6th

Grade History
Course Syllabus
2014-2015 School Year

Course Description:

In sixth grade History this year, we will be studying the emergence, expansion, and decline of our civilizations,
societies, and regions over time. The time periods covered will be from ancient times through the Late Middle Ages
(approx. year 1450). This year the 6th Grade History Department will use a website where we will post all
assignments, documents, and notes used in class.
The link to the history website is: http://franklinhistory6.weebly.com/
Some of the main skills that students will be expected to achieve are as follows (but not limited to these things):

Students will be able to construct charts/maps and interpret graphs/tables.

Students will be able to draw both the literal meaning of a primary source document as well as being able to
interpret their deeper meaning(s).
Students will be able to use different sources of information (i.e. secondary and primary sources) from
multiple perspectives to form a historical argument.
Students will be able to analyze the effects of social, economic, conquests and invasions, migrations, and
political conflict among nations, regions, and groups.
Students will be able to compare historical and contemporary events and issues to understand continuity and
change.
Students will be able to explain how innovation and technology transformed civilizations, societies, and
regions over time.
Students will be able to utilize and understand the five themes of geography (location, place, humanenvironment, region, movement).
Students will be able to explain the role that key historical figures and groups had in transforming societies.
Students will be able to analyze and explain the factors that influenced the movement of people, goods, and
ideas and the effects of that movement on societies and regions.
Students will be able to describe how and why civilizations, societies, and regions have used, modified, and
adapted to their environments.
Students will be able to explain how conflict, compromise, and negotiation over the availability of resources
impacted the economic development of various societies and civilizations.
Students will be able to explain the origins and structures of various governmental systems, such as
democracy, absolute monarchy, and constitutional monarchy.
Students will be able to explain how cultural expressions reflected the values of civilizations and societies,
and how religion transformed various societies, regions, and civilizations.

Grading Criteria: Grading will be based on the following types of assessment

% of Grade
Assessment Type and Description
70%

Assessments: This includes tests, quizzes, projects, essays, and other formal
assessments of information learned in class.

30%

Course work: This includes any assignments given in class or as homework for
practice and application of skills learned in class.

Grading Policy:
Grades will be updated in RenWeb continually as assignments are graded.
A in RenWeb indicates that a student was Absent and is expected to make up the assignment
E in RenWeb indicates that the student is Excused from the assignment; the grade will not be
averaged with his/her average

P in RenWeb indicates that the grade is Pending, the work has been received by the teacher and a
grade will be added shortly
M in RenWeb indicates that the assignment is Missing. Ms are assigned as followed:
o If a student has turned in the work, but has an M listed for a grade he/she may not have put
their name on the assignment. In this case, the student needs to check the No Name Folder
located on the teachers shelf.
o The assignment was not turned in by the student. Please see below for make-up work/late
work policy.
I in RenWeb indicates that the assignment was turned in but is Incomplete. Please see below for
make-up work/late work policy.
0 in RenWeb indicates that the student received a zero for the assignment. Once issued, this grade
will not be changed.

Homework: Homework will be posted daily by 4:00 pm on RenWeb and on the classroom white board, in
addition to being announced in class daily. Homework will be checked and graded for both completion and
accuracy.

Cheating and/or Plagiarism: Cheating and Plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated. Per school policy,
the first incidence of cheating will result in an automatic grade of zero on the assignment/project/test. In
addition, any communication (either verbal or non-verbal) during an individual assessment constitutes
cheating and will result in an immediate zero. Any further incidences of cheating will result in immediate
suspension from school.

Electronic Devices and Personal Items Brought to School: In accordance with our student handbook, no
student shall use on school property any wireless communication device, including but not necessarily limited to,
cellular telephones, paging devices, electronic games and two-way radios. [Legal Reference: G.S. 115C-391, G.S.
115C 36]. All wireless communication devices must be turned off during school hours. Students should
not bring iPods, iPads, MP3 players, Gameboys, or any other electronic device to school. These devices are not
appropriate in the classroom as students are not permitted to use them during the school day. Students are strongly
discouraged from bringing Kindles, Nooks, or other e-Readers to school due to their high cost. The Franklin
Academy will not be responsible for any theft and/or destruction of such devices should a child choose to bring
them to school.

