DuSable Leadership Academy African History and Chicago History 2012-2013 Academic Year Instructor: Mama Nicole Email:

[email protected] Class Twitter: @DLA_AfroCHI Class Website:

"The day will come when history will speak... Africa will write its own history... it will be a history of glory and dignity." - Patrice Lumumba

Welcome! My name is Nicole Luke and I will be your African and Chicago History teacher for the 2012-2013 academic year. I look forward to us working together. This is a split semester course, the first 20 weeks of school; students will be studying the continent of Africa and its rich history. The second 20 weeks of school, students will be studying the history of Chicago with respect to African Americans. During this course students will not be only learning history, but doing history as well. Reading and thinking like professional historians, students will practice taking information from a variety of sources and developing their own interpretations and supporting them with evidence. Accompanied with their text books, students will be using a variety of historical sources during their time in this course for example: photographs, documents, political cartoons, speeches, artifacts, art, newspapers, graphs, maps, etc. It is vital for students to continuously examine their own identity within the context of African History. In order to understand ourselves as African Americans today, we must understand our history and heritage as it is traced back to our African origins. Materials 2in to 3in 3 Ring Binder (Only keep work pertaining to African and Chicago History in this binder) 4 binder dividers with tabs (Graded Work, Notes, Readings/Handouts, bell ringers) Ink Pens (only black or blue ink) Loose-leaf Paper Only (no notebooks please) 1 Flash Drive (can be used for another class as well) Highlighter

Classroom Expectations Students are expected to come prepared every day. This includes bringing their binder, book, the assigned homework for the evening, highlighter and pen. Daily communication and discussions are vital to maintain our learning community. Therefore students are expected to be active members in all classroom activities. The DuSable Leadership Academy Dress Code and Discipline Code will be strictly enforced in our classroom. Also the Ujima Classroom Agreement (which is included with this syllabus) will be the agreement between all students and myself to ensure that our class is the best learning environment for everyone. African History Course Outline (Semester One) Unit 1 World Geography and Map Skills Unit 2 Culture and Geography of Africa Unit 3 Ancient and Medieval Africa Unit 4 Colonization, Imperialism, Independence, and Modern Africa Chicago History Course Outline (Semester Two) Unit 5 1779-1918 Early Chicago Unit 6 1919-1940 Riots to Resistance Unit 7 1941-1968 Politics, Power, and Pride Unit 8 1969-Present the plight for the future. Attendance Students are expected to come to class everyday on time. Being tardy and unexcused absences will not be permitted. If you are absent for any reason, upon your return to class students must present a note written and signed by a parent explaining the absence. Seating Charts Students will have assigned seats throughout the school year. The seats will be subject to change due to my discretion. Late Work Policy Students are expected to keep up with the class each day. If you have an issue that affects your ability to keep up with the class-work, please be sure to speak with Mama Nicole as soon as possible. . Late homework will not be accepted more than 1 day after its original due date. (Late HW will be assessed a penalty of off.) Major Projects will be reduced one letter grade for each day they are late. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to check the class twitter page and website to retrieve all missing work and complete upon your return to school. You will have as many days as you were out to complete the makeup work for full credit.

Daily Openers (Bellringers) Everyday, upon the beginning of class students will have a question they must answer. Students will answer these questions on loose-leaf paper and keep them under the Bellringers tab of their binders. Bellringers will be collected and counted for points every month as apart of a monthly binder check. Binder checks will be a percentage of the Classwork & Participation grade. Grading Scale*: A = 100 90 B= 89 80 C= 79 70 D = 69 60 F= 59 and below Grading Weights: Quizzes & Mid-Unit Assessment Homework 15% Semester Signature Projects 20% Classwork & Participation 25% Unit Assessments

10%

30%

*If you have an IEP, then that will dictate your scale Cell Phone and/or Electronics Cellular phones, iPods, MP3 players, headphones, tablets, and any other electronic devices are not permitted during class time. I reserve the right to confiscate any electronic devices I see during class time. Upon me confiscating a device, a parent conference will need to take place before the device is returned. If a student needs to check the class twitter or the class website, they can do so at home.

