Social+Studies+Home

=﻿Welcome to Mr. Zavala's Social Studies Page= Feel free to explore or start an appropriate discussion about any topic related to Social Studies.

Courses to Explore and Discuss

 * 1) U.S. History
 * 2) World History
 * 3) Geography
 * 4) Government

Click the related class link on the right hand side of the page to find out more. You also find pacing and curriculum for a class in their respective section.As well as current information about the class, if the class is currently one of the ones I am teaching.

Learning Expectations and Teaching Philosophy
The classroom is conducted in such a way that promotes a critical global outlook on the united states and the world. The ultimate goal is for students to formulate their own opinions on subject matter by seeking knowledge on the topic, evaluating problems in the world, and proposing solutions to those problems. 

Because of this philosophy students are expected to write, verbally participate, and engage the material rather then memorize it. Students should come to class expecting to take some form of notes, and ready to analyze the information. Students will need:
 * 1) Composition notebook
 * 2) Notebook
 * 3) Pencil or pen
 * 4) Highlighter

*Composition and Notebook can be combined in a larger notebook if you would like. *Everything else for projects and classroom room activities (Textbooks, Glue, Coloring, etc.) will be provided by me. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Perpetua','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">

Discipline Expectations and Consequences
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The basic discipline model fosters a stimulating learning environment. I have two primary expectations for shaping the classroom environment: <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Other subsidiary rules emanate from these two principles and encourage students to think before they act, or accept the decisions they made. Students should will be held accountable for their own actions and recognize they are growing adults in the world. All regular school rules will still apply in my classroom. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * 1) <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">be respectful
 * 2) <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">act responsibly

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Step system will be implemented in class to allow students the opportunity to correct behavior before problem leaves classroom. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0pt;">1st step- a simple warning that lets the student know that the current behavior is unfavorable. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0pt;">2nd step- a short talk with the student letting them know that you want to see them after class. student will have an opportunity to correct behavior. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0pt;">3rd step- a personal detention where the student and teacher discuss what went wrong. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0pt;">4th step- a letter/call/email home to the parent letting them know of the violation. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0pt;">5th- step a behavior contract between the parent, teacher, and student to address the behaviors that should be desired. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0pt;">6th step- school administrator will be brought in to help in fixing situation.

Grading
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Regular school grading scale will be used. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Grading Scale: A=92-100 B=83-91 C=74-82 D=65-73 F=64 & below <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Most classes will have daily work to be done in composition book. Composition book will be turned in at the end of every unit to check. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">There will be at least one open note quiz every unit. You should get 100% on this if you are actively taking notes and listening in class. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Every unit will end in an exam. Test length will vary by subject and topic. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Performance task will vary, but will be used at least twice every unit.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">At the end of a unit a students grade will break down into
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Composition Book (Daily Classwork)
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Open Note Quiz (1)
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Performance Tasks/Projects (Minimum of 2)
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Exam Grade

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Unit grade will be recorded, and all unit grades will be averaged for 9 weeks grade.