___________ 425 O’Bannon Street __________

Parent Initials New Orleans, LA 70114 Cadet Initials

WORLD GEOGRAPHY

2014-2015 Dear Cadets and Parents,

I am excited to be joining the NOMMA team and teaching World Geography for the remainder of the academic

year. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Dr. Jamin Wells and I will be your child’s

World Geography teacher. I currently live in New Orleans and have three vivacious children. I earned a master’s degree in

maritime history and underwater archaeology from the University of Rhode Island. From there I earned a Ph.D. in

American History from the University of Delaware. I have more than eight years of teaching experience at the secondary

and post-secondary level in addition to ten years of experience as an underwater archaeologist and maritime historian. My

goal is to have students prepared for college success and to take their place as knowledgeable and productive citizens of

the world. I have high expectations for all of my students. Please feel free to contact me at jwells@nomma.net or at the

school by calling (504) 227-3810. I will respond within 24 hours.

To ensure a smooth transition, I will have slightly modified the syllabus your cadet received at the beginning of the year. I

will review these changes in class. This signed and initialed syllabus is to be kept in student’s binder at all times.

SUPPLIES:

1. All students are expected to have an A day and B day 3-ring binder (3 to 5-inch) with 5 tab dividers to separate

each class

2. All students are expected have and use an agenda/planner daily for the school year.

3. Blue or black pens – work written in pencil or any other color pen will not be accepted

4. Loose-leaf paper

5. 3 Mandatory ½ -inch 3-ring binder for the 3 World Geography student portfolios each with 6 tab dividers (one

to be brought at the beginning of each nine-week period)

6. 3x5 index cards

7. Colored pencils or markers

CLASSROOM RULES:

1. Follow directions the first time

2. Respect people, equipment and ideas in our classroom

3. Stay in your desk at all times unless you have permission to move

4. No eating or drinking in class

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS: 1. DIGNITY, RESPECT, KINDNESS

2. Be responsible: come to class prepared to learn

3. Start on DO NOW activity immediately after reciting the Cadet Creed

4. Always sit in assigned seat. Remain in seat unless directed otherwise

5. Practice active listening, follow directions, and participate

6. Raise hand and wait to be called upon before speaking

7. Work is completed on time. No folds, wrinkles, doodles, etc… work should look professional

8. If you are absent, find out what you missed from the “missing work” folder. Follow the Criteria-for-Credit

guidelines outlined in syllabus

World Geography Syllabus 2014 Page 2

___________ 425 O’Bannon Street __________

Parent Initials New Orleans, LA 70114 Cadet Initials

9. Follow the Cadet Creed and Daily Cadet Conduct located in the Student-Parent Handbook

10. Give your BEST effort EVERY DAY

ATTENDANCE: School policy requires an absence to be properly documented by a note from home or doctor.

Classroom attendance is mandatory and students will not be excused from class if the cadet is on campus and not

in class (this is skipping). Make every effort to be in class every day. We move quickly and I don’t want you to

fall behind!

MAKE-UP WORK: (for excused absences)

Cadets need to arrange to make up missed tests and quizzes the day they return from an absence. Make-ups

will be taken before/after school to ensure time in class is reserved for learning.

If a cadet is absent from class, it is the cadet’s responsibility to get all notes, assignments, etc. before or after

class. I WILL NOT hunt you down to give you assignments or notes.

Make-up work should be retrieved from the folder designated in the classroom. The cadet needs to retrieve

the assignment before coming to speak with me.

Cadets will have 1 class period per class period they were absent to complete make-up work.

Example: John is absent 2 class days, he will receive 2 class days to turn in all assignments with no penalty.

LATE WORK:

Late work is unacceptable. Each student is responsible for completing and submitting assignments on time and

“late work” will be considered missing. The lowest credit (60%) will be given for late work, unless there is an

excused absence. Any student who fails to complete homework will be required to attend a “Homework

Detention” and complete the missed homework and an additional assignment. The highest grade that student may

receive on the missed homework will be 75%.

EXTRA HELP:

I am more than happy to help with homework or reviewing to make sure that every cadet is prepared for tests or

quizzes. I will be available after school Monday through Thursday. Cadets staying after school should arrange a

way to get home by 3:45. Please note that excessive absences, tardiness, and failure of quizzes/tests may result in

mandatory tutorial sessions. The goal is student success.

BINDER EXPECTATIONS:

Each cadet should chronologically store all notes, activities, homework, quizzes, handouts, or worksheets in a

binder. Everything should be dated. Organization will be important as your notebook will be a primary source

for the student portfolio.

1. Start each day with name and date on the top right hand side of a page, then the daily objective as a title. The

daily objective will be posted. This is a title for the day and the key words to recall what you learned.