The Ujima Classroom Agreement

Out of the 7 principles of the Nguzo Saba, Ujima (meaning collective work and responsibility) embodies the attitude, work ethic, and behavior we would like all of us to display during class. Below is a set agreement between the students and myself that will ensure that we are able to have the Best learning environment possible. 1. Be Prepared -Be on time, and sit in your assigned seat -Have assignments completed and ready to turn in -Be in proper dress code 2. Be Respectful -Be polite to your teacher and fellow classmates -Respect other peoples space and property (Keep Your Hands and Belongings to yourself). -Be Respectful of me and the rest of the class by entering quietly and with a pass if you are tardy or have to step out. 3. Be Focused -Direct your complete attention to this class and this class period. 4. Knowledge is your only nutrition while in our room -No electronics needed -No Food or drink is needed (a water bottle with a re-sealable top is permitted.)

Parent/Guardian Agreement & Questionnaire The purpose of this signature is to acknowledge that you and your student have reviewed the syllabus together and that you both agree to its terms. As an African-Centered School DuSable Leadership Academy embodies the traditional African proverb, It Takes a Village to raise a Child and we recognize how important it is for students, parents, and teachers to work collaboratively in order to ensure the success of all our students. Your students first homework assignment for the course is to get this Parent/Guardian Agreement & Questionnaire completed and returned to me by Friday September 7th 2012. I look forward to working with you and your student this academic year.

I _____________________________________ acknowledge that I have read this

Print Parent/Guardian Name

syllabus with my student.

Parent/Guardian Signature

Date

Contact Information Student Name:____________________________________ ___________________ Parents Name (s):_________________________________________________________ Email Address: ___________________________________________________________ Phone Number (Cell): ____________________________________________________ Phone Number (Home): ___________________________________________________ Please indicate the best time to contact you via phone (check all that apply): Early Morning (5am-6: 30a) CHECKBOX > MACROBUTTON HTMLDirect Afternoon (6th period Lunch) CHECKBOX > MACROBUTTON HTMLDirect Evening (4pm-6pm) CHECKBOX > MACROBUTTON HTMLDirect Late Evening (7pm-9pm) CHECKBOX > MACROBUTTON HTMLDirect <INPUT TYPE=\ <INPUT TYPE=\ <INPUT TYPE=\ <INPUT TYPE=\

*If none of these times are possible for you, and I can make accommodations. Do you and your student have Internet access at home? Circle One Yes No

Class Twitter and Website Agreement Class Twitter: @DLA_AfroCHI Class Website: This year I have decided to utilize all of the technology resources available to effectively communicate with students. Above is the listed class twitter page and class website. I encourage all students of the Africa/Chicago History course to follow the twitter page to receive any updates and reminders regarding homework assignments, due dates, and announcements. Also this year we have a class website that will have the actual assignments and handouts posted online. IT WILL BE THE SOLE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO CHECK THE WEBSITE AND TWITTER PAGE REGULARLY FOR THEIR NIGHLY ASSIGNMENTS. IF THEY DID NOT GET THEM IN CLASS. ALSO IF A STUDENT MISSESS DAYS OF SCHOOL, ALL ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE POSTED DAILY. STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR MISSING WORK. NO EXCUSES. We have two computer labs available at school for those who do not have Internet access.

Technology is an innovative and useful tool that can enhance our classroom experience, however checking the classroom twitter and website are NOT PERMITTED during classtime. These are resources you can use outside of class in order to keep up with the workload. The classroom twitter page WILL NOT follow your personal twitter page back, meaning I will not receive your tweets. This twitter page must be used responsibly, and any activity that I find questionable will be reported to the school administration as well as your parents. The classroom twitter page is restricted, meaning I will have to accept your twitter follow request in order for you to access the news feed. Please list your twitter address below so I know your name and I can accept your request. Student Twitter Name: _____________________________________________________ By signing this agreement I, as well as my parent, understand the formal uses and responsibilities of the classroom twitter page and classroom website. ________________________________ Student (Print Name) ________________________________ Student (Signature) ______________________________ Parent (Print Name) ______________________________ Parent (Signature)