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=North Muskegon Public School's 2018= =Welcome to Mr. Slocum's Education and Activity Blog. This site is designed to keep students and parents informed, engaged, and able to access tools for success. Please feel free to email Mr. Slocum in regards to class and activity questions: jslocum@nmps.net=

Please see the tabs on the left for further information in regards to classes taught or clubs led by Mr. Slocum. If you do not find what you are looking for please email me and I will do my best to get the page updated asap. Please know that my primary goals are to provide a safe learning environment where every student has the opportunity to further their education, feel respected, experience success, and reach their goals.

=Mr. Slocum's Goals for Education:= 1. I want to help every student reach their potential. 2. I want to help every student prepare to become a lifelong learner. 3. I want to help every student be prepared to excel in their post high school education, career development, and overall success. 4. I want to help every student be an informed, engaged, responsible citizen who makes a positive impact.

__Please be aware of the following basic classroom expectations:__
__1 .Be on time and prepared.__ __2. Be respectful and lift others up with our words, attitudes, and actions.__ __3.Listen and ask good questions.__ __4.Be engaged in class activities.__ __5. Be on task and productive.__

On the first day of school students will be provided with a textbook (for history classes) and a syllabus, which needs to be signed and returned the next day.

Students will also be given a parent survey which they are to give to at least one of their parents for completion. Parents may email their response or simply have their child return the form to Mr. Slocum.

Please know that students will be developing a reflective educational portfolio as a part of their term project. Students will need a three ring binder (no larger than 2" thickness please) no later than the first Friday of school. Students are also asked to have a folder that is used solely for our class.

Students will normally get some class time to work on assignments. This will help students have time to ask questions and gain clarification in regards to classwork.

Students are given an assignment log which we will update at least once a week, this will help students track assignments and grades in our class.

If a student is engaged in behavior that violates our class room expectations there will be an email and or phone call making the parent aware of the behavior and requesting assistance in helping to modify the behavior.

It is understood that most students have a cell phone and it is typically the case that phones are a distraction to the educational process. With that in mind, students will not be allowed to have cell phones in class except on days that they are allowed to be used for class activities. If a student brings a phone to class and it is seen or heard by the teacher, the student should expect that the phone will be brought to the front office and a detention will be assigned.

Integrity is important. Students are expected to engage coursework and assessments with the highest degree of integrity, create their own classwork (not to copy other students classwork assignments) and engage tests/exams by using their own preparation alone. This also includes plagiarism (the use of another person on a written assignment. Violations of this policy will be met with a discipline referral, loss of points on assignment and parental contact. =Course Syllabus=

United States History (A) Mr. Slocum Room 203 This course is designed to reinforce previous knowledge related to U.S. history and introduce new concepts with a focus on higher order thinking skills. We will plan on starting the school year with a review of early American history and finishing the term with chapter 12-13 (causes and effects of the Great Depression/Causes of WWII). Students will be challenged to grow in both their knowledge base and student skill set with the goal of helping each student reach their potential. We will focus on writing, test taking skills, and a variety of learning activities designed to have students engaged in growing as students. __Testing__: Students should expect to take a test once every two weeks. We will always have an in class review to help students be prepared to succeed on the test. Students who achieve a minimum score of 90% or above on a pretest will be allowed to use that as their end of unit test score if they wish to do so. They may also take the end of unit test and keep their improved score if they improve their score. __Expected behaviors__: It will be expected that students are __on time__ and __prepared to learn__. It will be expected that students are on task and engaged in class activities. Students are expected to treat others with __respect__ and dignity. There will be an emphasis __active listening__ and developing both verbal and written communication. We will expect students to practice being __responsible__ with their time and resources, as well as, __accountable__ for their actions. __Integrity is important__. Students are expected to engage coursework and assessments with the highest degree of integrity, create their own classwork (not to copy other students classwork assignments) and engage tests/exams by using their own preparation alone. This also includes plagiarism (the use of another person on a written assignment. Violations of this policy will be met with a discipline referral, loss of points on assignment and parental contact. __Cell Phones and Electronic Devices__: It is understood that most students have a cell phone and it is typically the case that phones are a distraction to the educational process. With that in mind, students will not be allowed to have cell phones in class except on days that they are allowed to be used for class activities. If a student brings a phone to class and it is seen or heard by the teacher, the student should expect that the phone will be brought to the front office and a detention will be assigned. __Parent Survey__: Your student will be bringing home a Parent Survey which is designed to help establish positive communication between parent and teacher. Please know that I believe that helping students be successful is dependent on teamwork between student, parent, and teacher. I am interested in knowing what areas of growth you as a parent would like to see come to fruition and look forward to being a part of that process. Please complete the survey and feel free to email it to Mr. Slocum, send it back with your student, or drop it by the HS office and have them deliver it to me. __Students will have a term research project__ based on a topic of their choice (with teacher approval and parent acknowledgement). Students will get class time each week to develop their project and display learning. Students will receive a rubric for parents to sign. Project will be in class the week before final exams (December). __Grading__: Students final grade for the term will based on the following, 80% of term grade and 20% will be based on their final exam, which will be comprehensive in nature. Grading Scale: A 94-100 C+ 77-79 D- 60-62 A- 90-93 C 73-76 F 59 and below B+ 87-89 C- 70-72 B 83-86 D+ 67-69 B- 80-82 D 63-66 __Make Up Work__: Students will approach Mr. Slocum when they miss class time to verify the need to make up work. Students will typically have the same amount of time as the rest of the class to complete work assigned but that may differ based extreme situations. It is advised to get work ahead of time if you know that you will be missing class for vacations, dental, appointments, etc… __Tests will be the primary grades for the class along with the term project, reflective portfolio, and exam. Students must have all practice ASSIGNMENTS TURNED IN TO TAKE THEIR TEST OR QUIZ.__ __Retest__ may be accomplished if a student has completed all work for a given unit and completed all test review materials and has been on task/engaged during class time. The student will need to have their parent fill out a study verification form and retake the test within a week of the original testing date. Bonus Point opportunities will be given three times during the course. These opportunities are designed to reinforce our learning and help students improve their grade. These are completely optional and will have due dates assigned to them. Please take time during the week to look at the class page online (__525252wikispaces.com__) to get further information on what is happening in the class during throughout the term. Mr. Slocum’s conference period will be in the morning if you need to meet in person the best time will typically be 8-830 am. Please feel free to contact me via email jslocum@nmps.net or classroom phone 231-719-9605. I am looking forward to a great school year with you! Mr. Slocum

Please Sign to acknowledge class policies

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