Digital Learning Department

This one semester course is designed to develop your awareness, appreciation and understanding of the history of the Pacific Rim Region. You will study the geography, the people, the economy, the government, the environment, and modern issues of the Pacific Rim Region. These concepts will be applied to a study of one Pacific Rim nation of your choice. Assignments are based on the Washington State Essential Learnings. This course helps meet the state minimum requirements of 2.5 Social Studies credits. Please check with your district for more specific requirements.

State Standards and Learning Expectations

Objectives stated within course lessons. Washington State Standards guided the design of the course. Learning expectations are found within the course itself.

History EALR 1: The student examines and understands major ideas, eras, themes, developments, turning points, chronology, and cause-and-effect relationships in U.S. history.
1.1 Understand and analyze historical time and chronology
1.2 Understand events, trends, individuals, and movements shaping United States, world, and Washington State history
1.3 Examine the influence of culture on United States, world, and Washington State history

History EALR 2: The student applies the methods of social science investigation to compare and contrast interpretations of historical events.
2.1 Compare and contrast ideas in different places, time periods, and cultures, and examine the interrelationships between ideas, change, and conflict
2.2 Understand how ideas and technological developments influence people, culture, and environment

Social Studies EALR 1.1: The student understands the origin and impact of ideas and technological developments on history and social change.

Civics EALR 1: The student understands and explains the core values and principles of the United States democracy as set forth in foundational documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
1.3 Examine representative government and citizen participation

Reading EALR 1: The student understands and uses different skills and strategies to read.
1.1 Use word recognition skills and strategies to read and comprehend text
1.3 Build vocabulary through wide reading

Reading EALR 2: The student understands the meaning of what is read.
2.1 Demonstrate evidence of reading comprehension
2.3 Expand comprehension by analyzing, interpreting, and synthesizing information and ideas in literary and informational text

Reading EALR 3: The student reads different materials for a variety of purposes.
3.1 Read to learn new information
3.2 Read to perform a task

Writing EALR 2: The student writes clearly and effectively.
2.2. Writes for different purposes

Writing EALR 3: The student writes in a variety of forms for different audiences and purposes.
3.1. Develops ideas and organizes writing

Course Outline

The study of the History of the Pacific Region consists of 10 Units covering the the geography, the people, the economy, the government, the environment, and modern issues of the Pacific Rim Region. These concepts will be applied to a study of one Pacific Rim nation of your choice.

Unit 1 Introduction
Unit 2 Cartography
Unit 3 Pacific Rim
Unit 4 Migration & Immigration
Unit 5 Trade & Commerce
Unit 6 Government & International Organizations
Unit 7 Your Nation in Focus
Unit 8 Environmental Issues of the Rim
Unit 9 Ring of Fire
Unit 10 Modern Issues Project

The course work as stated in this syllabus and the checklist will remain the same throughout the semester. The teacher, however, will have the right to modify the checklist as needed for further individualized instruction to meet the needs of the students. No changes will be made without full notification of all students impacted by a change to the checklist. Common Reasons for a Checklist change would be:

• Modifying the assignment list for a completion grade of “C”.
• Substituting an assignment for another activity that would result in the same learning experience.
• Other reasons may occur and will be considered on an individualized basis.

Course Work

Assignments are to be submitted electronically. Use Word or other word processing programs to prepare your assignments, spell and grammar check, then copy and paste the assignment into the assignment field or upload if there is a drop box. Using Word or other word processing program allows you to save your work to your computer and makes it available to you again if you need to make revisions. If a word processing program is not available, assignments can be completed within the assignment field. Assignments such as graphs, charts, and maps can be uploaded to assignment drop boxes if the formatting does not allow them to be pasted into an assignment field. Assignments that cannot be sent electronically may be mailed to or dropped off at the Internet Academy. Let your teacher know that you have sent or dropped off work at IA.

Work that needs to be mailed can be sent to:

Your Teacher's Name
Internet Academy
32020 1st Avenue South Suite 109
Federal Way, WA 98003

To complete the course, you are encouraged to visit your local library and take advantage of the many references and resources that are available there. Internet resources are provided with each unit to get you started with your assignments. You are also expected to do searches on the Internet for additional resources. Let your teacher know if you need help searching for resources.

