Welcome to Class!

Why Study History?

History is more than lists of names, dates, places and events to memorize. In reality, it is the study of PEOPLE…decisions and discoveries, cultures and conflicts, inventions and interactions, science, medicine, and industry. It is an attempt to examine where we came from in order to determine where we will go.

A question that I imagine many students at New Century Technology High (and other schools) commonly ask is “why do I have to take history if I’m not going to use it in my future career?”  So, why does it matter? The objective is to provide a bigger picture of the world and to encourage critical thinking skills. Rather than simply memorizing “facts,” it is essential to foster a deep sense of inquiry.  As children, many of us played “cowboys and Indians,” for instance…the study of history teaches us to ask WHY this conflict that we attempted to recreate existed in the first place—were the Native Americans bloodthirsty savages, as we used to be taught, or were they victims of cultural ignorance and mistreatment who were trying to preserve their traditional way of life?   While the specifics that we learn in class may not be highly useful thirty years from now, the reasoning, inquiry, writing, and critical thinking skills that we practice can be extended to many other areas of study. 

Schedule:

A Block is always Monday and Thursday.

B Block is always Tuesday and Thursday.

Wednesday alternates.

Materials:

Composition notebook or single-subject spiral notebook, writing utensils, loose leaf paper, 3x5 notecards, 1.5” binder, sticky notes/flags, colored pencils. Additional supplies may be needed later.

Textbook:
World History 9 Honors: Modern World History: Patterns of Interaction
US History 10: The American Vision, Vol. 1
US History 10 Honors: The American Pageant, 12th Edition
US History 11: The American Vision, Vol. 2

Missed a day?
You are responsible for make-up assignments, which will be in the make-up folder. You will have two class periods to complete the assignment for full credit.

Late work:

I do accept late work. HOWEVER, you will get half credit for turning in late work.

Grading:

Classwork/Homework/Quizzes: 40% of grade. 

Tests: 60% of grade.
Check STI for specifics.