American Studies I/Smith Junior High/Mr. Popovich “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” Benjamin Franklin Dear Parents and Students: I am very excited about teaching American Studies. When I was younger I did not have the chance to visit many historical places. Yet, I would read about huge castles and inspiring palaces. My imagination would take me to mysterious and enchanting locations. My main goal is to use socials studies to unwrap the mysteries of the world. Students will have a chance to see America's role in the world and what they can do to make the future a better place. I have been interested in social studies since I was in the sixth grade. One of my main goals this year will be to communicate how the study of our history can help us to connect with the world. Students learn how to become world citizens by learning the skills of critical analysis and interpretation. We will be focusing this year on the study of the fundamental concepts of American History and Geography. Students will learn the five themes of geography. We will also be discussing current events on a regular basis. Unfortunately, students sometimes associate the study of history with the dry memorization of dull facts. While study and memorization will be necessary, I will try to make their study as interesting as possible, using games, competitions, and debates. I am excited about becoming your guide to the subject of American History. Parents, if you have any questions about my policies or your child’s work in American History at any time, please feel free to contact me at school (472-9967). I would welcome the opportunity to talk with you. The best time to reach me by phone is on Monday after school from 3:50 to 4:15 and Tuesday mornings from 8:15 to 8:45. I check my e-mail ([email protected]) regularly and will try to respond as soon as possible if you send me a message. My goal is to help your child be as successful as possible. They will not succeed if they do not put effort into the work required for American Studies. The majority of the work in this class will not be homework but occasionally they may not finish in class. If they tell they have no work to do you should probably contact me as soon as possible. Extra credit is rare in my class so if they fall behind they will have a hard time catching up. I am more likely to help them with extra credit if they are struggling with the concepts rather than if they didn’t do their work and then suddenly are worried about passing because they might get in trouble. You can always check their grades online with the parent portal. The planner is filled out weekly in my class so students should have assignments, due dates, and their grades listed their as well. I am looking forward to a great school year.

Mr. Popovich

Section One- Rules and Consequences  Students will: 1) Respect yourself, others, and the environment around you. 2) When the teacher is talking, the students are not. 3) Come to class ON TIME, prepared, and ready to start when the bell rings. 4) Follow directions the first time given. 5) Students will work until told it is time to pack up. 6) All rules listed in the school handbook will be enforced. The consequences of breaking a rule are as follows, not necessarily in this order, depending on the severity of the infraction. 1. Warning and conference with the student 2. Parent contact and conference 3. After school detention- Detentions will be Tuesday or Wednesday before or after school 4. Removal to another classroom 5. Referral to an administrator Section Two- Grades 1. All work will be graded on a total points system. 2. Points will come from a combination of daily homework assignments, in-class assignments, quizzes, tests, special projects, and group activities. Tests will be given once every week and a half to two weeks. Tests will have multiple choice, vocabulary, maps, and fill in the blank questions. Study guides will be used so that the student may study for the test. There may also be opportunities for extra credit BUT don't rely on it to boost your grade. Scale A 90-100, B 80-89, C 70-79, D 60-69, F below 60 Section Three- Course Objectives The following movies listed in parenthesis may be used to reinforce the learning goals taught in class. The Story of US will be used all year. First Semester Use Geography Skills to analyze/interpret maps, graphs, and data Historical Research Skills include interpreting data, constructing timelines, and formulating question Language Arts Connection include acquiring/using new vocabulary, employ strategies and organizing skills, and analyze expository text Arizona in the World (The History & Heritage of Arizona, Geronimo) Causes of the Civil War Civil War (Amistad- edited, Pharaohs Army, Glory- edited) Reconstruction Industrial Era (Far & Away- edited, Andrew Carnegie) The Story of Us will be used all year

Second Semester Use Geography skills to analyze/interpret maps, graphs, and data (The Greatest Places) Historical Research Skills include interpreting data, constructing timelines, and formulating question Language Arts Connection include acquiring/using new vocabulary, employ strategies and organizing skills, and analyze persuasive text Westward Expansion (Dances with Wolves- edited, Mark Twain’s America, King of Texas) Imperialism (Rough Riders) World War I (Sinking of the Lusitania, Influenza 1918, All Quiet on the Western Front, War Horse- edited) The 1920s & 1930s (Seabiscuit- edited) Pre World War II (The Great Dictator) Section Four- Absentee Policy  If a student is absent from school, it is his/her responsibility to find out what work he or she missed and to make it up. All assignments are posted in class. Everyone should have the phone number of at least one other person whom they can call to find out what the homework is if they missed class. Missed tests will be made up immediately upon return. The student will be given two days to makeup an assignment for each day missed.

Section Five- Assignments  There will be a study guide and vocabulary assignment for every chapter that is studied in the textbook. If students do not finish the two assignments in class they will become homework. Vocabulary can be used on the test so students should finish the assignment. We will do one historical scene investigation project per unit by studying primary sources for the time period. The project will give the student an opportunity to examine a topic covered in class in greater detail. There is NO reason to be late with daily assignments in my class. Students may not turn in homework two days past the original due date. They lose 10% of the assignment’s value for every day the assignment is late. For projects, students must present even if one of the group members is absent. Everyone in the group must be familiar with their roles. The absent person will be given an alternate assignment. In recent years, problems with computers or printers have replaced family pets as the favored excuse for not having homework. If the computer gremlins prevent students from printing out their work, they must bring a flashdrive with the work on it to school and print it out on a school computer. Punctuality and responsibility are keys to healthy study skills. Section Six- Procedures  1.

