Welcome to 6th Period: World Geography/U.S. History/Psychology!!

Teachers: Mr. Josh Torres & Ms. Dorian Allen

Phone: 773-534-7755

Email: jtorres@chicagotechacademy.org & dallen@chicagotechacademy.org

Class Website: www.kingjtoworld.weebly.com
Office Hours: Official hours are to be determined, but I am available anytime
by appointment.
Course Objectives
This class is very unique because we have 3 different classes combined.
Although the classes are different in their own ways, they are also connected
in many ways. The purpose of this class will be to explore the idea of who
you are in this world we live in. This is a very complicated idea because not
only do we as people change, but the world also changes which has an effect
on everyone. Your job as a community of learners is to understand where you
came from, where you are now, and where you want to go in the future. By
doing this, you will explore the idea that everyone has a history, a story to
tell, and a purpose in this world.
In this class, you will be doing a lot of research, having lots of conversations,
work on projects that push you to collaborate and create awesome products,
and having fun exploring yourselves, each other, and the world around you.
It is my goal that by the end of this class, you will have a better
understanding of yourself and the world we live in.
Course Norms

Contribute, collaborate, celebrate

Value and practice mutual respect
Maintain a growth mindset

Learning to learn is a process of growth

Behavioral Expectations

As students, you are working on becoming productive citizens of your

neighborhood and your world. Project-Based Learning and Instruction gives
you more freedom to complete your tasks. However, in doing this, it is your
responsibility is to maintain good work habits and practices. The guidelines
listed below will help you achieve this goal.
Students will enter the classroom in the proper school uniform as
detailed below:
ChiTech logoed Polo shirt (white, purple, or black) or a white
Oxford shirt, which are tucked in;
*Optional* ChiTech logoed vest (with white Oxford), sweater, or
hoodie;
Khaki pants (no cargos or leggings), skirts (girls), or shorts
(boys/girls), which are worn at the waist;
Black, white, or brown shoes with minimal trim is preferred (i.e.
white shoe with blue logo);
and a student ID which is present on your person.
2 Once students enter the room, they will become ready to learn.
Students will be in their seats before the bell rings to begin class
having all necessary materials out on their desks. This includes a
pen/pencil, notebook/notebook paper, and/or homework. For this class,
you will also need your classroom folder with you before taking your
assigned seat.
3 All cell phones, mp3 players, headphones, and other electronic devices
must be out of sight and not in use for any reason during class time.
There is no need for a cell phone in class, unless the permission is
specifically given by your teacher(s). All students will be given 3
warnings to put up their electronic devices and headphones; however,
students are advised to keep these items in their locker while class is
in session. After the final warning, Mr. Thomas or Mr. Jordan will
confiscate your device.
4 All food or drinks must be thrown away and finished before the start of
class, with the exception of a clear, capped bottle of water. We want to
eliminate any distractions in the classroom that take away from the
learning experience. By cleaning up the area around you before the
bell rings, you are ensuring you are leaving the classroom ready for
use by students who will come in after you do.

5 No personal grooming is allowed during class time (brushing/braiding

hair, putting on makeup, nail polish, perfume, cologne, etc.)
6 Laptops will only be used in class when permitted. This being a
technology-focused campus, you will be held to a high standard when
it comes to using technology in this class. You are expected to remain
on task and avoid visiting sites which are not related to classroom
activities, including social networking and streaming music sites, or
this technology privilege could be revoked.
7 Students will strive to maintain mutual respect in class. This means
you understand and practice appropriate professionalism,
responsibility, and involvement between yourself and others. We only
have a limited class time each day where we can focus as a group on
the task at hand, so you should always think about how you should act,
respond, and be with both your teacher(s) and your classmates. Being
alert and attentive will help establish you as an active member of this
class.
8 Students will maintain appropriate expectations and behaviors while in
class, in the hallway, and anytime youre inside the school building.
Restorative justice protocols will be used as needed. Students can
avoid problematic behaviors by communicating appropriately, knowing
how and who to ask for help, being engaged and involved in the
activity at hand, monitoring their movement around the classroom,
and practicing appropriate participation. This also includes appropriate
language and interactions.
9 Students will contribute something of significance daily in class.
Displaying pride in yourself, your classmates, and your school will help
you accomplish goals set both by your teacher(s) and yourself.
Maintaining perseverance and not being afraid to fail are key factors to
your success.
10 Any and all questions and/or concerns you may have about this class
will be addressed by the appropriate person at the appropriate time
11 You have within you the ability to be great! If you put forth your best
effort daily, participate actively in classroom discussions, and maintain
on task behavior in class, you are prepared for success.
Class Materials

Pen(s)/Pencil(s)
Notebook(s)
Folder with homework when assigned

A positive attitude!!
Grading

All students will be held to the same standards when it comes to grading
policies and procedures. Most of your grades for this class will be considered
minor grades, but will be classified as either Process or Progress grades.
Some of your grades will be considered major grades, but will be classified as
either Progress or Product grades. Refer to the chart below for an example of
how your assignments will be graded.
Assignment

Assignment

Assignment

Process

Bell ringers (minor)

Vocab worksheet
(minor)

Daily assignments or practice assignments

(minor)

Progres
s

Draft 1 of project piece / essay

(minor)

Journal entries
(major)

Peer Critique (minor or major)

Product

Final draft of project piece

(major)

Exhibition product
(major)

Summative Assessment (aka Final

tests) (major)

Grading Scale

Grade Categories

90% - 100%

Product= of project grade

80% - 89%

Process = of project grade

70% - 79%

Progress= of project grade

60% - 69%

59% and below

Other examples of each grade category are listed below (Not all
forms of grade measurements are included):
Product- final reports, products or exhibits; final exams; summative
assessments
Progress- self-reflections and journaling; drafts of works in progress;
subjective assessments
Process- Bell Ringers, quizzes, critiques, homework, class participation;
formative assessments
Late Work and Absences
All projects, drafts, and project assignments will have designated due
dates. If a student fails to turn in a draft or an assignment on time, he/she
may be jeopardizing the completion of their final product.
Homework: If an assignment is given for homework, it will not be
accepted late.

Excused Absences: If you have missed class and/or school for an excused
absence, you will be considered for extended due dates only for each
missed class/day for these drafts and project assignments.
If you are absent from class and/or school the day an assignment or draft
is due, it is your responsibility to contact the teacher(s) via email or in person
to discuss makeup arrangements.
It is possible you may also need to acquire any assignments you missed so
that they may be turned in upon your return to class and/or school.

I am really looking forward to teaching and learning from you as the school
year continues. I hope that we can have a great year that leads to you
becoming a positive and well-rounded global citizen. Please feel free to come
to me with any problems, issues and concerns. My job is to give you the tools
you need to be successful even after you leave this class and still have fun in
the process. I hope we can grow together as we begin this adventure
together.

Student/Parent Acknowledgment
I have read this syllabus and understand the content and agree to uphold the
expectations of this class.
Student Name:
_________________________________________________________________

Parent(s) Name:
________________________________________________________________

Parent(s) Contact Info:

___________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
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