This document outlines the goals and policies for a History and Civics class. The teacher aims to help students reach their full potential and develop skills like analytical writing and primary source analysis. Grades are based 50% on homework, quizzes, and 50% on tests and projects. Effort and citizenship are prioritized over grades. Communication with students will primarily be through the class blog and email. Parents are encouraged to discuss class topics but not to correct or type students' work.

1. Brian Surkan History and Civics The Walker School Welcome

2. Ideas for Fall 2010 How to interpret grades Blank means – collected (verify) Zero means – not turned in Lowest grade dropped

3. Classroom Logistics Mission To help students realize their full potential, both within my discipline and in life. Grading 50% HW & Pop Quizzes / 50% Tests & Projects Lowest HW / Pop Quiz grade dropped each quarter “Every unnecessary help is a hindrance” Ask questions but let students do their own work

4. Effort and Citizenship Trump Grades Encourage maximum effort and citizenship An effortless A is far worse than a hard-earned B For a respectful student doing his work Effort = Satisfactory Citizenship = Satisfactory Consistent hard work generally leads to higher grades Focus on consistency / progress over time An A represents mastery and is not easy to come by

5. History (1914 – Present) Government Boot Camp World War I Roaring ‘20s The Great Depression World War II Post WWII America Civil Rights Foreign Policy 1945 – Present Primary Source Analysis Analytical Writing Awareness of Fallacies Applied Economics Europe Map from Memory Incentives: Cause & Effect Power of Ideas/Philosophy Classroom Simulations Current Events Government: Theory v. Practice Role Playing Curriculum: Civics 8 Skills / Approach

6. Communications Class blog: http://civics8.edublogs.org/ Class logistics & organization Helpful guides Teacher announcements Student summaries of Class Events E-mail Always use FirstClass for student-teacher communications Telephone Check blog first Ask a friend Emergencies (<24 hours)

7. Brian Surkan History and Civics The Walker School Questions?

8. “Every unnecessary help is a hindrance” Parents are encouraged to: Enquire and discuss class events and topics Discuss current events / topics of essays (no spoons, please!) Allow students to suffer natural consequences of mistakes Encourage your child to ask the teacher if they have questions Please refrain from: Correcting or typing your child’s work Contacting the teacher for clarification on your child’s behalf Making excuses for student mistakes Micromanaging your child’s Civics / History work