It is because it was. It was because it will be - the study of history.

MR. VIAL

History Department Mission Statement:

To encourage students to develop a democratic understanding of civic values and participation based upon the thorough knowledge of the nation's identity and constitutional heritage rooted within the constructs of context and perspective; logic and reason. The goals of the history department are acquired through the study of historical episodes and contemporary events. Through the reinforcement of critical thinking skills for intellectual reflection, the history department seeks to guide students in forming a well-rounded understanding of historical, ethical, cultural, geographic, economic, and sociopolitical dynamics, strengthening the student's understanding of the world they experience.

Course Objectives

Students explain and demonstrate an awareness of past civilizations and cultures.
Students demonstrate understanding of cause and effect from the past to the present and the future.
Students use critical thinking skills to make sound decisions regarding local politics and global issues.
Students demonstrate understanding of local and global geography and economics.
Students demonstrate understanding of how geographic, political and technological factors create/affect changes in present and future society.
Students communicate understanding and knowledge of history through written assignments and a multimedia technology presentation.

Course Description

Students will study the geographical, political, socio-economic, religious, cultural and technological changes that occurred in Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia throughout the Middle Ages - c.476-1789 A.D.

Upon reviewing the ancient world and the ways in which archaeologists and historians uncover the past, students will study the history and geography of great civilizations developed concurrently throughout the world during medieval and early modern times.

Students will examine the growing economic interaction among civilizations as well as the exchange of ideas, beliefs, technologies and commodities.

Students will learn about the resulting growth of authority, the natural rights of human beings and the divine right of kings, experimentalism in science and the dogma of belief.

Lastly, students will assess the political forces unleashed by the Enlightenment, with particular emphasis and focus on the rise of republican and democratic ideas and their continued influence on the world of today.

Technology in the Classroom

Students discover that technology is an efficient and enjoyable learning tool for the acquisition and mastery of reading, writing, effective communication, logic and a micro/macro understanding of history.

Students will learn to adapt from the present to the pending development of future technologies.

Students will abide by the classroom standards set forth by Mr. Vial's acceptable use policy (which, fortunately, is very simple) - iPads are to be in the students' backpacks and may only be used when instructed to do so by their teacher.

Digital Citizenship

Please review the link below from commonsense.org on precisely what constitutes appropriate "Digital Citizenship" as a student at Paul Revere Middle School:

https://www.commonsense.org/education/videos/what-is-digital-citizenship

Protect private information about yourself and others
Respect yourself and others
Stay safe online
Stand up to Cyberbullying when you see it happen
Balance your time online, including while on social media
Respect copyright and intellectual property
Carefully manage your digital footprint (ie. your online presence)

What type of technology will be used in the classroom?

Each student will be issued an iPad from the school district. They will be responsible for maintaining the iPad throughout the school year and returning it at the end of their scholastic year in the same aesthetic and functional working order in which they received it.

Various media platforms and software-based APPs, including Schoology, Google Classroom, Google Docs, Google Slides, Khan Academy, DBQ Online, StoryboardTHAT, Padlet, Quizlet, Kahoot! and iMovie will be used in class throughout the year.

To ensure everyone is on-task in class, Mr. Vial will utilize Apple Classroom.

Apple Classroom

In just a few clicks, all students’ devices are restricted to designated APPs during the class.

This allows Mr. Vial to monitor any and all iPad activity directly from his desktop computer in the classroom and/or teacher-issued iPad while walking about the classroom helping students at their respective desks. (*Note: Students are required to turn on their iPad Bluetooth. This is part of their Cooperation Grade.)

How will technology be used in the classroom?

Mr. Vial intends to utilize both flipped* and/or blended** lesson plans, utilizing technology to its maximum potential by incorporating both the textbook and student district-issued iPads, to create an effective and seamless learning and study environment for his pupils.

(*flipped lesson plan: A flipped classroom is an instructional strategy and a type of blended learning that reverses the traditional learning environment by delivering instructional content, often online, outside of the classroom. It moves activities, including those that may have traditionally been considered homework, into the classroom.)

(**blended lesson plan: Blended learning is an education program (formal or non-formal) that combines online digital media with traditional classroom methods. It requires the physical presence of both teacher and student, with some element of student control over time, place, path, or pace.)

Students and Parents will be able to access any and all assignments, attachments, directions, links, announcements, comments and grades with their Schoology accounts.

A monthly calendar displaying the weekly lessons, classwork and homework, along with their respective due dates will also be available on Schoology so that students and parents may monitor any upcoming assignments.

Students will begin by first completing an extensive lesson on digital citizenship and learning what embracing the concept of "online civility" entails prior to iPad use.

Students will use their iPads to help integrate their textbook by learning proper outline format (including the use of Google Docs in keying and color-coding their notes), the execution of a proper 5-paragraph term paper, the reading of online articles relating to their coursework, accessing quizzes and exams, uploading their assignments, collaborating with their classmates while utilizing Quizlet and Kahoot! and in the shooting of their screenplay group short film projects by filming and editing on iMovie.

How will you as an educator ensure my child's privacy online?

Our campus utilizes a VPN (virtual private network).

A VPN secures the private network, using encryption and other security mechanisms to ensure that only authorized users can access the network and that the data cannot be intercepted.

