American+Cultures

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=Course Description= American Cultures I is an inquiry-based investigation of American history, Government, and Citizenship from the Revolutionary period through the American Civil War and Reconstruction. A particular emphasis will be placed on the story of how the United States developed and confronted issues that threatened the nation's survival. These stories will be related to how we still are confronting many of the same issues today in order to provide a historical perspective on current issues and events. In addition, there will be a great emphasis placed on the formation and workings of our representative government and how students can be empowered to act as responsible citizens in their community.

We will begin the year studying the [|Gettysburg Address]before we time travel back to “Fourscore and seven years ago,” or 1776, and the Revolutionary period. We will be studying our way through American history by keeping in mind the words of the Gettysburg Address. At the end of the year we will revisit the Gettysburg Address with a greater understanding and appreciation of what it means to be an American and how difficult it has been as a nation to live up to Jefferson’s words from 1776-- “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

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=Units of Study=
 * 1) Foundations of American Government
 * 2) We the People
 * 3) The New Republic
 * 4) Expanding America
 * 5) Divided America
 * 6) Obligations of Citizenship

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=1:1 Classroom= Our American Cultures class is a 1:1 classroom where students have access to an iPad Mini every day. This enables the class to access online resources for students to create, collaborate, and share resources. In this learning environment it is important that students use the classroom technology to not only access information, but to also share and collaborate with one another. Therefore, participation in class forums and chats become an important learning experience for all involved since it allows everyone to write and think in a more active and challenging way.

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=Class Resources=

Due to the use of the iPad Mini students will access various apps that will assist them with their learning. Some of the apps may include: There will be many other apps that students will use throughout the year. Organizing the apps and discovering the apps that work best for them is a goal for students as they learn how to learn with the iPad.
 * Canvas -- Information will be forthcoming.
 * [|Dropbox]-- Used to store digital artifacts.
 * [|Evernote] -- Used for notes, research, and many other purposes.
 * [|iMovie]-- Used for the creation of visual learning artifacts.
 * [|Derry Google Docs] -- Main site for collaborating on writing. Can be used for notes, surveys, and spreadsheets.

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=Expectations for Success=

1) Be on time 2) Be prepared 3) Be respectful

--A guide I created several years ago to help students be successful in American Cultures.

The Learning Success wiki is a resource with information and videos on how students can be successful in school. It was produced by the students and teachers of Hershey Middle School.

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=Homework and Grading=
 * Summative assessments may be retaken within one week of it being returned if student has returned a signed parental notification and completed any assigned remediation.
 * Homework will not be given every day, but when it is given it is to be done neatly and to the best of the student's ability.
 * Online assignments will typically be given several days to complete.
 * Homework is typically not graded, BUT it is essential to student success since classwork builds upon the work done at home.
 * If students fail to complete homework they will be at a disadvantage due to the pace and complexity of class concepts and assignments. In addition, students may not be prepared for class activities taking place on the assigned due date.
 * Failure to regularly complete homework could result in a Focused Flex placement, parent meeting, and/or lunch remediation. In addition, poor homework/classwork quality and/or completion will be reflected on the Critical Learning Skills portion of the report card.
 * Homework extensions //may// be granted if the request is received in person, Edmodo, or email //prior to the day the assignment is due//.
 * Grades are determined by a total points system.
 * There will be no extra credit given—grades will reflect assigned work

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=Academic Honesty= Cheating of any kind will result in a disciplinary referral and home notification.

Plagiarism will not be tolerated. It will result in a disciplinary referral and home notification. If you are not sure what constitutes plagiarism please ask.

Inappropriate use of computers will result in a disciplinary referral and home notification. Students and parents need to understand there is a keyword monitoring system in place. Accessing websites not related to school assignments will result in a team infraction and/or disciplinary referral.

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