Global History I

Mrs. Mastroianni Room 302

mastroiannic@madison.k12.ct.us

"Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom." --Thomas Jefferson

Mission Statement
Our primary purpose is to graduate successful life-long learners who
are responsible citizens in the global community. Daniel Hand High
School students, in collaboration with educators, parents, and the
Madison community, will develop as motivated, self-reliant, creative,
and ethical individuals who respect differences in others.

Course Description
Global History I is the first part of a two-course sequence designed to explore the
history and development of civilization. This course covers the progress of civilization from
prehistory to the early nineteenth century. Units of study include ancient civilizations of
Africa, Asia and Europe; classical Greece and Rome; the European Middle Ages; the empires
of Africa, the Americas and Asia; and Europe from the Renaissance through Napoleon.
Emphasis is placed on the development of skills such as problem solving, communication,
literacy, questioning, and collaboration with an overarching goal of nurturing interest in an
ability to create new knowledge to solve problems.

Grading Policy
The following grade scale determined by the Madison Board of Education will be
used:
A+ 97-100 C+ 77-79
A 93-96 C 73-76
A- 90-92 C- 70-72
B+ 87-89 D 65-69
B 83-86 F 64 and below
B- 80-82

Tests / Evaluations of Learning 40% of trimester grade

For every unit covered, there will be a summative assessment. This evaluation may
take the form of a written test, research paper, graded discussion, or a combination of
evaluation methods. Each evaluation will be announced in advance, and grading rubrics for
each assignment will be provided. Evaluations will be directly linked to unit essential
questions and understandings.

Formative evaluations are given throughout a unit and are designed to check for
comprehension. The format of these varies greatly from teacher questioning, to informal exit
slips, to more traditional quiz questions. These formative assessments will be reviewed, but
will not be given grades in the gradebook. They are used to help inform effective teaching,
and to help students practice for unit summative assessments.
 Global History I
Mrs. Mastroianni Room 302
mastroiannic@madison.k12.ct.us

An alternative assessment option will be discussed after the first evaluation of the course.

Homework / Class Work 20% of grade

Homework and class work are assigned to reinforce material that is being studied.
Working collaboratively in class also gives students an opportunity to share ideas, question
varying interpretations, and strengthen group-work skills. All homework and class work will
be graded on a 10 point scale unless specified otherwise.

* Since homework is assigned to reinforce and extend student learning, late

homework will not be accepted later than five days after the due date. Homework turned in
past the due date will receive a 5 point deduction for each day late. Following school policy,
make-up work due to cutting class, unexcused tardiness, or unexcused absences will not
receive credit. Late assignments will be accepted without penalty only in the case of an
excused absence. It is your responsibility to see me for make-up work if you are absent.

HOWEVER, ALL WORK MAY BE RE-DONE AND RE-SUBMITTED for full

credit. You have one week to re-submit any work (homework, classwork, project or test)
from the day the work is returned. Most homework and classwork assignments will be
discussed in class with the option for students to add and / or change their answers before
submitting for credit. The goal here is for all students to have all of the information and tools
they need to be successful.

Projects: 40% of grade

These will often be collaborative and will involve authentic situations where students
are asked to apply, transfer and critique new content as well as make connections to earlier
content learned. Some class time will be designated as workshop days, but students are
expected to do the bulk of work on these projects outside of class.

Checking Finalsite regularly for announcements and assignments is not just encouraged
but required. Grades will be posted weekly. Google Drive accounts are issued to all
students and we will be using this collaborative too. It is your responsibility to acquire
passwords for Finalsite, Google Drive and Infinite Campus if these are currently
unknown to you.

"Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom." --Thomas Jefferson