August 10, 2016 Dear O’Brien Lions, Parents, and Guardians:
My name is Ms. Gaither and I am your Banana Slugs Social Studies educator! I am excited to be a part of your educational experience and am looking forward to working with you and your parents/guardians throughout the school year. I have been diligently preparing for this school year throughout the summer and am looking forward to implementing many learning activities and strategies in our classroom. In addition to my passion for education, I enjoy hiking, swimming, photography, reading, music, traveling, cultural diversity, and my ten year old daughter. I believe these experiences have helped to form the well rounded person I am today. I am excited to start the new school year with your students, sharing, learning, and growing together. I welcome your parents/guardians to visit our classroom; however they will need to check-in at the front office first. My contact information is at the bottom of this letter; each method will work for contacting me as well as stopping in the office and leaving a note in my mailbox. I will respond to any method as soon as possible to set up a time to meet which best meets our schedules. Grading Breakdown 60% assessments: this includes quizzes, image analysis, lyric analysis, text analysis, BMA’s, DBQ’s Essays, and Unit projects. 30% class work: this includes participation in classroom discussions, Interactive Notebook upkeep/student written response, handouts, and other in class activities. 10% Homework: supplemental activities to deepen student understanding, will not cover concepts students have not engaged in during classroom instruction. Behavior/Citizenship: You will receive 0-5points every Friday. These points are based upon your behavior in class for the week. Engaging in the documents, discussions, and group work will help you earn the full 5 pts. Negativity or aggressive behavior will result in eliminating or minimizing your weekly behavior pts. Work Ethic: You will receive 0-5 pts every Friday. These points are based upon your ability to write down the daily agenda for my class, your preparedness for class, such as bringing agenda, paper, pencils and highlighters to class, and minimizing your excuses for late work or poor choices, but rather owning it your mistakes and growing as a productive, contributing, and thoughtful member of our classroom. Classroom Expectations WE will use “accountable talk” and respectful language in our classroom. WE will come prepared to class each day with a pencil, pen, agenda, paper, and binder so we can maximize our learning. WE will keep our classroom clean, orderly, and considerately use all materials. WE will each engage in classroom activities and be accountable for our choices. WE are a TEAM; we will support our fellow teammates. Late Work Policy and Test Retakes See new late work policy on right hand side of page under the syllabus. Test Retake: You are able to retake tests if you receive a failing score. You will need to arrange a time during lunch, with me, to schedule a makeup. Supplies Needed
Sincerely, Hannah Gaither (775) 677-5420, school’s main line [email protected] www.msgaitherhistory.weebly.com |
Syllabus
Civil War Reconstruction The Closing of the Frontier Progressive Era Imperialism World War I 1920’s Great Depression Dust Bowl World War II Cold War possibly...
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