What

do I need for class?

Students are expected to have materials out on their desks at the start of class.
3 Ring Binder (Recommended size- at least 2 if shared with another subject) WHY this size?
You are responsible for keeping all of your papers to study for your Midterm Test (MP1 and
MP2) and all papers to study for your Final Test (MP3 and MP4). This binder size will assist
you in keeping these papers organized throughout the year.
7 Tabbed Dividers for the year
MP #1 and #2

Pre-Class
Map Skills
The Five Themes
The United States

Tests/Quizzes/Projects
MP #3 and #4 (We will simply change the
Labels)
Pre-Class
Europe

Africa
Southwest Asia
South Asia
East & Southeast Asia

Tests/Quizzes/Projects
Colored Pencils- A Geographers necessities J
HW Assignment Book- Provided by the school
Pencils and Pens

*If there are financial difficulties with getting these items, please have your parents email Mr.
Cottone.



Cottomework
The completion of Cottomework will assist with student achievement throughout the year. Cottomework
allows students to practice skill sets as well as reinforcing content learned throughout the year.
Cottomework will be presented in various forms including article and graph analysis, educational games,
class simulations, mapping activities, computer based activities such as web-quests, and various other
projects.
MEANINGFUL ASSIGNMENTS: Work assigned throughout the year will be meaningful and related
to the content we are learning about during a particular chapter, unit, theme, or special lesson.
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT IS ASSIGNED? If homework is assigned, the description and due date
will be displayed on the Promethean board, the chalkboard, and posted on Skyward. Students
should write down their assignments in their assignment books each day they enter the classroom.

COMPLETION AND/OR CORRECTNESS: There will be times when work is checked for completion
and other times when it is checked for correctness. We will always review correct answers during
class time for clarification and understanding. In doing this, students will be able to self-assess their
comprehension of the content.

EFFORT: Students are always encouraged to complete the entire assignment- even if there is
uncertainty with an answer. Students WILL receive credit for effort if an assignment is checked for
completion. Students should ALWAYS take an educated guess and answer every question.
Incomplete answers will result in point deductions.
HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO COMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS? This will vary depending on the nature
and length of the assignment. On average, students can expect a homework assignment to be due a
couple of days after it is assigned.
DUE DATES: All assignments need to be completed on the due date to receive credit. Students who
complete assignments on time will benefit from in-class review of the content and more prepared to
move forward with our curriculum and future assignments.
COMMUNICATION: If there is ever an urgent issue that will prevent students from completing an
assignment, please have a PARENT/GUARDIAN email Mr. Cottone about the situation and we will
work together to provide extended time as needed. If possible, please try to keep me informed prior
to the due date.
ABSENCES WITH CLASSWORK AND HOMEWORK:
WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM ABSENT FROM CLASS AND I MISS WORK?

Step 1: Panic immediately. Call your parents, grandparents, neighbor, neighbors dog,
Commissioner Spiegelman, the Fire Department, and the National Guard!!!!

JUST KIDDING!!! Relax, and take a deep breath!

Step 2: When you return to school, simply speak to Mr. Cottone during the pre-class activity, after
class, OR during workshop about the assignment(s) you missed.

Step 3: Mr. Cottone will help you get the papers and we will work together to establish a new due
date so that you do not fall too far behind.

***HELPFUL TIP: If you know you will be absent, you could email Mr. Cottone for the assignment and if
possible, he can attach the assignment in an email.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM ABSENT ON THE DUE DATE OF AN ASSIGNMENT?

Step 1: Be prepared to turn the assignment into the TURN IT IN bin on the day you return.
HELPFUL TIP #1: If there is a circumstance for your absence that will prevent you from completing
the assignment (e.g. illness), please have a PARENT/GUARDIAN email Mr. Cottone about the
situation and we will work together to provide extended time.

HELPFUL TIP #2: If you are unable to return to school for an extended period of time, please have a
PARENT/GUARDIAN email your guidance counselor to put in a work request for all of your classes.
CAN I GET CLASSWORK/HOMEWORK AHEAD OF TIME IF I KNOW I WILL BE GOING AWAY?

Absolutely. If you need work, I can provide you as much as possible. Please keep in mind that
you may still have to make up work that requires detailed explanation when you return. Also,
please make me aware of this trip at least three days in advance.
When you return, we will work together on establishing a due date so that you do not fall too far
behind while completing your current assignments.

Grading

Student grades are calculated from a variety of categories that will include Assessments, Projects,
Papers, Graded Assignments, Homework Completion, Classwork Completion, and Class
Participation.
Social Studies grading is weighted and based on a percentage for each category. The same
percentages are used for all four marking periods.

GRADING

Major Assessments: Tests and Quizzes- 50% Homework- 5%

Classwork- 5%

Projects/Research Papers/Graded Assignments- 30% Class Participation- 10%

Social Studies Midterm and Final

The Midterm will assess student understanding of content from MP 1 and MP 2

The Final will assess student understanding of content from MP 3 and MP 4.

Social Studies Midterm Tests and Final Tests are categorized as a Major Assessment.
They do not carry more weight than other unit tests given throughout the school year.

Testing Days and Marking Period Dates

Social Studies Testing Days Marking Period Ends

1st MP: Monday and Wednesday 1st MP: 11-10-17

2nd MP: Wednesday and Friday 2nd MP: 1-26-18

3rd MP: Monday and Thursday 3rd MP: 4-8-18

4th MP: Tuesday and Thursday 4th MP: 6-14-18



*NOTE- TESTS AND QUIZZES CAN BE GIVEN ON DAYS THAT ARE NOT LISTED ABOVE IF
NEEDED; HOWEVER, MR. COTTONE WILL CHECK WITH OTHER TEACHERS TO ENSURE THAT
YOU ARE NOT OVERLOADED.

