. Using the Google Suite of products ensures that all student work that is complete in class and at home will not be lost or accidentally deleted. Students are encouraged to complete all of their work using this platform. Parents should have access to their students' Infinite Campus Site as well as Google Classroom. Assignments and student resources will be issued through Google Classroom. Parents are encouraged to follow their students' progress through these mediums.
Class Rules & Expectations:
All New West policies will be followed and enforced, in addition to the following classroom expectations:
1. SELF-ADVOCATE: Speak up for yourself. Encourage your parents to let you speak for yourself!
2. BE RESPONSIBLE: Take responsibility for your actions and school equipment. YOU are responsible for what you learn in class!
3. BE RESPECTFUL: Treat your classmates, teacher, school equipment and the learning environment with respect and care.
4. BE HONEST: Honesty is the best policy. Please complete your own work and do not make excuses. Take responsibility for your actions. Own your mistakes .
5. STRIVE: There will be times when you struggle and are challenged in my class. However, I want you to push yourself to succeed. “If at first you don’t succeed, TRY, TRY AGAIN.”
6. BE ORGANIZED: Many 6th graders struggle with this. However, it is very important to be organized so that you know when assignments/tests are due and where you placed certain papers. Remember, no one likes to be stressed.
7. MANAGE YOUR TIME: This is also another life long lesson we all need to be better at. Starting early will save you unwanted stress. Make sure to plan accordingly ESPECIALLY if you are highly involved or want to commit to extra curricular activities after school and/or outside of New West. When you receive projects and papers, be mindful of due dates so you can use your time wisely.
8. NO CELL PHONE USE AT ALL. Cell phones must be stored away and not visible. Please have your phones OFF and not on silent/vibrate.
9. THINK. Before you say, “I don’t know,” stop and take a minute to THINK. Often 6th graders know much more than they think they do. This is a skill that is vital for this class and the rest of your lives.
PLAGIARISM & CHEATING:
There is a ZERO tolerance policy for plagiarism and cheating in class. “Plagiarism” or “Cheating” is any attempt by a student to take credit for work that is not their own. This includes but is not limited to: copying any part of any assignment, test or resource from another student, person, or obtaining information on the internet without proper citation (giving credit where it is due). Such suspected action will be investigated and subject to a ZERO on the assignment. YOU MAY NOT COPY AND PASTE INFORMATION FROM THE INTERNET AND TURN IT IN AS YOUR OWN WORK
**Remember that your behavior and academic integrity will always go into account for admission to school events (dances, performances, field trips, etc). Be present, do your work, contribute, help others, and respect all will get you very far in this class….and in life.
Materials List:
Bring materials to class daily and be prepared to be an active participant in class
- DAILY PLANNER (one for all subjects is acceptable)
- Spiral Bound Notebook (at least 70 pages). (College rule suggested)
- 2-Pocket Folder
- Pen or Pencil (If you choose to use a mechanical pencil you will want to purchase extra lead)
- Highlighter
- Small set of colored pencils
- Handheld Pencil Sharpener (not electric) - preferably one that collects shavings
- Scotch Tape or Glue Stick (no liquid glue)
- Small ruler
- One inexpensive pair of CORDED headphones with 3.5mm connection (No bluetooth headphones) -
- One package of 3”x5” note cards
- One package of Post-it Notes