CONTACTING MRS. ACKERMAN
Parents are urged to call or email me with any questions that cannot be answered by your student or this website. The best time to speak with me is during my plan period (Monday-Thursday 10:25-11:30 and Friday 10:40-11:25) or after school from 3:20-3:45. During the remainder of the day my attention needs to be with the students in my classroom. Please note that the schools email system sometimes mistakes outside email addresses as spam. Typically we can catch them the following morning but if you do not hear back from me by the end of the next day please call.
JUMPSTARTS
What are jumpstarts? Jumpstarts (also known as bellringers or bellwork) are questions students answer at the very beginning of class. In social studies students will start the class by reading the days goals, reading the tasks for the day then filling out their agendas and completing their jumpstarts. While the start of the year will require more teacher direction, after a few weeks they will be expected to do this without needing to be prompted by the adults in the room.
What kind of questions are asked? A typical jumpstart is two review questions. So if yesterday we learned about the physical features of Mesopotamia then today's jumpstarts might be 1. What was the name of the two rivers in Mesopotamia and 2. What is one way rivers helped the people of Mesopotamia? Other types of questions might require students to practice a skill or write 2-6 sentences on a topic or as a reflection.
What is expected of the students? Students are expected to answer the jumpstart questions in complete sentences, repeating part of the question. Writing complete sentences in this way is great practice for helping students think in complete thoughts, rethink and check their understanding of what the questions are asking and is a prerequisite skill to be able to respond well to social studies prompts.
Are jumpstarts graded? Yes. Jumpstarts are turned in every Friday and are worth one point per question.
Parents are urged to call or email me with any questions that cannot be answered by your student or this website. The best time to speak with me is during my plan period (Monday-Thursday 10:25-11:30 and Friday 10:40-11:25) or after school from 3:20-3:45. During the remainder of the day my attention needs to be with the students in my classroom. Please note that the schools email system sometimes mistakes outside email addresses as spam. Typically we can catch them the following morning but if you do not hear back from me by the end of the next day please call.
JUMPSTARTS
What are jumpstarts? Jumpstarts (also known as bellringers or bellwork) are questions students answer at the very beginning of class. In social studies students will start the class by reading the days goals, reading the tasks for the day then filling out their agendas and completing their jumpstarts. While the start of the year will require more teacher direction, after a few weeks they will be expected to do this without needing to be prompted by the adults in the room.
What kind of questions are asked? A typical jumpstart is two review questions. So if yesterday we learned about the physical features of Mesopotamia then today's jumpstarts might be 1. What was the name of the two rivers in Mesopotamia and 2. What is one way rivers helped the people of Mesopotamia? Other types of questions might require students to practice a skill or write 2-6 sentences on a topic or as a reflection.
What is expected of the students? Students are expected to answer the jumpstart questions in complete sentences, repeating part of the question. Writing complete sentences in this way is great practice for helping students think in complete thoughts, rethink and check their understanding of what the questions are asking and is a prerequisite skill to be able to respond well to social studies prompts.
Are jumpstarts graded? Yes. Jumpstarts are turned in every Friday and are worth one point per question.
TEXTBOOK
The textbook for this class is Glencoe’s World History Journey Across Time. I keep a set in my classroom for student use. It is not required or necessary for students to checkout a book to take home but the option is available through the library if students or parents see a need to preview information or have it available to help with homework. The textbook is used as one of many different resources in this class and is not used on a daily basis.
The textbook for this class is Glencoe’s World History Journey Across Time. I keep a set in my classroom for student use. It is not required or necessary for students to checkout a book to take home but the option is available through the library if students or parents see a need to preview information or have it available to help with homework. The textbook is used as one of many different resources in this class and is not used on a daily basis.
GRADING
Grades are determined based on a point system over the course of one semester. Graded assignments are given a total number of points possible. Students typically earn points based on the number of correct answers or placement on a rubric. Power School divides the total amount of points a student has earned by the total amount of points possible to determine the final grade. Tests, quizzes and large projects are typically worth more points than regular assignments. They will have a larger impact on a student's grade than a regular assignment. Students are responsible for storing completed work in their binders for later reference and to show parents.
Grades are determined based on a point system over the course of one semester. Graded assignments are given a total number of points possible. Students typically earn points based on the number of correct answers or placement on a rubric. Power School divides the total amount of points a student has earned by the total amount of points possible to determine the final grade. Tests, quizzes and large projects are typically worth more points than regular assignments. They will have a larger impact on a student's grade than a regular assignment. Students are responsible for storing completed work in their binders for later reference and to show parents.