<p>What is Sociology and why should I learn about it? This is the 21st Century and through the use of technology, our world has become a small place. This is why sociology is so important. We all need to get along! Sociologists study how and why groups interact with each other and how the interactions affect people. Sociology gives us a clearer understanding of society and its components. Sociologists study both the causes and the possible remedies for our social problems. This class will cover the following topics;  Roots of Sociology - Cultural Diversity and Conformity  Social Structure - People’s Role in Society  Social Control and Deviance -Social Stratification  Racial Relations -The Family  Education and Religion - Crime</p><p>Class Participation This is our world and you are encouraged to have an opinion about it. But remember, your opinion should be based on facts. Every student in my class is encouraged to speak out and have opinions. I want students involved in class discussion and students are encouraged to ask any question that they have. All questions are important and this is your opportunity to learn valuable information, so in short, ASK QUESTIONS! Mr Sedlacek’s Classroom Policies</p><p>Mission Statement</p><p>My goal is to present information that all U.S. citizens should know in a non-bias manor. I will also give assignments that require students to read information, analyze it and think critically for higher understanding and apply that information to create assignments for a portfolio demonstration of knowledge. I will also require that students review information numerous times within a chapter in order to remember the important information. </p><p>Class materials</p><p>1. Folder or some sort of binder to hold class work and supplies</p><p>2. Loose leaf paper or some form of notebook </p><p>3. Something to write with.</p><p>I will have extra pens available in an emergency situation. Please leave me some form of collateral (an ID is perfect) and return the pen in order to retrieve your collateral. Bottom l line, you are in high school, be responsible enough to bring something to write with.</p><p>Technology policy</p><p>We all need to use technology in any future endeavor.This being said, we need to know when and where it is appropriate and not appropriate to use our technology. </p><p>You may use electronic devices at the appropriate times. This means if you are trying to look up information for any assignment. You may not use your devises when I and explaining any information or assignment. It is very frustrating to re-explain assignment because a student was not listening while I was explaining the assignment the first time. Please do not read any texts while I am explaining information. This only serves to distract you making it harder to learn information. Remember, our goal is to learn.</p><p>Cell Phones- Smart phones usually become a distraction in class, especially when they are used for communication and cheating. Cell phones need to be out of sight in a pocket or bag (all bags must be off the desk) If you do not have pockets, the phone may be placed on the desk and turned over so it will not take you attention away from the class during instruction. You may note take notes on a Smartphone because I believe it is too difficult to type notes in fast enough with such a small screen and small buttons. It is also too easy for it to become a distraction. You may check you texts at the end of class.</p><p>Tablet or Laptops- These are always welcome in class. If I catch a student using a tablet or laptop computer for non school related reasons, I will follow the same policy below.</p><p>*If I question you using a device and you are using it for appropriate purposes, please explain how you are using the devise. Please don’t get offended and lash out sarcastically.</p><p>Again, My goal is to keep my classes on task and paying attention. Classes are way too short to waste time on things that are no class related. I do not want to give many homework assignments but the work must get done either her or at home!</p><p>If I catch you using your device at an inappropriate time, I will follow the policy below;</p><p>First offense= maybe a warning or take phone away and it will be returned at the end of class.</p><p>Second offense= phone will be taken and returned at the end of the school day</p><p>Third offense= phone taken and given to main office where parent will need to pick up the </p><p> phone.</p><p>Right time wrong time</p><p>Right times= when you are finding information for an assignment when working on own or in groups.</p><p>Wrong time= when I am explaining information or explaining an assignment</p><p>Finally, I will not allow students to recharge their phones in my classroom. It becomes a distraction when students are fighting over outlet space and constantly checking on their phones. Charge your phones at night and figure out how to close out of programs when you are finished to save power.</p><p>Tardy to class policy</p><p>You need to get to class on time. This is a simple responsibility. When the bell rings, I will usually close my door to take attendance. If you are not inside the door when the bell rings, you are tardy. Please wait outside while I take attendance. When I’m finished, I will open the door to hear your reason for being late. If you have a pass you are fine. It is excused.</p><p>Like in baseball, you get three strikes. On your third tardy in the same quarter I will write you up to the office for excessive tardiness. Every tardy after the third will result in another office referral. The tardy count will reset at the end of the quarter. I do this because if many students arrive to class late it is very difficult to take accurate attendance. Also, being on time is a simple responsibility. It’s the details that can make a person a success or a failure. If you come a few minutes late for an interview, you may not get the interview.