DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

 

Olympus Junior High School                                                              NAME_________________

8^th Grade – AMERICAN/U.S. HISTORY                                     Assignment #____________

Textbook:  The American Nation                                                       Date___________________

Mrs. Miller – Consultation      1^st Semester – 5^th Period                     Period__________________

                                              2^nd Semester – 3^rd Period                   Score__________________

E-Mail Address:  sjmiller@graniteschools.org

Teacher Web Page:  olympusjr.org  or  my.uen.org/5161

 

A.        OVERALL COURSE OBJECTIVES

 

Each student will:

 

1.                  Improve knowledge of basic study skills and DRSL’s.

2.                  Increase creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving skills.

3.                  Enhance media center and technological skills.

4.                  Understand geographical themes, formations, features, & layout of the Americas.

5.                  Gain knowledge of important historical cultures, people, events and chronology that helped shape the Americas, and current issues facing US citizens today.

6.                  Continue to practice and develop the “Community of Caring Values”.

7.                  Be a good citizen and have FUN learning.

 

B.        ACADEMIC GRADE – Based on two areas - 50% each.

 

1.         ASSIGNMENTS will make up 50% of the grade – make sure all assignments are turned in on the due date.  NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED!  All assignments will be kept in the student’s Master 3-Ring Binder and will be brought to class daily.

 

2.         TERM PROJECTS & TESTS will make up 50% of the grade. (1 project per term)

 

Up to 10 points of EXTRA CREDIT will be allowed per term.  It will be added to the Assignment Grade and is DUE the Friday BEFORE the term ends.  (List of extra credit project ideas attached)

 

PERCENTAGES of grade will be as follows:

A = 90-100%, B = 80-89%, C = 67-79%, D = 55-66%, F = 54% and below.

 

C.        CITIZENSHIP GRADE – Based on behavior, (i.e. attitude, attendance, punctuality, etc.)

 

The District/School Citizenship and Attendance Policy will be followed.  The grades of 4,3,2,1, and 0 will be awarded according to the student’s contribution in class.  Serious or repeated negative behaviors warrant a “0” grade.  Examples:  truancy, 4+ tardies, profanity, vulgarity, repeated disruptive and inappropriate behavior, and cheating.  (See attached - “A First Class School”)

 

A FIRST CLASS SCHOOL

“CITIZENSHIP GUIDELINES”

 

It is the teacher’s responsibility to determine citizenship grades for their students.  Citizenship marks are based on student compliance with the District/School Citizenship and Attendance Policy.  The following descriptive behaviors determine a student’s citizenship grade.

 

Typical Behavior of the Honor – “4” Student

 

1.                  Student behavior is exceptional and reflects the values of Community of Caring.

2.                  Student is a positive contribution to class atmosphere.

3.                  Student meets behavior expectations of the teacher and class rules.

4.                  Student’s attendance and punctuality are evident.

5.                  Student will complete one service project, at least 3 hours AFTER school.

(see Mrs. Miller for project requirement ideas.)

6.                  Citizenship grade should not be given on the basis of a single incident.

 

Typical Behavior of the Good – “3” Student

 

1.                  Student behavior depicts being a good citizen.

2.                  Student is a positive contribution to class a good portion of the time.

3.                  Student makes a few mistakes but has a good attitude and wants to improve.

4.                  Student’s attendance and punctuality are taken into account.

5.                  Citizenship grade should reflect the student’s overall behavior.

 

Typical Behavior of the Satisfactory – “2” Student

 

1.                  Student conduct is cooperative and shows respect in class.

2.                  Student does not deliberately commit offenses against rules and associates.

3.                  Student makes typical mistakes, learns from them and avoids repeating them.

4.                  Student’s attendance and punctuality is acceptable.

5.                  Citizenship grade should reflect the student’s overall behavior.

 

Typical Behavior of the Poor – “1” Student

 

