Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to my home page!  It will be under construction through my first year, but it will be a source of information for you if you need to find out what is required or what to make up in the event that you/your child misses a class.  I am excited about joining the MVRHS faculty and working with your child!

Regardless of where you are headed after high school, I believe that every student can use the information and skills taught in US History and US Government and that every student can be successful.    I look forward to working with you and your family to ensure a successful year for you.  Good luck and come to class ready to investigate the many issues that make up your country's unique history.

Here is some information to help you be successful.  Please take a moment to read the philosophy, goals and expectations for this class.

A)   Philosophy of my class (US and Gov):   

        As the bumper stickers remind us, "Democracy is not a spectator sport.  Get involved." or "The world is run by  

        those who show up.  Get involved."  Citizens need to know how to think critically and to express themselves     

        effectively.  Being a participant in this class will be good training for being a participant in your society.  Get     

        involved.  Your opinion counts!

B)   Goals for both the US History and US Government courses:

1)      Information:  In order to participate in your democracy, you will need a working knowledge or your country's    

        history and political systems.  You won't need to know everything, and I will give you outlines of the important        

        stuff on which you will be assessed.

2)      Skills:  You will practice these skills that will be useful to you no matter what you choose to do after high   

        school:

        a)      research:  gathering information independently

        b)      interpretation: examining primary sources, understanding perspective, using information in      

                        expressing yourself

        c)      analysis and synthesis: thinking critically about information and drawing your own conclusions

        d)      persuasive reasoning: presenting your opinion in a reasoned way orally and in writing

        e)      problem solving: working with others to address issues

        d)     discussion of issues, understanding another's point of view

3)      To be challenging and fun: The class will involve simulations of past events to enhance understanding so it will        

        also be fun!

C)   Expectations and Grading:

        1)      General and important: The first and most important expectation is that you will be constructively      

        involved in the activities of the class whether verbally or otherwise.  Positive participation will be part of  

        your grade.

        2)      Participation:  Participation can take many forms in addition to verbal involvement in discussions.     

        Everyone is encouraged to be verbally involved since there will be many issues discussed.

        3)      Homework: To achieve the goals above you will need to do some independent preparation (aka      

        homework).  I will provide you with guidance (study guides) about what you need to know from the        

        preparation.  Completing the study guides will allow you to take full advantage of the class.  Completing       

        study guides will be part of your grade.

        4)      Quizzes and tests:  These are standard ways of assessing what you have learned.  The study guides are           your review material.

        5)      Writing: There will be short writing assignments - usually the 5 paragraph, persuasive essay.  A        

        grading rubric will show you how to complete these assignments.

        6)      Project:  Everyone will have one research project per semester, and you will have choice about what     

        you would like to investigate in more depth.

        7)      Keeping a complete class journal:  You will be adding to this journal (provided to you) in three        

        sections as the class progresses.  

                a)      journal writing that typically starts class

                b)      completed study guides for homework

                c)      graded and returned work so you can track your progress

Grading (everyone's favorite!):

        Homework: 20%

                Most readings will come with a study guide and these will be evaluated.  Study guides and               class notes may be used on quizzes, but may not be used on tests.  Good HW preparation will             easily translate into good quiz grades!

                

        Quizzes: 20%

                Some will be announced and some not.  Students may use their in-class binder (supplied to               them) to store completed study guides and may use them on the quizzes.

        Participation: 20%

                This is assessed through journal writing, keeping a complete in-class binder, and engaging in  

                class activiities positively.

        Tests, Projects, Essays: 40%

                There will be opportunities for different types of assessments in the course of the year.