U.S. HISTORY, GAT-8

U.S. History & Geography- Honors 8

Zoom session time: see approved district schedule

Zoom session ID#: TBD

Teacher: Ms. Cimino

School email: rec9955@lausd.net ; preferred method via Schoology Parent Portal

School phone: (323) 644-6700

Course Description:

8th Grade U.S. History and Geography is a year long course covering early American history. Students will begin with major events preceding the founding of the nation and follow its development through the American Civil War and its aftermath. We will utilize the McGraw Hill U.S. History and Geography IMPACT textbook as our chronological guide. This app should be downloaded and installed on Schoology. Lessons will focus on the use of primary source documents, including the nation’s founding documents. We will also use the supplemental reader A Young People’s History of the United States, by Howard Zinn as a source for comparative study. Some units of interest are: the U.S. Constitution, the American Political System, Industrialization and early Immigration, Westward Expansion, Abolition and Reform Movements, as well as the American Civil War and Reconstruction. Each lesson will focus on an essential historical question and culminate with a written response. Lessons will also incorporate art and technology as integral components in the learning process, as a means of understanding, and self-expression. Throughout this course students will develop important intellectual reasoning, reflection, and research skills that will prepare them for advanced work in high school and college.

Required materials:

• iPad (provided)

• Wifi for Zoom live lessons

• Downloaded App of the McGraw Hill U.S. History and Geography IMPACT textbook through Schoology

• A Young People’s History of the United States, Howard Zinn (a gift to you from Donor’s Choose and F.O.K.)

• Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass (Spring Semester, also a gift to you from Donor’s Choose and F.O.K.)

• Art materials (various supplies that can be found around the home--glue, scissors, colored pencils, markers, etc.)

Grading scale: Grading categories:

A 90 - 100% Classwork 50%

B 80 - 89% Discussion 10%

C 70 - 79% Tests/Quizzes/Projects 40%

D 60 - 69% ----------------------------------------------

F 0 - 59% Semester grade 100%

Due to the distance learning schedule, it is important to keep up with the work. Please check Schoology daily and adhere to the due dates and times provided.

Maintaining a regular school schedule, active participation in Zoom and Schoology discussions, and completing all assigned tasks are critical to your success.

Keep in mind that you are in a gifted magnet program! The work assigned in my class is meant to prepare you for the honors and AP level work you will be expected to do next year in high school! You will be asked to navigate some complex historical texts and to use those critical thinking skills to answer deep questions. Just do your best, no one can ask for more.

If you should fall behind or struggle with the content, the workload, and/or the format of distance learning, please contact me sooner than later. Communication is of the utmost importance! If I don't KNOW, I can’t help you. Don’t be afraid to reach out with questions and concerns. All of your teachers are here to help support you in your learning.

We all understand the challenges of distance learning; and the struggle to manage school, family, and life in general. We feel it too! Just do the best you can, with what you have, where you are and try to find the balance you need to accomplish your goals each day. Please feel free to reach out to your counselor Ms. Burke, or to myself, Ms. Hoefer, or your parents when you are struggling and need help to get back on track. We are all partners in this together.

Lastly, to ensure you receive a valuable distance-learning experience and optimal online environment, please abide by the following rules during Zoom live lessons and online discussions. These are the same rules for all your core content classes.

Discussion Etiquette--Schoology

• Come prepared to discuss questions and offer comments for the pre-assigned reading.

• Share your original ideas, questions, thoughts, and/or opinions in complete sentences. Reference the text by providing evidence.

• When responding to classmates, be respectful of their ideas while agreeing or disagreeing. Be sure to justify your thoughts.

• Remember you are in an Honors History class, so all written responses, including emails to teachers, should be in complete sentences with attention to grammar, word choice, spelling, and punctuation.

Discussion Etiquette--Zoom

• Enable video so that we can see you.

• Log on using your first and last name and period number.

• Try to log online to our class meeting from a quiet, distraction-free environment.

• Keep your audio on mute until you want to speak. Minimize background noise when you unmute. Once you have shared, mute yourself again.

• When you want to speak, use the “Raise Hand” feature (on the bottom left of the Participants window). Take your turn and speak one at a time. Please identify yourself at the start of your comment or question.

• When you have a question or comment but are not being called upon or are not as comfortable on the screen, respond in the chat section with class-related comments or questions only.

• Have a plan for taking notes (paper and pencil, notebook, iPad).

• Do not interrupt and be respectful to the presenter/speaker.

• Dress appropriately and maintain proper conduct at all times.

Four Steps to Accessing your online McGraw Hill

IMPACT for California Social Studies Textbook

STEP 1- LAUNCH THE APP from the left hand menu bar in Schoology.

STEP 2- Change the MENU at the top to the applicable MAGNET program, then LAUNCH the textbook.

STEP 3- Launch the INTERACTIVE STUDENT EDITION

STEP 4- Use the HAMBURGER MENU at the Top to navigate through the text

See IMAGE CAROUSEL below...