To the guardian(s) of my newest student, ____________________________:

I am extremely excited to have your son or daughter in my class for the

upcoming school year. As has been my policy in years past, I ask that my students and

their guardians review my classroom rules and expectations prior to instruction so as to

avoid any confusion throughout the year. Also, in an effort to promote the democratic

principles discussed in my social studies classes, I have provided an empty space at

the conclusion of this document where guardians and students can put forth questions,

comments, concerns, or recommendations regarding this code of conduct. All

recommendations will be thoroughly considered. If you desire to contact me at any

point throughout the school year, my email address is rmorrissey@jsmorton.org.

Looking forward to a great year!

Robert J. Morrissey Jr.

Social Studies Teacher

Course Title: World History

Instructor: Mr. Morrissey

Email: rmorrissey@jsmorton.org

Classroom: A215

Class Website: morrisseyworldhistory.weebly.com

Office Hours: By Appointment Only

Course Description: The modern world is becoming

more globalized in that there is increasing contact/overlap among different forms of
economies, cultures, and political philosophies. This course will survey different
aspects of human history and the evolution of thought and practice that has brought us
to our modern times. Major topics include origins of man, ancient civilizations,
structures of government, culture, religion, trade and commerce, exploration,
oppression, revolution, industrialization, imperialism, economic systems, and freedom.

Students will learn how to (1) craft historical arguments using primary and secondary
sources as evidence, (2) identify, analyze, and evaluate the relationships between
historical causes and effects, (3) compare and contextualize historical developments,
and (4) and assess the validity and shortcomings of historical interpretations. Emphasis
on focused reading and writing will encourage student comprehension of this
foundational material.

Classroom Materials: Pen, Folder, Notebook, Laptop, Planner, Headphones

Textbook: Beck, R. B., Black, L., Kreiger, L. S., Naylor, P. C., & Shabaka, D. I. (2009).
World history: Patterns of interaction. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell.

Tentative Curriculum Overview:

Semester 1 Semester 2
• Ancient Greece • Scientific Revolution & Enlightenment
• Ancient Rome • Age of Revolutions
• The Middle Ages • Imperialism & World War I
• Renaissance & Reformation • Interwar Period & World War II

Grading Scale: All assessments will be graded according to a five-point grading scale:

Letter Grade Points Explanation

A 4.0 – 5.0 Exemplary
B 3.0 – 3.9 Proficient
C 2.0 – 2.9 Basic
D 1.0 – 1.9 Needs Improvement
E 0.0 – 0.9 Unsatisfactory
Grade Composition: Grading practices are consistent with the grading philosophy of
J. Sterling Morton District 201. Students’ grades will be based on their performance on
common assessments, interim assessments, formative assessments, and a final exam
at the conclusion of each semester.

Common assessments are defined as district-wide summative assessments that are

used to evaluate student learning, skills acquired, and academic achievement at the
conclusion of a defined instructional period. Mastery of the content is expected
after appropriate and sufficient instruction is provided. Examples of common
assessments include unit exams, projects, essays, debates, speeches, portfolios, etc.
All Morton 201 students enrolled in World History will take the same common
assessments.

Interim assessments are defined as teacher-specific summative assessments that are

used to evaluate student learning, skills acquired, and academic achievement
throughout a unit of instruction. Mastery of the content is expected after appropriate
and sufficient instruction is provided. Examples of common assessments include
quizzes, projects, essays, debates, speeches, portfolios, etc.

Formative assessments are defined as assessments that are used by both the teacher
and the student to determine the level of learning against standards, components,
outcomes, or targets. Examples of formative assessments include homework,
classwork, quizzes, exit slips, entrance slips, class discussions, self-assessments, etc.
Formative assessments constitute only 10% of a student’s overall grade because
students are still developmentally in the process of mastering a skill. Growth—not
mastery—is the primary focus.

Unit Weights: Each unit of study will be worth 20% of a student’s overall grade. Each
unit grade will be comprised of common assessments (60%), interim assessments
(30%), and formative assessments (10%). Semester exams will also be worth 20% of a
student’s overall grade. Please refer to the charts below.

Semester 1 Cumulative Grade

Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Final Exam

20% 20% 20% 20% 20%

Common Assessments Common Assessments Common Assessments Common Assessments
60% 60% 60% 60%
Interim Assessments Interim Assessments Interim Assessments Interim Assessments
30% 30% 30% 30%
Formative Assessments Formative Assessments Formative Assessments Formative Assessments
10% 10% 10% 10%

** Example **

Final Semester
Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4
Exam Grade
Unit
4.0 4.1 2.7 3.9 3.2
Grade
Unit
20% 20% 20% 20% 20%
Weight
Weighted
0.8 + 0.8 + 0.5 + 0.8 + 0.6 = 3.5 (B)
Grade
Homework and Late Work: Homework is to be completed in full by the day it is due.
Late work may be submitted within the timeframe of the applicable unit of study. Once
a new unit has begun, students may no longer submit work from the previous unit.

Make-Up Work: It is the student’s responsibility to obtain and complete all homework
assignments missed due to absences.

Emailing Assignments: Students may “check in” assignments via email to

demonstrate a deadline was met, but I will not grade that assignment until a hard copy
has been submitted. All virtual assignments are to be submitted via Microsoft Teams.

Reassessments: Students who receive a grade lower than a (2) on an assessment will
have the option to—and are strongly encouraged to—reassess after consulting with the
teacher and subsequently completing all prerequisite work. Students have up to two
opportunities to reassess in order to demonstrate proficiency. If a student reassesses,
the initial score will be replaced by the most recent score in Skyward.

Participation: Participation is expected by

all. This course is designed to be
interactive and collaborative. Participation
in activities such as individual work, group
work, and class-wide activities is essential
to the success of the student.