2. Keep all notes and assignments neatly in the order given.

3. Homework and class work should always be named, labeled and done on a separate sheet from notes.

4. You may use pen only. You may write on front and back as you choose

5. Start a new page for notes/work each day.

6. A copy of this syllabus is required to be kept in the student binder at all times.

World Geography Syllabus 2014 Page 3

___________ 425 O’Bannon Street __________

Parent Initials New Orleans, LA 70114 Cadet Initials

CADET PORTFOLIO:

At the end of each 9 week grading period cadets are responsible for assembling a portfolio of completed work

in a ½ inch binder

There will be set guidelines and a rubric for each portfolio that will include a list of assignments required to

turn in

Each portfolio will include an essay that will make-up 40% of the portfolio grade

The portfolio is also an opportunity for cadets to earn passing grades (75%) on assignments that are

missing/late by completing the original assignment PLUS an alternate assignments

The student portfolio will be used during parent/teacher conferences to assess student performance

INTEGRITY:

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. All class work, assignments, quizzes and tests will be completed

individually unless instructed otherwise; in which case, group size and members will be clearly stated in the

directions. (Some projects may be grouped)

Copying from and/or working with other cadets on assignments that are NOT instructed to be group work by

the teacher is considered academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty will result in all participating cadets to

receive the lowest possible grade on the assignment (60%) and referral for the first offence. For Multiple

offenses refer to the Student-Parent Handbook for disciplinary actions.

During tests/quizzes/exams, you are expected not to communicate with other cadets until the assessment is

over and all assessments have been collected. If the teacher suspects that you are communicating, it will be

interpreted as attempted academic dishonesty. Please refer to the Student-Parent Handbook on disciplinary

actions that can be taken.

GRADES:

The grading scale in the Student-Parent Handbook will be followed:

Quarter grades consist of 60% major tests, papers, and projects and 40% major class work

A midterm exam and a final exam will be given. Each exam is worth 20% of the semester grade. Both exams

are cumulative (so the final exam is over the entire year).

The Criteria-for-Credit must be followed

Test grades

Unit tests will be given at the end of each unit and occasionally also during the course of some units.

Please note that a cadet will be able to retake a unit test one time. Test retakes must be scheduled with the

teacher and will require a tutorial session prior to retake.

Projects will be assigned during each quarter.

Cadet Portfolios will be developed and submitted for grading each quarter. This will include an essay

(more information on this assignment will be provided).

Major Papers and Projects.

Major class work grades

Quizzes throughout each unit.

Short essays.

Class work and homework.

Binder Checks

Weekly gaggle discussion board.

Criteria-for-Credit

1. Work is done on lined notebook/loose leaf paper (unless otherwise stated to be type-written). Any

assignment torn out of a spiral notebook with fringes will not be accepted.

World Geography Syllabus 2014 Page 4

___________ 425 O’Bannon Street __________

Parent Initials New Orleans, LA 70114 Cadet Initials

2. Work is done in blue or black pen (unless otherwise stated to complete on your laptop)

3. The student’s name, date and the assignment title are on the paper.

4. All work is legible. If I cannot read it, I will not grade it.

5. Work is neat, organized and readable with no folds, tears or stains.

EXTRA CREDIT:

All grades earned and assignments given in World Geography are aligned to a state standard or Grade Level

Expectation (GLE). In order to properly assess student understanding of each standard, extra credit will be

aligned to GLEs and will be an extension of learning and understanding. Extra credit opportunities will be

available in class only to cadets who have no missing or late assignments.

JPAMS:

Grades will be recorded weekly using JPAM. Parents or guardians will be given access to view their student’s

grades and are encouraged to stay informed of student’s performance and progress. The directions on how to

access JPAM are located on the NOMMA website.

CONTACT:

I can be contacted by email throughout the day and is the best, quickest and easiest way to reach me. I check my

e-mail at home and will respond within 24 hours. My email address is jwells@nomma.net.

You can also reach me at the school by calling (504) 227-3810. If I am unavailable, I will call you back at my

earliest possible convenience.

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES:

Seating arrangement

Cadets will have an assigned seat and are expected to adhere to the seating arrangement daily.

