Just for today: 

I will learn something new.

I will exercise my body and mind. I will be happy.

I will have fun.  I will be kind.

Course Overviews  2021/ 2022

I will be teaching US/AZ Government, Economics, American/AZ history, and World History/ Geography this year along with 2 Essential Skills classes.

I use online textbooks, most have videos imbedded in the reading.  We will read the texts in class.  I also show a number of supplemental videos.  I do this since most of my students are audio/ visual learners.  Students need to be in class to participate in class discussions.

US Government:

 I believe in the Constitution and fact checking when it comes to politics.  Students should be prepared to discuss current events as they relate to the Constitution and government.  We will be looking at causes and effects.  We will look at the roles of the government and the people we elect.  We are going to know why voting for the Representatives and Senators are just as important as voting for the President.  Why, now it is more important than ever to vote.  We will be looking at the duties and responsibilities of our elected representatives.  The roles of government and how things get paid for (taxes, tarrifs, and fees).

Economics: (Spring Semester)

In economics we will be studying basic economic concepts such as supply & demand, We will be looking at real life skills such as budgeting, investing/ saving, using the internet to help negotiate buying a car, and much more.  We will be using a site called "Next Generation Personal Finance" (NGPF).  We will be doing the ECAP budgeting assignment in class.

American/ Arizona history: 

"if we do not learn from our past we are bound to repeat it."  We will be looking at our nation's history from colonization to today.  We will look for the causes and effects of events.  We will look at the evolution of American politics as it relates to current events.  Arizona history has many a tall tale associated with it.  It is a history rich in culture and growth that has led it to be one of the "Leading States” in American politics.  We look at how environmental issues have contributed to the state’s growth and history.

World History/ Geography:

This is a year long course. World history is a general study of the world's great civilizations; such as Summarian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman Empire, British Empire, etc.  We will be using maps to study how geography influenced the culture and politics of various civilizations from ancient to modern times.

Essential Skills:

Essential skills will focus on different study skills.  Small study groups for math, science, language arts will be encouraged.  Learning to work with and assist others is a life skill.  There is a weekly agenda & writing prompt that will be 80% of the grade for this class.  Students will do weekly grade/ missing assignment checks.  Organization and study strategies will be a focus.