1. Please have a seat and make yourself comfortable!
Curriculum Night at Rochester High School Welcome to Sarah Monroe’s classroom!
World
History
2012 -
2013
Please have a seat and make yourself comfortable!
Tonight, you’ll get a glimpse at why you’re here, why I’m here, and how we can work together to help your child be successful!

2. A little information about Miss Monroe…
Grew up in Swartz Creek and received my Bachelor’s degree from Saginaw Valley State University (Go Cards!)
1st year teaching History here at Rochester High School
Very excited to be a part of this great community
Previously worked in Chicago suburbs and taught in alternative education in Warren
I love to be active and am an avid runner. (Don’t worry, we don’t do much running in history.)
I enjoy the outdoors and being up north. (Unfortunately, no scheduled field trips here.)
I love spending time with family and friends. (Family is the foundation of everything!)
I love my job! (Here’s where we can all play a part!)

3. Communication
If you see my name on your caller ID or in your inbox, it’s not always bad! I reinforce positive behavior at all time, so expect to hear from me this year!
If you are concerned about your child in our classroom, please do not hesitate to contact me!
- Best method of contact
Phone: (248) EXT I check my voic before 7:20 a.m. and after 2:30 p.m.

4. Why are we here? Goals in the Classroom
Every single child deserves and will have a positive, safe, organized, and structured environment.
To help every child develop the academic and social skills needed to be successful in the classroom, college, and career.
Curriculum will be relevant, have meaning, be challenging, and above all, fun!
Curriculum will be presented in a multitude of ways for all different types of learners.
To assist every child to become a motivated, respectful, problem-solving individual who will succeed in society.
In addition to learning curriculum, we will also learn a thing or two about life along the way!

5. The Fine Print – Classroom Policies
As a class we will create a list of policies/rules to adhere to for the year. However, I will not budge on my number one policy of RESPECT.
Electronics
Cells phones are not to be seen or heard. Consequences will follow Rochester’s code of conduct. This is to ensure learning is always taking place in the classroom without distractions.
iPods/MP3 players are to be used at the teacher’s discretion. Students will be notified in advance if these may be used in the classroom. These are also not to be seen when in use.
Late Work
Late work will be accepted for up to one week after its due date. The assignment will be given up to half credit. If your student has trouble completing an assignment on time, please contact me so we can try to work something out!

6. Curriculum for this Semester
Easy way to put it – Whole year we will study history from the beginning of time until now 
Study guides will be given for major tests
1st Marking Period
Prehistory/Features of Civilizations
Ancient Civilizations – Egypt, Middle East, India, China
World Religions
Ancient Greece and Rome
Rise of Christianity/Byzantine Empire
2nd Marking Period
Rise of Europe and Middle Ages
Renaissance and Reformation
The Americas
Absolutism
Assignments will include in-class work, homework, notes, projects, quizzes, and tests.

7. How do I know what my child is doing?
My teacher web page
Visit Rochester High School’s home page
On the left hand side  green tab “School Menu”
Teacher Web Pages
Social Studies Department
Ms. Monroe
World History folder
All PowerPoints and most assignments located here!
Check myRCS for grades
Log-in and password should be the same as last year
If you forgot or don’t have one – see Julie Harris tonight in the media center
If you have problems, your child can log in as well

8. Grading
Grading is based on a point value system. Each assignment will have a total point value based on its significance. Tests and large projects will be worth more points than in-class assignments, homework, and quizzes.
The grading scale is in accordance with Rochester’s district policy:
A: C+: D-:
A-: C: E: or less
B+: C-:
B: D+:
B-: D:
Each marking period will account for 45% of the final grade with the final exam accounting for 10% of the final grade.
Grades will be updated often and you will be notified of any significant gains or drops in your student’s grade!
My RCS – Grades update at midnight every night
As always…if you have questions, do not hesitate to contact me! 

9. Tech Tools
Students will have access to many different pieces of technology!
Some of the items we will be using in the classroom:
State of the art computer lab
Interactive white boards
Laptops
We will be using this technology to:
Refine our research skills
Utilize blogs
Play games (Don’t worry, no XBOX)
We have an excellent tech team here at Rochester!
BYOD days
We will also be utilizing the dynamic paper and pencil. 

10. What exactly will your child be doing in class?
Using primary and secondary resources
Identifying major events in history on a timeline
Understanding and analyzing these major events
Analyzing cause and effect
Evaluating evidence and constructing sound perspectives to base decisions regarding our contemporary life
Using tools to become a motivated, respectful, responsible member of society
Last but not least, having fun!

11. Questions, comments, concerns?
Thank you very much for your caring about your child’s education and this community! Together, we can make this a rewarding and successful year!