U.S. History Course Information
2011-1012: Mrs. Kellie Fauver, Mrs. Kim Grubb, Ms. Megan McKenty, Mr. Scott
Telfer
Curriculum: The 8th grade U.S. History course covers the period starting
with the early exploration and settlement of America up to the Reconstruction
of the United States following the Civil War. The course moves very quickly,
and students are expected to keep up with all assignments. In early May
there is a standardized Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test that
tests the minimum requirements of students having fulfilled this course. The
T.A.K.S. test is important, but it is important to note that this test is
considered the minimal requirement that students must meet, and we expect our
students to far exceed that standard. For that reason we strive to teach a
challenging and engaging course.
Learning Philosophy: Our students are each a vital part in a community of
learners. They will be learning the subject matter in a vibrant, cooperative
environment in which full participation is expected and required. The goal
of our course is not that the students achieve high grades; rather the goal
is for each student to fully master the curriculum. The grades achieved by
students will be evidence of the extent to which they master the curriculum.
As learning and mastery are the goals of our classroom, students will be
expected and required to fulfill their responsibilities as active learners.
Homework Assignments: Homework will be assigned throughout the year.
Students will be expected to complete all homework assignments in a timely
manner. Each and every homework assignment will be directly related to the
learning goals of the course. Homework will be graded in accordance with the
school policy. Since each assignment will be directed to a specific learning
goal, students will not be given the option of not completing the
assignments. In the event that students choose not to complete an
assignment, arrangements will be made for that student to complete the work
at other times that could include coming before school, staying after school,
attending mandatory lunch detention, or attending Saturday School.
Assessments: Throughout the year we will be assessing the level to which our
students have mastered the curriculum. Assessment will take many forms
including: tests and quizzes; projects; essays; and more.
Because the goal of our class is for each student to achieve mastery, tests
will earn one of the following grades: A (90%-100%), B (80%-90%) or “Not
Yet”. A grade of “Not Yet” indicates that a student has not yet mastered the
material and that he or she will be required to achieve mastery as follows:
1. The student will review the completed assessment to determine which
material he/she has not yet mastered and to understand the reason for his/her
errors.
2. The student will take a re-assessment over the same material and
given the opportunity to prove his/her mastery of the material to earn a
grade of 80%.
