Michael Blurton
Gaspar de Portola Middle School
Highly Gifted Magnet
18720 Linnet Street
Tarzana, California 91356
818-654-3300
e-mail: mdb8292@lausd.net
“To sit alone in the lamplight with a book spread out before you and hold intimate
converse with men of unseen generations – such is a pleasure beyond compare.”
- Yoshida Kenko (1283-1350)
August 18, 2015
Dear Parents:
It is my pleasure to have the opportunity to teach your child World History and
Geography: Medieval and Early Modern Times.
This is a standards-based course. Standards are specific content and knowledge skills
gained in the seventh grade curriculum mandated by the state of California. Students in
grade seven study the social, cultural, and technological changes that occurred in Europe,
Africa, Meso-America, and Asia in the years 500-1789 A.D. After reviewing the ancient
world and the ways in which archaeologists and historians uncover the past, students
study the history and geography of great civilizations that were developing concurrently
throughout the world during medieval and early modern times. They examine the
growing economic interaction among civilizations as well as the exchange of ideas,
beliefs, technologies, and commodities. They learn about the resulting growth of
Enlightenment philosophy and the new examination of the concepts of reason and
authority, the natural rights of human beings and the divine right of kings,
experimentalism in science, and the dogma of belief. Finally, students assess the political
forces let loose by the Enlightenment, particularly the rise of democratic ideas, and they
learn about the continuing influence of these ideas in the world today.
HOMEWORK: Students have homework daily. Even though no written assignment
may be due, students should review lesson objectives and their advanced organizers.
Written homework can be assigned Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. General homework
assignments should take between 20 and 30 minutes depending of course, on the
individual student. Over the course of the year, various types of assignments to teach the
above knowledge and skills will be given: chapter/lesson reviews, map, graph and chart
reading skill builders, and of course, tests and quizzes. Actually, the latter are given on an
as needed basis – usually at the end of a specific unit of study. To help students consider
the ways in which ideas presented in this course continue to influence our nation and the
world, current events will be incorporated.
To allow students the opportunity to explore historical areas of special interest to them,
one project will be based on the guidelines of National History Day (www.
nationalhistoryday.org). The theme for 2016 is “Exploration, Encounter & Exchange in
History.”
I encourage your child to network with classmates in the event of absences. Also, check
the Portola website at portolams.org for assignments. Instruction and work continue.
When your child is absent, he/she should ask for any missed work, if they have not gotten
the word from a classmate or checked the web. Work must be made up in a timely
manner – one day for each day of absence. Each student is expected to come to class
prepared with materials and any assigned homework, completed. Late work is not
accepted. Homework and class work grades are computed and given a score weighted as
a percentage of the overall average.
Grading Scale: 100-90=A, 89-80=B, 79-70=C, 69-60=D
WORK HABIT grades are based on having assignments completed and turned in on
time, participation in class activities, and being to class on time. Three unexcused tardies
will result in a “U” on the report card.
COOPERATION grades are based upon just that – cooperation with me and with the
student’s peers. Please see the attached LAUSD “Criteria for Marks.”
If you have any questions about the course or your child’s progress, please feel free to
contact me and arrange for an appointment, a phone conference, or drop me an e-mail. I
also respond to notes.
I look forward to a productive, enlightening, and yes, enjoyable journey with your child
exploring World History and Geography: Medieval and Early Modern Times this year.
Sincerely,
Michael Blurton
PLEASE RETURN THE TEAR-OFF TO ME WITHIN ONE WEEK. THANKS!
I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE REQUIREMENTS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE WORLD HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY:
MEDIEVAL AND EARLY MODERN TIMES COURSE AS OUTLINED IN THE
ABOVE LETTER.
_________________________
Parent Signature
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Student’s Signature
Date _____________________
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Student’s Name (Please Print)