 

Grading Description

 

A = 93 - 100%

A- = 90 - 92.9%

B+ = 87 - 89.9%

B = 83 - 86.9%

B- = 80 - 82.9%

C+ = 77 - 79.9%

C = 73 - 76.9%

C- = 70 - 72.9%

D = 60 - 69.9%

F = 0 - 59.9%

Note: Grades of D are not considered passing for Federal Way Public School students.

 

 

• Your final grade for the course will be calculated based on work completed and not completed. Missing assignments will be counted as zeros and will negatively impact your overall grade. Be sure to complete all of the assignments required to ensure the highest grade possible.
• When scoring your work I look for several things:
  1. Originality of written work - this means that your answers are written in your own words showing me that you understand your research.
  2. Completeness of assignment - you have followed all of the directions for the assignment.
  3. Correct grammar, punctuation, spelling and other mechanics of writing-use of complete sentences and paragraph form when required.
  4. Well researched answers - sources are cited along with your answers.
  5. Assignments that go beyond what is asked for in the directions - maximum points are earned for expanding on your ideas showing depth of understanding
• Any assignments less than a C level will be returned and you will be asked to redo it and resubmit it.
• To ensure your work is of at least C level quality, check each assignment for the following:

1. Does my assignment show new learning?
2. Did I do research to complete this assignment?
3. Did I cite my sources?
4. Did I submit original work in my own writing?
5. Did I include a complete heading, with my name, class and Unit/Assignment number?
6. Did I include the question at the beginning of my assignment?
7. Did I write in complete sentences using good paragraph formation?
8. Did I spell and grammar check my work before submitting it?
9. Did I do the best work I could possibly do on this assignment?

The Internet is a wealth of information and there is temptation to copy and paste information and send it in as a completed assignment. Do not do this. Work that is not original and is found to have been copied from someone else or from the Internet will be sent back. You are expected to cite your resources.

• Revision Policy: The goal of this class is learning! Students have the opportunity to revise work until it meets standards and will be given additional instruction on work that does not yet meet requirements. If an assignment is returned to the student with instructions for revisions, and the student chooses to resubmit the original assignment, without following teacher suggestions, a final score based on work submitted will be recorded. Students will be given two opportunities to revise work to raise scores. Remember, A grades are earned on assignments that go beyond expectations.

  Work submitted in bulk, i.e. one whole unit or more at a time, may not receive the individual feedback that can be given if work is submitted on schedule. Bulk work submitted during the last two weeks of the semester will be evaluated to determine if standards have been met, scores will be recorded, with no opportunities for revisions due to time limitations.

By turning in work steadily each week, you are given the feedback needed to revise work and the opportunity for additional learning with your teacher which can result in the highest grade possible. The opportunity is lost if you choose to wait until the end of the course to turn in the bulk of your assignments. Your grade will be negatively impacted if you turn in more than one unit's worth of work in a week near the end of the 17-week course. You will have lost the opportunity for revisions, feedback and the one-on-one teaching that you could have had throughout the course. If you have not turned in work each week, your teacher is unable to evaluate your learning and give you feedback in order to give you the opportunity to earn full credit.

 

• Your final grade for the course will be calculated based on work completed and not completed. Missing assignments will be counted as zeros and will negatively impact your overall grade. Be sure to complete all of the assignments required to ensure the highest grade possible.
• When scoring your work I look for several things:
  1. Originality of written work - this means that your answers are written in your own words showing me that you understand your research.
  2. Completeness of assignment - you have followed all of the directions for the assignment.
  3. Correct grammar, punctuation, spelling and other mechanics of writing-use of complete sentences and paragraph form when required.
  4. Well researched answers - sources are cited along with your answers.
  5. Assignments that go beyond what is asked for in the directions - maximum points are earned for expanding on your ideas showing depth of understanding
• Any assignments less than a C level will be returned and you will be asked to redo it and resubmit it.
• To ensure your work is of at least C level quality, check each assignment for the following:

1. Does my assignment show new learning?
2. Did I do research to complete this assignment?
3. Did I cite my sources?
4. Did I submit original work in my own writing?
5. Did I include a complete heading, with my name, class and Unit/Assignment number?
6. Did I include the question at the beginning of my assignment?
7. Did I write in complete sentences using good paragraph formation?
8. Did I spell and grammar check my work before submitting it?
9. Did I do the best work I could possibly do on this assignment?

