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 THE PAGE FOR ALL INFO ABOUT: Mrs. Karen Metcalf's 7th Grade History classes (including supplies, rules, general information.) at Hillcrest Middle School Email: kmetcalf@greenville.k12.sc.us Voicemail: (864) 355-6167 “We need to learn to set our course by the stars, not by the lights of every passing ship” -General Omar Bradley, U.S. Army Information about Mrs. Metcalf: I am a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where I received a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education/Social Studies. I also graduated from Furman University with a Masters in Middle School Social Studies. This is my fourth year at HMS. My husband and I have a 2 year-old, four-legged, furry baby boy named Roscoe. (He’s a cat.) I am a HUGE Tony Stewart fan and although I graduated from USC, I am a huge Auburn fan. I am also a complete CSI geek. World History: The primary focus will be on the major events and changes that have taken place around the world since the 1600s. Instructional Materials: Textbook: Geography: The World and Its People by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill (**The textbook is a resource, and in no way should students or parents rely on the textbook. The most important book will be the notebook.**) Supplies Needed: 3- Composition-style notebooks (100 page preferred) One subject wire-bound notebook or a tabbed folder with notebook paper (for journal entries only.) Glue sticks (Students will glue handouts into their notebook) Colored pencils Pencils Blue or black pens Book covers are optional, but strongly suggested. **I will provide notebook paper if needed. Additional supplies will be announced for projects. Grading Scale: A= 93-100 B= 85-92 C= 77-84 D= 70-76 F= below 70 Assessments and Weight: Tests 30% Projects 30% Notebook 40% (this represents all classwork & homework) **Projects and major tests are announced in advance, usually a week at least. All upcoming projects and tests will be posted on the bulletin board. I will provide a study guide/practice test a week in advance. *Students are responsible for completing the study guide. I will check to see who has completed the study guides and if a majority of the class has completed it, we will go over it in class. If there are more incompletes than completes, I will only discuss the guides with those who took their responsibilty seriously and completed the guides.* The study guides will be in the same format as the test. I will rearrange the questions, but if the questions are in a certain area (true/false, multiple choice, fill in the blank, or short answer, I will keep the question in that area, but rearrange the order of the questions. ***Notebook checks are unannounced.*** **Assignments received after 3:00 on the due date will result in a reduction of 25 points for EACH school day it is late. Missed Work/ Make-up Policy: According to the Hillcrest Middle School Handbook, any missed assignments, including tests and projects, must be completed within 5 school days. Failure to complete missed assignments will result in a zero. Students are responsible for reminding me about missed work. Attendance and Tardy Policy: Refer to pages 17-19 in the handbook. If a student is not seated by the time the tardy bell rings, the student will be considered tardy. Three tardies will result in detention and a note home. Four or more tardies will receive a referral. *You will be considered tardy if you are in class, but you are wandering around the room, visiting another student’s desk, or standing around. I strongly suggest you are seated and ready to begin work by the tardy bell. Classroom Expectations: 1. Come to class on time and prepared. (Come with your notebook, glue sticks, pen or pencil everyday. I will post a sign when the student NEEDS to bring the textbook) 2. Show everyone respect. (Do not talk when the teacher or another student is talking. Do not insult anyone. Do not make comments about a student or their work. Do not move anyone’s belongings. Do not move the desks around, unless you have received permission from the teacher.) 3. Do not bring food or drinks to class. (Drinks, gum, and food are prohibited in classrooms, unless the teacher gives you permission. Do not take food or drinks out of the cafeteria for any reason.) 4. Do not distract others. (Tapping or drumming on desks, crumpling paper, getting up and wandering, or talking to a student during non-group work is distracting. Students are not allowed to talk during tests or quizzes. If ANY student is taking a test or quiz, any student caught talking or communicating in any way will receive an automatic detention- no exceptions and a zero on the assignment.) * Academic honesty policy: Students who present the ideas or work of another person as their own will receive a zero on the assignment and will receive a 1-hour detention. Cheating or plagiarism in any way is prohibited. ** If a student is caught working on material for another teacher, or if you are caught working on material for my class in another teacher’s class, your work will be confiscated, and NOT returned. Consequences May Include: · Reprimand · Writing Assignments · Parent Contact · Student removed from the Situation · Detention (a detention slip will be sent home and must be signed by a parent or the student will not be admitted to detention, and a referral will be written.) · Referral ** Repeated failures to meet expectations will result in a referral. ***Due to afternoon car duty, my detentions will be held in the morning from 7:35 until 8:05.*** Class Procedures: Students will participate in the following types of activities: Direct Instruction Review Games Demonstrations Projects Cooperative learning experiences Map skills using an atlas Videos · Students will keep all work in their composition notebooks. Students are required to glue any handouts onto a page in their notebook. Students need to keep a glue stick with them at all times. Notebooks will be graded based on whether or not the student has accurately and successfully kept up with all assignments. We will set up the first notebook together at the start of the school year. Notebooks are to be brought to class EVERYDAY-no exceptions!!! Most work will be completed in class. I normally do NOT assign homework other than studying for tests or projects. · Students will be given 3 OOPS-PASSES each quarter. Students are not allowed to leave the room for ANY reason without an OOPS PASS. Students may not “borrow” another student’s OOPS PASS. · Students will have a journal due each quarter. The journals CANNOT leave the classroom. There will be a specific crate for each period. Journals will count as part of the project grade. Communications with parents: I welcome parent feedback and questions. If you need to voice a concern or have any questions please call and leave a message on my voice mail at 355-6167, or Email me at the email address provided. **Please note that the links below do not work.** |
