Welcome Back 2023-2024
It's GO time, Folks!
Welcome to Booker T. Washington High
Dear Scholars, Parents, and Guardians,
Welcome to a new year at Booker T. Washington High School! I am pleased and honored to be your child's 9th-grade World History teacher! I am genuinely looking forward to working with and getting to know each one of my students and their families this year. I pledge that if you participate in our adventure, I will do my best to make learning engaging, meaningful, and fun!
Every student will be challenged daily with rigorous and meaningful instruction aligned with the state content standards. I demand excellence from all of my students and expect every student to put in their best effort every day. This type of learning, however, can only take place with full cooperation from all involved.
Students will be notified in advance of assignments including homework, assessments, and other aspects of our class. This information will be posted in Google Classroom, so it is imperative that your scholar checks it daily.
I will work hard to provide the best instruction possible for my students. However, my dedication is expected to be matched by the student. I look forward to working with you and our child and I hope that through a mutually cooperative effort, we will have an excellent school year! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, I can be reached by email at smithsm@maconk12.org. Stay safe!
Sincerely,
Ms. Shineka Smith
"The world cares very little what you or I know, but it does care a great deal about what you or I do." ~Booker T. Washington
Course Description
This course provides students with a comprehensive, intensive study of major events and themes in world history geared toward an understanding and appreciation of history as a story of people much like themselves. This course is a survey of world history beginning circa 1500 with the Renaissance through the post-Cold War of the early 21st century. The course helps students form connections between diverse areas of the world using the themes of trade, migration, and centers of world power. The course also emphasizes the development of reading, writing, analytical and research skills necessary for understanding historical materials. Students encounter a variety of learning activities and materials, including maps, college-level readings, document-based questions, Socratic seminars, analysis of primary and secondary historical documents, and library sources.
Course Objectives
This course will follow the standard objectives derived from the Alabama Department of Education Course of Study in Social Studies (ACOS) as well as the College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS) that will also be used for Ninth Grade Social Studies.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." ~Nelson Mandela
Materials, Textbooks, and Technology
- Students can use a three-ring binder, folder, or spiral notebook for daily bellringers and notes.
- Pencils/Pens
- World History, Modern Times textbook, and an online edition will be provided in Google Classroom. The use of other textbooks will be posted in Google Classroom as well.
- iPad
- Wi-Fi
- A Google Classroom invite will be emailed to students at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year. Students MUST accept the invitation for the class. A Google Classroom Code will also be given to each block by the teacher. Students should not share their class code.
Note: Donated supplies throughout the year are welcomed and greatly appreciated!
"History will be kind to me for I intend to write it." ~Winston Churchill
Classroom Rules and Expectations
It is natural to be a little nervous about doing something new and joining and participating appropriately in a classroom is no exception. These rules also apply to both in-person and virtual learning platforms for World History.
Additional Netiquette Rules
"The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence." ~Confucius
Grading Policy
- World History Assignments--25%
- Major Tests/Special Projects--25%
- Writing Assignments--15%
- Homework--15%
- Quizzes--10%
- Class Participation--10%
- There will be opportunities to earn EXTRA CREDIT when deemed by the teacher.
Traditional Grading Scale
- A = 90%--100%
- B = 80%--89%
- C = 70%--79%
- D = 60%--69%
- F = 0%--59%
- Students will be notified immediately if there are any grading scale changes.
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” ~Malcolm X
Contact Information
Ms. S. Smith
- Office Hours: Monday---Friday--(Please make all potential parent conference inquiries through the Counseling Department.)
- Booker T. Washington High School: (334) 727-0073
- Email: smithsm@maconk12.org
- Ms. Smith's Google Classroom: Yay! Stay tuned for student invites!
- Ms. Smith's Google Meet Meetings: Stay tuned for invites if needed for virtual learning.
- More communication platforms will be used as the school year continues. Students who do not have access to any of the available online platforms can always email their class assignments.