Course Expectations

****Update for second semester. Deadlines for work completion will be strictly maintained. Some alternative assignments will be available for students who do not complete assignments on time to show they are reaching the standard.

Learning Outcomes

While the department is changing its curricular outcomes to better reflect 21st Learning Outcomes the following standards are being observed:

8th Grade Social Studies Standards w/ Performance Indicators: Global Citizenship

1. INQUIRY: Design, conduct, and apply disciplinary knowledge by developing questions and communicating conclusions.

a. Ask focused, probing, and significant questions that encourage inquiry around an issue of personal, community, or global relevance.

b. Determine the validity and reliability of the document or information.

d. Identify why certain events are considered pivotal.

2. CIVICS: Understand the history, principles, and foundations of different forms of government and economic systems, analyze how they function, and evaluate how people participate individually and collectively within these systems.

f. Illustrate how individuals and groups have brought about change locally, nationally, or internationally.

3. GEOGRAPHY: Understand physical, cultural, and human geography and analyze the interdependent relationships between human and environmental interactions.

d. Analyze the contributions of various cultural groups to the world in the past and/or present ( i.e. immigrants and native peoples).

4. HISTORY: Evaluate historical change and continuity over time by understanding significant events, individuals, groups, documents, and ideas to support investigations about the past.

b. Locate appropriate primary and secondary sources to support a historical inquiry.

c. Use technology to support a historical inquiry.

**** Rubric available by request

Course Grading Criteria

This course follows the OHS grading system with a 65 D- as a passing grade. Grades will be determined following the criteria below:

Assignments (100 to 200 points apiece) – Assignment will be given both for work completion outside of class-time and during class. These will be evaluated for accuracy and/or completion. A number grade will be given based on the 0 - 100 scale or the corresponding letter grade. Assignment will be evaluating skills such as reading primary sources, reading comprehension, writing research and participation. Some assignments depending on length and importance may be worth a double grade.

Assessments - Major grades will be any evaluation of student work at the end of a unit. These could include tests, binders of student work, projects and research papers may also be worth assessment grades based on their length and involvement. Mid-term and Final Exams will be counted into the second and fourth marking period grades and will represent 20% of the quarter grade.

Other standards addressed

Transferable Skills:

2d-Self Direction: Demonstrate initiative and responsibility for learning.

2f-Self Direction: Analyze the accuracy, bias, and usefulness of information.

5d- Informed and Integrative Thinking: Use evidence and reasoning to justify claims.

5f- Informed and Integrative Thinking: Use technology to support and enhance the critical thinking process.

3c- Creative and Practical Problem Solving: Identify patterns, trends, and relationships that apply to solutions.

4d- Responsible and Involved Citizenship: Respect diversity and differing points of view.

2i Self-Direction- Use technology and digital media strategically and capably; 2f- Analyze the accuracy, bias, and usefulness of information.

Self-Direction- 2i- Use technology and digital media strategically and capably;