</p><p>Cutting Policy</p><p>I am pretty good at catching students who are cutting and I will make the effort to confirm all absent students. If you cut, I will automatically refer you to the office. Book Bags policy</p><p>There is to be no book bags or purses permitted on the desks. Either carry you books to class or place you bags on the floor or on the side ledge or back table.</p><p>Class Participation</p><p>This is our world and you are encouraged to have an opinion about it. But remember, your opinion should be based on facts. Every student in my class is encouraged to speak out and have opinions. I want students involved in class discussion and students are encouraged to ask any question that they have. All questions are important and this is your opportunity to learn valuable information, so in short, ASK QUESTIONS!</p><p>Class Rules and Consequences</p><p>It is very important for the class to behave in a manor in which all the students have the opportunity to learn in a positive learning environment. In order to maintain a good learning environment, all students will be expected to follow ALL of the school rules. These rules are written in your student agenda which is given to every student on the first day of school. If any of these rules are not followed, the student will be disciplined appropriately. If the behavior is interrupting other students from learning, I will correct the misbehavior using the following behavior plan.</p><p>Mr. Sedlacek’s Behavior Plan 1st offense – warned to stop the behavior 2nd offense- I will change the assigned seat 3rd offense- removed from class and possible detention 4th offense- detentions given, call to parent or guardian possibly sent to the office</p><p>If I ask you to do something there is probably a good reason for doing the command. Please obey or the disobedience may result in a detention or office referral.</p><p>Grades</p><p>I usually keep updated grades posted in Progressbook. I usually update grades over each weekend. The student can check his or her grade at anytime. Grades and missing homework assignments should not be a surprise.</p><p>Weighted Grades</p><p>A student’s quarterly grade will be weighted in that 45% or their grade is based on chapter test scores. Tests are the most important grades and students should review classroom assignments before each test. I will demonstrate how to use class materials to study for each test. 35% of the quarter grade is based on in class and homework assignments. The final 20% is based on a combination of participation quizzes or projects depending on the quarter. </p><p>Attendance</p><p>Bottom line is to not miss class. Missing classes results in missing important class material which leads to lower grades. If the student does miss class, it is the student’s responsibility to see me either before or after school to get missing assignments. The student must also check the assignment calendar. I cannot explain missed assignments in the beginning of class when I need to begin a new lesson with limited time. </p><p>Hall Pass</p><p>Hall Passes will be issued for emergency purposes only! The student needs to be in the classroom to learn. The student will have three passes per quarter and must sign out the pass on the sheet in the front of the class. You must leave your cell phone on front table. If there is an emergency, do what you need to do and explain the emergency to me at an appropriate time. Parent Involvement</p><p>Research consistently shows that parent involvement results in higher grades, better attendance, and better overall student performance in all classes. How should parents get involved? There are many organizations that parents can get involved with in the school. Most importantly, parents should speak with their child and know what they are learning in school. An informed parent can begin interesting discussions about their experiences with that topic especially in History classes. Real life experiences are the best way to understand important topics. By doing this, parents can also instill their own values and beliefs to their children. Parents should also visit my homework page regularly to make sure that their child is completing homework assignments. </p><p>Lastly, make sure that your child has a quiet place to complete homework assignments and please make sure they get to bed at a decent time. This means off computers and phones. I can do a better job in educating your children if they are not falling asleep and irritable in class. Research shows that sleeping helps the student organize the information they learned in school, which will make them a better student. A high school student should get nine hours of sleep or as close to that as possible per night.</p><p>Communication is essential! If you have problems with getting information from your child, feel free to contact me in any of the following ways:</p><p>Phone: 216-485-8100 ext. 8663 </p><p>Website: http://www.brooklyn.k12.oh.us/olc/teacher.aspx?s=69</p><p>Email:[email protected] </p><p>Leave me a message and I will return your call or E-mail as soon as possible. I can get busy during the school year and don’t follow each student’s progress as mush as I should. If you have any questions about a grade or an assignment, please contact me and that issue will be brought to my attention</p><p>I am looking forward to another school year with your child and with establish a working relationship with the parents. I get excited about social studies and will try to inspire that same excitement with the students. Please sign below to indicate that you are aware of the rules and expectations of this class. This is also a homework assignment worth points. </p><p>Thank You and I am looking forward to working with you to educated your child,</p><p>Kevin Sedlacek</p><p>Social Studies Teacher</p>