PRE-AP WORLD HISTORY TO 1450 CE/GEOGRAPHY (WH 1)
9th Grade, Cubs Team
5th & 8th Blocks, Room 108
Ms. Smith rebecca.smith@lcps.org
DOMINION HIGH SCHOOL
571-434-4400
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Social, political, and economic development, and their dynamic relationships
with world cultures, are central themes of World History. This course will cover
history from the dawn of civilization to the “Great Convergence.” The course
involves the exploration of the historical development of people, places and patterns
of life from ancient times until about 1500 CE*. will examine the geography,
economy, government, social structure, religion, technology and history of selected
civilizations. Students will study the origins of much of our heritage using texts,
maps, pictures, stories, diagrams, charts, simulations, chronological skills,
inquiry/research skills, and technology skills. Cultural emphasis is placed upon
literature, art, architecture, music, religion and philosophy.
Historical emphasis is placed upon such areas a comparative political, economic and
social system. Concepts stressed throughout the course are the same as those
employed by all social scientists: critical thinking, analysis and interpretation. This
course requires academic discipline, strong historical interest, independent work
and analysis, and the development of a thoughtful, global perspective in preparation
for AP work.
* “CE” is the new abbreviation used by historians and archaeologists. It stands for “Common Era.”
“BCE” stands for “Before the Common Era.”1500 CE refers to the same year as 1500 AD.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
 Pencils and blue/black pens
 Three-ring, 2-inch binder
 5 dividers
 College-ruled loose leaf paper
 Agenda (provided by the school)
 Blue or black pen/ pencil
 3 different color highlighters
 Pack of 3x5 index cards
 USB thumb drive
 Colored pencils (strongly recommended)
 Tissues or antibacterial Clorox/Lysol wipes (so we can all stay healthy!)
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BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS:
1. Be respectful of everyone in the classroom at all times. This includes not
talking while the teacher or another student is talking.
2. Remain in your seat, unless you have the teacher’s permission to move
about the classroom or to leave class.
3. Students are prohibited from using any personal electronic devices in
class. Doing so results in automatic confiscation.
*Remember: We are here to learn history, so please act accordingly.
CLASS POLICIES:
 Students should come to class on time, prepared--with required materials
and assignments (including interactive notebooks), and ready to learn!
 Students will take responsibility of their learning and be proactive if
they do not understand a concept or have missed an assignment. This is
high school behavior.
 Plagiarism will result in a 0 and disciplinary action from administration.
 We expect all students to try their best and work hard each and every day.
*LATE WORK POLICY: Completed homework must be turned in on assigned date.
No late homework will be accepted unless you are absent. Students who are absent
must turn in completed assignments the day after the next class attended. Major
assignments such as projects and essays not turned in on time will be deducted one
letter grade for each school day (not class day) late, including weekends. Reminders
from the teacher regarding late work should not be expected.
CLASS ROUTINES:
 Upon arriving to class, students should: quietly turn in any assignments to
the Inbox, check their student file folders for returned assignments and
absent work, take their seats and start the Bell-Ringer Activity by the time
the bell rings-any students who walk in after the bell rings will be considered
tardy.
 Homework Buddies System- Every student is assigned a homework buddy on
the first day of school who will collect relevant classwork for students when
they are absent and place it in their student file folder in the back of the
room. In the event of a class absence, students are responsible for acquiring
and making up any missed assignments, notes, handouts, etc. as soon as
possible.
WEB-BASED RESOURCES:
 Vision-This course is taught using Vision, which is an internet-based course
organizer selected by LCPS. Parents and students can access Vision online
using the student’s user name and password. Inside Vision are many of the
unit materials, including PowerPoint presentations, handouts, and web links.
 Course Website- http://www.loudoun.k12.va.us/Domain/16595
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GRADED WORK:
 Homework: Assigned every class and includes reading; worth it
 Quizzes & Tests: At the end of each unit expect one or the other depending on
size
 Mid-Term and Final Exams: Summative common assessments-aligned
heavily with other 9th grade world history teachers’ exams
 Writing: Often to build essential skills; at least one assignment per unit;
research paper in 3rd quarter
 Projects: One per quarter; summative assessment; creative
*Please note that students are required to complete a research project
planned for the third quarter. The project includes a five-page double
spaced research paper and a science fair board or powerpoint on a relevant
world history/geography topic
GRADING:
 A straight point system will be used in this class. Generally, homework will
be worth 5-15 points. Quizzes will be worth 10-30 points. Projects and tests
will be worth 75-150 points. This is a general guide, and is subject to change.
