CROSSINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - SS 8012 - CHILDS

Welcome to 8th Grade Social Studies: History of the United States

Mr. John B. Childs, Jr. Instructor

B.A. The College of Wooster M.A. University of Oklahoma jchilds@crossingsschool.org

COURSE SYLLABUS 1
Kill Date: Evergreen

CROSSINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - SS 8012 - CHILDS

COURSE DESCRIPTION: We will explore the rich history of America from the settlement of the ancient Ice Age inhabitants of these lands to the hard-won freedoms for which Americans bled and died in a heartbreaking Civil War one hundred and fifty years ago. SKILLS WE WILL EMPLOY AND DEVELOP: to evaluate empirical data and form reasoned conclusions to communicate clearly and effectively in standard written and verbal forms to describe major events in the nations history and their significance to Americans of all generations to comprehend the variety of Native American cultures that thrived prior to European settlement in the New World to understand the role of European imperialism, mercantilism, colonization, and globalization in reshaping the Americas to evaluate the various interests and perspectives represented in that event that we know as the American Revolution to chart the social, economic, political, cultural, technological, and industrial growth of the young republic in the first four score years of life to examine the forces leading to the secession of the Southern States. to read and interpret the United States Constitution and the amendments ratified in response to the Civil War with special attention paid to implications for civil rights.

INSTRUCTOR EXPECTATIONS: Behavior and attitude befitting followers of Jesus Christ. It is not about us. It is all about Him. At the end of the day, may we remember that the most important thoughts that we have all day are our thoughts of God.

Assignment Policy: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY Having established this understanding please be advised that this instructor does not babysit. One more year and you will be high school students. High school instructors should not chase your work and neither will I. Assignments are due and tests are scheduled as stated at the outset on this syllabus on Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Fridays. Should you be absent due to a school sponsored activity, you are still responsible for submitting the assignment on time. If you have taken ill, you have the day on which you return to class to submit your assignment or make up your test unless a parent, guardian, or counselor has

COURSE SYLLABUS 2
Kill Date: Evergreen

CROSSINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - SS 8012 - CHILDS

made prior arrangements with me. Home equipment malfunction will not be accepted as an excuse for late or missing work. It is your responsibility to alert your parent or guardian of the necessity of an electronic infrastructure in your home. If the broadband bill has not been paid or the ink cartridges are dry, it might not be your fault, but neither is it mine. Likewise, if your internet privileges have been revoked due to domestic disciplinary action, understand that you have compounded your own problem; your assignment is still due. If your ISP (internet service provider) has a system-wide failure, it usually makes the national news. This being the case, the instructor will take note and grant an appropriate extension. If your email account has problems, you are not alone. I sent it. Didnt you get it? is not acceptable. If an email is bounced back due to any sort of problem, the sender is usually notified within fifteen minutes. It is your responsibility to double-check. Grading Policy This instructor abides by the letter grading policy adopted by Crossings Christian School. Please refer to your student handbook for the particulars. Regarding the weight of the work that you do in this class, this is the emphasis you may expect. Daily Work: 30% Weekly Assessments, Tests, Quizzes: 30% Semester Papers: 20% Semester Exam: 20% Clear grading rubrics will accompany individual assignments as necessary. Please ask questions if there is anything unclear about any assignment. Please make your inquiry within 48 hours of the assignment due date. Any assignment submitted the day following the date due will be subject the 70% highest attainable grade rule. No submissions will be accepted if they are dated in the instructors email after the midnight following the calendar due date. For example, if an assignment is due on August 28th, the student has until 11:59:59 PM on August 29th for the submission to be received into the instructors email inbox. Daily Work As you move into high school, the emphasis on your work will move toward your independent study with a greater percentage of your grade being derived from semester papers and final exams. In this final year of your middle school experience, however, the instructor places the greater premium on daily and weekly work for the sake of building those skills that will insure success over the long term. The Brilliant Minimums Rule works thus: This instructor defines the minimum length of a properly written English paragraph as four (4) sentences, each complete with a subject and agreeing predicate. Let

COURSE SYLLABUS 3
Kill Date: Evergreen

CROSSINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL - SS 8012 - CHILDS

us understand that if a student delivers only that minimum that the paragraph being a truly brilliant one, the highest grade possible is a B+, as in B for Brilliant. The same policy will hold for assignments with pages or word counts of a minimum length. Semester Papers Two papers are assigned for this class. Times New Roman 12pt is the assigned font. Margins are 1 inch all around. Some word processing and printer settings require adjustments to this standard. This instructor teaches and assesses the Chicago-Turabian standards of citation. Specific page/word counts will be given at the time the themes are assigned. For purposes of electronic submission, we will regard 330 words equivalent to one page of text. In terms of the Brilliant Minimums Rule, should the paper assigned require a minimum of ten pages or 3300 words and a student submits a ten page paper, a B+ or 89% will be the highest attainable grade. If, for example, a student submits nine pages and any fraction of a page, the submission will be returned for no credit and the day late 70% highest attainable grade rule will apply for the minimum requirement being turned in the following day. Tests Chapter tests are given roughly every other Friday. Certainly, the rhythm of school life with vacation days and special events necessitate some flexibility. If life takes turns that do not permit us to test over a certain chapter, then cest la vie. Thats what exams are for. This instructor teaches a particular notetaking style. Students may use the textbook notes if it is determined that instructions have been followed and the notes are complete. The Brilliant Minimums Rule will not apply here. The notes are either complete or incomplete. Semester Exams These cumulative assessments will apply to material covered exclusively during the prior semester. While the general knowledge covered by previous chapter tests and lesson-based assignments may provide the foundation of the exam, synthesis of new knowledge from established facts is the essence of the work of the historian. The exam essays will test the students ability to express this new learning in clear, properly written English. Contact The instructor is available by appointment in Room 203 each Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday after last period unless faculty meetings are called or other school activities are scheduled. Sign-up sheets for 20minute sessions will be posted each Friday for the following week. Students and parents may email jchilds@crossingsschool.org at any time and expect a response within 48 hours.

COURSE SYLLABUS 4
Kill Date: Evergreen