American History
Mentor: Jody Goff
Course Length: Two Semesters
Type of Class: Group Class with Independent Study
When: Tuesdays, 1:45 - 3:00 p.m.
Credit: 10 Credits
American History Course Description: This course explores American history from the 1500s to 1910, focusing on “the characters, events, theology, literature, art, and religious beliefs of the nation.” American History is a one-year class that consists of:
26 lessons (5 videos per lesson, 25 total hours)
4 projects
Student Reader, 284p (PDF, EPUB and MOBI)
Weekly Exams
Year-long Portfolio
Full Course Description - please read all details.
Curriculum materials available from https://compassclassroom.com/shop/product/american-history/
Class Expectations:
Students will view five video lectures per lesson, and will take notes during each lecture. Note taking is a key component to this course; therefore, students will purpose to employ a strong work ethic in this area.
Students will strive to improve their work ethic throughout the year. It is expected that students will strive to put their best effort into all assignments.
Students will consistently complete the assignments on time.
Students will actively participate in the once-weekly group class.
Use of AI tools such as ChatGPT and other generative AI tools is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. In addition, students are not to use CliffsNotes, SparkNotes or similar sites as a foundation for their essays or other assignments. Students need to write their essays based on their own ideas and knowledge. Students/parents may be asked to sign or affirm that the work is entirely the student’s own work, with appropriate help and guidance from the parent. The mentor reserves the right to ask students to rewrite their work from scratch and/or to orally present/defend their work if the essay/work sounds as if it was not written using the student’s ideas.
My commitment as your mentor is to provide weekly instruction, discussion, and encouragement to you and to evaluate your work. I will be available to help you; please feel free to come to me with any questions or email me during the week. Together, we will journey through the halls of history and glean an understanding of our times and future.
Curriculum:
Levels of course available:
Standard College Prep
Honors: In addition to the Standard College Prep course assignments, students will read The American Story: The Beginnings by David Barton and Tim Barton (ISBN: 978-1947501249) and will complete a project based on the book. Students will have from September to April to read the book and complete the project. Projects will be presented in class during May and will be evaluated on completion, presentation, craftsmanship.
Assignment Submission
Students will submit all assignments in class.
Exams will be taken weekly at home and submitted in class. It is expected that the parent will proctor all exams.
Student portfolios and projects will be submitted quarterly.
Workload
View five lectures per week, taking copious notes.
Complete daily readings in Student Reader. (Readings of more than 2 pages are optional)
Complete daily lesson assignments as assigned in the Student Reader.
Create a year-long portfolio making entries after each lesson. (1 entry per week)
Take weekly exams.
Complete 1 project per quarter.
Grading and Assessment:
As the students’ mentor, I will provide an assessment in the form of an earned grade for the course; however, every parent remains his/her student’s teacher, and as such retains the right and responsibility of awarding the final grade in the course.
Students’ work will be evaluated according to the following:
Portfolio: 30% - Portfolios will be evaluated on completion, presentation, craftsmanship, and following directions.
Quarterly Projects: 30% - Projects will be evaluated on completion, presentation, craftsmanship, and following directions.
Exams: 40 % - Exams will be evaluated on knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. Contacting the Mentor:
Contact Mrs. Goff via email at thegoffclub@gmail.com or by phone at (408) 515-5494