Course Syllabus, 2014-15
Contact Information:
Teacher: Matt Hughes
Digital Portfolio: http://ahshumanities12.weebly.com/
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Tuesday 3:15 – 4:15 (or by appointment)
Aims of the Course:
12th Grade Humanities at Animas High School is designed to provide students with a framework to critically analyze the role of government and markets in our lives. In addition, Econ/Gov aims to give students skills to better understand forces currently shaping our world. This will empower students as active citizens of local, national, and international communities. Students of Econ/Gov will understand short and long term implications of decisions we make in social, political, and financial fields. Additionally, graduates of Econ/Gov will have the skills to succeed in economics and political science at the college level.
Teacher: Matt Hughes
Digital Portfolio: http://ahshumanities12.weebly.com/
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Tuesday 3:15 – 4:15 (or by appointment)
Aims of the Course:
12th Grade Humanities at Animas High School is designed to provide students with a framework to critically analyze the role of government and markets in our lives. In addition, Econ/Gov aims to give students skills to better understand forces currently shaping our world. This will empower students as active citizens of local, national, and international communities. Students of Econ/Gov will understand short and long term implications of decisions we make in social, political, and financial fields. Additionally, graduates of Econ/Gov will have the skills to succeed in economics and political science at the college level.
Classroom materials - Each student should have the following:
Quick Checks (20%): Are you doing your work?
Throughout the year, I will be performing a series of quick checks on your work. These will not be worth many points each (10 points or less per assignment), but will occur frequently and with little or no prior notice. Assignments in this category could include starters, freewrites, general preparedness, small quizzes, and certain kinds of homework and reflections.
Formative Assessments (30%): Are you learning anything?
Assignments that are “formative” in nature generally refer to things we do everyday to grow our body of knowledge. This category includes worksheets, reading annotation, source analysis, homework, and other things that can generally be accomplished in under one hour. Most things we do on a day-to-day basis will fall into this category. Formative assessments will usually be graded out of 20 points or less, depending on the gravity of the assignment.
Summative Assessments (50%): Application and communication of beautiful work. Summative assignments are specifically designed to assess you on what you have learned about a topic (the sum of your knowledge at a point in time). These types of assessments generally occur at the end of unit or content area, and take the form of quizzes, tests, socratic seminars, papers, or exhibitions. Summative assessments will be graded out of 50-100 points, again depending on the gravity of the assignment.
Norms and Expectations:
Technology Expectations
Frequently Asked Questions:
What do I do if I am late to class?
Come in quietly. Do not disturb others or try to make some flashy, fashionably-late entrance. Check the DP and read the daily blog. If you require further clarification, ask a neighbor. You should come see me only after doing all of the above.
What do I do if I am sick or miss school?
If you miss school it is your responsibility to read the blog, stay abreast of our course material, and contact me and let me know why you are absent.
Can I get extra credit?
No. But if you have turned in sub-par work, please talk to me about the potential to further demonstrate your learning.
How do I get into Honors Humanities 12?
This is by application only. I will distribute an honors application during a lunch meeting, date to be announced. This application will be essay-based, and you will be expected to work independently to complete the application process (though I am always free to help with these things during my office hours).
When are assignments due?
Assignments are due in the first minute of class. Anything turned in later than one minute after class has begun will be docked an immediate 10%. Make sure all printing is done beforehand. The smart students spends 3 minutes enabling their computer to use the classroom printer and doesn't get stuck in line...
I'm done. What should I do?
We will be busy most of the time. However, given the varied working pace of us all, some may finish all of their work before class is over. Use that time wisely. Read a book, work on homework for another class, or come see me for a challenge. Gamers and socialites end up taking out the trash or cleaning the classroom.
- A laptop computer
- A large binder with dividers for readings, documents, and handouts.
- A library card (from Durango Public Library) – they're free and easy to get.
- A USB storage device
- A notebook
- Markers/highlighters for annotating texts
- A planner (optional, but you should get one and use it. Really)
Quick Checks (20%): Are you doing your work?
