Student’s Name:
Period:
Mr. Shaffer’s World History Class
Welcome to Mr. Shaffer’s 7th grade World History class. This school year will be challenging and exciting for all of
us. Included in this syllabus is an overview of what we will be studying, materials needed to be successful in my
class, the types of assignments students will be doing, my assignment policies, my policy on cheating in the
classroom, my grading policies and my contact information. Also included is information for my GATE students and
parents. I hope this syllabus will give you a good overview of what the class will be like during the year. I’m looking
forward to an exciting year.
Course Overview:
These units are based the California State Standards with the help of our textbook
entitled “World History Medieval to Early Modern Times”. This is a basic structure of how the class will progress
throughout the school year. Some of the cultures and topics we will be studying are:
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The rise and fall of Rome.
The rise of Islam
Early West African Civilizations
Chinese Civilizations
Japanese Civilizations
European culture and structures during the Middle Ages
The Renaissance
The Scientific Revolution
The Reformation and its origins and accomplishments.
The South American cultures including Mayan, Incan and Andean civilizations.
The Age of Exploration
Enlightenment and The Age of Revolution
Basic geography skills
Materials Needed: Students will need to bring the following materials with them on a daily basis to
class. Periodic "materials checks" will be conducted throughout the semester. Sometimes students will be asked to
do things a certain way using these materials on various assignments & activities. Therefore, it is very important
that these materials are always in a student's possession on a consistent basis.
1) A 3-ring binder (1" minimum) with 5 dividers labeled Vocabulary, Notes, Tests/Quizzes, & Homework. This can
be a section of a bigger notebook if needed.
2) Notebook paper (without spiral binding)
3) Pencil & pen
4) Colored pencils (Recommend)
5) Highlighter (Recommend)
The notebook is a key part of my classroom. They will be checked for organization and completeness throughout
the semester.
Types of Assignments:
The class will incorporate many different types of assignments throughout the
year. Assignments such as: vocabulary, reading comprehension, notes, maps, visuals, movies/videos, graphs,
projects and tests/quizzes.
Assignment Policies: I do NOT accept late work more than one day old. If an assignment is turned in
one day after it is due there is a 15% deduction in the student’s grade on the assignment. If there is a no-name
assignment, the student loses 10% in their grade. If a student types the assignment they will receive extra credit.
Tests, and homework missed due to absences will be given in a timely manner. It is your job to come to me to
make up assignments and tests. If you miss something you must come to Mr. Shaffer to make it up.
Academic Honesty:
Plagiarism will not be tolerated in any form in my classroom. Examples of
plagiarism are: using materials without proper documentation, using notes in any form on a closed book test,
talking to another student during a test, looking at another student’s paper during a test or in-class assignment,
allowing a student to copy an assignment, submitting work of another as your own, stealing copies of tests, sharing
assignment answers or homework and submitting them as your own. Any forms of plagiarism will immediately be
given a 0 on that particular assignment and will result in contact with the counselor, vice principal and the parents.
Grading:
The first thing I would like to say about my grading policy is that I will be posting grades
online so you can check your child’s grade. All you have to do is go to my website and type in your
student’s last name and the password is his/her ID number. Participation is a key part of my classroom.
Students will have every opportunity to earn these participation points throughout the semester. The students will
have assignment chart so they will be able to calculate their grades as the semester progresses. If you have any
questions on what grade your child is earning, please reference this assignment chart first before contacting me.
The grading breakdown goes as follows:
90%-100%+ = A
80%- 89% = B
70%-79% = C
60%-69% = D
Below 60 percent = F
GATE Students/Parents:
The state standardized curriculum is different for honors students. Students will be expected to challenge
themselves to think critically when it comes to history. The pace will be accelerated and the resources will be more
sophisticated. Students may be asked to do book reports or go more in depth with the various subjects that we will
be studying. Students will be challenged to venture further into the area under the study while making broader
associations across subjects.
I encourage students to communicate with me. I am available most lunch breaks and before school Please
encourage your child to discuss concerns with me, as this promotes independence and responsibility.
Contact Information: The best way to contact me is via email because I will be in and out of my
classroom during planning period. I constantly check my email throughout the day. My email is
mshaffer@fremont.k12.ca.us . And the phone number which you can reach me is (510) 656-4000. My extension is
48004. Also I will be posting information on the Horner website as often as possible. The website is
www.fmtusd.org. I post information about what we did that day as well as assignments that might be due. I also
will be posting grades online. To log in, type in your student’s last name and their ID number is their password.
Check this website before contacting me with questions.
Finally I am looking forward to the upcoming school year. I hope to incorporate different types of assignments and
hopefully making history an interesting subject. Again do not be afraid to contact me through email or the phone.
I want to make sure you and your child go through this syllabus so your signature will be worth 10 points.
I have read Mr. Shaffer’s syllabus and I am as excited as he is for the school year.
Student Signature:
Parent/Guardian Signature: