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Major revisions to this page will be up by late August, 2020, describing the class as it will be conducted during Distance Learning 3.0. The general purposes of the class, content, and expectations, however, are consistent with the pre-COVID version below.
Major revisions to this page will be up by late August, 2020, describing the class as it will be conducted during Distance Learning 3.0. The general purposes of the class, content, and expectations, however, are consistent with the pre-COVID version below.
ABOUT MR. PETERSEN'S 8th GRADE CHALLENGE U.S. HISTORY:
ABOUT MR. PETERSEN'S 8th GRADE CHALLENGE U.S. HISTORY:
The course:
The course:
Challenge U.S. History is for all students and is a vigorous academic experience in a classroom environment dedicated to scholarly advancement. The class will employ many learning and study techniques that lay the foundation for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate coursework in High School (think, "Pre-Pre-AP"). There will be projects, simulations, and an emphasis on primary source documents. Some assignments may dovetail with the Challenge English class, but because enrollment in the two classes is not an exact match, we will not fully integrate the two.
Challenge U.S. History is for all students and is a vigorous academic experience in a classroom environment dedicated to scholarly advancement. The class will employ many learning and study techniques that lay the foundation for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate coursework in High School (think, "Pre-Pre-AP"). There will be projects, simulations, and an emphasis on primary source documents. Some assignments may dovetail with the Challenge English class, but because enrollment in the two classes is not an exact match, we will not fully integrate the two.
A calendar is issued at the beginning of the year detailing the assignments, pages to be read, material to be covered on quizzes and tests, and suggestions for study. The calendar is posted on Mr. Petersen's webpage on the KJH website. Work missed due to absence must be made up immediately.
A calendar is issued at the beginning of the year detailing the assignments, pages to be read, material to be covered on quizzes and tests, and suggestions for study. The calendar is posted on Mr. Petersen's webpage on the KJH website. Work missed due to absence must be made up immediately.
Materials:
Materials:
Every student must have a notebook, or three-ring binder, for writing, note-taking, and small in-class assignments. Students must come to class with an adequate supply of reliable blue or black ink pens (erasable recommended) and paper (8 1/2 X 11, please). The text for this class is History Alive! and is checked out to the student. It must be brought to class daily. Students are also issued a consumable workbook, also brought daily. Replacement workbooks cost $6. The many other textbooks, readers, anthologies, and booklets ("supplementary readings") we will use are left in the classroom. They are checked out on an as-needed basis for homework assignments or projects.
Every student must have a notebook, or three-ring binder, for writing, note-taking, and small in-class assignments. Students must come to class with an adequate supply of reliable blue or black ink pens (erasable recommended) and paper (8 1/2 X 11, please). The text for this class is History Alive! and is checked out to the student. It must be brought to class daily. Students are also issued a consumable workbook, also brought daily. Replacement workbooks cost $6. The many other textbooks, readers, anthologies, and booklets ("supplementary readings") we will use are left in the classroom. They are checked out on an as-needed basis for homework assignments or projects.
Textbooks – Students are financially responsible for the condition the History Alive! text, and will be fined for damages according to district policy. Fines are based on the age of the book, and are either full replacement value (new book = $95) or half replacement value (half new book = $47.50). All liquid damage (water, coffee, rain, etc.) is automatically the higher fine. Therefore, students are required to cover their books with a book cover.
Textbooks – Students are financially responsible for the condition the History Alive! text, and will be fined for damages according to district policy. Fines are based on the age of the book, and are either full replacement value (new book = $95) or half replacement value (half new book = $47.50). All liquid damage (water, coffee, rain, etc.) is automatically the higher fine. Therefore, students are required to cover their books with a book cover.
Rules:
Rules:
School rules and policies are in effect. In class, all people are to be treated with respect and courtesy. There are to be no put-downs, nor is there to be behavior that disrupts the learning process.
School rules and policies are in effect. In class, all people are to be treated with respect and courtesy. There are to be no put-downs, nor is there to be behavior that disrupts the learning process.
Students are to be seated and quiet when the bell rings to start class, and they are to be seated and quiet in a clean, orderly room when the bell rings to dismiss them.
Students are to be seated and quiet when the bell rings to start class, and they are to be seated and quiet in a clean, orderly room when the bell rings to dismiss them.
Food, gum, and toys, being distractions from learning, are not allowed. Dress code strictly enforced.
Food, gum, and toys, being distractions from learning, are not allowed. Dress code strictly enforced.
Grading:
Grading:
In this class, performance is what counts. There is no generating-of-paper to pile up "points". There is no academic credit for non-academic actions and activities. THERE IS NO "EXTRA CREDIT."
In this class, performance is what counts. There is no generating-of-paper to pile up "points". There is no academic credit for non-academic actions and activities. THERE IS NO "EXTRA CREDIT."
Standards for performance in all areas and aspects of the subject are posted. Students are expected to strive to meet the highest standard. Students not achieving must do remedial work. Papers, projects and presentations not meeting minimum standards must be redone; work that is passing may be redone for a better grade. (Second tries must be done promptly, within a day or two -- there will be no frantic essay rewrites on the last day of the term! There are no third attempts.) There is no grading penalty for redone work.
Standards for performance in all areas and aspects of the subject are posted. Students are expected to strive to meet the highest standard. Students not achieving must do remedial work. Papers, projects and presentations not meeting minimum standards must be redone; work that is passing may be redone for a better grade. (Second tries must be done promptly, within a day or two -- there will be no frantic essay rewrites on the last day of the term! There are no third attempts.) There is no grading penalty for redone work.
Performance in U.S. History is graded in the categories comprising the Social Sciences according to the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements. See rubrics for definitions and expectations.
Performance in U.S. History is graded in the categories comprising the Social Sciences according to the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements. See rubrics for definitions and expectations.
Grades are converted to grade points (A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0) and weighted (a small, in-class written exercise is worth a fraction of the mark earned for a major test or essay). Thus the student builds a GPA throughout the trimester. Different categories within subject areas may carry different weights based on importance and frequency of use. Many activities are graded in more than one category.
Grades are converted to grade points (A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0) and weighted (a small, in-class written exercise is worth a fraction of the mark earned for a major test or essay). Thus the student builds a GPA throughout the trimester. Different categories within subject areas may carry different weights based on importance and frequency of use. Many activities are graded in more than one category.
Small quizzes or portions of tests that only assess recall of rote items are graded 93% = A, 85% = B, 77% = C, 70% = D, below 70% = F, in the applicable category.
Small quizzes or portions of tests that only assess recall of rote items are graded 93% = A, 85% = B, 77% = C, 70% = D, below 70% = F, in the applicable category.
HISTORY GRADING RUBRICS
HISTORY GRADING RUBRICS
Historical Accuracy (ACC) (Heavily weighted, constantly in effect)
Historical Accuracy (ACC) (Heavily weighted, constantly in effect)
A = Impressive command of names, dates, places, events, with links to other times and events. All accurate, showing extra research and thoughtful recall.
A = Impressive command of names, dates, places, events, with links to other times and events. All accurate, showing extra research and thoughtful recall.
B = Complete command of the necessary facts drawn from the required, available sources. Reads, writes and discusses with few stops to look things up.
B = Complete command of the necessary facts drawn from the required, available sources. Reads, writes and discusses with few stops to look things up.
C = Basic but incomplete grasp of historical events; bereft of detail and having slightly hazy notions about the context of events being studied. (Minimum standard)
C = Basic but incomplete grasp of historical events; bereft of detail and having slightly hazy notions about the context of events being studied. (Minimum standard)
D = Only a glancing familiarity with the facts. Huge gaps, misses the point, confuses eras, people, events.
D = Only a glancing familiarity with the facts. Huge gaps, misses the point, confuses eras, people, events.
F = Plainly wrong, unfamiliar. Facts confused with opinions or myths.
F = Plainly wrong, unfamiliar. Facts confused with opinions or myths.
Analysis & Interpretation (AN) (Heavily weighted, constantly in effect)
Analysis & Interpretation (AN) (Heavily weighted, constantly in effect)
A = Keen, unfailing perception of bias, points of view, and different interpretations, with the ability to explain. Gathers and makes excellent use of facts; weeds out distractions, tangents, illogic, myth.
A = Keen, unfailing perception of bias, points of view, and different interpretations, with the ability to explain. Gathers and makes excellent use of facts; weeds out distractions, tangents, illogic, myth.
B = Gets the point of historical exercises. Recognizes obvious bias or myth. Gathers evidence and ensures the inclusion of relevant fact. Sorts information well.
B = Gets the point of historical exercises. Recognizes obvious bias or myth. Gathers evidence and ensures the inclusion of relevant fact. Sorts information well.
C = Can understand interpretations and bias with explicit instruction. Occasionally confuses facts with distractions.
C = Can understand interpretations and bias with explicit instruction. Occasionally confuses facts with distractions.
D = Uncritical acceptance of bias, illogic, myth. Has great difficulty recognizing cause and effect and other relationships; easily distracted by irrelevancies; work infected by own or others' prejudices.