Academic Integrity
Students are expected to complete their own work throughout the school year.
Writing assignments should contain your own thoughts and ideas. It is expected that
students will not copy and paste information from text or Internet sources, or from other
students.

o CAN I GIVE AN ASSIGNMENT TO ANTHER STUDENT TO COPY? Nope. Youll earn a

zero.

o CAN I BORROW AN ASSIGNMENT FROM ANOTHER STUDENT TO GET ANSWERS?

Nope. Youll earn a zero.
o EVEN IF IT IS JUST ONE ANSWER? Nope. Youll earn a zero. You will be more
confident losing a couple of points while knowing that you did your very best on your
own.


o BUT I DIDNT UNDERSTAND THE ASSIGNMENT- Please make sure you ask
questions during class, or see Mr. Cottone during workshop. I am always available to
help.

Behavior Expectations

Hierarchy for misbehavior:
Verbal Warning(s)
If the behavior is disruptive to the educational experience of other students-
Consequence will be issued in the form of participation point deductions or
a teacher detention.
If the behavior continues or escalates- Phone Call Home, Administrative
Referral, OR Both.

Participation-Point Detention/Referral
Deduction(s)
Behavior Examples
Behavior Examples Bullying
Lateness to class (1-2 mins) Inappropriate Language
Minor Classroom disruptions Fighting
o Calling Out Confrontational Behavior
o Speaking while Creating or causing
someone is talking dangerous situations.
Inappropriate Cell Phone Use Cutting Class

*These are only examples. Certain situations may require a more immediate response.

Manners

Go a long way.


Workshop Time

WHAT IS WORKSHOP?

Workshop is scheduled before or after lunch during the school day. It is a FANTASTIC opportunity
to do the following

The Dos During WS

o Get Extra Help on assignments from any of your core subject teachers (Social Studies,
Math, English, Science)

o Ask Questions that you did not get the opportunity to ask in class.
o Study ahead of time for upcoming tests and quizzes.
o Get extra Practice for difficult concepts in class.

o Begin Homework that was assigned on that day.

The DONTS during WS
o Stare at the wall
o Count the ceiling tiles

o Sleep
o Go on Instagram
o Wander the hallways

o Complete homework for a class that is due on that day. You will most likely not
have enough time, feel rushed, and ultimately earn a low grade on that particular
assignment. Your best opportunity at success is to complete your homework prior to
the day it is due. There are also workshop days in which scheduled activities will not
allow for work completion.

Day of Cottonement

The Day of Cottonement is a day to turn in ONE incomplete or missed
HOMEWORK or CLASSWORK category assignment for FULL CREDIT!

There are TWO Days of Cottonement every marking period.

o The first Day of Cottonement will be at each Marking Periods mid-

term. One missing assignment issued between the start of that MP
and the midterm can be turned in for full credit.

o The second Day of Cottonement will be at the end of each MP. One
missing assignment issued after the midterm of the MP and the end
of the MP can be turned in for full credit.

Mr. Cottones Classroom Style and Profile!

WHEN CAN I EXPECT PAPERS BACK?

o TESTS: As a personal goal, I try to get tests back to students one week after
the test is taken.

o PAPERS AND PROJECTS: These take a bit longer to grade (10 minutes or
more for each student). In order to be thorough with assessing student
work, expect projects and papers graded and on Skyward within 2-2.5
weeks.

TURN IT IN / TAKE IT BACK BINS

o All students can turn assignments into their class Turn it in bin and get
graded assignments from the Take it Back bin.

GEOGRAPHY GOONIES TREASURE CHALLENGES

o Students can earn prizes for meeting academic and behavioral expectations
throughout the school year!

EXTRA PAPER BINS

o If students are ever absent, or lose papers, visit the extra papers bins.
Copies are limited, so please make an effort to keep your materials
organized.

WHAT SHOULD MY NOTEBOOK LOOK LIKE?

o There will be periodic notebook organization checks in Mr. Cottones class.

If students need to see what order or sections papers need to go in, the
example notebooks in the classroom can be used as a reference.

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR PEEPS?

o In order to foster a positive and comfortable classroom environment, we

have to get to know one another! Each week, we will play a dynamic and
challenging team building game that enhances student knowledge of our
classmates. Prizes will be awarded to the winners.

CHANNEL ONE NEWS

o Current events are essential to Social Studies and affect our lives.
Throughout the year, we will analyze current events through watching
Channel One News, a news broadcast geared towards teens.

Honors Students
***As you know, you are enrolled in an Honors course. This means that you are starting
on the track to be enrolled in Advanced Placement courses at the Sr. High school. With
that in mind, throughout the year you will need to demonstrate a strong, independent work
ethic, be ready, willing and able to think outside the box, complete assignments on time
with a great deal of effort, thought and care. As you know, Social Studies can be a
reading intensive course. It is my expectation that you will read all assigned passages
thoroughly and be prepared to use and discuss that information in a creative way in class.

Honors Extension Activities

As an Honors student, you will be responsible for completing ONE extension
assignments each Marking Period. These assignments will be completed
individually, outside of class, and will require a high level of thought,
analysis, and effort. More details to come!