1. MR. SCOT GILLIS EMAIL SGILLIS@SJUSD.ORGSGILLIS@SJUSD.ORG CLASS BLOG - HTTP://LELANDFRESHWC.BLOGSPOT.COM/HTTP://LELANDFRESHWC.BLOGSPOT.COM/ CLASS WEBSITE - HTTP://WWW.SJUSD.ORG/LELAND/TEACHERS/SGILLIS/INDEX.HTML HTTP://WWW.SJUSD.ORG/LELAND/TEACHERS/SGILLIS/INDEX.HTML 6/9/2015 1 Course Syllabus World Cultures 1,2

2. Classroom Content 2 Course is based around the 5 themes of Geography Place, Location, Region, Movement, Human Environmental Interaction Look at how these areas effect the political and physical geography of various locations around the world, AND the cultures that were developed in those areas.

3. Contextual Inferences 6/9/2015 3

4. Projects/Group work 4 You will work independently, as well as in pairs, and groups of 3, 4, and 5 Various projects are scheduled throughout the year One key component is to understand the difference between collaboration and cheating (using or sharing answers that are not intended to be used or shared)

5. Grades 5 Normal grading scale  100-90 – A (89.5 is rounded up and the same applies to all grades)  89-80 – B  79-70 – C  69-60 – D  59-below – F  *any student achieving a 96% or above (with less than 5 late HW assignments and no more than 1 test re-take) will be exempt from taking the normal final for that semester.

6. Tests and Make-ups 6 If you receive less than 75%, you MUST re-take the exam.  Tests need to be retaken within 1 week from the day it is returned  Re-takes must achieve at least a 75%, or need to be taken until 75% is achieved.  Re-takes are also available if you score above a 75% the first time, and can go up to 100% of the curve, but it cannot exceed the curve.  If you choose to take a re-take your score must exceed your previous score or the lower of the two will be entered as your final score.  Make-up tests ( due to absence) need to be taken with the same number of days you missed. (if you miss three days, you have three days to make-up the test, But, if the assignment was due the day you missed it is due the day you return.

7. Late work 7 Most “homework” assignments are worth 3 points. 1 day late = 2.5 pts After 1 day but still within the Unit of Study = 2 pts Work from a previous unit within the 6 week grading period = 1 pt Each 6 week grading period will close the gradebook for that portion of the semester, and NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM A PREVIOUS 6 WEEK SECTION. (I always reserve the right to hear special circumstances) All papers must have the proper heading (Name and period) if not you will receive a 2.5 once identified.

8. Classroom Rules 8 You can drink water in class (flavored water is ok) You can eat fruit No eating of other food items, gum chewing, candy, etc. No swearing – swear jar/20 push-ups/referral

9. Classroom Rules 9 I need to keep things moving forward without student distractions: Initial Steps- If you are distracting the lesson, I will ask you to be quiet, or may ask you to do a “re-set” outside of class. (this is an opportunity for you to get “re-set” and ready to behave correctly in class. You will be outside for no more than 1 minute). Second Step- move. If you cannot be quiet, I will move your seat in the class OR send you outside for a re-set, or assign you to lunch clean-up, detention, etc Final Step or if actions are severe– referral

10. Teacher pet-peeves 10 No backpacks on the desks. Please leave backpacks on the ground Doing other classes homework in my class will result in me taking away the work for three days. If you are finished with my work, ask if you can work on another class, and I will let you know. Trying to use your cell phone for non-school related stuff. You can use your cell phone in my class as long as its on the table face up. Cell phones will be taken if they are in your lap or are being used for personal communication while in class. Bathroom passes. Should be used appropriately.

11. Being a Charger 11 Make sure you become a member of the campus community. Get involved, participate, be active, join something. Make school more than a series of classes with people you don’t know and only interact with during class if you have to. Get to know your classmates (individual classes as well as the entire freshmen class) Show-up to games, go to plays, go to the dances, join a club or team, join music or choir or drama or speech-n-debate or robotics or something! Participate in spirit days, wear school attire, be proud to attend Leland, don’t be “too cool for school” I will be going to my 30 th reunion for Leland, and I loved attending this school.