Welcome to 2017-2018
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On the roof of the Newseum building with an incredible view of our nation's capital.
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The Four Agreements
GPHS cheerleaders all were outstanding students in Ms. Mac's U.S. History class!
Ms. Mac bases her classroom classroom expectations on the four agreements of the ancient Toltec wisdom of the native peoples of Southern Mexico. The Toltec were "people of knowledge," scientists and artists who created a society to explore and conserve traditional spiritual knowledge and practice of their ancestors.
Be impeccable with your word - A student must speak with integrity and say only what he/she means. The power of words must be used in the direction of truth and love.
Don't take anything personally - This agreement also allows for a student to accept constructive instruction, which allows for growth in a positive direction. (Ms. Mac loves you just the way you are!!!)
Don't make assumptions - A student must find the courage to ask questions and express what he/she really means. Don't assume your questions or observations are "not good," but assume they are brilliant!
Always do your best - A student's best is going to change from moment to moment. In every circumstance, a student simply must do his/her best.
Be impeccable with your word - A student must speak with integrity and say only what he/she means. The power of words must be used in the direction of truth and love.
Don't take anything personally - This agreement also allows for a student to accept constructive instruction, which allows for growth in a positive direction. (Ms. Mac loves you just the way you are!!!)
Don't make assumptions - A student must find the courage to ask questions and express what he/she really means. Don't assume your questions or observations are "not good," but assume they are brilliant!
Always do your best - A student's best is going to change from moment to moment. In every circumstance, a student simply must do his/her best.
Class Policies, Late or Missing Work, and Reassessment
All three women are called "Mac"!!! The MAC ATTACK!!!
Class Policies: All people are welcome to U.S. History, especially parents. (It just requires a simple email request.) Students are given adequate time to complete all assignments and assessments in class. Every unit of study has essential questions that have many formative assignments (defining formative as to form knowledge) with one summative test (defining summative as the summary of knowledge.) Formative assignments should be completed prior to summative assessments. In United States History class there is a strong emphasis on writing, especially on the summative test. Every summative test will have multiple choice test questions and one essay question. This history class also includes extension activities, acceleration, and other activities, depending on the needs of the student.
Absence, Missing Work, Late Work, and Reassessment: Understanding historical content and context or learning and practicing analytical and writing skills requires attendance, so missing class is taken seriously. Ms. Mac will do anything and everything to help students get caught up on missing work, most likely at lunchtime. After school is also an option, it just requires communication of the request. There is never a penalty for late work. The goal of any work is to produce the best and that may take longer for some than others.
To demonstrate proficiency, all students need to pass each assessment with a C or better. Students are given all opportunities to retake assessments they fail, or wish to retake, in order to demonstrate proficiency. On multiple choice portions of a test, there is only one retake opportunity. On a written portion of a test, an essay question, the student may rewrite the answer until they earn the grade they want. Ms. Mac will "encourage" (more like push) every student to earn at least a "C" on a written assessment.
Absence, Missing Work, Late Work, and Reassessment: Understanding historical content and context or learning and practicing analytical and writing skills requires attendance, so missing class is taken seriously. Ms. Mac will do anything and everything to help students get caught up on missing work, most likely at lunchtime. After school is also an option, it just requires communication of the request. There is never a penalty for late work. The goal of any work is to produce the best and that may take longer for some than others.
To demonstrate proficiency, all students need to pass each assessment with a C or better. Students are given all opportunities to retake assessments they fail, or wish to retake, in order to demonstrate proficiency. On multiple choice portions of a test, there is only one retake opportunity. On a written portion of a test, an essay question, the student may rewrite the answer until they earn the grade they want. Ms. Mac will "encourage" (more like push) every student to earn at least a "C" on a written assessment.
Mac's Classroom "Expectations Poem"
Under the desk at the Reagan Presidential Library, replica of the President's desk.
The teacher said to the students:
"Come to the edge."
The students replied, "We might fall."
The teacher again said: "Come to the edge."
And they responded, "It is too high."
"Come to the edge!" Demanded the teacher.
And they came.
And the teacher pushed them.
And they Flew.
"Come to the edge."
The students replied, "We might fall."
The teacher again said: "Come to the edge."
And they responded, "It is too high."
"Come to the edge!" Demanded the teacher.
And they came.
And the teacher pushed them.
And they Flew.