This means that no potential online predators and/or non-affiliated personnel can access your child's iPad and/or school online network.

Also, our campus has taken added security measures and online protections (ie. implementation of various firewalls) to prevent our students from accessing websites not allowed by our school.

Social Media sites (ie. Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Pinterest) along with other video-gaming sites are blocked on campus. Firewalls have been established to prevent students from visiting unauthorized websites.

The APP Store has also been disabled so as to prevent students from downloading any unauthorized APPs

As an added measure, a periodic survey will be emailed to all students and parents via Google Doc forms so as to keep abreast, analyze and/or alleviate any further concerns.

Classroom Etiquette

In order to meet all academic requirements, it is crucial that ALL students work in a safe and productive classroom environment. All students are expected to:

Respect. (Of yourself, your school’s campus, your classroom, other students, and your teacher.).
Prepare. (Be focused and poised to succeed.)
Be present. (Arrive to class on time, with your materials, ready to listen, follow directions, and respond).
Use common sense. (If doesn’t make sense, it’s likely it isn’t too common.)
Know your purpose. (Be mindful and conscious of the person you desire to be inside & outside of the classroom.)
Know your name. (Take pride in your work. Be proud of yourself, your school, your work, and where you come from. Understand that when you write your name at the top of your paper, it stands for something. Do not throw it away and/or take it for granted.)

Failure to follow these expectations will result in negative cooperation and/or work habit marks, resulting in a U mark.

Parents will receive referrals through Schoology if their student does not meet expectations. Should behavior not improve, parents will be asked to come in class and sit with their children.

(* Note: Severe disruptive and/or threatening behavior may result in immediate suspension. But, I don’t think I have to explain this further.)

Required Materials

The following materials must be brought to class everyday:

1. History Textbook (Textbooks must be covered)

2. Fully Charged iPad (Students are required to charge their iPads overnight prior to arriving to school.)

3. Paul Revere Student Agenda/Calendar (Each student at Paul Revere has been issued an agenda. If your child has not received one, please speak with the Counseling Office immediately.)

4. Binder (1½ inch wide. Must be a 3 ring binder and NOT a notebook.)

5. Paper (Filler paper; three-hole punched; college ruled; 100 pages)

6. Pencil Pouch (Must have 3 holes in order to secure inside Binder)

7. Three Highlighters (3 different colors)

8. Three No. 2 Pencils

Grading Policy

All classwork, homework, quizzes and exam grades will be posted to Schoology. Missing assignments can also be accessed via Schoology by downloading the attachments. Clear instructions as to how to complete any and all assignments are also posted to each respective assignment/grade on Schoology.

Grades will be based on the point system described in the below (*Note: final grade % will not be rounded-up):

A = 90-100%

B = 80 - 90%

C = 70 - 80%

D = 60 - 70%

F = 0 - 60%

ALL Assignments MUST be submitted on the due date or they will be marked late.
Proficient Classes: Missing and/or Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will be given C grade. After one week, an automatic D grade will be issued. Missing/Late assignments will not be accepted after 30 days from the due-date. (NO EXCEPTIONS).
Honors Classes: Assignments turned in late will be given an automatic C grade if submitted within one week of the due-date. Missing/Late assignments will not be accepted after 1 week from the due-date. (NO EXCEPTION).
Any students caught copying another student’s assignment and/or giving their assignment to another student to copy will receive an automatic “U” on the next Progress Report in Work Habits. This is plagiarism. This is cheating. It’s simple. Do your own work.
Note: Students who are absent have the same number of days absent to submit their work. (ie. If a student is absent 2 days, they will have 2 days to submit any past-due work without a late-penalty.)

In addition to a letter grade, students will receive a grade in Work Habits & Cooperation (classified as E's, S's and/or U's) as designated below.

(Note: An automatic U in Work Habits for cheating and an automatic U in Cooperation for infraction of school rules i.e. cell phone, gum-chewing etc.)

Additionally, students who do not use their school-issued Personal Agendas on a daily basis to log their classwork/homework assignments will receive a U in Work Habits. This is a daily requirement to be completed prior to the passing bell.

E = Excellent S = Satisfactory U = Unsatisfactory

(*Note: Specific comments will also be posted on all Progress Reports.)

A special note for HOMEROOM:

Homeroom is a very strict class. Although only grades in Work Habits and Cooperation are recorded, students are expected to listen to the school announcements and read novels. Homeroom is used as an opportunity for students to focus and center themselves for the day. In order to preserve this opportunity for everyone, no talking and/or disruptions will be tolerated. Therefore, students receive a weekly grade based on their performance in class.

Lastly, often Parents ask if they may contribute materials or other necessities to the classroom. I post any such items on an Amazon Wish List that can be accessed at the following link:

www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1LKUWQOHQBC8E?ref_=wl_share

Thanks in advance for everything you do to help maintain a successful classroom environment for everyone’s benefit. And, thank you for taking the time to peruse this website.

CONTACT

Parents, I encourage you to contact me via Schoology, thank you. (*Note: Allow 24-48 hours response time. I do not check email on weekends.)

Paul Revere Middle School

1450 Allenford Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90049

frederic.vial@lausd.net

310.917.4800