7th and 8th Grade English and History

Class Syllabus

Mr. Bilandzija

Odyssey Charter School 2011-12

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Class Overview
The overall purpose of English and History is to develop students’ critical thinking, expand historical awareness and develop cultural and ecological literacy.  We will apply what we learn through a variety of writing assignments, creative projects, Socratic discussions, research, dramatic performances and presentations.

ENGLISH
The main objective of English class is to help students read, write, listen and speak with confidence, clarity and a sense of purpose. To this end, we will focus on the following three core areas of language development:

Reading

• Read and analyze novels, dramas, short stories, poetry, and nonfiction
• Develop vocabulary through the study of root words and word lists from course readings

Writing

• Practice and produce a variety of writing including narrative, expository, persuasive, descriptive and creative pieces
• Study and apply English grammar and conventions

Listening and Speaking

• Practice effective communication through class discussions, group projects, class presentations and creative performance

WORLD HISTORY
This year we will be studying the social, cultural, and technological changes that occurred in Europe, Africa, and Asia in the years A.D. 500–1789. To help students learn and understand this enormous amount of content, we will take a thematic approach to history, which will be organized under the following overarching questions:

• What defines a human civilization?
• How do different civilizations organize themselves economically, socially and ecologically and what effect does this have on people and places?
• What causes a civilization to decline and what allows it to sustain and thrive?
• What important lessons can we learn from former civilizations and apply to our own in order to make it more just and peaceful?

Required Class Materials:
Students should bring the following materials to class everyday:

• Two spiral-bound 5 subject notebooks, one for English and one for History
• An approved independent reading book
• Pens, pencils and an enclosed hand-held sharpener
• Colored pencils, markers and highlighters are optional

Assessment:
Students will be given written and oral feedback on all work, in addition to a letter grade. Grades will be earned in the following areas:
25% Writing and Reading Assignments            25%  Notebooks and Participation
25% Homework and Projects                          25%  Quizzes and Tests

Letter grades are assigned as follows:
90-100%=A        80-89%=B        70-79%=C        60-69%=D        Less than 60% = F

Homework:
Students will have daily homework assignments for English that will take between 30-60 minutes, depending on the assignment. Homework will include reading, writing, vocabulary and grammar. I will check this homework everyday at the beginning of class. Students will also have homework for History class, which will supplement our current units of study.

Class Website and Gradebook:
I maintain a class website which will be updated weekly with class assignments, due dates and important information. Grades are also available online through Powerschool. These websites are a tool for both students and parents, and should be used to maintain effective communication.  

http://www.odysseycharterschool.org/dbilandzija
https://odyssey.powerschool.com/public/

Late Work Policy:
Unless you are sick or have a family emergency, late work is not acceptable and will receive zero credit. Students are allowed (and encouraged) to revise written assignments as many times as they please.

Class Expectation: DO YOUR BEST and Follow our CORE VALUES

Class Rules/Non-Negotiables:

• No food, drinks, candy or gum. Water only and please bring a reusable container.
• No cell phones or ipods in class. All electronic devices must be turned off and put away at all times. If they are out in class, they will be taken away the first time and parents will have to pick them up in the office.
• Leave the class and campus better than you found it.

Please read this syllabus with your parents/guardians and sign below. Keep this in your binder.

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Student Signature                                            Date                      Parent/Guardian Signature                                           Date

Email:  darylb@ocsmail.org or mr.bilandzija@gmail.com