This document provides an overview of Ms. Rocky Parker's 7th grade history class. It includes biographical information about Ms. Parker, her teaching philosophy, and details about the course. The class will use a theme-based approach to teach world history from 500 BCE to 1865 CE, focusing on inventions and innovation. Students will be graded based on homework, tests, in-class work, projects, and online discussions. The syllabus outlines expectations for note-taking, assignments, communication, and rewards systems using daily points.

1. Ms. RockyParker School 2010 English & History Middle School Teacher

2. UC Berkeley

3. My LifeMarried to Mr. Dave3 sons- Jake, Dallas & JudeHave 2 Cats- Farrah & Coda (Dexter & Xena)Play Guitar & SingTheoretical Physics, Hard Sci-Fi Books, Movies, Music, Cartoon Network shows

4. My LifeHundreds of “adopted” kids & students NFL, MLB, Olympic Swim Team, WNBA, PGA924 Gilman, Fantasy Records, Tyrannosaurus RecsMany careers:- Theatre Tech - Radio Announcer - Archaeologist - Speech & Debate Coach- College Instructor - Sports Writer

5. How I TeachI believe...

6. I believe……that teaching and learning are Give-&-Take relationshipsOftentimes, I have just as much to learn from you as you do from me, and I want to learn!

7. I believe……that everything is connectedStart from a point that you are already interested in and you can translate that into all aspects of your learning and life.

8. I believe……in using all forms of multimedia from books to movies to TV shows to music to video games The most important thing is to find a launching point for each person’s academic excellence and success in life.

9. I believe……books are the foundation for understanding life.…movies can teach us important lessons.…music can focus our brains.…video games are not always mindless.

10. I believe……football is life. I am a football freak.…Cal is the center of the Universe.…strawberry is better than chocolate. …that EVERYONE can dance.…Counting Crows is the best band ever.…in aliens.…in ghosts, vampires & zombies.

11. I believe……knowing where we come from is as important as knowing where we want to go.…“none of us is anything until the least of us is something.” (Floyd Little, NFL Hall of Fame Induction Speech, 2010)...in the exceptional, the amazing, and the unexpected.…that wisdom can come from anyone.

12. Things to knowWhat I expect…

13. Things to know……just because an adult said something doesn’t make it right or true. QUESTION ALWAYS.…if you disagree, that’s ok. DO SO WITH EVIDENCE, NOT OPINION.…without students, there is no need for a teacher. TAKE YOUR ROLE HERE SERIOUSLY.…if you cant find a way to have fun doing something, LOOK AT IT ANOTHER WAY.

14. What I expect…I EXPECT……you as students to show respectfor:Teachers & StaffYour Peers Yourself by not compromising the class with disruptive behavior.

15. What I expect……you to construct and maintain an open discussion and dialogue with me and with your fellow students.…that you will talk to me if you are having problems and let me work a solution out with you.I EXPECT…

16. What I expect……that you will learn the rules of my classroom and respect them. …that you will VOICE YOUR OPINIONS, weather it agrees or disagrees with me or anyone else, while showing respect for others.I EXPECT…

17. Class rulesWhat you can expect…

18. US & WORLD HISTORYTHROUGH THEMES7th GRADE HISTORY

19. SyllabusAcademic Integrity & Honesty / Student Info SIGN & RETURNHow to Avoid Plagiarism – KEEP FOR REFERENCEStudy Skills Sheet – KEEP FOR REFERENCEParker School Style Sheet – KEEP FOR REFERENCEParker School Value Shield POST OVER YOUR DESK AT HOMEPackage Documents

20. Course Description:HistoryCritical Reading, Writing, Comprehension and Thinking skillsTheme & Time-Frame each Trimester tying together with English Bringing History into focus using Inventions & Innovation as a lensReinforcement the school wide expectations of Excellence, Integrity, and CompassionUse critical analysis skills to understand, interpret, and tackle Complex moments in HistoryHistorical moments in context Global relationships of ideas, people & placesPolitical ConceptsInnovative IdeasMultimedia approach to connect with history & link the readings & themes with time framesMoviesTelevisionMusicVideo Games

21. Keep notes on all readings and lecturesDifferent forms and styles of note taking Various assignments will involve note takingNotes will be checked periodicallyNote taking is part of class participationWill contribute to the in-class portion of your gradeWill contribute to the participation portion of your grade as well.Note Taking

22. A survey of Global Civilizations Roman Empire to the American Civil War Timeframe focus on developments from approximately 500 BCE to 1865 CEBCE?? CE???Timeframe Focus& Media

23. Invention & Innovation will be used as a connective lens for each timeframe, area & theme1st Term: Exploration, Expansion & Independence (Excellence)2nd Term: Empires, Waging War & Community (Compassion)3rd Term: Personal Rights, Mobility & Responsibility (Integrity)Theme Focus& Media

24. Knights TaleConnections I, II, III13th WarriorThe PatriotSalem Witch TrialsPower of MythHistory InternationalTime RaidersTheme Focus& Media

25. Daily class questionsDaily in-class writing assignmentsWILL NOTleave the classroomIS confidentialRead another student’s notebook and there WILL be serious ramifications including but not limited to detention, suspension & expulsionIn Class Notebooks

26. Homework is given for the week on the first day the class meetsThe majority of homework will be submitted online Any homework which is due in class will be notedWork Due In-class will be due when statedOnline discussion groups are part of homework for this course Assignments more then 24 hours late will not be accepted online and arrangements must be made with the teacher for any exceptionMajor assignments/projects may span several weeks. Daily homework assignments are posted to the website on MondaysHomework Assignments

27. Throughout the course of the year extra credit opportunities will be presented and you will be able to take advantage of this provided you have a passing grade already.Extra Credit

28. Grading will be based on 5 categories as follows :HomeworkTests & QuizzesIn-Class Writing & ParticipationProjectsOnline Discussion ParticipationGradingPolicies

30. Read & Review with your parentsSign & returnFill out the Info Sheet on the backSign & returnAcademic Integrity & Honesty

31. Daily Points are rewards you get for various activities in class. Daily Points are not given for turning in assignments or completing projectsDaily Points do not contribute to your grade – they are in addition to assignment grade points1 Daily Point is rewarded for each daily questionThose who go above and beyond the assignment parameter may receive additional pointsIn-class writing assignments are not optional and will have an impact on your gradeDaily Points…

32. Once every week you will be able to redeem your Daily Points for various rewards, including: Food items CandyClass coupons “Get Out of One Homework Assignment”“Change Seats to Sit Closer to a Friend”“Choose a Lunchtime Movie”Store redeemable certificatesXbox live or PlayStation network cardsOther rewards to be determinedRewards…

33. Once a month you will have the opportunity to play “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” in order to earn extra DP You must buy in with 10 DP in order to participateQuestions will be a review of the previous weeks lessons along with general knowledge questionsMillionaire…

34. Media Lunch ViewingsList &Permission SlipLunch Movies…

35. Come to my room any timeLunchtime movies on Tuesday & ThursdayVia my email rsperling@parkerschool.netImmediate attention after 4pm Use my Twitter @RockyAtParker Any questions posted on Twitter will be answered by 9 pm that dayCheck the twitter page for Assignment Updates, Changes, or Announcements about the class. Email: rsperling@parkerschool.netTwitter:@RockyAtParkerPhone: 808-885-7933 ext 127Communication