D = Uncritical acceptance of bias, illogic, myth. Has great difficulty recognizing cause and effect and other relationships; easily distracted by irrelevancies; work infected by own or others' prejudices.
F = Closed-mindedness and / or gullibility; a defender of ignorance, illogic, pseudoscience and myth.
F = Closed-mindedness and / or gullibility; a defender of ignorance, illogic, pseudoscience and myth.
Basic Economics (ECON) (Moderately weighted; sporadic application)
Basic Economics (ECON) (Moderately weighted; sporadic application)
A = Understands the forces that shape economies: supply and demand, government intervention, market fluctuations, effects of nature and calamities. Employs and applies this knowledge.
A = Understands the forces that shape economies: supply and demand, government intervention, market fluctuations, effects of nature and calamities. Employs and applies this knowledge.
B = Solid grasp of theories behind economics and; employs knowledge at a fundamental level in working situations.
B = Solid grasp of theories behind economics and; employs knowledge at a fundamental level in working situations.
C = Can explain basic economics but does not always recognize the interplay between various market forces. Makes poor use of information.
C = Can explain basic economics but does not always recognize the interplay between various market forces. Makes poor use of information.
D = Struggles with the basic concepts.
D = Struggles with the basic concepts.
F = Demonstrates ignorance of the basic concepts.
F = Demonstrates ignorance of the basic concepts.
American Democratic Principles (CIV) (Moderately weighted; sporadic application)
American Democratic Principles (CIV) (Moderately weighted; sporadic application)
A = Demonstrates in word and deed the soundness of the rule of Constitutional law. Thorough understanding of American principles, in letter and spirit.
A = Demonstrates in word and deed the soundness of the rule of Constitutional law. Thorough understanding of American principles, in letter and spirit.
B = Understands democratic principles and can identify situations that test constitutionality; participation shows a care for the rights of the individual.
B = Understands democratic principles and can identify situations that test constitutionality; participation shows a care for the rights of the individual.
C = Can identify most basic principles (Constitutional, federalist form of government; the Bill of Rights) but struggles to apply them.
C = Can identify most basic principles (Constitutional, federalist form of government; the Bill of Rights) but struggles to apply them.
D = Does not grasp the source of the rule of law or the protection of individual rights; may recall important rights but cannot demonstrate them or place in context, or does acknowledge the responsibilities of citizens.
D = Does not grasp the source of the rule of law or the protection of individual rights; may recall important rights but cannot demonstrate them or place in context, or does acknowledge the responsibilities of citizens.
F = Does not understand or demonstrate our democratic principles.
F = Does not understand or demonstrate our democratic principles.
Geography (GEOG) (Light to moderate weight; in use throughout the year)
Geography (GEOG) (Light to moderate weight; in use throughout the year)
A = Knows where and what things are and makes use of the complex relationship between geography and business, social, political, and military concerns.
A = Knows where and what things are and makes use of the complex relationship between geography and business, social, political, and military concerns.
B = Knows where most things are; makes sound decisions in a variety of situations in which geography plays a role; makes skillful use of a variety of maps.
B = Knows where most things are; makes sound decisions in a variety of situations in which geography plays a role; makes skillful use of a variety of maps.
C = Can find things on a map and make some use of different types of maps and geographic information.
C = Can find things on a map and make some use of different types of maps and geographic information.
D = Struggles to locate things on a map; misses connections between geography and other issues.
D = Struggles to locate things on a map; misses connections between geography and other issues.
F = Can't or won't use maps; ignores or misses geographical information entirely.
F = Can't or won't use maps; ignores or misses geographical information entirely.
Communication (COM): Writing, Speaking, Listening, Reading, Groups (Light weight)
Communication (COM): Writing, Speaking, Listening, Reading, Groups (Light weight)
A = Consistently clear, articulate, thoughtful, helpful, courteous, quality communication of any type.
A = Consistently clear, articulate, thoughtful, helpful, courteous, quality communication of any type.
B = Successful written, spoken, and interpersonal communication; evidence of care and effort.
B = Successful written, spoken, and interpersonal communication; evidence of care and effort.
C = Generally successful, but basic, communication; with progress toward improving skills as necessary.
C = Generally successful, but basic, communication; with progress toward improving skills as necessary.
D = Struggles to adequately convey or gather and use information; Careless or uncaring about interactions.
D = Struggles to adequately convey or gather and use information; Careless or uncaring about interactions.
F = Fails to communicate in the applicable medium; abhorrent social interactions.
F = Fails to communicate in the applicable medium; abhorrent social interactions.
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