1.                  Student has minor infractions that are repeated and tolerated.

2.                  Student is reminded and corrected to conform often.

3.                  Student behavior is usually thoughtless, careless or less disciplined.

4.                  Student has been absent or tardy but not habitually.

5.                  Citizenship grade should reflect a needs improvement status.

 

Typical Behavior of the Failure – “0” Student

 

1.                  Student breaks rules frequently without concern.

2.                  Student shows uncooperative, irresponsible, disrespectful attitude.

3.                  Student becomes a distraction from class and teacher objectives.

4.                  Student is excessively absent and or tardy.

5.                  Student has had a serious incident in the class or with the teacher.

 

 

AMERICAN HISTORY - CLASS REQUIREMENTS and RULES

 

 

 

Be to class on TIME with the following required supplies:

1.      Textbook.

2.      Master 3-Ring Binder

a.       Divider pages

b.      Student Planner

c.       Disclosure Statement

d.      Assignments in consecutive order:  #’s 1,2,3, etc.

e.       Extra paper for notes and assignments

f.       Ruler

g.      Individual Pencil Sharpener (for sharpening colored pencils)

3.      Writing utensils:  pen, pencil, colored pencils, markers, etc.

4.      A “Positive Attitude”, ready to learn.

5.      A reading book on test days.

 

You may also bring a water bottle to class.

 

By practicing the “Community of Caring Values” we learn to

1.      RESPECT ourselves, others, property, and individual differences.

2.      CARE about ourselves, others and property.

3.      take RESPONSIBILITY for our own choices and actions.

4.      be an HONEST and TRUSTWORTHY person.

5.      value our FAMILY relationships.

 

 

Adherence to the following class rules will ensure a cooperative learning environment:

1.      Follow Directions.

2.                  Be IN SEAT (not just in room) by the tardy bell.

3.      Bring required supplies.

4.            Refrain from bringing cell phones, electronic devices, food, gum, pop,

      headsets, weapons, backpacks, etc.

5.      Speak or move from seat by permission only.

6.      Be considerate and courteous to everyone and everything!

 

 

The following consequences will be administered for failure to obey Citizenship Policy:

1.      1^st offense - WARNING (name on board/verbal).

2.                  2^nd offense - Zero “0” added to name on board, lose citizenship points for the day (10 pts.), and stay 30 seconds after bell.

3.                  3^rd offense - Second zero added to name on board, lose citizenship points for the following day, stay 1 minute after bell, and parent called.

4.      4^th offense - Send to TIME OUT, and parent called.

5.      5^th or serious offense - Referral to Vice Principal, and parent called.

 

 

LIST OF EXTRA CREDIT PROJECT POSSIBILITIES

 

AMERICAN – U.S. HISTORY

 

10 points maximum

 

***Project must be related to American History***

 

Student may do one or more of the following:

 

1.   Written or Oral Reports (Examples:  persons, places, cultures, conflicts, politics, art, events, etc.).  Gather information by:

 

a.       Reading

-           Books

-           Newspaper or magazine articles

-           Internet sources

b.      Interviewing people

c.       Observing or participating in:

-           Current events, newscasts, television or video programs, etc.

-           Visit important places in the Americas

 

*    Reports MUST be in student’s own words.  Plagiarizing is illegal!

 

*    “RULE OF THUMB”:  1 hour reading, researching, and/or interviewing usually equals  1 page of writing.  1 page of writing equals 1 - 10 points.

 

*    Oral reports will be given in class if time permits, otherwise teacher will schedule a time for student to give report after school.  Points TBA.

 

 

1. Create a Bulletin Board, Poster, or Art Project  to place in the classroom.  Points TBA.

 

1. Memorize entire/portions of Important Historical Documents such as the Preamble to the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Gettysburg Address, etc. – to be orally given in class or for the teacher.  Points TBA.

 

1. Project ideas  listed at the end of the chapters.  Points TBA.

 

 

 

 

*NOTE:  You are not limited to these possibilities; of course there are more ideas.  If you wish to do something else, no problem, just get teacher approval first.