Beginning of class

a. Upon entering the room, students are greeted with a whiteboard display that includes a DO NOW and a list of

daily objectives and activities. The daily objectives and activities include what homework is due and what topics

will be discussed during the day and an agenda for the day.

b. Cadets should stand quietly at attention by their desk and review the DO NOW, objectives and agenda until the

teacher has finished checking attendance, dress code and has made announcements.

c. Cadets should immediately begin their DO NOW at the teachers command. Cadets will be given 10 minutes to

complete their NOW. If a cadet finishes early, remain quiet and read silently to allow the cadets to finish their

work. Unfinished cadets are expected to finish their DO NOW outside of class. This is NOT a time to complete

unfinished work, if students are caught doing this they will lose points from their DO NOW grade. Disruption

during this time will not be tolerated. This is a time for quiet reflection.

d. All assignments are to be turned in at the beginning of class on the day it is due. A due date means the assignment

should be completed when the student arrives in class; class time will not be given for students to finish

incomplete work. Assignments should be neatly placed in the appropriate “turn-in-bin”. Keep in mind LATE

WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED, you will be given an opportunity to complete an alternate assignment in the

portfolio.

Instruction or Discussion Time a. During instruction, discussion or lecture remains seated at all times, unless otherwise instructed.

b. Cadets are expected to raise their hand to speak during instruction.

c. Cadets are encouraged to participate in discussion and Q&A sessions freely. Cadets are expected to be respectful

of others and their opinion and wait their turn to speak.

World Geography Syllabus 2014 Page 5

___________ 425 O’Bannon Street __________

Parent Initials New Orleans, LA 70114 Cadet Initials

Work time

a. During work time cadets are expected to be working on world geography assignments as individuals unless

otherwise stated by the teacher.

b. You should be working on the assignment for world geography only and no other class work. DO NOT COPY

WORK FOR ANY CLASS. This is academic dishonesty.

c. Use class time to your advantage or you will lose class time to do work = homework.

Leaving Class

a. Do not ask to leave the classroom during instruction or lecture; you will not be allowed (unless otherwise

documented).

b. Cadets will only be allowed to leave in case of an emergency (unless otherwise documented).

c. Only one student is allowed out of the classroom at a time, for any reason.

End of class

a. There is a “re-run/exit-ticket” activity at the end of each class prior to the bell which will be used for review,

reflection and forward-thinking.

b. Cadets should pack items, clean their area and organize classroom materials only when instructed.

Class Dismissal

The bell is an indication that the class period has been completed, however it does not serve as dismissal. Students

should wait for Dr. Wells to dismiss the class in an orderly fashion.

a. Do not pack your items until instructed to be the teacher.

b. Clean your area before the end of class. The teacher will not dismiss the class until the room is clean and the

desks are in order.

c. Stay seated when the bell rings until dismissed by the teacher.

d. Once dismissed, gather all belongings and leave class quietly. The teacher is not responsible for items left in the

classroom.

BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT:

Behavior in a fast-paced and active social studies class can usually be monitored and maintained very quickly.

Discipline will be handled in accordance with NOMMA policy as printed in the student handbook.

a. I aim to recognize positive behavior immediately. Rewards include:

1. Verbal praise

2. Call or letter home

3. Recommendation for merits via JROTC

b. Cadets are expected to conduct themselves as responsible and respectful young men and young women. In the

case of unacceptable behavior, the following consequences may be awarded:

1. 1st infraction report - Warning

2. 2nd

infraction report- Phone call home, students complete “think sheet” at mandatory afterschool

tutoring.

3. 3rd

infraction report - cadet behavior action plan, referral via JROTC (EMI/ISS/Demerits), Phone call

home, parent conference requested

4. Severe Disruptions—removal from class with office referral, phone call home, parent conference

requested.

5. *I reserve the right to skip any of the above steps based on the severity of the action*

*** This initialed syllabus is to be kept in the cadet’s binder at all times ***

World Geography Syllabus 2014 Page 6

___________ 425 O’Bannon Street __________

Parent Initials New Orleans, LA 70114 Cadet Initials

Return by: October 17/20, 2014

Please sign this sheet and initial each page of the syllabus stating that you have read and understand all policies of

this class including the rules, expectations, procedures and consequences of your behavior. By signing this and

initialing all pages, you acknowledge that you have read the guidelines and have agreed to work with Dr. Wells and

NOMMA to insure a safe and productive school year.

Cadet Section:

I_______________________________________________________________ have read and reviewed all policies and

procedures on the course syllabus. By signing this form, I agree to follow these expectations to the best of my ability.

________________________________________ _____________________

Cadet Signature Date

Parent/Guardian Section

I have read and understand all of the policies and procedures on this course syllabus and agree to hold my child

responsible for his/her work in the social studies classroom. I also agree to communicate with Dr. Wells to discuss any

issues or concerns about the cadet listed above.

_____________________________________________ ___________________

Parent/Guardian Signature Date

Contact Information: Please provide the most up-to-date contact information in order for Dr. Wells to contact the

parent or guardian during the day.

________________________________________________ Preferred contact method: (____) Phone

Name (____) Email

(________) _________ - _____________________ (________) _________ - ___________________

Day Time Phone Number Alternate Day Time Phone

______________________________________________________________

Email Address