Throughout the year, I will be performing a series of quick checks on your work. These will not be worth many points each (10 points or less per assignment), but will occur frequently and with little or no prior notice. Assignments in this category could include starters, freewrites, general preparedness, small quizzes, and certain kinds of homework and reflections.
Formative Assessments (30%): Are you learning anything?
Assignments that are “formative” in nature generally refer to things we do everyday to grow our body of knowledge. This category includes worksheets, reading annotation, source analysis, homework, and other things that can generally be accomplished in under one hour. Most things we do on a day-to-day basis will fall into this category. Formative assessments will usually be graded out of 20 points or less, depending on the gravity of the assignment.
Summative Assessments (50%): Application and communication of beautiful work. Summative assignments are specifically designed to assess you on what you have learned about a topic (the sum of your knowledge at a point in time). These types of assessments generally occur at the end of unit or content area, and take the form of quizzes, tests, socratic seminars, papers, or exhibitions. Summative assessments will be graded out of 50-100 points, again depending on the gravity of the assignment.
Norms and Expectations:
- We will read and write every day.
- Minimum requirements for feedback: I will not look at your work if there are spelling mistakes or any other error that you should easily catch yourself. Proofread all of your work closely.
- Quality of Work: If what you submit is not the very best you have ever done in the Humanities, it needs to be taken home and redone.
- We will be nice to each other. Mean, intolerant, or profanity-ridden speech will absolutely not be tolerated. We will be discussing many controversial topics and if you are incapable of doing so with empathy, you belong elsewhere.
Technology Expectations
- Cell Phones: If you need to use your phone for any reason, please ask. Confiscated phones will be given to Jake – you will have to deal with it from there.
- Laptops: Be respectful. When others are talking, please use the 15 degree clamshell. Please use laptops and internet responsibly or you will lose your privileges.
- Printing: Only 2-sided printing will be accepted. This will save us paper in the long run. Your laptop MUST be able to use the classroom printer (Xerox Phaser 3250 – driver available on my DP).
- Down time: Although my aim is to keep you all very busy, there may be some down time. No computer games, Youtube-a-thons, cards, etc. I keep a large collection of books and magazines here in the classroom for these occasions. Please use your time wisely.
- Lateness: I check attendance during the first 10 minutes of class everyday. If you're late and unexcused, you miss credit for the starter and are marked late.
- Note: Humanities is a 2-hour block. You will receive a 10-minute “bio-break” in the middle from which you must be back on time. Failure to be ready may result in a tardy for the class.
Food and Beverages: You may consume only fruit, veggies, and water during class time. Please do not spend your whole lunch time in line at Zia's expecting to eat your nachos during class time. It's gross.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What do I do if I am late to class?
Come in quietly. Do not disturb others or try to make some flashy, fashionably-late entrance. Check the DP and read the daily blog. If you require further clarification, ask a neighbor. You should come see me only after doing all of the above.
What do I do if I am sick or miss school?
If you miss school it is your responsibility to read the blog, stay abreast of our course material, and contact me and let me know why you are absent.
Can I get extra credit?
No. But if you have turned in sub-par work, please talk to me about the potential to further demonstrate your learning.
How do I get into Honors Humanities 12?
This is by application only. I will distribute an honors application during a lunch meeting, date to be announced. This application will be essay-based, and you will be expected to work independently to complete the application process (though I am always free to help with these things during my office hours).
When are assignments due?
Assignments are due in the first minute of class. Anything turned in later than one minute after class has begun will be docked an immediate 10%. Make sure all printing is done beforehand. The smart students spends 3 minutes enabling their computer to use the classroom printer and doesn't get stuck in line...
I'm done. What should I do?
We will be busy most of the time. However, given the varied working pace of us all, some may finish all of their work before class is over. Use that time wisely. Read a book, work on homework for another class, or come see me for a challenge. Gamers and socialites end up taking out the trash or cleaning the classroom.