KEEP THE CLASSROOM (and desks) CLEAN. When entering the classroom students should place their backpacks under the desk and out of the walkway aisle. Before leaving class check your area. Pick up paper and return desk to original place unless otherwise instructed. Put trash in the trashcan.

2.

MOVING AROUND THE CLASSROOM. Students need to be aware of what is happening before they get up to move around the room. Do not interrupt the teacher in the middle of a lesson. Use the trash at the back of the room if you can. Students may sharpen their pencil when needed.

3.

GRADES. The students will be responsible for keeping track of their own grades. The student will be given their grade every Friday in their planner. The grades will be posted in class once a quarter. Thus, the student must fill out the planner every week to keep track of assignment due dates. All graded assignments must be kept. If a student has a question about a specific assignment that has been returned and then lost the student will accept the grade given.

4.

ETHICAL BEHAVIOR. Do your own work. Work that has been copied from others or plagiarized will not be accepted. Students must list where they have found their information when doing any project where research is necessary. Cheating on tests will result in a zero on that test and parental contact.

5.

BATHROOM USAGE. All students are expected to use the restroom during the five minute passing time between classes. Students are not allowed to use the restroom during the first and last 15 minutes of class. Do not interrupt the teacher to use the restroom unless it is an emergency. If a student has a medical condition that requires them to frequently use the restroom they need to present a note to the teacher from their parents. Students will be allowed to use the restroom for emergencies.

6.

TEXT. The required text for this course is American History by McDougal-Littell. A copy of this book will not be checked out to each student unless the student specifically requests that this be done. Each student who checks out a book will then be added to a master book list designating which book number was assigned to each student. Textbooks should be handled with great care and should not be written in. This includes the class set of books under each desk. These books are school property and it is each student’s responsibility to return them at the end of the school year in or near the same condition that they were issued. The replacement cost for a lost or stolen book is approximately $85.00! Grades and yearbooks may be withheld if these items are not accounted for by the end of the school year. Students may also access the book on the internet.

7.

TUTORING AVAILAIBILITY. I take my responsibilities as a teacher very seriously. It is my commitment to my students that determines my availability for tutoring sessions. I will be available every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8:00-8:45 AM and Thursday after school from 3:45 to 4:30. Students attending tutoring sessions in the morning will have to get a pass from me the day before to get into the building. I will also make myself available by appointment when a student approaches me with a time, if I do not have a prior commitment.

Section Seven- Supplies  Parents, please be sure that your children have the following materials. 1. all handouts I have given them 2. plenty of notebook paper 3. a blue or black pen or a pencil 4. a highlighter 5. a 24 pack of colored pencils

The following supplies are not mandatory but will be helpful to be donated to our class. 1. Glitter glue, poster or acrylic paint, paper plates, sandwich baggies, white sheets for banners, card stock (white, blue, yellow, pink, and orange), colored paper, the game of monopoly (donated or borrowed) and small toys (stuffed animals, dollar store stuff). I also can take used books, dvds, or CDs to Bookmans. I will exchange them credit and then use the credit to buy things for our auctions. 2. Candy can be brought in for our classroom auctions (no gum). We have an auction at the end of each quarter. I personally pay for the prizes in the auction. I understand that some families can not contribute. It is only optional and would be greatly appreciated. The students will be compensated with Popo Dough. Section Eight- How parents can help their children     1. Quiz him/her on the material. 2. Check regularly to see that your child has done the classwork. Student’s should be studying for tests every two weeks. The notes taken in class will be on the test. 3. Please check their notebooks periodically. If it looks a mess or if you find materials from other classes in there ask them to clean it out and organize it. There are certain materials that they should keep the whole year. If they don’t have any handouts from the past five to ten days, chances are that they are not paying attention and keeping track of their materials. There is a high correlation to students with neat, up to date notebooks and students with good grades. 4. Ask your child to show you his or her graded tests. I give extra credit points to students who get their parent’s signature on graded tests. If they neglect to show you their tests, perhaps there is a reason they don’t want you to see them.

Student and Teacher Page I expect that my students will follow the guidelines that I have established in the pages of this packet. If a student does not agree with a rule or procedure they will come to me with their complaints. I will always be willing to listen to any student who has a concern and communicates that concern in a respectful manner. In turn, the students will follow the rules and guidelines of the classroom to ensure a positive learning environment. Please sign and return this page by the announced date. Students must keep this packet in their notebooks and share the information with their parents. Please acknowledge the following statement. As a student I will follow all classroom expectations and procedures as explained by Mr. Popovich. Parents have read over the guidelines of Mr. Popovich’s American Studies class. A parent signature below indicates approval of all of the movies listed in the course objectives section.

_____________________________________________________________ Parent signature date

_____________________________________________________________ Student signature

______________________________________________________________ Student name (print)

What is a day like in Mr. Popovich’s class? 1)

The first 10 minutes of class When the bell rings you are expected to be seated, with a pen ready and your notebook on the desk. The teacher will usually have a picture from the time period we are studying on the screen. The student will spend 5 minutes answering questions about the pictures. We will discuss the picture. I will then ask students 2 or 3 trivia questions from something that happened on that date in history. The information can be found on historychannel.com but is not required to learn.

2)

The next fifteen minutes of class When we are finished discussing trivia questions we will have a daily journal question. Students will write on a question of the day and have the option of discussing this with the class.

3)

The next twenty minutes of class will be the lesson for the day.

4)

The last ten minutes of class will be work time on study guides or learning experiences with a 2 minute review.

5)

There will be times where we will have group projects or videos instead of the regular format.