American History Rules! Online

It’s been around for fifteen years now, and it has grown into the most important tool for student success in American history class. One of your opening assignments is to explore the class website in order to understand how it works and what information it contains. To get used to the site, complete the exercises below.

Use the following to get an idea of what this site has to offer …

Begin by watching the introductory screencast going over the ins and outs of the website. I hope it helps!

Click on “Units”, and look at the descriptions of the eight upcoming units of study. Which unit(s) are you looking forward to the most, and why?

Note that there is a section called “NHD”. You don’t have to check that out just yet … but it will come in handy soon!

Go back to the main page and click on “D.C.!”. Check out the itinerary and pics from last year’s trip. How many more days until we leave? What locations are you looking forward to seeing?

Make sure you can log into “MyUSM”. While all assignments will be available on AHR.com, they will also be listed on MyUSM so you can always know what is due!

The Library is your best place to start researching a project of grabbing a fun book to read. Log on and try to find a fun book to devour! Mrs. E is the best …

Click on “ABC-CLIO”, and login to the site (username is “usmstudent”, password is “wildcats”). Click on the American History database, and enter in a search term of any historical topic of interest. What did you search, and what materials did you find on the site (list a few)?

Check out the materials available on “Student” – they are there for you! Make sure you look over all entries on this page over the next few days – the vocabulary is important! Use the checklist below.

 Syllabus

 Principles

 Grading

 SSSS Rubric

 Taft Speak

 Notebook

 Homework

 Success

 Plagiarism

 Extra Credit

YES NO Do you have any questions about the grading scale in American history class?

YES NO Do you completely understand the various purposes for homework?

YES NO Can you explain and identify plagiarism?

What are the various ways in which you can earn extra credit in American history class?

At home, subscribe to the American History Rules! Podcasts, or listen to it from the website. We will use these throughout the year for a variety of purposes. Listen to the example - What statement did I ask you to write down?

Service is a new part of the site, dedicated to the 8th grade service learning projects. Check out the site (it’s a work in progress), and leave your name in the comment section of the post about getting involved early and maybe taking a leadership position!

Click on “Taft”. Did you find out enough info to get to know me a bit? Where did I go this summer? What else should I add to the page?

Look on the right side of the site. What is one major event that happened on “This Day in History”? How about on your birthday?

Today –

Birthday –

I will try to keep up with assignments on Twitter as well. Check out the twitter feed on the site, and follow @AMHistRules if you are a member of the twitterverse.

Is there anything else you would like to see on this website (besides answers to all tests and homework)?