WASHINGTON STATE HISTORY Mrs. Brown 2010 - 2011

Hello, 7th graders! Welcome to Washington State History. I am looking forward to having a GREAT semester with all of you. Since I majored in history in college, it is my favorite academic subject to teach. We will be studying many things during the semester, so this document is just a brief overview of the subject matter. We have a wonderful, rich history in our state, and I intend on working with you to explore as much of the history as we can fit in to the next few months!

I know for some of you, it might be scary to think that the grade you will earn in my class will result in meeting a graduation requirement (or not), but I KNOW all of you will work hard to earn the best grade that you possibly can. It is not a difficult thing to do…complete all your assignments in a timely fashion (see, “Late Work Policy” for an explanation of turning in your work), study for and do well on all your quizzes and tests, and bring a good attitude to class (along with all your supplies, of course). Let’s get started with the information you need to know.

COURSE OVERVIEW: Washington State History will include the physical geography, geology, government, trade, cultures, and overall history of the state of Washington. We will begin with the geography, and familiarize ourselves with where things were and are in our state. Why did people move here? Why Washington? You will find out. How did Native Americans end up in the places they are today? We will study that. Native Americans are a large part of our history in this state, and we will explore how treaties affected their culture. We will also look at Washington’s relationship with the rest of the country, and world.

ASSIGNMENTS: Lack of proper heading on ALL assignments will result in no credit, as well as a trip to the recycle bin for the particular paper that has no name on it. Please be courteous and responsible by putting your name, the date, the class period, and the assignment on your paper in the upper right-hand corner of your paper.  Papers must be neat and organized. If I cannot read it, you will need to redo it – no exceptions. Take your time and do your best. Remember, it is your responsibility to label or head your paper properly! **Please turn in all of your assignments to your class period’s proper basket. It is YOUR responsibility to turn in assignments. Do NOT put any written work, etc. on my desk or by my computer.

CLASS PROCEDURES: Please make sure you remember these…  Sharpen pencils, get materials from locker, and use the restroom BEFORE class  You are to sit in your seat every day until specific instructions are given to be out of your seat & working with partner or group  Enter class QUIETLY (this is a must) and begin filling out your daily planner and wait for instructions  Do not talk to others or interrupt while receiving instructions and  Raise your hand in order to be called on, if it is an appropriate time (not while I am talking)  Complete all homework and other assignments on time  You must never leave the room without permission from me – and always use a hall pass  I will dismiss you, not the bell – ROOM MUST BE NEAT & CLEANED UP BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE ROOM (I will attempt to give you plenty of time for clean-up, as long as you are using the time wisely)  Stay in your seats and wait for me to dismiss the class…it also must be quiet in order for you to leave  The words/phrases, “shut-up” or “sucks,” or any forms of putting others down are not permitted in my room, in addition to all other profanities or inappropriate words

EXPECTATIONS: Since this is a class in which you must meet a requirement for high school graduation, it is EXPECTED that you will follow the classroom rules. Here they are:

1. Avoid disruption while others are talking (including the teacher). 2. Be respectful of others and their property. 3. Know both personal and physical boundaries. 4. Leave negativity and dishonesty at the door.

Following these expectations, you will have a great time in my class. If you choose not to follow them, the consequences await you:

**1st Offense: verbal warning (can come in several forms) **2nd Offense: after school detention/parent phone call or e-mail **3rd Offense: removal from room **4th Offense: office referral – removal from room and sent to office Please keep in mind; I reserve the right to skip any of the above steps, depending on the severity of the offense. If you choose not to change your behavior, the Discipline Frameworks will be followed. These Discipline Frameworks will be followed by our school and reviewed by all students on the first few days of school in Block and English classes.

GRADING: Please note, and remember, that I do not “give” grades to you. You earn the grades that you receive. You RECEIVE out of this class what you put INTO it. Remember to ask your classmates and group for help first, as I believe in promoting teamwork and support for one another. However, I am here to help as well. The most important part of grading for this class is that whichever grade you receive will count toward earning a high school graduation requirement (or not). You must pass this class with a “D” or above in order to earn the credit. If you fail this class (with an “F”), you must re-take the class in high school and you will have to pay a fee of at least $125. You may also lose one of your electives in high school as a result of having to re- take the class. As follows is a list of the percentages and their corresponding letter grades (these include grades such as “B+,” or “A-“ and so forth):

A = 90 – 100% B = 80 – 89% C = 70 – 79% D = 60 – 69% F = 59% and below

PROGRESS REPORTS: I will hand out progress reports periodically throughout the quarter. Please check your progress on Family Access as well.

LATE WORK POLICY: I will accept work up to one week past the due date. If you choose to turn in work late, you will receive a maximum of 60% of the assignment’s full point value. I will not accept work past this one-week grace period – even at the end of the quarter or semester.

If you are absent, you will have one week to complete the assignment (you will receive full credit, depending on the quality of your work. Usually you will get class time to complete assignments, but expect homework once or twice a week. It depends on how much you get done in class, and what the assignment is. Due dates will be clearly stated in class, and will be written on the white-board which is used for assignments and homework. NOTES, PROJECTS, AND TESTS: We will be covering a lot of material, and we will do this by taking quite a few notes throughout the semester. Please be prepared for this. We also will be working on various projects, in addition to taking quizzes and tests. You will be given a 4 x 6” note card for each test (not for quizzes) on which to write notes to be used on the tests. Note cards are not mandatory; but most students find them very useful. BE PREPARED!!

SUPPLIES REQUIRED: You need to have the following supplies with you in class each day – no later than THIS COMING FRIDAY. You will need to bring most of these with you to class every day. Do NOT rely on borrowing things from me or from friends. However, if obtaining any of these supplies may be a problem for you, please let me know and we can work something out. ** 2 blue or black ballpoint pens ** 2 sharpened pencils (or 1 mechanical pencil with lead) ** 1 eraser ** 1 Composition Book (college-ruled preferred) – that must be used only for my class ** 1 box of colored pencils or crayons (I love colored maps!)

LET’S HAVE A GREAT YEAR!!

-Mrs. Brown 