Directions

 =**__Objective:__** =   Students will:
 * 1) ** Effectively search for and evaluate appropriate current event articles. (1.2, 8.1) **
 * 2) ** Utilize a variety of print and electronic current event sources throughout the course. (1.8, 1.2) **
 * 3) ** Read and comprehend current events on local, state, national and international levels. (8.1, 7.4, 1.2) **
 * 4) ** Express, through a variety of means, their personal opinions and views of current events. (1.5, 1.6) **
 * 5) ** Determine the impact of the events on their personal lives, the local area, the region, the nation, and/or the world. (8.1) **
 * 6) ** Connect current events to topics studied in AP U.S. History. (8.1, 8.3) **

**__ Procedure: __

At the beginning of each week, one student in the class will find a current event article, read it, and post ONE discussion question on the class’s Discussion Board. **


 * ** Articles must be from reliable, newsworthy resources (see helpful sources below), and be relevant to 20th Century U.S. History. **
 * ** Articles must be current (within a week of posting). Exceptions are monthly publications, such as //National Geographic//. In such cases, use the publication for the current month. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">** The article and question must be posted on the Discussion Board __by 10 pm Monday evenings__. **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">** Questions should be thought-provoking as to encourage understanding and various perspectives of an event. The question should result in //analysis, reflection, formation of opinions, and a connection with U. S. History//. (Questions that use wording such as, “compare,” “contrast,” “explain,” “analyze,” “judge,” “criticize,” “support,” “defend,” “predict,” and “assess,” will prompt those responding to utilize higher levels of analysis.) **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**__ Timeline: __ All other students in the class will have four days, __from Monday at 10 PM through the following Friday morning at 8 AM,__ to read the article and to respond to the question on the discussion board. **

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">** Responses should address all parts of the posted question; indicate comprehension and analysis of the article, express personal views, and make a connection with U. S. History. I encourage you to respond to the posts by other students, as well. **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">** Keep in mind rules of etiquette for the discussion board. ** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**// 1. //// This program is being utilized for school assignments, therefore, school rules apply. // // 2. //// In writing your opinion on a topic, make sure you're not going to be offensive to anyone as you write it. // // 3. //// Always make sure you check over your post for spelling errors, grammar errors, and your use of words. // // 4. //// Watch your language! This is a graded assignment and should be reflective of maturity and professionalism. // // 5. //// Make sure things you write about are factual. Don't post about things that aren't true. // 6. **//<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Keep it education-oriented. That means that you shouldn't discuss your plans for** the w eekend. //


 * __ Rubric __**As this assignment is a weekly homework/claswork grade, students will be assessed on the following rubric.


 * <span style="display: block; font-size: 11pt; color: black; text-align: center; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: Arial;">CATEGORY || **<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">2 ** || **<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1 ** || **<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">0 ** ||
 * **<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Evidence and Examples ** || <span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">All of the evidence and examples are specific, relevant and explanations are given that show how each piece of evidence supports the author's position. || <span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">At least one of the pieces of evidence and examples is relevant and has an explanation that shows how that piece of evidence supports the author's position. || <span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Evidence and examples are NOT relevant AND/OR are not explained. ||
 * **<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Position Statement ** || <span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The position statement provides a clear statement of the author's position on the topic. || <span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A position statement is present, but does not make the author's position clear. || <span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">There is no position statement. ||
 * **<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Sources ** || <span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">All sources used for quotes, statistics and facts are credible and cited correctly. || <span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Most sources used for quotes, statistics and facts are credible and cited correctly. || <span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Many sources are suspect (not credible) AND/OR are not cited correctly. ||
 * **<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Presentation ** || <span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Student provides information on the day of presentation. || <span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Student provides limited information on the day of presentation.  || <span style="font-size: 9pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Student does not participate, or their participation is derogatory.  ||