IB MYP History of the Americas   Tags: america, bowman, history, history of the americas, ib myp  

Which Roosevelt was a better president?

Due to the limited file space, some of the powerpoints have been edited and are stripped down versions of the ones I use in class.  However, I have retained the most relevant information.

Westwood High School

Course Outline                                                                                             Mr. Bowman

This course will focus on the history of the United States form Exploration of the Americas to the Reconstruction era following the Civil War.

I.                    MYP fundamental concepts and the learner profile

Units in this course are developed holistically.  For each unit we read and write about the effects of social, political and economic issues on the time and place in history.  Where the state standards align interdisciplinary units are written with the other MYP teachers.  Communication is a focus at our school as all teachers teach reading and writing in their content areas.  In each unit, students have several opportunities to practice and master different communications methods including oral, written, and visual communications with and without technology.  The study of humanities naturally focuses on intercultural awareness.  From our units on exploration and colonization with the clash of cultures to conflicts over slavery in the Civil War, students develop intercultural awareness

II.                   MYP AIMS

-          An inquiring mind

-          The skills necessary for the effective study of humanities

-          A sense of time and place

-          A respect for and understanding of others' perspectives, values and attitudes

-          Awareness and understanding of people, culture and events in a variety of places and different times

-          An understanding of the interactions and interdependence of individuals, societies, and their environments

-          An understanding of the causes and consequences of change through physical and human actions and processes

-          An understanding of contemporary humanities issues

-          A sense of internationalism and the a desire to be proactive as a responsible global citizen

-          An awareness of the connections with other subjects

-          A lifelong interest in and enjoyment of humanities

            MYP OBJECTIVES

-          Demonstrate subject content knowledge and understanding through the use of descriptions and explanations, supported by relevant facts and examples, and may show other ways of knowing.

-          Demonstrate an awareness of chronology that links people, places and events through time

-          Recognize and explain the similarities and differences that exist between people, places, and events through time

-          Understand and explain short-term and long-term causes of change

-          Recognize and explain continuity and change

-          Recognize that change is inevitable and that the rate of change is relevant to the context

-          Be able to understand, identify and compare how systems, models, and institutions operate

-          Be able to understand, identify and compare social structures and controls

-          Explain different perceptions of place, societies, and environments

-          Show an understanding of the interdependence of societies

-          Recognize issues of equality, justice and responsibility

-          Use a variety of media and technologies to research, select, interpret and communicate data

-          Analyze and interpret information from a wide range of sources

-          Critically evaluate the values and limitations of sources

-          Formulate clear, valid and sound arguments, make balanced judgments on events, and draw conclusions, including implications

III.                Role of the Areas of Interaction

Units                                       MYP Area of Interaction

1.       European Exploration                 Environment and Health & Social Education

2.       Indigenous People                      Environment and Human Ingenuity

3.       Colonization                              Human Ingenuity and Environment

4.       Independence Movements           Community and Service

5.       Nation Building                          Human Ingenuity and Environment

6.       Civil War and Reconstruction      Human Ingenuity and Community and Service

IV. Texts and resources

Out of Many by Pearson/Prentice Hall, American Issues by Prentice Hall

Educational videos/clips from the History Channel, A&E, PBS and other sources

V. Methodology

Various teaching methods are used in each unit to access students multiple intelligences.  Units begin with readings, lecture/discussion and Socratic seminars moving to research and presentations

VI. Methods of assessment

Formative Assessments include homework, class work, class discussions, collaborative group work, peer evaluations during Socratic Seminars, note taking interpreting graphs, maps, and charts. Summative Assessments include- essay exams research papers and poster or power-point presentations

VII. Grading policy including the use of MYP criteria

Students’ formative assessment are graded on a scale of 100-90%=A, 89-80%=B, 79-70%= C,

69-60%=D, 59-below=F.  All summative assessments are graded with the appropriate MYP Humanities Assessment Criteria; Criteria A (Knowledge), Criteria B (Skills), Criteria D (Organization and Presentation).  Grades will be given according to level of achievement 0. 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 and 9-10 (Criterion D is a max of 8).  These scores will be converted into percentages according to district and school requirements.