Welcome to World History You’re going to love it here.

Course Overview What is this class all about?

What The Sate of Texas Says: World History is: “World History Studies is a survey of the history of humankind. Due to the expanse of world history and the time limitations of the school year, the scope of this course should focus on "essential" concepts and skills that can be applied to various eras, events, and people. The major emphasis is on the study of significant people, events, and issues from the earliest times to the present. Traditional historical points of reference in world history are identified as students analyze important events and issues in western civilization as well as in civilizations in other parts of the world. Students evaluate the causes and effects of political and economic imperialism and of major political revolutions since the 17th century. Students examine the impact of geographic factors on major historic events and identify the historic origins of contemporary economic systems. Students analyze the process by which constitutional governments evolved as well as the ideas from historic documents that influenced that process. Students trace the historical development of important legal and political concepts. Students examine the history and impact of major religious and philosophical traditions. Students analyze the connections between major developments in science and technology and the growth of industrial economies, and they use the process of historical inquiry to research, interpret, and use multiple sources of evidence.”

Why you don’t need to freak: What you need to know: World History is the study of everything that ever happened to everybody in the whole world. Ever. For real. Why you don’t need to freak: We’re not going to cover it all.

Course Design What are we going to learn and how are we going to learn it?

First Quarter: Our Structure: Unit 1 - River Valley Civilizations Basically, the first settled groups of people. The Mesopotamians, the Egyptians, the dudes in the Indus River Valley, the cool people along the Huang He in China, and the illustrious Hebrews. Unit 2 – The Classical Era The West: These are the societies of Persia, Greece and Rome. Persia: Bad guys from 300 Greece: Good guys from 300 Rome: The Caesar guys in robes

Unit 2 – The Classical Era (cont.) The East: These are the societies of Classical India and Classical China. Classical India: the beginnings of Hindu and Buddhist culture Classical China: the dudes who brought us the Great Wall of China

Second Quarter: Unit 3 - The Post Classical Era The Byzantine Empire Feudalism Rise of Islam African Kingdoms Islam in Persia and India Tang and Song China The Mongols The Ottoman Empire Yeah, it’s a lot but it’s fun. It’s everything from knights and castles to the dudes who made coffee cool.

Unit 4- Connecting Hemispheres The Renaissance: We talk about how your video games are an example of Renaissance art The Reformation: Why are there different Christian churches? Exploration and Colonization: This is when we talk about “In fourteen-hundred-and-ninety-two, Columbus _______ the _______ ________.” (You know you still know it.) Aztecs, Incas, Maya: Yep. The dudes that said the world was going to end. Atlantic Slave Trade: We deal with some sad stuff. This is one of the worst, but its impact on the United States is immense.

Third and Fourth Quarter: Just kidding. We’ll talk about this stuff after Christmas. Your brains can only handle so much.

Expectations What do I need to know to keep Mrs. McLeod happy?

Reading You will have to read. Get over it. Reading is good. If you want to do well in school and on your SATs, read for fun. Seriously. If you don’t read what you are supposed to read for class, you will NOT know what we are talking about!!

I don’t give grades. Grades You earn grades. I tricked you. 70% -- Tests, Projects, and Writing Assignments 30% -- Weekly Quizzes I do not believe in busy work. If you are asked to do something it is because it is helping you to learn. You may use all daily work and notes when taking a quiz.

Class Rules Follow all rules as outlined in the MISD Student Handbook. You may not like them. Too bad. I have pink hair in the summer. I do not have pink hair during the school year. (See rule #1.) Do not be a victim, perpetrator or bystander. No ones wants to be a victim. A perpetrator is someone who creates a victim. A bystander is someone who allows this creation to happen. The use of electronic devices (cell phones, ipods, computers, etc.) is specifically prohibited during class unless you are specifically instructed to use them by your teacher. All cell phones will be collected by the teacher during all assessments. I have a phone jail. I will use it. You must give me a pencil to release your phone. Your phone will be sad. Bathroom passes will be given by the teacher on an emergency basis only. Go during the passing period even if you don’t have to. Pretend you are a little kid about to take a road trip. We are not stopping this car. Make sure your full name is on all assignments. Unclaimed papers receive a zero. You are in High School. You can write your name. Prove it. Every single time.

Notebook of Awesomeness Notebooks You will have a notebook for this class. We will call it a N.O.A. (Say it with me NO - AHH) It will be a Your Notebook of Awesomeness One 11/2 in. binder 8 Tabbed dividers Loose-leaf college-ruled notebook paper (1 pack for now) 1 Three-hole punched pocket folder 1 70 page college-ruled spiral notebook Notebook of Awesomeness **You must have all of these materials in class on Friday. We will be setting up and organizing our N.O.A.s**

Major Exams You will have a major exam at the end of every quarter The exam will cover the content we have studied in that quarter. These exams are very important as they are one of only three major grades each quarter.

Tutoring I have official tutoring times of: Tuesday - 2:45-315 Thursday - 2:45-3:15 I have unofficial tutoring visiting times of: Monday - until I leave Wednesday - until I leave Friday - until I leave Believe it or not, I actually like you guys and “mi casa es tu casa”. Feel free to come by for homework help, a place to crash, amazing advice, whatevs.

Late Work and Absences Late work will only be accepted one week late and will only be scored up to a 70%. You may retake a major assessment/reading quiz once for up to an 80%. You will have 1 week from the day on which the exam is passed back to retake the quiz or test. The retake quiz or test is designed to be more difficult than the first version. DO NOT EXPECT AN 80% JUST BECAUSE YOU SHOWED UP!! If you miss my class for ANY reason IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GET WHAT YOU MISSED!! ANY refers but is not limited to all of the following: I was sick. I went to the doctor. I have a note. I was out for a game/activity/concert. I was late and came in after you passed stuff out. I was in the office. I was on vacation with my family and my mom said you didn’t email her any assignments. I was pulled in to a worm hole and have lived the last 2 weeks in an alternate universe where cats shoot lasers from their eyes. I escaped.

Tips What stuff can I do to be more awesome?

Do This Stuff Do what you are supposed to do outside of class. This is the number one key to success. It’s like a cheat code. Just do the stupid homework! Use my website: www.classroomofawesomeness.org Follow our class: @MNHSawesomeness MNHS Awesomeness Facebook Page Sign up for Remind 101 messages : Send a text to (832) 850-2404 with the message @14865 Send an email to 14865@mail.remind101.com

And This Stuff Keep your N.O.A. organized. We will set it up so that even its structure will help you learn. Make studying a social activity. Dudes, if you try, you can actually have fun while learning stuff. Understand that “smart” can increase. Your brain is like a muscle and must be used to grow. This class will be a challenge. It is not because I do not care about you. This class will give you tired head. This is not because I do not care about you. I will push you to learn as much as you possibly can. I will ask a lot from you. This is not because I do not care about you. I will always be here to help you meet the challenge. This is because I care about you.