World Studies
(Find World Studies Department staff information here.)
Instructional PhilosophyThe emphasis of instruction will be the constant cultivation of teaching students how to learn, as well as refining and broadening the skills they already possess. Our respective curriculums will be the vessel in which teachers deliver strategies to achieve these goals. Daily lessons should include activities that allow for individual growth and group learning experiences that foster cooperation among peers. There should be an emphasis on writing, reading, concept development, skill development {reading strategies, graphing, research, technology, etc.} as well as mastery of curricular material. Some examples of in-class strategies that will enhance reading, writing and skill development are performance tasks, scoring rubrics, problem based lessons, the use of technology, multi-sensory instruction, response journals, essays and research papers.
DifferentiationDefinition: Differentiation - to challenge each student to the upmost of their abilities. Due to heterogeneous grouping of students in world studies we have students with widely varying ability levels within a single classroom. To truly differentiate our staff will use concrete strategies on a regular basis in our classes and communicate those strategies to parents when appropriate.
Strategies to differentiate:
1. Tests and class activities should be constructed for at least two possibly three levels: gifted and talented, average, and below average.
2. Homogenous grouping within the class for projects and activities requiring higher level activities for targeted groups.
3. Homework should be differentiated through the use of open ended questions for upper ability students and highlighting or clueing answers for low level students.
4. The use of historical fiction novels that target different levels in and out of class. These novels can be used as anchor activities.
5. Instructional strategies that naturally differentiate - classroom trials, research projects, technology, questioning techniques during classroom discussion, multi-sensory instruction and the use of Teachers Curriculum Institute materials.
Homework Guidelines- The late policy for all class and homework assignments is at the discretion of the individual teacher
- Additional homework should be carefully regulated when students are completing out of class projects
1. It is expected that homework will be the rule and not the exception.
2. Homework should be an extension or a compliment to the days lesson.
3. Homework should be graded and returned in a timely fashion.
4. Complete sentences with proper grammar and spelling will be required for all writing assignments.
5. Homework should be reviewed and be an integral aspect of the day's lesson.
6. Homework should be approximately 25-45 minutes long for a daily assignment.
Extension ProjectsExtension projects are given to all gifted and talented students and may be differentiated so they can be offered to all students. These projects may be multi-disciplinary requiring technology, math, and writing among other curriculum areas. These projects are totally at the teachers discretion but could be a performance task, problem based, technology oriented, or a research paper. Extension projects should be given once a marking period.
Textbooks and materialsStudents will have one assigned textbook {World Cultures - A Global Mosaic} and an atlas which they will purchase for 5 dollars. Students are expected to keep their atlas in their 3 ring binder and it is teacher discretion how to best utilize textbooks. Textbooks need to be covered.
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