Modern World History (2019-2020)
Mr. Silveyra Home Engineering Academy
[email protected] North Hollywood High School
(818) 753-6200
Conference: Period 3 Room: 182
Welcome to a new school year. I am Mr. Silveyra and I will be your tenth grade
World History teacher. To give you a little information about myself, I attended the
University of California Santa Cruz and graduated with a BA in History. I also studied
abroad in Australia at the University of Sydney. I received Teaching Credential in
Social Studies from California State University Long Beach.
Course Description: Modern World History is a one-year course designed to
develop student’s historical literacy, as well as their ability to express their point of
view in both written and oral form. Students will study the historical events and
contemporary global issues that have shaped the world in which we live. By the end
of the year the students will have a strong understanding of the following topics:
The founding of Democratic principles, the rise of Industrialization, and
Imperialism, World War I, the Rise of Totalitarian Dictatorships, World War II, the
Holocaust, the Cold War, Decolonization, and Contemporary History.
Approach to this Course: This class requires a high level of student participation.
We will engage in a variety of activities designed to appeal to many different
learning styles, including group work, discussions, presentations, simulations/
games, videos, lectures, essays, and textbook readings. I expect all students to come
to class prepared to take an active role in the learning process by participating in
activities, sharing ideas, and asking questions. This course is heavily based on
questioning sources and ideas, and although you might not know all the answers at
first, I expect all students to make an attempt to find their own answers.
Respect is essential in the classroom and in life. I expect you to show respect for
yourself, your classmates, and your teachers, as well as for personal and school
property. With mutual respect we can create a classroom environment in which all
students feel safe and comfortable enough to share their ideas and take intellectual
risks. This means paying attention to others when they are speaking, no passing
notes, being polite and especially no texting. An open mind is an integral part of this
course and absolutely under NO CIRCUMSTANCES, will prejudices, slurs and any
disrespectful language be tolerated in this classroom.
Expectations is a big key to this class. I have expectations for you as you are near
being adults. With this comes certain expectations of how adults are supposed to
act:
1) You are expected to be on time to class and ready to get started on the day’s
warm up.
2) You are expected to treat everyone with respect whether it is how address
them, or their property. No disrespectful language will be tolerated.
3) You are expected to be on task at all times. If you have to get up out of you
seat to blow your nose or sharpen your pencil, do it quickly.
4) Pay attention to who ever is talking. They expect your full and undivided
attention as you would expect theirs.
Consequences: There will be consequences to your actions both positive and
negative.
1) A warning.
2) A sit down conversation to figure out what is happening.
3) A phone call home.
4) Referral to the counseling office and conference with counselor and parent.
5) Suspension from the class.
Attendance: In order for you to succeed, it is important that you attend class
everyday. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to check with me and pick up any
work you missed. Assignments must be turned in on the following class day in order
to avoid a late penalty. Extended excused absences will have additional time allotted
for makeup work. If you know in advance that you must miss a class for a day or
more, please see me before the absence.
Recommended Materials: The following items must be brought to class daily.
1) 1 Pronged 2 pocket portfolios
2) Pen/Pencil: no red or neon in, please.
3) 1 Highlighter
4) Glue sticks or mini stapler: all handouts must be attached to your spiral
notebook
5) Paper: Many of notes will be on handouts
Please note that homework assignments may require the use of markers/ colored
pencils, newspapers or magazines, or a computer with Internet access. In addition, a
planner or calendar is highly recommended to help you keep track of assignment
due dates.
Homework: You will have history homework every night. This may include
textbook readings, current events, creative assignments, Cornell notes, writing
assignments, and projects. Daily homework assignments will be posted in class.
Grading Policy: Students will receive letter grades based on four categories: 35%
for classwork, 35% for tests/essays, 20% for homework, and 10% for the final
project. A= 100%-90%, B= 89.9%-80%, C=79.9%-70%, D=69.9%-60%, F= 59.9%
and below.
Late Work Policy: All assignments must be submitted on the assigned due date. If
you are absent on the day that a project is due, you must find someone to bring it to
school for you. Work that is over a month late will lose half of its value
automatically.
Conduct Grades: All students start the semester with an E (excellent) for conduct.
Problems such as unexcused absences, excessive tardies (more than 3 in the
semester), disruptive behaviors, and cell phone use will lower the conduct grade as
follows:
0-2 offenses =E (excellent) 8+ offenses = U (unsatisfactory)
3-7 offenses = S (satisfactory)
The use of any racial, or homophobic slurs whether intended or unintended is
unacceptable and is grounds for immediate ejection from the classroom and referral
to Dean’s office.
Academic Honesty: Integrity is very important in life. When you are tempted to
cheat, remember that your integrity is far more valuable than the few points for a
particular assignment. Academic dishonesty (“cheating”) includes all of the
following: copying answers or assignments (including worksheets), using outside
information or ideas in an essay without proper citation, and discussing test
questions. Any student involved in academic dishonesty will be penalized according
to the school honor code. This penalty applies to both a student “asking for help”
and a student “offering help.” Both students will receive a “0” on the assignment
(with no opportunity to make up lost points), will receive a phone call home, and
may have a referral note placed in his/her permanent school file- possibly affecting
college acceptance. Repeat offences may result in a suspension from school. Bottom
line: Don’t do it!
Please fill out the parent and student agreement on the next page and return it by
August 24, 2020 for 20 points.
Parent and Student Agreement:
I have read the classroom policies described above and I agree to follow these
guidelines at all times. I understand that good attendance, punctuality, participation
and careful work are necessary for success in this course. By signing this document, I
am accepting the challenge of this Modern World History course and agree to give my
best efforts on all assignments.
Carlos Cacaeres 8/24/20 1
Student Name Student Signature Date Period
mercedes Martinez 8/24/20
Parent/ Guardian Name (print) Parent Guardian Signature Date
Contact Information:
During the year, I may need to contact your family regarding your student’s
performance or behavior in class. In these cases, it is very helpful to have a variety
of ways to reach you.
First & Last Relationship to Phone Number Email Address Best Time to
Name Student (home, work, Talk
cell?)
Carlos Caceres Father 8183229544 6:00 pm
Mercedes Mother 8189158013 Mercedesmarti Anytime
Martinez nez796@gmail
.com
Notice to Parents: This letter is to inform you that sensitive subjects (i.e. war) will
be studied in this course. In addition, occasionally we will view a video clip that may
come from a PG, PG-13 or R rated movie (i.e. Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan).
These will be chosen with the utmost care for their historical significance to
illustrate a lesson. Although, I rarely show entire movies, the time may come in
which a historically relevant R rated movie may be shown. Again, any movie clip or
movie will be chosen with the utmost care.
yes I give my permission for my child to be part of and partake in class activities.
I prefer my child not partake in viewing these clips and that my child be
given an alternative assignment.
