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= = = Welcome to Mrs. Pope's Social Studies Website! =

==Welcome to my class website! Here you will find information about your assignments, notes, homework, and more! Be sure to check out the pages on the right side of this homepage. If you have any questions, please contact me at popea@tarrant.k12.al.us.==

Below is information about this class from the syllabus that was handed out on 8/16/2010:
This course will challenge your critical thinking skills as you learn about the people, culture, economy, government, and physical aspects of the regions of the world. You will also learn to read maps, charts, graphs, and tables to interpret social and economic information.
 *  Course Description: **

• **Assignment Notebook** - You should bring your Assignment Notebook to class every day. Your Assignment Notebook is a 1 inch binder that will contain all of your classwork, homework, quizzes, and tests. You are required to maintain your Assignment Notebook by regularly updating your Table of Contents and keeping your assignments in the correct order. • **Pencil or pen** • **Flash Drive**
 * What Should I Bring to Class?**

• //**Do Now**// - Every day, there will be a “Do Now” on the board for you to complete. This is a short assignment to be completed silently during the first five minutes of class on a piece of loose leaf paper to be kept in your Assignment Notebook. We will talk about the “Do Now” each day after everyone has completed it. • //**Class Work**// – You will likely have an assignment to add to your Assignment Notebook every day or every other day. Each assignment will be graded. This may be independent work or group work. • //**Participation**// – Your participation grade will begin at 100 points each nine weeks. If you refuse to participate in class or if you behave disruptively, you will lose points. Each loss of points will be documented and signed by the student and teacher. You can earn up to 25 points back by completing the extra credit assignments (see Extra Credit below). • **//Quizzes//** – Periodically, you will complete short quizzes. They will always be announced; there are no “pop quizzes.” Each quiz will be worth 25 points each. Some of these quizzes will be notebook quizzes, based upon the completeness and organization of your Assignment Notebook. • //**Tests**// – You will take 8 tests over the course of the semester, including a Nine-weeks exam and a Semester Exam, which counts for 20% of your final grade.
 * What Will We Do in Class?**

//**Late Work**// – You must turn in assignments on the day they are due. If you do not have your assignment or it is incomplete at the time it is due, you may turn it in late for a //maximum// of 70%. You have until the end of each Nine-Weeks grading period to submit any late work.
 * Policies**

//**Absences**// - If you are absent for any reason, it is your responsibility to get the notes that you missed and to make up any missed assignments, including tests. The class website (https://popesocialstudies.wikispaces.com/) is your resource when you are absent Come to Mrs. Pope for missed handouts. To keep your Assignment Notebook up to date, I will have an example Assignment Notebook for your reference. You may turn in missed work for full credit for up to three school days after your absence. After that, it is considered late work (see policy above).

//**Grading**// – Your total grade consists of four categories that are weighted as follows: • Tests: 60% • Quizzes: 10% • Classwork/Homework: 20% • Participation: 10%


 * Mastery of the content taught in this course is not optional.** If you score below 60% on a test, you are **required** to retake the test after attending a morning tutoring session with Mrs. Pope. The second test will be a different version of the first test. You will schedule a morning tutoring session with Mrs. Pope and then another morning session to retake the test. If you complete a retake, you can score a maximum of 70%. This way, your grade reflects proficiency but discourages students from abusing the retake policy. If you score above a 60% but below a 70%, you are permitted to complete a tutoring session and retake the test if you want to raise your grade.

//**Extra Credit**// – You may earn 5 bonus points if you bring an article to class that pertains to geography. You must be prepared to give a 2 or 3 minute presentation to your class explaining what the article is about and why it is related to geography. These bonus points will be applied to your participation grade. You can earn a maximum of 25 bonus points each nine weeks. If another student in your class has already made a presentation on an article, you may not use the same article.

//**Class Website**// – https://popesocialstudies.wikispaces.com/ The website will be updated daily with homework assignments, notes from class, test dates, school event dates, and links to information about geography. At some point during the semester, you will participate in an online discussion using a blog that will be linked to the class website. If you are absent, the class website is your resource for what you missed.
 * Technology Use**

//**Laptops**// – You will use the Mac laptops during class frequently. Adherence to the Tarrant City Schools Technology Acceptable Use Policy is REQUIRED. Any misuse of school technology is a Class III offense. Remember, technology will tell on you so be responsible and use good judgment when using school technology!