Welcome to what I hope will become one of your favorite classes this year! Our goal this year is to explore how the world today has been shaped by our past while gaining an understanding of what it means to live in today’s world. If history isn’t right up your alley, don’t worry! So much goes on in this class, you’re bound to find something you like; I guarantee it.

Click the links below for specific policies.

Expectations

It’s important to you I’m sure that people being seeing you as a young adult, not just a whiny, loud teenager. I want the same for you which means you have to act the part now. Not only is it important if people are going to take you seriously now, but you are developing the character now that will stay with you your whole life. I want to make sure you become the best person you can be.

Technology

Because this is a technology-rich classroom, there are specific policies for the technology equipment and Internet access we'll use. Those polices are described in the Classroom Use Policy*. A copy of the Classroom Use Policy signed and dated by both the student and the student's parents or guardians must be on file with Mr. Weaver before access can be allowed to classroom technology devices. If a student is unable or unwilling to sign the agreement, alternative assignments will be made and it shall be the student's responsibility to keep up with assigned work. Additionally, we abide by the Joplin Schools Acceptable Use Policy* for district wide policies.

Materials

You have to be prepared if you're going to do well. In this class, I expect you to be prepared by bringing the following with you to class each day:

• Pen/Pencil (that I can read easily)
  
• Paper
  
• Class Notebook
  
• Planner

“The ability to be cool, confident, and decisive in crisis is not an inherited characteristic but is the direct result of how well the individual has prepared himself for the battle.”
                                                                        — Richard M. Nixon

Additionally, you may choose to bring a set of ear buds for listening to audio files as part of class lessons or a portable USB flash drive to save personal work to during class. Both are completely optional.

It’s not my policy to let anyone leave the room, so, if you forget something, you’re going to have to borrow from me or someone around you. It’s your responsibility to be prepared.

Course Work

• Class Notebook: You are required to maintain a class notebook (two-pocket folder). This notebook will contain all notes, activities, assignments and handouts for a given study. It will help you to prepare for assessments and to record progress. Notebooks are graded.
  
• Late/ Missing Work: Assignments not completed by the due date are missing and receive a grade of zero until they are completed. You may turn in late work for a 10% deduction off the top before grading. Additionally, all missing work will be reported as a ZAP (Zero’s Aren’t Permitted) Detention and you will be required to stay after school to complete the work (see student handbook for more information about ZAP).
  
• RE-DO Policy: If for any reason you fail to make a passing grade (A, B, or C) on a project or assignment (excluding tests), I expect you to make corrections and turn it in again as many times as is necessary for you to raise the grade to a C.
  
• Extra Credit: Extra credit is rare and usually requires work outside of class. It is available to help you make up no more than 5% of your total grade.
  
• Grades: Grades are determined by points earned on all projects and assessments for a given quarter. You may check your grade anytime online through Infinite Campus.

Attendance

A big part of success in this class is actually being in class when we have it.  While there are legitimate times when you’re going to be gone (field trip, illness, dog dies—poor Rover), your best bet is always to be in class when you’re supposed to be and to be on time.

• TARDIES: If you enter the room after I do, you’re late.  See your student handbook for school policy on what happens next.
• ABSENCE: You will be counted absent any time you are not in my class during school hours. This includes missing for illness, field trips, ISS or OSS. It is your responsibility to find and complete missing work upon return by checking our Moodle Course. I generally allow 2 days to complete missing work for an excused absence (and it’s my call what’s excused). Assignments not completed because of absence will be counted as missing work.