Make-Up Work/Late Work:

Make-Up Work: Per school policy, students who are absent will have one school day for every day out of
school to make up work. It is the STUDENTS responsibility to collect any missing assignments.

Late Work: Per school policy, work turned in one day late will receive a maximum grade of an 80%. Work
turned in two days late or more will receive a maximum grade of a 50%. Students have three (3) school days
from the due date of an assignment to turn it in for credit. After three days it will become a permanent zero.

Extra Credit Policy: Extra credit may be given at the teachers discretion.

Class Participation:
Class participation is defined as the active engagement of the student at all times throughout the lesson.
Acting engagement involves paying attention to teacher directed instruction, sharing thoughtful ideas,
listening respectfully to classmates as they share ideas, working constructively within the classroom, as well
as other means. Students are expected to be present and active within all classroom activities every day.

Materials Required:

1. A three-ring binder this will serve as the students Interactive Binder

2.
3.
4.
5.

Loose leaf notebook paper

Pencils
Colored Pencils
Highlighters

Classroom Rules & Expectations:

1. Students are expected to come to class WITH MATERIALS READY TO LEARN. You will not be
permitted to go to your locker once you have arrived to class.
2. Restroom breaks should be taken between classes, however, if an emergency occasionally happens,
students should ask for permission from the teacher before using the restroom.
3. Students are expected to be ATTENTIVE and ACTIVELY ENGAGED throughout the lesson each day.
They will not be allowed to be a distraction to other learners or themselves.
4. Make Up Work is the students responsibility to collect from the 6th Grade history website.
*website link is: http://franklinhistory6.weebly.com
5. Make up work is due the number of days that the student missed after their return (example >
Student misses two days, the assignments are due in two days.). The teacher may elect to give an
extension to students for make up work.
6. Students are to THINK before they speak and refrain from blurting out unnecessarily.
7. Keep questions relevant to the course material, ask questions when prompted by the teacher, and
only work on history assignments during history class.


Use of the Points System:
Per our school-wide discipline system, points will be deducted from student agendas for violations within
their school environment. Please note that points will be taken at the teachers discretion. Students looking
to earn points back MUST see the teacher personally to discuss this possibility. Opportunities to earn points
back will also be at the discretion of the teacher.

The following are important deductions that will be enforced in accordance with school guidelines:

Point
Procedure to Gain Back
Examples of Infractions
Deductions
Points
Dress Code Violation
Tardy to class
Unprepared
Meet with teacher to
Out of seat
discuss
-2 points
behavior/possibility of a
Talking out of turn
points contract
Not having a pass
Gum/Candy in class
Not listening
Disrespect (first time)includes interrupting the
teacher; being disrespectful to classmates
Meet with teacher to
Disruptive behavior (first time)any behavior that
discuss
-5 points
distracts from learning activities; students being off-task
behavior/possibility of a
and/or doing work for another class
points contract
Poor Substitute Behavioracting out when a substitute
teacher is present.
Argumentative behavior
Aggression of any kindincluding (but not limited to)
physical, verbal, or social aggression
Refusal to do work/follow instructions
Immediate
Student will meet with an
Subsequent incidences of Disrespect/Disruptive
Office
administrator
behavior after points have been taken
Referral
Any behavior that violates one or more of the
suspendable offenses listed in the student handbook
Any other incident where the teacher feels
administrative intervention is warranted
Please note: While it is not my intention to take points, they will be deducted when students choose not to
comply with the rules.


Anticipated Course Sequencing:
Please note: these are subject to change as necessary at the teachers discretion

First Quarter: Geography/Map Skills, Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, and Ancient Greece

Second Quarter: Greek Civilization, India, Early China, and Ancient Rome

Third Quarter: The Middle East and Islamic Expansion, Pre-Colonial Africa, and The Americas

Fourth Quarter: Imperial China, Ancient Japan, and the Middle Ages







Contact Information:

Please do not hesitate to contact me. I am excited to partner with you in the
education of your child! J

Mrs. Sharon Way

6th Grade History
Ways@franklinacademy.org (Preferred method of contact)
919.570.8262









I, ________________________________________(student name) have read Mrs. Ways 6th grade syllabus, and I know that
I am responsible for the information within the syllabus.



_________________________________________________ Student Signature_______________________________________date

_________________________________________________ Parent or Guardian Signature__________________________date