WELCOME TO 8TH GRADE U.S. HISTORY!
Course Objectives:
The goal of this class is to enable students to understand the development of the United States by examining connections to the past in order to prepare for the future as participating members of a democratic society. Students will examine political, economic, technological, and social developments of the United States from the exploration period through Reconstruction. This includes the impact of expansion on the the country’s development; political, social, and economics conflicts; influence of diverse groups on cultural development of the U.S.; and key concepts of the U.S. Constitution and other historical documents.
The goal of this class is to enable students to understand the development of the United States by examining connections to the past in order to prepare for the future as participating members of a democratic society. Students will examine political, economic, technological, and social developments of the United States from the exploration period through Reconstruction. This includes the impact of expansion on the the country’s development; political, social, and economics conflicts; influence of diverse groups on cultural development of the U.S.; and key concepts of the U.S. Constitution and other historical documents.
"So what does that mean to me?"
The first thing that I need you to understand is that this class is awesome. The second thing that I need you to understand is that this class is really important. One day, the 8th grade class of 2019 will run this country, so you need to start learning how the whole thing came together. The knowledge and skills you acquire in this class will help prepare you to be a working part of a 21st century United States of America.
We will have fun in here, and that will help you learn the content, too. We will laugh and yell, and we'll dance and sing. (I won’t dance, but you can…and I apologize ahead of time for the singing.) We will move around and go outside, and we'll work with other classes. We will use technology on an almost daily basis. We will joke and play and even occasionally get off topic, but it’s super important that when it’s time to move forward, that we are able to move forward. All I need is for you to follow the two policies below. It’s going to be a great year!
We will have fun in here, and that will help you learn the content, too. We will laugh and yell, and we'll dance and sing. (I won’t dance, but you can…and I apologize ahead of time for the singing.) We will move around and go outside, and we'll work with other classes. We will use technology on an almost daily basis. We will joke and play and even occasionally get off topic, but it’s super important that when it’s time to move forward, that we are able to move forward. All I need is for you to follow the two policies below. It’s going to be a great year!
Classroom Policies:
1. RESPECT YOUR SCHOOL, YOUR PEERS, YOUR TEACHERS, AND YOURSELF
2. COME TO CLASS ON-TIME, PREPARED WITH SUPPLIES
Absent/Late Work Policies:
It is the student’s responsibility to get their makeup work the day they return from an absence. According to school-wide policy, students have two days to makeup work after an absence.
As a means of preparing students for high school, late work is not accepted.
Supplies:
1. RESPECT YOUR SCHOOL, YOUR PEERS, YOUR TEACHERS, AND YOURSELF
2. COME TO CLASS ON-TIME, PREPARED WITH SUPPLIES
Absent/Late Work Policies:
It is the student’s responsibility to get their makeup work the day they return from an absence. According to school-wide policy, students have two days to makeup work after an absence.
As a means of preparing students for high school, late work is not accepted.
Supplies:
|
1" three-ring binder with plastic protector AND pocket folder, each in the color of your class period:
1st: Purple 2nd: Red 4th: Blue 5th: Black 6th: Orange 7th: Green |
Optional (to share):
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I have no problem with a student bringing a laptop or tablet, with student/parent understanding that it must be used properly and at their own risk.
Please consult the SCPS Acceptable Use Policy for more details.
Textbooks and Other Resources
Our textbook is TCI's History Alive! United States through Industrialism.
We have a class set of textbooks, but its entire contents is available online through The Portal.
If you do not have internet access at home, you can request a textbook from SCPS.
We will also be using a variety of online resources throughout the year, including TreeOfEd.com and others that will be linked on the homepage of this site.
U.S. History Passport
Each student will be given a "Passport" booklet that they will be responsible for until the end of the year. The Passport will be used to track learning and identify key aspects of each unit.
It will be used in class almost every day, and should be kept in your binder in class. However, since it is also a great studying resource, you can choose to take it home on occasion.
Schedule
The following schedule is meant to serve as a rough outline of the school year. It is not meant to be definite.
Please consult the SCPS Acceptable Use Policy for more details.
Textbooks and Other Resources
Our textbook is TCI's History Alive! United States through Industrialism.
We have a class set of textbooks, but its entire contents is available online through The Portal.
If you do not have internet access at home, you can request a textbook from SCPS.
We will also be using a variety of online resources throughout the year, including TreeOfEd.com and others that will be linked on the homepage of this site.
U.S. History Passport
Each student will be given a "Passport" booklet that they will be responsible for until the end of the year. The Passport will be used to track learning and identify key aspects of each unit.
It will be used in class almost every day, and should be kept in your binder in class. However, since it is also a great studying resource, you can choose to take it home on occasion.
Schedule
The following schedule is meant to serve as a rough outline of the school year. It is not meant to be definite.
First Nine WeeksNative Americans & the Age of Exploration
Colonies in America Conflict in the Colonies |
Third Nine WeeksStarting a New Nation
Westward Expansion Reform Movements Industrial North and Agricultural South |
Second Nine WeeksDeclaration of Independence
The American Revolution Forming Our Government |
Fourth Nine Weeks A Nation Divided
The Civil War Reconstruction |
Pre-IB students have Community Service requirements as well as a required History Fair project. These are not required for Advanced students, but you are certainly welcome to participate. Please see the Pre-IB syllabus for details.
One final note:
I am really excited about this school year. I know history is really interesting to some kids, while incredibly boring to others. I've felt each of those ways depending on the subject, the lesson, and yes, the teacher. All I ask is that you come into my class with an open mind because I do my best to make everyday as fun and interesting as possible.