The Internet is a wealth of information and there is temptation to copy and paste information and send it in as a completed assignment. Do not do this. Work that is not original and is found to have been copied from someone else or from the Internet will be sent back. You are expected to cite your resources.

• Revision Policy: The goal of this class is learning! Students have the opportunity to revise work until it meets standards and will be given additional instruction on work that does not yet meet requirements. If an assignment is returned to the student with instructions for revisions, and the student chooses to resubmit the original assignment, without following teacher suggestions, a final score based on work submitted will be recorded. Students will be given two opportunities to revise work to raise scores. Remember, A grades are earned on assignments that go beyond expectations.

  Work submitted in bulk, i.e. one whole unit or more at a time, may not receive the individual feedback that can be given if work is submitted on schedule. Bulk work submitted during the last two weeks of the semester will be evaluated to determine if standards have been met, scores will be recorded, with no opportunities for revisions due to time limitations.

   

Policies and Requirements

Academic integrity is essential to learning. Students are expected to complete their own work. Copying, plagiarizing, cheating or other methods of intentional deception are prohibited and may result in loss of grade or credit for the assignment or the course.

Expectations for assignment and course completion: IA students assume the major responsibility to be self-motivated, and to stay on target with the class. All work for the course must be completed at a passing level to earn credit, and must be completed within the school year or semester time. We expect students to consistently complete assignments for each class each week. Successful students use their class checklists to determine daily and weekly assignment schedules.

By turning in work steadily each week, students are given the feedback needed to revise and the opportunity for additional learning with their teacher resulting in the highest grade possible. This opportunity is lost if students choose to wait until the end of the course to turn in the majority of their assignments. Grades may be negatively impacted if work is submitted in bulk.

E-mail and software agreements: Students agree to maintain electronic integrity and face disciplinary measures if they do not abide by their promise.

Teachers reserve the right to make adjustments to the course content and expectations.

reserve the right to make adjustments to the course content and expectations.

 

 

Expectations

Students taking this class are expected to:

1. Contact their instructor each week by sending in several assignments. This lets the Internet Academy, parents and guardians, the school district, and the state know that students are attending class. It also helps students move at a steady pace toward completing the class in a reasonable amount of time. Students who do not meet this requirement will be withdrawn from the class.
2. Have the computer hardware and software necessary for the class work.
3. Communicate with the instructor in a clear, friendly, courteous manner. This includes signing communications with their full name and the name of the class they are in.
4. Communicate in Standard English. "e-english," the informal, lower-case, run-together communications used in chat rooms, is appropriate for the audiences and purposes of some e-mail. It is not appropriate for communicating with an instructor in class.
5. Turn in original work. Internet Academy teachers monitor for intentional deception through the use of an on-line subscription service and IA email archives. The consequences for intentional deception (copying, plagiarism, cheating, using someone else's work) may result in:
   • No credit for the assignment
   • Parent contact
   • Proctored testing
   • Failing the course
6. Do their very best work at all times.
7. Proceed at a steady pace toward finishing the class.
8. Have fun writing, reading, and learning!!

The instructor of this course is expected to:

1. Know the course material.
2. Communicate at least weekly with students and guardians in a clear, friendly, and courteous manner.
3. Respond to emails within a reasonable amount of time. It is your instructor's goal to answer QUESTIONS and HELP requests within one school day during the school week. Assignments will be graded and returned within three school days of receipt.
4. Be available for meetings and tutorials, and return phone calls promptly.
5. Keep accurate records.
6. Encourage and maintain high standards.
7. Help make learning fun!

Tech Support:

• Tech Help
  • 253-945-2249
  • helpdesk@iacademy.org

Weekly Contact Requirements: Students are expected to submit work each week following the provided checklist. They are also expected to maintain weekly communication with their teacher, ask for assistance when needed, and respond to e-mails from the teacher. If they are having trouble keeping up with the checklist, they should email their teacher immediately. The teacher is flexible and willing to work with students to meet their needs as they are communicated. If students are unable to meet these expectations, they will be dropped from the class for lack of attendance.