Textbook: Discovering Our Past: A History of the World- Early Ages, 2013/1st Ed.
Room 205 Email ms_saba@dadeschools.net
Welcome to 6th grade World History at YCPS
2014-2015
A message from Ms. Saba:
I am so happy to begin a new year with you! In this document, you will find
course descriptions, information about myself and our World History
classroom (and soon I will get to know you)! World History is a fun class,
especially if you work hard and dedicate yourself to mastering this important
subject. If there is any way that I can assist you in starting off your 6th
grade year successfully, please just ask! Good luck!
About Ms. Saba
This is lucky year 11 in teaching social studies for me! I love to travel, love
the New Orleans Saints, and spending time with my family. I have a
Bachelor of Arts Degree from Florida International University in Social
Science Education and a Master of Science in Psychology. I have a passion
for teaching Social Studies!
What is World History?
World history is the study of the world’s earliest civilizations to the ancient
and classical civilizations of Africa, Asia and Europe.
What will we be learning?
Students will be exposed to the multiple dynamics of world history including
economics, geography, politics, and religion/philosophy. Students will study
methods of historical inquiry and primary and secondary historical
documents.
Textbook Information
Title: Discovering Our Past: A History of the World Early Ages by McGrawHill 2013
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Your textbook will be found online, via the student portal or
www.connected.mcgraw-hill.com (Networks) username and password is the
same, mdstudent6 is the username and password. There is a class set of
textbooks to be used in the classroom and not removed or written in.
Supplies needed
Folder or Binder for my class, Pens, Number 2 Pencils, one hi- liter. Lined
Paper, 3x5 index cards (preferably lined but they can be colored),
composition notebook for journals or spiral notebook.
Discipline
Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. If you are not sure what disruptive
means it is: coming late to class, talking while I am talking, moving around
the room when you should not be, getting up before the bell, using
profanity, being disrespectful to me, not listening to the teacher when she
asks you to do something, having a phone out (text messaging). This is just
some of the disruptive behavior, as middle school students you should know
how to behave yourselves in class. First time it is a verbal warning, then a
phone call home, if the misbehavior does not improve a lunch detention then
an afternoon or Saturday detention will be given. If the misbehavior is still
going on a parent conference and/or referral will be made.
About your grades
My classroom is based on the MDCPS scoring scale. The more important or
difficult the assignment, the more points it is worth. Here are some general
guidelines:
Class Assignments................30 percent
Quizzes........................15 percent
Tests.............................35 percent
Projects........................35 percent (count as tests)
Home learning………..20 percent of total grades with 100%.
Home learning will be given weekly. Please check board for the assignments
and the school website.
Notebook checks, journal checks, world events (form will be given) short
essays, D.I., maps are some graded assignments to be expected.
You will receive between 2-3 grades a week.
Assignments
Tests
explanation
1 chapter in length
grade %
35 %
Quizzes
Class assignments, maps,
foldables, etc.
May be a pop quiz or on one lesson
Vocabulary will be completed in a variety of
forms so, be careful if you do them early.
15%
CW 30%
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2-3 Major Projects
Will discuss at a later time
Test 35%
Journals
Daily questions on previous lesson, on a current
event or an opinion question (paragraph)
World events require internet research;
vocabulary should be done on index cards.
Make sure you ask questions, participate in
discussions and play the academic games
CW 30%
Home Learning, World
Events, vocabulary cards
Participation- games,
discussion
HW 20%
CW 30%
As you can see you have many assignments in this class, which means many
chances to get A’s or F’s, it is your decision. You have plenty of opportunities
to do well in this class. I want my students to do well and pass but I cannot
do it for you. Remember you are in control of your grade you must keep up
with your assignments. I will NOT accept late work, if you forgot home work
was due or if it is a test day, which is your issue. I will post home
learning/HW on website make sure to check it daily. You will get all graded
work back and certain assignments like vocabulary will need to be kept in
your notebooks/folders. I will let you know if you are close to a D with a
failure notice.
The world event format will be given to you once and that is for you to either
make copies or keep it to use to look at. World events are due every two
weeks and are usually on the country we are currently covering. This will be
due on the first time we meet for the week. 1st period will be on Mondays.
Not doing your home learning assignments may cause your grade to lower
by at least a letter grade.
Classroom procedures and rules will be kept in student notebooks all year
long. The last page of this document will need to be signed by you and your
parent/guardian as a contract between all of us.
Things to Know about Ms. Saba’s Classroom
1. Seating chart will change every grading period, or when I do not want
you to sit there anymore (at any time during the year).
2. Check school website for home learning.
3. Throw away garbage at the end of the class, keep your area clean.
4. Make sure you use proper headings and titles when you turn work in
or I may just not grade it. Name, date, period, and title.
5. There will be many group or assignments done in pairs (I will assign
groups) if you show me you cannot work with classmates, you will do
the work independently. I will keep track of people who are not doing
their part in group work. You will get an automatic F.
6. You will only get 4 bathroom passes per grading period, so use them
wisely. You will not be able to go to bathroom first 5 or last 5 minutes
of class. You will not be able to go to the restroom the last 30 minutes
3
of the day.
7. Make sure you are prepared daily (supplies, home learning etc).
Classroom Procedures
-Make sure you are in assigned seat and look at board for journal.
-Begin journal as soon as you get in room (you will only have a few minutes
before I pick up journals).
-Drop off any home learning in home learning folder /drawer.
-Check board for home learning and weekly objectives or class agenda.
-Head your paper correctly for assignment.
-Exit classroom when I dismiss you and make sure you have taken all of
your belongings (Do not pack up early or stand up before bell or I tell you).
Ms.
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Saba’s Classroom Rules
NO GUM, CELL PHONE OR FOOD IN ROOM
NO WALKING AROUND OR YELLING
MAKE SURE YOU LISTEN TO DIRECTIONS I WILL NOT REPEAT
BE PREPARED WITH PEN, PAPER, NOTEBOOK
DO NOT DISRESPECT OR MAKE FUN OF CLASSMATES
I look forward to a great year and to getting to know you and helping you
succeed in my class.
Parent Volunteer Hour Wish List
Tissue (Kleenex) paper
Paper Towels
Ziploc bags (sandwich size)
Construction paper
Copy paper
Index cards 3x5
Clorox wipes
Large Paper Clips
Thank you!
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