It's hard to believe, but another summer has gone by. Administration, support staff and teachers here at JHMS have been busily preparing for an exceptional year of learning! Below, I am pasting the 8th Grade US History Course Expectations. Students will receive a paper copy of this on the first day of class. Please review and contact me with any and all questions!
I am excited to see you all soon:)
JHMS Vision Statement:
Jackson Hole Middle School provides students with an innovative and exceptional education that instills integrity and promotes achievement in a diverse world.
Jackson Hole Middle School Course Syllabus
Teacher: David Wells
Course Title: US History pre-Columbian to Civil War
Website: www.exploringhistoryjhms.blogspot.com -- Please Check for updates!
Course Standard Projects:
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 and in their community.
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 5 dividers and lined paper for handout materials
# 2 pencils w/erasers
A course textbook will be used lightly. A wide variety of supplemental materials and multi-media will be distributed accessed in- class.
Course Grading Specifics: % of total grade
Unit Assessments and Projects 40%
Quizzes/ Short written assignments 30%
Homework 20%
Current Events 10%
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 absence, students have two days to make up the missed work. Students and parents are responsible for obtaining pre-excused absence forms for every missed class.
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% 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.