MHh Syllabus

Jill Yamasawa
ms.yamasawa@gmail.com

Modern Hawaiian history

Course Description

In MHh, you will learn and think critically about the causes of the overthrow, sugar, plantation life, Pearl Harbor, race and racism in Hawaiʻi, the sovereignty movement, land issues, and contemporary Hawaiian issues and Hawaiian literature. You will learn about history with a small “h” rather than History with a large “H.” This means you will learn about multiple perspectives of history.

Skills Used:

1. Research accurately
2. Presentation / public speaking
3. Group work
4. Critical thinking

Course Goals:

1. Understand the basic events of Modern Hawaiian history.
2. Collaborate with others to create a coherent and informative presentation on an issue.
3. Feel comfortable speaking about social and political issues in Hawaiʻi in an informed way.
4. Understand the basic elements of race in Hawaiʻi.
5. Share personal experiences to better understand one another.

Rules:

1. Be respectful and kind toward others.
2. Participate in groups, class discussions and individual projects.
3. Put forth effort.
4. Have humor and enthusiasm.
5. Be on time and in your seat when class begins.
6. No cell phones or iPods unless it’s break time or unless I ask you to take them out.
7. No mean-spirited comments written or verbal.
8. Push yourself to learn more than you thought you could.
9. No drinking soda or juice or any of the caffeinated drinks.
10. Clean up after yourself.
11. Pick up any trash you see on the floor even if it is not yours.

Housekeeping:

1. Please call me Ms. Jill.

2. You may chew gum and drink water in class. You may also eat in class within reason, but please if do so quietly and respectfully (after I’m done speaking and after bellwork).

Grade Breakdown:

Individual Project 50 points
Group Project 50 points
Children’s Book Project 50 points
Bellwork (10 per semester) 100 points
Participation and Class work 200 points
GoogleDocs/Homework 200 points
Best Work Portfolio 200 points
Final Test* (Learning Stretch) 350 points
*Oral Option
Total Points 1200 points

Expectations / Rubric or How you are Graded:

Individual Project:
1. Due Wednesday June 24, 2009
2. Most Influential Person in Hawaiʻi: Who do you think has been one of the most influential persons in Hawaiʻi? Explain why. Give examples.
3. Engaging presentation, persuasive
4. Poised, confident, well-spoken presentation
5. Solid info
6. Reliable sources
7. Well-researched.
8. Looks professional
9. Turned in all components a long the way.
10. Powerpoint Presentation, iMovie, poster, or other visuals
11. Includes all elements required (a detailed sheet will be given)

Group Project:
1. Due Thursday, June 25, 2009
2. Biggest Problem in Hawaiʻi: What problem do you think is one of the worst problems plaguing Hawaiʻi? Explain why. Give examples.
3. Engaging presentation, persuasive
4. Poised, confident, well-spoken presentation from all members
5. Solid info
6. Reliable sources
7. Well-researched.
8. Looks professional
9. Everyone contributes equally.
10. Defined team roles
11. Powerpoint Presentation, iMovie,, poster or other visuals
12. Includes all elements required (a detailed sheet will be given)

Children’s Book Project (Individual or Pairs):
1. Defined theme
2. Excellent story with a problem and resolution
3. Clear and neatly defined illustrations, which matches the story.
4. Relates to standards.
5. Accurate information.
6. Bindings and cover
7. Includes all elements required (a detailed sheet will be given).

Bellwork:
1. Keep all your belllwork and turn in on the last day of class in a portfolio.
2. Do your daily homework.
3. Cite all of your sources.

Participation and Class work:
1. Engage in class discussions, group projects, and blog posts with accurate information and thoughtful questions and comments.
2. Complete all class work on time with full effort.
3. Use your class work to enrich your projects.
4. Do your daily homework.

GoogleDocs:
1. Read your email daily.
2. Answer every email.
3. Cite your sources accurately.

Best Work Portfolio:
1. Best 3 bellworks
2 Bibliography of sources used for your best project.
3. Best project reflections and rubrics.
4. Print out your 5 best email answers.
5. Outline of 10 things you learned with supporting details.
6. A letter to me about your experiences in this class.
7. First Assessment Test (Test we took on the first day)
8. Final exam (graded)
9. Analysis of what you learned (take it question by question). You will compare your First Assessment Test with your Final exam.

Final Exam:
1. Your final exam will consist of everything we learned in class as it relates to standards.
2. Don’t stress about it. It will simply evaluate how much you learned from the beginning to now.

Supplies: Due Wednesday

1 black pen
1 red pen
2 pencils
1 ½ inch binder
folder paper
beach towel or lawn chair (serious)
library card

1 iPod (preferred, but not essential)

1 paper towel (extra credit)
1 tissue (extra credit)

If you miss class: see yamasawaenglish.blogspot.com for missing work.