8th Grade Social Studies Syllabus, 2016-17
As an eighth grader, you will learn about American history using the History Alive! textbook. Highlights include:
To be successful in this class, you must be present, prepared, and responsible. You must also contribute appropriately during team and class conversations. The following learning behaviors will help you succeed, gain knowledge, and hopefully enjoy eighth grade social studies this school year.
Learning Behaviors
Grades
50% of your grade will be based on:
As always, if you have questions, comments, or concerns, please let me know.
Mr. Brewer
- Native Americans
- European Exploration
- The Colonies
- The Revolution
- The Constitution
- The Civil War
- The Reconstruction
- The Early 20th Century
- Current Events including the U.S. presidential election and government
To be successful in this class, you must be present, prepared, and responsible. You must also contribute appropriately during team and class conversations. The following learning behaviors will help you succeed, gain knowledge, and hopefully enjoy eighth grade social studies this school year.
Learning Behaviors
- Be present and on time—Attendance is extremely important and so is being on time.
- Use good active-listening behaviors—Eye contact and thinking about what is being said.
- Use a 12-inch voice when speaking to teammates—Showing respect for others.
- On-task behavior —As soon as you enter the class, get quiet, take your seat, and be ready to work; stay focused on the assigned task; put forth maximum effort until dismissed.
- Be persistent—Don’t give up; ask questions.
- Be resilient—Try again; try a different way; start over if necessary.
- Be prepared—Bring your writing tools, History Alive, notebook, and nametag (until further notice) each and everyday.
- Take responsible risks—Think out of the box; ask questions.
- Think flexibly—There is always another way, try something different—new approach.
- Contribute ideas, questions, and thoughts—Be involved in your learning.
- Manage impulsivity—Exercise appropriate self-control.
- Complete all work on time—Class work and homework; if for some reason, you are going to be late on an assignment, be sure to meet with me to discuss reasons/solutions, etc.
- Communicate—After an absence, check in to see what you missed and make arrangements for an appropriate due date; if something is not working for you, let me know; if something is working for you, let me know.
- Work cooperatively—Contribute ideas; do equal work; use good listening skills; agree or suggest alternative ideas.
- Attitude—Come to class with an open mind and a great attitude.
- Effort—Develop the lifelong skill of always doing your best; go the extra mile. It matters.
Grades
50% of your grade will be based on:
- The above learning behaviors.
- Quiz scores
- Test scores
- Class projects (essays, reports, etc.)
As always, if you have questions, comments, or concerns, please let me know.
Mr. Brewer