The focus of this course is to enable students to study political, social, and economic issues and to analyze how these issues have affected the United States. The learning in this course goes beyond rote memorization of historical facts. This course will instead focus on higher level thinking skills, encouraging students to make their own assessments based on the use of valid evidence to support their findings.
Course Objectives - WWII
At the end of this course students will be able to:
1. explain the multiple factors leading to U.S. involvement in WWII,
2. identify Allied and Axis powers on a map, 3. explain wartime strategy and key battles of WWII, 4. identify the roles and sacrifices of the U.S. serviceman in WWII, 5. identify the roles of key individuals in WWII, 6. describe how WWII impacted the U.S. home front, 7. examine key issues of the WWII era-both domestic and foreign,
8. describe major developments in technology during WWII,
9. examine and write critically on the Holocaust and the use of the A-bomb,
10. identify and explain the reasons for the creation of the United Nations.
Required Materials
1. Computer with internet accessibility. 2. Internet Connection: As this is an online course, an Internet connection is required. High speed internet is preferred. 3. Google+ account (Gmail) 4. Antivirus Software - Please make sure to have up to date antivirus software installed and running on your computer.
This online course is divided into a series of learning modules. Each module contains lessons with multiple tasks that must be completed. Once a task is complete, move to the next task in order. Each task has explicit instructions. Should you have a question regarding the task, please contact the instructor as soon as possible.
Pacing: After all tasks in a lesson are complete, you may move to the next lesson. However, if you work ahead, do not forget to reply to the discussion points made by at least two of your peers by the module due date.
Lesson Tasks: Each lesson has tasks which must be completed as directed. We will be working primarily with Google Docs for task completion and submission. Please ensure when sharing that you give your instructor editing rights to your document so that they may make comments and suggestions.
Module Worksheets: The module worksheet have been designed to help keep you in order. They have been created in Google Docs so just click the link, click "file" and "make a copy." Rename with your last name and first and middle initials, then underscore, module#, underscore, lesson# (ex: smithjd_m1_l2). you will submit/share your completed module worksheets by the due date for the module.
Discussions: Each lesson will have a discussion piece on the current topic. You will respond to the discussion within a specified time frame and also be given a time frame to reply back to your peers' posts. This enables students to collaborate and learn from each other's different points of view.
Assessments: The assessments in this course consist of formative assessments (completion of basic tasks within lessons, quizzes) and summative assessments in the form of various projects and a final module exam. The module exam consists of multiple choice, multiple selected response, and constructed response questions. The exam will be comprehensive, covering the entire module. The module exam will be given to all students at one specified time, with a time allotment of one hour given to complete the exam.
Course Schedule: The course schedule can be accessed through the calendar tab on this web site. Start dates for lessons and due dates for lesson tasks will be located on the course calendar.
Grading
This course will be graded according to the grade scale adopted by the school district. This course will use a total points system. As with other honors courses, students in Honors U.S. History may earn up to a possible 103% per semester. If passing with at least a 70% average at the end of the semester, students will receive three percentage points added to their semester grade. (Ex: N1 + N2 = 97% avg, +3 honors points = 100% for semester)
Grading Scale 100-93 = A 92-85 = B 84-75 = C 74-70 = D 69 and below = F
Semester Grading 1st nine weeks = 40% 2nd nine weeks = 40 % Semester Exam = 20% +3 percentage points added to Semester Average if passing
3rd nine weeks= 50 % 4th nine weeks = 50% +3 percentage points added to Semester Average if passing
Course Policies
Time Management: For the most part this is a self-paced online course. As such, good time management is imperative for student success. Please start your modules on time or work ahead as to not fall behind. Online courses take a good measure of self-discipline to complete successfully. Due dates will be posted for each lesson in order to keep you on track for completion of all material by the time of the final exam.
Academic Honesty: As this is an honors-level course, students will maintain a high standard of academic integrity at all times. Students will adhere to the school district's policy on cheating and plagiarism. Breaches of academic honesty may result in expulsion from the course and the loss of access to future honors/online classes.
Behavior:I expect my Honors U.S. History students to be self-motivated, knowledge-seeking individuals. I don’t expect any behavior problems due to your being highly recommended by other teachers. All honors students will be held to a higher standard behavior-wise. There is no excuse for disrespect for a fellow student or teacher during this course. Please apply proper Netiquette at all times when corresponding with both instructor and peers. All instances of disrespectful behavior will be annotated and principal/parent notified that day. I only ask that you always be respectful and come prepared to learn and contribute to the success of the class.
Late Work:To better prepare you for the college level environment, late work will not be accepted. However, since this is still a high school environment I have allowed for two "Mulligans" per nine weeks. A Mulligan gives you one extra day to turn in your assignment. (Ex. Assignment is due at 11:59 pm Friday night. Use a Mulligan and now you have until 11:59pm Saturday night to turn it in for full points.) Please keep in mind you only have TWO Mulligans per nine weeks, so use them wisely!
File Back-up:As this is an online course, you should make sure you always save a copy of your submitted work on your own external drive or cloud system for a backup copy. This will be very beneficial in the case of a sudden crash of your computer system.
Participation:This course is designed for students who have demonstrated a good sense of responsibility. It is up to you to check the web site and your email consistently for due dates, updates from your instructor, etc. You might want to set up due dates on your own calendar and have reminders sent to you through email or even your phone.
Accommodations:Students with disabilities will be accommodated according to their Individual Education Plans or 504 plans.
Final Word from your Instructor I believe you will find this online course different from any course you have had in the past. You will get out of it what you put into it. This is very much a student-driven course, rather than instructor-driven. You will not find an enormous amount of instructor lecturing or group work in the common classroom sense. It will be a different experience but one I think you will come to enjoy if you put your mind to it. I wish you the best and I expect your best. Have a great semester! ~ Mr. Freeman