TUESDAY, JAN. 26
"7,000 U.S. troops invaded Grenada in 1983. They received 8,612 medals for their efforts!"
WELCOME 2nd SEMESTER PEOPLE!
PLEASE SIT IN FRONT TWO ROWS!!!
Mr.
Armstrong
GLACIER HIGH SCHOOL
AMERICAN
MILITARY BATTLES THAT CHANGED HISTORY
KALISPELL, AMERICA
INTRODUCTION: Welcome to Glacier High’s American Military
Battles that Changed History. It would be presumptuous of me to claim I have
selected the 8-most important history-changing battles in American/Recent
history…but one must begin somewhere! The selected battles are at least on most
historians top one hundred list. We will focus more on the American battles
that have changed history! To be considered a history-changing battle the
conflict in question must meet several criteria. The historian Paul K. Davis
suggests three; 1) the outcome of the battle brought about a major political or
social change, 2) had the outcome of the battle been reversed, major political
or social changes would have ensued, 3) the battle marks the introduction of a
major change in warfare. Most
importantly it is necessary to recognize that each represents a scenario in
which a different outcome would have resulted in a radically changed
American/World history. Each battle will be broken down into five key elements;
1) historical setting, 2) leaders and leadership styles, 3) weapons and weaponry,
4) the battle (tactics and terrain), 5) results (historical consequences). Luck
is also an element that cannot be overlooked. In almost every case there was
also a precursor battle that set the stage for the definitive battle to follow
and we will spend time discovering how one battle influenced the other.
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Interactive Spiral Notebook…a valuable and key component to any of my
classes…Get one just for this class NOW!
OBJECTIVES: At the end of the semester each
student will be able to describe each battle in general detail as to its five
essential elements and assess one element in greater detail for each battle
studied. Taken as a whole, each student will be able to assess the legitimacy
of the claim that a given battle is truly a history-changing conflict.
BATTLES: We
will likely cover 4 major battles each quarter
and its precursor. Depending upon pacing, the number may be augmented or
reduced.
3rd Quarter:
*Saratoga *Gettysburg *Meuse-Argonne Offensive *Midway
4th Quarter:
*D-Day *Chosin Reservoir * Ia Drang *Fallujah
EXPECTATIONS: As an upper-level elective, your
teacher will organize, prepare, instruct and assess at an HONORS Level! Hope you will rise to the occasion!!!!
COMMUNICATION: Class activities, Due Dates for
assignments, papers, and test are posted daily on THE BLOG…It is your
responsibility to CHECK BLOG!!! In
addition, there are valuable “links” on the blog that will be helpful for gathering
information throughout the entire semester!
CLASS PARTICIPATION: Because this is a hands-on, research,
and presentation-based class, it is essential that students be present in class
every day. A student’s final grade will be largely dependent upon their
preparation, participation, and presentation. Every effort will be made to
schedule presentations so as to avoid conflicts with school sponsored
activities. Some conflicts, however, are unavoidable.
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Interactive Spiral
Notebook…a valuable and key component to any of my classes…Get one just for
this class NOW!
Text: There is no text for this class but I
will provide reading assignments from time to time. Check the blog as we add
links/sources. We will work together to
locate valuable/reliable sources.
Assessments: In addition to regular assignments,
there will be from time to time, tests and quizzes to measure your knowledge of
events and consequences. At times, students will be asked to write a short
paper/essay on the success of the battle studied, and/or a battle comparison….these
are called “One-Pagers”…and THEY ROCK!!! At the end of the semester there will be a
general knowledge assessment which will require you to relate common threads
among the battles studied. All students will be required to take this
assessment.
Semester Exam: 20% of accumulated points…Comprehensive.
Grading:
A=100-90
B=89-80
C=79-70
D=69-60
F=59
and below
Grades will be posted to the web. Keep
all assignments until you see them posted to the grade book. It is a good idea
to keep all assignments until the end of the semester.
LATE ASSIGNMENTS: As noted in CLASS PARTICIPATION, this is hands-on and participation based and
as a result, late assignments are generally unacceptable when it comes to group
participation. Individual late work will
not be accepted.
BIC ASSEMENT: Body In Chair…50 Points per
quarter…minus 5 per tardy and absence (SS do not count!) ATTENDANCE MATTERS! If you choose to violate the ZERO TOLERANCE
CELL PHONE POLICY you will lose all BIC Points…”I giveth, and I shall taketh away!”
ACADEMIC CATCH-UP: – I accept no late work!...On prescribed Academic Catch-Up days you
come to class…work on coursework for entire 50 minutes…I award 25 Points (worth
25 BIC Points!) to your grade to date.
EXTRA CREDIT: Movie Nights = 2% Academic Catch-up…25
Points per Quarter!!!! …other possible creative ideas might pop up!!!!!
TOOLS: Tools
you’ll need for this class include:
Small
Spiral Notebook
3-Ringed
NB (small) for supplementary materials
Writing
Stick
Your brain!!!!
Bring these items to class every day.
DISCIPLINE: The
student handbook will be the basis for any disciplinary action. It is my
personal philosophy, however, that if we treat each other with courtesy and
respect, there should be no need for disciplinary action. It is important to
respect our differences. I do expect you to be in your seat and ready for class
when the bell rings. I also ask your respect my ZERO TOLERANCE CELL PHONE
POLICY!
KEYS TO SUCCESS: If you come to class prepared every day, contribute to your group to the
best of your ability, participate in class discussions and complete your
assignments to the best of your ability, you will achieve success.
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