Jackson Hole Middle School Course Syllabus
Teacher: David Wells
Course Title: US History pre-Columbian to the Civil War
Website: www.exploringhistoryjhms.blogspot.com -- Please Check for updates!
Course Standards:
Local 8th grade History content and performance standards: Revised during the 07-08 school year
1. Native America Research Paper – For many students, this will be their first complete research paper. Emphasis is on the critical processes and skills of research and writing in today’s media-rich world.
2. US Constitution Test and Essays – Emphasis on structure and current application of the founding document in students’ lives.
3. Westward Expansion/Old West Periodical – Students create an authentic newspaper based around student-chosen topics ranging from Lewis & Clark to local Wyoming history.
4. Civil War Literature Circles - Students choose Civil War related novels and assume roles in lit. circles. Assessment is based on students’ ability to relate their novels to overarching time-period themes.
Objectives:
* Students will practice and develop critical thinking and analysis skills as they relate to various historical materials and media.
*Students will develop research, reading, note taking and writing skills.
* Students will familiarize with school-wide composition, and writing assessment systems.
* Students will examine cause and effect in early US History and explore its connection to the present.
* Thematic Focuses include:
Constitution
Community
Cultures
Conflict
Contours of Freedom
Current Events
Course Materials/Supplies:
3 Ring Binder with lined paper for handout materials
# 2 pencils w/erasers
A course textbook and a variety of supplemental materials will be distributed in- class.
Course Grading Specifics:
% of total grade
Unit Assessments and Projects
40%
Quizzes/ Short written assignments 30%
Homework 10%
Current Events 10%
Performance Points 10%
Students receive 25 performance points at the beginning of each academic quarter. They may lose the points when a negative behavior is asked to be changed twice in the same class. School-wide Positive Behavior Program is also followed.
Grading Scale:
A+ Above 97.5% A 97.5-92.5% A- 92.5-90%
B+ 89-87.5% B 87.5-82.5% B- 82.5-80%
C+ 79-77.5% C 77.5-72.5% C- 72.5-72%
D+ 69-67.5% D 67.5-62.5% D- 62.5-62%
F below 60%
Homework: Reading is the basis for American studies and will therefore make up the basis for most HW assignments. HW is also assigned to reinforce concepts discussed in class. In order to fully participate in class, a student MUST complete the assignment. Assignments will be provided in class, and can also be found on the class blog/website.
Make Up Procedures: Students are responsible for managing missed or incomplete assignments. For everyday absent, students have two days to make up the missed work.
Late Work: For smaller, daily assignments late work will receive a 50% until the end of the content unit. For larger projects, assignment scores decrease 10% per daily.
Special Notes: Parents/Guardians, please include an e-mail address on the return portion of this form. I am forming e-mail lists for each 8th grade class and will be sending notices and reminders home regularly.
**Please find HW assignments, updates and HW info at
www.exploringhistoryjhms@blogspot.com
Contact Information: Please feel free to contact me at any time with your questions or concerns. Our classroom is always open to parents/guardians of students.
dwells@teton1.k12.wy.us
JHMS phone 733-4234 ext, 3101
www.exploringhistoryjhms.blogspot.com