LAHS

COURSE INFORMATION SHEET

Course Title: World Studies
Instructors: Alvarado, Blach, Carlson, Coble, Doiguchi, Low,
Wangsness, Wemmer
UC/CSU: Yes
Textbook and other learning resource: Digital Device & Modern
World HistoryTextbook

What Students Can Expect From This Course

Course Description:
Students in World History study major turning points that shaped the modern
world, from ancient civilizations through the present. They trace the rise of
modern ideas and develop an understanding of the historical roots of current
world issues, especially as they pertain to international relations. Students
will develop an understanding of current world issues and relate them to
their historical, geographic, political, social, economic and cultural contexts.
Students consider multiple accounts of events in order to understand
international relations from a variety of perspectives. Students will examine
the roots of modern life on a global scale in discreet time periods by covering
topics ranging from the Renaissance to World War I.
Students will work on their writing, reading, speaking and listening,
engagement, and historical content. By growing as critical thinkers in these
areas of focus students will develop the skills necessary for 21st century lifelong learners. By utilizing technology in and out of the classroom to aid
learning, students will gain the necessary research and creative thinking
skills that are needed beyond the history classroom.

Assessment and Grading:

Per BP/AR 5121, teachers of the same course are expected to align their grading and assessment practices
in the following areas: (a) the weight of assignments for the various categories of assessment, (b)
homework policies, late/make up policies, opportunities for revision, extra credit and grading scales, (c)
degrees of proficiency. In addition, the policy specifies that group work is to be considered an essential
part of the learning experience, and that grades earned through group participation are to reflect an
individual students achievement on a designated academic standard and to be awarded to individuals rather
than to groups of students. Extra credit is to be given only when it supports student achievement of
academic standards for the course and when it is equitable for all students.

Grading practices are determined by course teams. All

teachers of this course will determine grades as defined below:
Grade Scale:
A+= 100%
A = 92.5-99.99%
A-= 90-92.49%

B+= 87.5-89.9%
B= 82.5-87.49%
B-= 80-82.49%

C+= 77.5-79.9%
C= 72.5-77.49%
C-= 70-72.49%

D+=67.5-69.9%
D= 62.5-67.49%
D-= 60-62.49 %

F=0-59.9%

Your grades will be based on the mastery of writing, reading, speaking &
listening, engagement, and historical knowledge through formative and
summative assessments.
Extra Credit: None
Grade Book Update Policy:
The grade book will be updated on a regular basis dependent on the type
assignment.
Tests:
Tests: Tests will consist of multiple choice, short answer, and essay
responses. If you need accommodations on exams such as extra time or
alternative methods of assessment, please let me know as soon as possible
so that these adjustments can be made in a timely fashion.

A New ERA at LAHS Empower, Respect, Achieve

We, at Los Altos High School value a learning environment in which students and staff support one another in a spirit of unity and mutual respect. We are committed to
continuous learning and the appreciation of knowledge in the classroom and beyond. We value our diverse pathways and empower students with the skills they need to achieve
their goals after graduation.

Late Work
Test/Quizzes: Unexcused absences will result in a zero as per the district
policy. Full day excused absences need to be addressed with the instructor
upon the return of the student; please note that instructors are not obligated to
offer more than the number of days missed for the make-up period nor are
they restricted to same time-frame upon discussed with the interested
parties. For partial-day excused absences in which tests/quizzes are missed
the student must discuss the make-up time with the instructor (a) before the
test/quiz if the student available prior to the class or (b) on the same day in
which student has missed class and returned to school to attend other classes
or school events (ex: athletic contests).
All instructors are available to set up individual adjusted deadlines and due
dates at their discretion with students as long as arrangements are made
between student and instructor prior to due dates, deadlines, and the day of
tests/quizzes. No retroactive arrangements will void the late/missing work
policy.
Notebooks/Projects/Papers: Upon the passing of the official due date all
projects/papers will have their available points reduced to 70% of the original
point value. After 5 school days available points for the assignments will be
reduced to 50% of the original point value.
Make-ups: Students will be given opportunities for revisions/make-ups if
they are below proficient on a case by case basis.
Grade Composition:
Your grade will be composed of the following categories:
20% Writing
20% Reading
20% Speaking & Listening
20% Engagement
20% Historical Knowledge

What Is Expected Of The Student

Daily Assignments:
Students are expected to come to class prepared to work. Students charged
digital devices should be brought to class on a daily basis. Students should
expect homework 2-5 nights each week. Homework should take between 30
and 90 minutes a night.

Attendance:
ABSENCES: An unexcused absence is an absence in excess of a 30-minute period occurring in a given
class. Students may not exceed 14 unexcused absences across their entire schedule. A full day, unexcused
absence counts as 5, 6 or 7 absences depending on how many classes a student carries toward the total of 14.
On the 15th unexcused absence, students may be referred to an alternative educational program/site pursuant
to the Districts involuntary transfer policy (AR/OP 5113).
TARDIES: Students may not exceed 19 unexcused tardies across their entire schedule. An unexcused tardy
is an absence from class from when the bell rings until up to 30 minutes of a class period. At the 15th
unexcused tardy, there will be a mandatory parent conference with the students Assistant Principal. This
conference will be scheduled to occur the morning after the family is contacted by the school. At the
student/parent conference, consequences for continued tardiness are discussed and the student is assigned to
Saturday School. An attendance contract will also be signed at this meeting. Failure to attend Saturday
School may result in a transfer to an alternative educational program/site.

Academic Integrity:
Honesty, trust and integrity are vital components of the education process. The Governing Board believes
that academic honesty and personal integrity are fundamental components of a student's education and
character development. The Board expects that students will not cheat, lie, plagiarize or commit other acts of
academic dishonesty.
Students and families should understand and act upon the values of academic integrity and should encourage
the highest standards of academic behavior from themselves and their peers.
It is assumed that all work completed for a class is original work created for that class, for a specific
assignment.
Violations of Academic Integrity will be dealt with in a manner consistent with the MVLA-LAHS Academic
Integrity Policy. The V grade will equal a zero and there will be no rework opportunities for
Tests/Quizzes and homework.

Help and Contact Information

Phone: See teacher website.
Email: Sarah.Alvarado@mvla.net, Margaret.Blach@mvla.net,
Sarah.Carlson@mvla.net, Kelly.Coble@mvla.net,
Chelsea.Doiguchi@mvla.net, Kathryn.Low@mvla.net,
Todd.Wangsness@mvla.net, Christa.Wemmer@mvla.net

A New ERA at LAHS Empower, Respect, Achieve

We, at Los Altos High School value a learning environment in which students and staff support one another in a spirit of unity and mutual respect. We are committed to
continuous learning and the appreciation of knowledge in the classroom and beyond. We value our diverse pathways and empower students with the skills they need to achieve
their goals after graduation.

A New ERA at LAHS Empower, Respect, Achieve

We, at Los Altos High School value a learning environment in which students and staff support one another in a spirit of unity and mutual respect. We are committed to
continuous learning and the appreciation of knowledge in the classroom and beyond. We value our diverse pathways and empower students with the skills they need to achieve
their goals after graduation.