Social Studies
World Geography - Where in the World?
Instructor: Mike Hasenfus
Description: Geography is the study of where people, places, and things are located and of the unique relationships between the three. We will learn the five themes of geography and develop the skills necessary to become competent amateur geographers while applying these themes to the various regions of the world. We will concentrate on the physical, cultural, and economic geography of world regions. We will develop an appreciation of the unique cultures covered in this course through the use of a variety of activities and resources.
Class Requirements: Students will be evaluated using various methods. These include traditional quiz and test based assessments, class participation, group activities, homework completion, notebook organization, and projects. A rate of 95% attendance is expected.
Supplies:
3 ringed binder
Loose leaf paper
Pens/pencils
Colored pencils
Glue Stick
AP Government
Instructor: Mike Hasenfus
Description: AP United States Government and Politics is a rigorous and intellectually demanding course taught at the college level. AP Government is significantly different from a traditional high school government course due to the range and depth of the content, the amount of reading, and the time and effort required by the student. Students who are successful on the AP exam can qualify for college credit. Topics in AP Government include The United States Constitution, political beliefs and behaviors, political parties, interest groups and mass media, the three branches of government, public policy, and civil rights and liberties.
Class Requirements: Students are expected to keep up with the reading assignments, participate in class discussions, and attend class regularly (95%). Students will be assessed primarily on quizzes, tests, participation, and projects. A summer assignment is required to take AP Government and will be given before the end of the previous school year.
Supplies:
3 ringed binder
Loose leaf paper
Pens/pencils
United States History
Instructor: Chad Ingold
What is America? What does it mean to be an American? Who is an American? What does America mean to the rest of the world? We will answer these questions throughout the time and space of United States history. The answers to these questions have evolved and transformed as events, both domestic and international, continue to affect change. We will begin the year by attempting to answer these questions from the our present
perspective before moving back through time to research the answers to these questions at any particular point in American history. The history of the United States belongs to all of us. In this class we will study the group history of this country and the individual histories of key people and groups and how they have affected the nation as a whole. The question that we will focus on is :"What is the American Dream?" and "Has our nation been successful in fulfilling that dream?" We will look backwards through time to make connections between the present and the past, beginning our study with modern history and ending the year with the colonial experience. By the end of the course you will have a far better understanding of, not only our history, a glimpse of what the future could be.
World History
Instructor: Chad Ingold
The largest, longest running dramatic comedy is, in fact, the story of World History. Far better than any television show or novel, world history contains everything. Religious dissent, political intrigue, wars and peace. In this class we will look backwards through time to make connections between present and past. We will learn about a changing world of ideas and the rapid evolution of reason. During the semester we will peel back the multiple layers of time to better understand the people and events of the past, as well as the present.
U.S. and Va. Government and Economics
Instructor: Jan Westbrook
Informed participation in government and politics is vital to the well-being of a living democracy. It is not enough that citizens merely obey the laws, pay their taxes and “stay out of trouble.” Democracy’s life-blood is the continuous participation by its informed citizens in the making and carrying out of policies and decisions.
This year’s study of US/Va Government and Economics is designed to prepare the students to become informed active citizens who are willing and able to participate in the civic life of America.
Students will explore the origins, functions, and policies of the US government and engage in active learning about the US economy and their own personal finances. Students will be presented with opportunities to participate in activities which will help them prepare for independent living after high school. Each unit of study will include reading activities, homework, classroom activities and a test or project. Students are
expected to attend class every session, be prepared with notebook and other materials, and to have read all assignments in order to participate in the class activities. Parents may be asked to review and sign work as necessary to insure the success of each student.
Students will be evaluated as follows:
Homework 30%
Projects 25%
Tests 25%
Participation 10%
Midterm/Final Exam 10%
Supplies:
3-ring binder
2 reams copier paper
Calendar/assignment book
Ink pens
Pencils
Colored pencils
Instructor: Mike Hasenfus
Description: Geography is the study of where people, places, and things are located and of the unique relationships between the three. We will learn the five themes of geography and develop the skills necessary to become competent amateur geographers while applying these themes to the various regions of the world. We will concentrate on the physical, cultural, and economic geography of world regions. We will develop an appreciation of the unique cultures covered in this course through the use of a variety of activities and resources.
Class Requirements: Students will be evaluated using various methods. These include traditional quiz and test based assessments, class participation, group activities, homework completion, notebook organization, and projects. A rate of 95% attendance is expected.
Supplies:
3 ringed binder
Loose leaf paper
Pens/pencils
Colored pencils
Glue Stick
AP Government
Instructor: Mike Hasenfus
Description: AP United States Government and Politics is a rigorous and intellectually demanding course taught at the college level. AP Government is significantly different from a traditional high school government course due to the range and depth of the content, the amount of reading, and the time and effort required by the student. Students who are successful on the AP exam can qualify for college credit. Topics in AP Government include The United States Constitution, political beliefs and behaviors, political parties, interest groups and mass media, the three branches of government, public policy, and civil rights and liberties.
Class Requirements: Students are expected to keep up with the reading assignments, participate in class discussions, and attend class regularly (95%). Students will be assessed primarily on quizzes, tests, participation, and projects. A summer assignment is required to take AP Government and will be given before the end of the previous school year.
Supplies:
3 ringed binder
Loose leaf paper
Pens/pencils
United States History
Instructor: Chad Ingold
What is America? What does it mean to be an American? Who is an American? What does America mean to the rest of the world? We will answer these questions throughout the time and space of United States history. The answers to these questions have evolved and transformed as events, both domestic and international, continue to affect change. We will begin the year by attempting to answer these questions from the our present
perspective before moving back through time to research the answers to these questions at any particular point in American history. The history of the United States belongs to all of us. In this class we will study the group history of this country and the individual histories of key people and groups and how they have affected the nation as a whole. The question that we will focus on is :"What is the American Dream?" and "Has our nation been successful in fulfilling that dream?" We will look backwards through time to make connections between the present and the past, beginning our study with modern history and ending the year with the colonial experience. By the end of the course you will have a far better understanding of, not only our history, a glimpse of what the future could be.
World History
Instructor: Chad Ingold
The largest, longest running dramatic comedy is, in fact, the story of World History. Far better than any television show or novel, world history contains everything. Religious dissent, political intrigue, wars and peace. In this class we will look backwards through time to make connections between present and past. We will learn about a changing world of ideas and the rapid evolution of reason. During the semester we will peel back the multiple layers of time to better understand the people and events of the past, as well as the present.
U.S. and Va. Government and Economics
Instructor: Jan Westbrook
Informed participation in government and politics is vital to the well-being of a living democracy. It is not enough that citizens merely obey the laws, pay their taxes and “stay out of trouble.” Democracy’s life-blood is the continuous participation by its informed citizens in the making and carrying out of policies and decisions.
This year’s study of US/Va Government and Economics is designed to prepare the students to become informed active citizens who are willing and able to participate in the civic life of America.
Students will explore the origins, functions, and policies of the US government and engage in active learning about the US economy and their own personal finances. Students will be presented with opportunities to participate in activities which will help them prepare for independent living after high school. Each unit of study will include reading activities, homework, classroom activities and a test or project. Students are
expected to attend class every session, be prepared with notebook and other materials, and to have read all assignments in order to participate in the class activities. Parents may be asked to review and sign work as necessary to insure the success of each student.
Students will be evaluated as follows:
Homework 30%
Projects 25%
Tests 25%
Participation 10%
Midterm/Final Exam 10%
Supplies:
3-ring binder
2 reams copier paper
Calendar/assignment book
Ink pens
Pencils
Colored pencils