High School Curriculum: History, Civics and Geography
World Cultures
Teacher: John Montgomery
Core textbook: World History Modern Times; Glencoe
Course Overview:
The World Cultures course will provide an overview of world history starting with the ancient cultures of India, China, Greece, Rome and Meso-America. By the end of the course, students will study World War II and the Cold War. In addition to the textbook, students will read, research and discuss additional topics and areas of interest of history. By the end of the course students should gain a better understanding of how history affects our lives today.
Course Goals:
Teacher: John Montgomery
Core textbook: World History Modern Times; Glencoe
Course Overview:
The World Cultures course will provide an overview of world history starting with the ancient cultures of India, China, Greece, Rome and Meso-America. By the end of the course, students will study World War II and the Cold War. In addition to the textbook, students will read, research and discuss additional topics and areas of interest of history. By the end of the course students should gain a better understanding of how history affects our lives today.
Course Goals:
- Compare and contrast the present with past events, evaluating the effects of those events.
- Utilize maps, timelines and source documents.
- Discern the difference between facts and opinions.
- Identify key geographic features and how they influence events.
- Gain an understanding of how cultures and nations influence and affect each other.
U.S. History
Teacher: John Montgomery
Core textbook: America Pathways to the Present (Cayton, Perry, Reed, Winkler)
Course Overview:
The U.S History course will provide an overview of United States History from the time of European colonization of the Americas to the modern era. In addition to the textbook students will read, research and discuss additional topics and areas of interest of history. By the end of the course students should have a deeper understanding of the United States’ complex and compelling history and how it affects lives today.
Course Goals:
Teacher: John Montgomery
Core textbook: America Pathways to the Present (Cayton, Perry, Reed, Winkler)
Course Overview:
The U.S History course will provide an overview of United States History from the time of European colonization of the Americas to the modern era. In addition to the textbook students will read, research and discuss additional topics and areas of interest of history. By the end of the course students should have a deeper understanding of the United States’ complex and compelling history and how it affects lives today.
Course Goals:
- Compare and contrast the present with past events, evaluating the effects of those events.
- Utilize maps, timelines, and source documents.
- Discern the difference between facts and opinions.
- Identify key geographic features and how they influence events.
- Gain an understanding of how cultures and nations influence and affect each other.
Civics: Government & Economics
Teacher: John Montgomery
Core Textbook: Civics: Government and Economics in Action; Prentice Hall
Course Overview:
Civics will cover two semesters and encompass government and economics. The first semester will be devoted to government and the second semester will cover economics. The government course will focus on the United States’ government, its founding principles, and how it works from the Federal to the city level. In economics students will study the basic economic principles of the United States economy including supply and demand, inflation, and U.S. money policy. Students will also learn the basics of wise money management, different forms of banking, saving and investing as well as career options and expectations.
Course Goals:
Teacher: John Montgomery
Core Textbook: Civics: Government and Economics in Action; Prentice Hall
Course Overview:
Civics will cover two semesters and encompass government and economics. The first semester will be devoted to government and the second semester will cover economics. The government course will focus on the United States’ government, its founding principles, and how it works from the Federal to the city level. In economics students will study the basic economic principles of the United States economy including supply and demand, inflation, and U.S. money policy. Students will also learn the basics of wise money management, different forms of banking, saving and investing as well as career options and expectations.
Course Goals:
- Identify and explain the fundamental principles of American government.
- Be able to identify the 3 branches of government and understand the importance of checks and balances.
- Understand the principles of supply and demand in a free market economy.
- Demonstrate knowledge of wise money management; saving, investing, planning for the future.
- Gain a deeper understanding of how government and economics affects every American’s life.
Civics Through Technology
Teacher: Chris Myers
Core Textbook: Civics Today: Government, Economics and You; McGraw-Hill/Glencoe, 2008
Supplemental Resource: ChannelOne News, CNN StudentNews
Course Overview:
Civics Through Technology will use basic computer programs (Word, PowerPoint, Excel and others) to cover the civics curriculum of government and economics. The government portion of the course will include studying the framework of the U.S. government, the different branches of government and their functions, the judicial system and how federal, state and local governments operate. The economics portion of the class will focus on both global and personal economics, with students gaining an understanding of supply and demand, trade and the free enterprise system, as well as the importance of personal finance, budgeting and real-life financial planning. The class will frequently discuss current events and use current news stories to discuss class-related topics, when applicable.
Course Goals:
Teacher: Chris Myers
Core Textbook: Civics Today: Government, Economics and You; McGraw-Hill/Glencoe, 2008
Supplemental Resource: ChannelOne News, CNN StudentNews
Course Overview:
Civics Through Technology will use basic computer programs (Word, PowerPoint, Excel and others) to cover the civics curriculum of government and economics. The government portion of the course will include studying the framework of the U.S. government, the different branches of government and their functions, the judicial system and how federal, state and local governments operate. The economics portion of the class will focus on both global and personal economics, with students gaining an understanding of supply and demand, trade and the free enterprise system, as well as the importance of personal finance, budgeting and real-life financial planning. The class will frequently discuss current events and use current news stories to discuss class-related topics, when applicable.
Course Goals:
- Discover how historical documents such as The Constitution helped to shape our government.
- Identify the three branches of government, how they function independently and how they work together.
- Analyze current events to gain and understanding of the legal/judicial system.
- Use real-life situations to learn basic economic principles, particularly in regards to personal finance.
- Gain basic computer skills on programs such as Word, PowerPoint and using the Internet for research through civics-related class projects.
Geography
Teacher: Chris Myers
Core textbook: myWorld Geography, Survey Edition, Pearson Publishing, 2009
Supplemental resources: Channel One News, CNN StudentNews
Course Overview:
This course will provide high school students an opportunity to develop their knowledge of the world through a unique, online program that incorporates history, current events and world cultures into the geography curriculum. Over the course of the school year, students in this course will travel around the world, developing a deeper understanding of the content by making personal connections to the people and places they learn about. Each chapter in the myWorld series focuses on a different country or region and helps students to learn about the area through online videos, interactive maps, online activities and multimedia projects. Every chapter is framed around the stories of the real-life teenagers students will "meet" on their journey. Students connect personally to the content and develop a deeper understanding of the world's geography and its history. Additionally, weekly reviews of news and current events reinforce the lessons learned throughout the year as students learn how national and international events shape the world we live in.
Course Goals:
Teacher: Chris Myers
Core textbook: myWorld Geography, Survey Edition, Pearson Publishing, 2009
Supplemental resources: Channel One News, CNN StudentNews
Course Overview:
This course will provide high school students an opportunity to develop their knowledge of the world through a unique, online program that incorporates history, current events and world cultures into the geography curriculum. Over the course of the school year, students in this course will travel around the world, developing a deeper understanding of the content by making personal connections to the people and places they learn about. Each chapter in the myWorld series focuses on a different country or region and helps students to learn about the area through online videos, interactive maps, online activities and multimedia projects. Every chapter is framed around the stories of the real-life teenagers students will "meet" on their journey. Students connect personally to the content and develop a deeper understanding of the world's geography and its history. Additionally, weekly reviews of news and current events reinforce the lessons learned throughout the year as students learn how national and international events shape the world we live in.
Course Goals:
- Compare and contrast life in the United States to how people live in different parts of the world.
- Analyze national and international current events.
- Utilize maps, timelines, and informational graphics.
- Identify key geographic features and how they influence world cultures.
- Gain an understanding of how cultures and nations influence and affect each other.