 We will use the DHS grading scale, which is printed on page 5 of the student
agendas.
 The class gradebook on CLARITY will be updated at least once every 2 weeks
to reflect graded assignments (homework, essays) and assessments (quizzes,
tests, and projects). Students should log on to check their progress regularlyat least about every two weeks.
 Students should reserve questions about their individual progress for after
school or during Titan Time. Students and families should expect
assignments returned in class in the following time frame:
o General Homework Assignments: Will be handed back within one
school week
o Quizzes: Will be handed back to the student within two school weeks
o Projects, Essays, Essay Tests & Research Papers: Will be handed back
within three school weeks
(This is The Social Science Department Returned Work Timeline)
EXTRA HELP/QUESTIONS:
 Ms. Smith is available during Titan Time to help students. Ms. Smith is also
available on Tuesdays and Thursdays before school if you need extra help.
She can be available after school and other mornings if you set up an
appointment with her. The easiest way to do set up an appointment with Ms.
Smith is by email, speaking in person before/after class or in Titan Time. Ms.
Smith sets the bar high for her students, meaning she holds high
expectations of success for each and every student. She is here to help
students be successful, so please let her know how she can help towards
that goal.
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
The best way to reach us outside of class, should you have any questions or
concerns, is via e-mail. We check email in the mornings and will return your
email or call within 24 hours.
TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE:
1st Quarter: 9/2/14-10/31/14
Dates*
Units/Topics
9/2-9/12
9/16-10/2
10/6-10/30
1. Geography &
Early Humans
2. River Valley
Civilizations
3. Persia, India, &
China
2nd Quarter: 11/5/14-1/23/15
Dates*
Units/Topics
SOL’s
WHI.1a-e&WHI.2a-d
Approximate
Assessment
Dates**
9/12 & 9/15
WHI.3a-e
10/2 & 10/3
WHI.4a-f
10/30 & 10/31
SOL’s
11/5-12/5
4. Ancient Greece
WHI.5a-f
Approximate
Assessment
Dates**
12/4 & 12/5
12/8-1/12
5. Ancient Rome
WHI.6a-k
1/12 & 1/13
3rd Quarter: 1/27/15-3/27/15
Units/Topics
6. Byzantine Empire & Russia
7. Islam
8. Africa & the Americas
4th Quarter: 4/7/14-6/16/15
Units/Topics
9. Middle Ages
10. The Renaissance
11. SOL Review-the World History I SOL
will be in early May-not yet
scheduled
12. Enrichment topic TBD
*Dates are subject to change especially due to potential snow days
**Assessment dates are subject to change due to potential snow days
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PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS SHEET TO MS. SMITH
Student Name: ________________________
Parents, be aware that the students will need Internet access to complete
homework assignments. Computers are available in the library before and
after school, in an open computer lab before school, and during Titan Time.
Students will be expected to use the Vision website www.loudounvision.net.
to complete homework and study, however, limited paper copies of the
material will be available for students without home Internet access.
 Check here if you do not have Internet access at home
STUDENT CONTRACT:
I have reviewed the course syllabus. I am aware of and understand the class policies, as
well as the possibility that some things may change. I will adhere to the class policies
and behavioral expectations listed above. Lastly, I understand that is my responsibility
to contact the class teacher(s) with any questions or concerns I may have throughout
the year.
Student Signature: ________________________________________________________
Date: _____________________
Parent Signature: ________________________________________________________
If you didn’t fill out the following during Zero Day, please do so:
I am very excited to have your child in Pre-AP World History 1 this year. Please tell
me if there is anything I can specifically do to help your child be successful in our
class.
My child learns best when:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Contact Information:
Parent/Guardian Name(s):
___________________________________________________________________________________________
E-mail address:
_____________________________________________________________
Preferred contact phone number during school hours:
Preferred contact phone number after school hours:
______________________________________
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