Complete Sentences: EVERY assignment

is to be written in complete sentences.
Assignments that are not will be given a
grade of “incomplete” until rewritten in
complete sentences.

Online Textbook: Students will be able to

access a PDF version of the textbook
(depicted to the right) on Microsoft Teams.

Headphones: Please bring headphones to

class every day. These will frequently be
used for online assignments. They are not
to be worn unless directed by the teacher.

Rules and Expectations: See attached chart. Rules are enforced strictly, quickly, and
consistently to maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning. Severe or continued
misconduct will result in detentions and/or referrals to the dean of students.

Tardy Policy: Students are expected to show up to class on time. This minimizes
disruptions and maximizes instructional time. Students that arrive to class late with a
pass will be marked “present.” Students arriving up to five minutes late will be marked
“tardy.”

Graduation Requirement: Students must pass World History in order to receive a

graduation diploma. Any student that fails the course will have to repeat it in the
following academic school year.
Additional Help: If at any point in the semester you feel that you need extra help,
please come see me. It is my job to assist students to the best of my ability to ensure
all have a concrete understanding of the material. I will make myself available before
and after school as needed. I will also be available by appointment. The responsibility
lies with the student to seek out for extra help. My door is always open.

Early Leave for Winter/Summer Vacation: Class attendance is expected until the very
last day of the semester. If a student, for whatever reason, is not in attendance for the
final exam due to an early vacation leave, student will be assigned a grade of “I”
(incomplete) for the semester. Student must then take the final exam within ten school
days of his/her return. If student takes final exam within this ten-day window, he/she
will not be penalized and will receive full credit for the grade earned. If student DOES
NOT take this final exam within ten school days, he/she will be assigned a final exam
grade of 0/4, and his/her cumulative grade will be calculated appropriately.

Remind App: To improve communication with

students and parents, I will be utilizing a tool called
Remind. Both students and parents will be able to
sign up for class updates by texting a code to the
Remind service phone number. After texting the
code, users will be subscribed to text message
updates that I send out to the class via the website. I
intend on using the website to remind students of
upcoming tests, projects, and homework deadlines.
To be sure, I will not have access to any student’s
personal phone number, nor will they have access to
mine. All forms of communication are filtered through
the website, ensuring the safety of your child.
Students will not be able to respond to any text
message that I send. This is a free service; however,
standard messaging rates will apply. This service is
available to all types of phones, not just smartphones.

Checking Student Grades: Parents and guardians can access students’ grades by
going to www.morton201.org > Skyward (located halfway down the homepage). It is
highly recommended that you monitor your child’s grades via this website.
 ASSESSMENTS
Students will… If rule/expectation is not met…
1. Successfully pass all • Student needs to demonstrate
summative assessments. mastery of the material.
2. Complete every • Late work may be submitted
assignment on time. within the timeframe of the
applicable unit of study. Once
a new unit has begun,
students may no longer
submit work from the previous
unit.
BEHAVIOR
Students will… If rule/expectation is not met…
3. Work to their fullest • Student may not meet
potential and strive to graduation requirements and
achieve individual and will need to retake this course.
class goals.
4. Refrain from talking while • Student will receive a warning
the teacher is talking. • Continuous violations may
result in detentions.
5. Arrive to class on-time • Student will miss important
everyday announcements and
homework assignments.
6. Come to class prepared • Student will need to borrow
with a pen, notebook, supplies.
folder, planner, laptop,
and headphones.
7. Refrain from checking or • Student will receive a
using digital devices warning.
during class time. • Device will be confiscated and
returned after discussion with
teacher.
8. Turn in their own work. • First infraction: Referral to
Cheating/plagiarism will dean, call home.
NOT be tolerated. • Second infraction: Referral to
dean and suggestion for
removal from the course.
9. Take notes during all • Student should use their
class lectures. notes to study for their unit
tests
My role…
• To allow students to reassess
on tests and/or complete test
corrections (if offered).
• Display the homework
assignment on the screen/board
at the beginning of each class.
• To remind students to write
down assignments in planner.
My role…
• To keep grades up to date on
Skyward.
• To ensure that all students are
able to hear information.
• To begin class on-time every
day.
• To log tardies in Skyward.
• To call home when tardies are
habitual.
• To let students know ahead of
time when they need to bring
any other materials.
• To limit potential distractions in
order to facilitate learning.
• To remind the students of this
rule often.
• To teach students how to
properly cite material from
primary & secondary sources.
• To upload lecture videos,
PowerPoints, and/or lecture
notes to our course website.
 Parent Signature Form
Please read through this syllabus with your son/daughter. I encourage you to ask them
questions, not just about this syllabus, but daily as we progress through the semester.
I also encourage you to contact me at any time if you have any questions, comments, or
concerns. A tear-away contact sheet is provided below for your convenience. I look
forward to an engaging semester!

By providing my signature below, I confirm that I have read and understood all of the
rules and expectations of Mr. Morrissey in the upcoming semester.

Student Name: ____________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: __________________________________________

Questions, Comments, Concerns:

**Return this upper portion to Mr. Morrissey**

-----------------------------------------------------------

Teacher Contact Information

Teacher Name: Robert Morrissey Jr.

Course: World History

Class Website: morrisseyworldhistory.weebly.com

Email: rmorrissey@jsmorton.org

**Tear away this contact information sheet for your records**

 Student Goal Setting

• My goal for this class is to...

• I will work to achieve this goal by…

• My athletic/extracurricular goal for this year is…

• The career I hope to have in the future…

• I learn best when…

• Something you should probably know about me is…

I have carefully read Mr. Morrissey’s course syllabus and will abide by the policies
contained within. I pledge to put forth my best effort to achieve the above goals.

________________________________ _____________________
Student Name Date

________________________________
Student Signature