Pickens High School Faculty

Purpose and Content:  World History is an eighteen-week course designed to provide the student with a general understanding and historical context of the world we live in today.  This course will consist of a broad examination of the origin, development, and change in the economic, cultural, social, and political fabric of modern nations and how past experiences reflect themselves in the decisions of today.

We will explore World History starting with Ancient Civilizations, the Far East, the Middle East, and Latin America.  We will then start a Western Civilization look at World History moving from the Greeks to Modern Times.  In each segment, we will explore the people, culture, religion, social, political, and economic institutions of these time periods/places.

Textbook:  Spielvogel, Jackson J. ed.  World History.  Chicago:  Glencoe-McGraw Hill, 2005.

Materials:  A notebook (preferably a three-ring binder due to the amount of information that will need to be kept up with) for note taking and holding various handouts, pen or pencil, and textbook should be brought to class everyday.  Class assignments cannot be completed without the required materials and will not be provided by Mrs. Byers.

Grading System:  Grades will be determined using the following:
30% Tests
70% All other work—class work, homework, quizzes, etc.

This is for nine weeks grades.  Semester grades will be determined by taking 42.5% of the first nine weeks grade, 42.5% of the second nine weeks grade, and 15% of the final exam grade.

Tests:  Tests will be given on a regular basis using the attached schedule.  Tests will consist of questions covered in class lecture, discussions, and class simulations.  The format will consist of a mixture of multiple choice, matching, and true/false questions.  The questions come from software that came with the textbook, so all information is readily available to students and will be covered.  The questions do require some application, not necessarily rote memory.  If a student misses a test, they will have one week to make the test up or it will be entered as a zero.  It is the responsibility of the student to get missed information and assignments. 

Homework, Quizzes, and Class Work:  Homework for this class will be assigned throughout the week.  This may include some type of research, writing an essay, reading assignments, or answering questions.  Quizzes will be given periodically to test for comprehension of information covered in class up to that point, and preparedness.  Class work will consist of cooperative group responsibilities, questions, worksheets, and other responses to simulations in class.  If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to get missed information and assignments from the make up folder in the classroom.  Failure to turn in make up work in the allotted time, as specified in the student handbook, will result in a zero for the assignment(s).  NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED!!!!!
Classroom Rules/General Conduct:  Students area asked to assume a respectful demeanor, not only to Mrs. Byers, but to other students as well.  Students are expected to follow the code of conduct for Pickens High School as listed in their agendas.

The rules for this classroom are basic:

1. Listen when others are talking.   Show respect to all in the classroom, especially Mrs. Byers.
2. Follow directions the first time they are given—they will not be repeated and this could get you written up for “failure to follow directions.”
3. Keep hands, feet, and other objects to yourself.
4. Work quietly and do not disturb others.
5. Show respect for school and personal property.
6. No cell phones, MP3s, or other personal electronic devices—they will be taken up (first time, everytime!)

Students should take care of “housekeeping” issues such as borrowing writing utensils, sharpening pencils, etc. before class begins.  Students are advised not to cheat, or assist in the cheating process, as the consequence for either action will result in a zero.

Leaving the Classroom:  Students will only be allowed to leave class if they are called by the office/counselors office, or if they need to use the restroom.  Students will be asked to sign a log out sheet and take the “class pass” with them.  Students are not to go to the snack machines at any time during class.  If they do so, this will be considered being in an unauthorized area and will be dealt with accordingly.  Students will not leave to “call home” or make appointments with the counselors.  These items need to be taken care of before the student comes to class.  If a student is leaving excessively, parents and counselors will be notified.

Miscellaneous Information:
If a student is having difficulty with this course, it is their responsibility to ask for assistance.  Tutoring is available through the social studies department and can be arranged through our department head.

CURRICULUM MAP AND PACING GUIDE

CURRICULUM MAP AND PACING GUIDE

Purpose and Content:   Psychology is an introductory course that explores human behavior.  We will discuss a variety of psychological aspects including the theories of psychology, developmental psychology, personality psychology, and the effects of environmental aspects on our psyche.

Textbook:  Kasschau, Richard A., Ph.D.  Understanding Psychology.  Chicago:  Glencoe-McGraw Hill, 2003.

Materials:  A notebook (preferably a three-ring binder due to the amount of information that will need to be kept up with) for note taking and holding various handouts, pen or pencil, and textbook should be brought to class everyday.  Class assignments cannot be completed without the required materials and will not be provided by Mrs. Byers.

Grading System:  Grades will be determined using the following:
40% Tests
60% All other work—class work, homework, quizzes, etc.

This is for nine weeks grades.  Semester grades will be determined by taking 42.5% of the first nine weeks grade, 42.5% of the second nine weeks grade, and 15% of the final exam grade.

Tests:  Tests will be given on a regular basis using the attached schedule.  Tests will consist of questions covered in class lecture, discussions, and class simulations.  The format will consist of a mixture of multiple choice, matching, true/false, short answer, and essay questions.  The questions come from software that came with the textbook, so all information is readily available to students and will be covered.  The questions do require some application, not necessarily rote memory.  If a student misses a test, they will have one week to make the test up or it will be entered as a zero.  It is the responsibility of the student to get missed information and assignments. 

Homework, Quizzes, and Class Work:  Homework for this class will be assigned throughout the week.  This may include some type of research, writing an essay, reading assignments, or answering questions.  Quizzes will be given periodically to test for comprehension of information covered in class up to that point, and preparedness.  Class work will consist of cooperative group responsibilities, questions, worksheets, and other responses to simulations in class.  If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to get missed information and assignments from the make up folder in the classroom.  Failure to turn in make up work in the allotted time, as specified in the student handbook, will result in a zero for the assignment(s).  NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED!!!!!

Classroom Rules/General Conduct:  Students area asked to assume a respectful demeanor, not only to Mrs. Byers, but to other students as well.  Students are expected to follow the code of conduct for Pickens High School as listed in their agendas.

The rules for this classroom are basic:

1. Listen when others are talking.   Show respect to all in the classroom, especially Mrs. Byers.
2. Follow directions the first time they are given—they will not be repeated and this could get you written up for “failure to follow directions.”
3. Keep hands, feet, and other objects to yourself.
4. Work quietly and do not disturb others.
5. Show respect for school and personal property.
6. No cell phones, MP3s, or other personal electronic devices—they will be taken up (first time, everytime!)

Students should take care of “housekeeping” issues such as borrowing writing utensils, sharpening pencils, etc. before class begins.  Students are advised not to cheat, or assist in the cheating process, as the consequence for either action will result in a zero.

Leaving the Classroom:  Students will only be allowed to leave class if they are called by the office/counselors office, or if they need to use the restroom.  Students will be asked to sign a log out sheet and take the “class pass” with them.  Students are not to go to the snack machines at any time during class.  If they do so, this will be considered being in an unauthorized area and will be dealt with accordingly.  Students will not leave to “call home” or make appointments with the counselors.  These items need to be taken care of before the student comes to class.  If a student is leaving excessively, parents and counselors will be notified.

Miscellaneous Information:
If a student is having difficulty with this course, it is their responsibility to ask for assistance.  Tutoring is available through the social studies department and can be arranged through our department head.

CURRICULUM MAP AND PACING GUIDE

CURRICULUM MAP AND PACING GUIDE