Life Skills: As students transition from grade to grade they grow both academically and emotionally. Everyone is part of a social contract that was signed at birth, that comes with benefits, but also with responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is self-discipline, and it is expected from all of my students to demonstrate such responsibility. That being said, there will be several activities during class that will help you develop a greater connection with your peers, and it will help everyone develop teamwork skills.
DIGITAL ACCESS: AS INDICATED IN THE SYLLABUS, MY CLASS WEBSITE CONTAINS ALL OF THE LECTURE, AND ASSIGNMENTS AS THE SEMESTER PROGRESSES. IT ALSO ALREADY CONTAINS SEVERAL PRIMARY SOURCES THAT WILL BE USED FOR HOMEWORK, CLASS WORK, PROJECTS AND EXAMS. PLEASE USE THIS TOO, IT IS AVAILABLE TO ALL AND FOR FREE. I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES OWNING A COMPUTER OR HAVING ACCESS TO THE INTERNET IS NOT AVAILABLE TO ALL AT HOME, SO PLEASE USE ONLINE ACCESS EITHER EITHER ON SCHOOL GROUPS OR AT A PUBLIC LIBRARY. THIS ACCESS IS FOR PERSONAL USE, ALL OF THESE ASSIGNMENTS AND TOOLS, WILL BE PROVIDED IN CLASS, SO DO NOT FEEL OBLIGATED TO ACCESS THE WEBSITE.
After Class Help: Every Friday after class, you can stop by the classroom and go over any class material or question regarding the lectures. This time is open to all, and you are not obligated to attend, and it is the perfect time to prepare for an exam, which are always on Mondays.
Syllabus: My syllabus contains the first guidance on how to be successful and achieve academic success in my class. The first day of class all of my students are provided with a copy of the class syllabus, or as I like to call it, the constitution to the “Students Democratic Republic of History.” This syllabus, but i call it a social contract, contains all of their rights and expectations for the class, which include many Recovery points for discipline, academic expectations and academic support. Students must sign the last page of such contract and get parental signatures as well. The reason for it is that I want both students and parents to go over the expectations for the class and this way there is accountability.
SOCIAL JUSTICE: IT IS IMPORTANT TO RESTORE ANY SOCIAL INJUSTICE THAT HAS OCCURRED IN THE CLASSROOM, AND THE WAY THAT SOCIAL JUSTICE WILL BE GAINED IS THROUGH A PROCESS OF COOPERATION THAT INCLUDES EVERYONE INVOLVED. IT IS IMPORTANT TO RESTORE SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE CLASS IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY.
Curwin, Richard & Mendler, Allen. (1999). Discipline with Dignity, Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Prison Fellowship International (2014). What is Restorative Justice? Restorative Justice Online. Retrieved September 18, 2014, from http://www.restorativejustice.org/university-classroom/01introduction
Edutopia. (October 4, 2013) Restorative Justice: Resources for Schools. Retrieved September 18, 2014, from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/restorative-justice-resources-matt-davis