Google Classroom is the best place to start. The weekly agenda posts are accurate until class time and updated immediately after. If you complete something on Classroom that we didn't actually do, it can count as an alternative to another assignment.
You can always text Mr. Zahner through Remind to be sure you are working on the right stuff.
The lesson materials are on the course website, organized by unit and lesson number within each unit. Occasionally, Google Classroom will have the materials, but that will be explained in the agenda post. If the materials are paper-based, that will be noted on the Classroom agenda post.
Assignments that are graded include, Google Form multiple choice (quizzes), Google Classroom Questions, projects turned in through Classroom assignment posts, and unit exams. The assignments that are not graded, such as shared drive activities, are used to prepare for assignments that are graded. If you do not complete them, you miss out on the opportunity to prepare for the graded assignment / assessment.
In all fairness, you don't have to use Chromebooks. There's no immediate consequence. I highly recommend Chromebooks because all of the course materials are shared through Google Apps, which work most consistently with Chromebooks. Plus, when everyone in the class is using the same device, we share the issues related to that device. If you are a ninja with Google Apps on your phone, good for you. I'm not so bad, myself. Just don't let it be a hindrance. Lastly, the vast majority of device issues that cannot be resolved within the class period are because of non-school issued devices. Chromebooks can suck but not for being successful in this class.
Reflecting on what you have done is the best way to solidify what you've learned. It brings together your prior knowledge and new knowledge in a space to do some thinking about thinking -- metacognition.
Portfolios have long been the best way to show people what you've done. Grades on a transcript only tell some portion of your story. People want to know more. They want to know how you work, how you express yourself, and what skills you've mastered. A strong portfolio, along with good soft skills, can quickly turn attention away from grades that are not as appealing.
The research paper is a project that 9-11 graders do in their social studies classes. Each year brings a little more responsibility and more practice writing term papers. Understanding the term paper process will relieve some stress in college. Most importantly, this project is an exercise in finding information evaluating sources, and reporting the findings in relation to a specific problem. These are skills that every successful individual uses in one for or another.
All of your work for this class belongs in your history work folder. I provide more information on how to do this on Classroom. This folder allows me to see your work at different stages. If it is empty and should have ten items, then I will know how to help you a little better than if I had to ask you to show your work.