Social Studies Grade 8 Syllabus
Grade 8 Social Studies
US History
Mr. Seivert
tseivert@holyfamilyrockford.org
Text:
Holt, Rinehart & Winston. United States History, © 2008
http://my.hrw.com/
Curriculum:
The following topics will be covered in 8th Grade Geography:
1.Reviewing Historical Themes
2.Early America & Road to Revolution
3.Declaration of Independence &U.S. Constitution
4.American Revolution
5.Sectionalism, Civil War & Reconstruction
6.Industrialization, Immigration, Urbanization, Imperialism
7.Roaring 20s
8.WWI
9.Great Depression & New Deal
10.WWII
11.Cold War
12.Civil Rights
13.Vietnam
14.Illinois Constitution
15.Modern America
Grading:
60%: Tests & Projects
40%: Homework, Quizzes, In-Class Assignments & Participation
Quizzes:
Quizzes are given to assess if the students are keeping up with their daily reading assignments and keeping up with the class. Some quizzes will be given unannounced.
Tests:
Students will always be given several days of advanced notice before tests are given. Tests will cover the previous unit's material. Students will be given review material that will cover those topics presented in the test. Students are expected to study their notes & text before a test.
Homework:
Student can expect homework on a routine basis. Homework may consist of readings, worksheets, activities, vocabulary, studying, etc. It is important that homework be completed neatly on time to reinforce material presented in class.
Projects:
Students may be given projects from time to time. These projects may be research papers, projects pertaining to the current class unit, posters, group presentations, region presentations or a multi-disciplinary projects etc. Some projects will take less time than others. For longer projects, due to the extended time given, they will most likely count as two test grades.
Grading Scale:
A: 100-93%
B: 92-85%
C: 84-76%
D: 75-70%
F: < 70%
Daily Activities:
Each section of the textbook will be discussed during class after it has been read. Students are expected to take notes in their spirals during discussion along with material presented in class.
Notebooks & Binders:
Students are expected to keep a notebook & binder with them for daily class material. Students are expected to take notes during class discussions along with any material presented on the projector or on the board. It is strongly encouraged that students maintain a clean & legible notebook/binder because it serves as an essential study tool while studying for exams. Unannounced notebook checks will conducted to maintain neat and orderly notebooks.
Expectations:
1. Students are expected to be in class and seated when the bell rings,
ready for that days material.
2. Students are expected to bring their Three Ring Binder (or
folder/trapper) along with a spiral notebook, loose leaf paper, their text
book and a blue/black pen to class on a daily basis. Other items deemed
useful, would include pencils, markers and highlighters.
3. All written work is to be done neatly in blue or black ink along with
complete sentences, correct grammar, punctuation & spelling on loose leaf
paper.
**Work not done legibly or turned in on notebook paper torn out of a
spiral notebook will not be accepted and given back for the student to
complete again.**
4. All assignments must be on loose leaf paper with the proper Holy Family
heading:
First & Last Name
8A or 8B U.S. History |
|
Date
Hour |
| |
Assignment |
|
5. All work must be completed on time. Missing and/or incomplete work will not be accepted in which case, a detention will be issued to complete for the following morning. The student will also incur a grade penalty of a lower letter grade for each day it is not turned in. No late work will be accepted after the test is given.
6. Work missed because of an absence must be made up promptly. For every
day a student is absent, they are given that many days to complete make-up
work. Homework given the day before the student is absent will be due on
the 1st day the student reports to class. Projects are assigned weeks in
advance and should be worked on a little at a time, not the night before.
8th Grade Constitution Tests:
The state of Illinois requires all 8th grade students to pass both the Federal and State Constitution tests before graduation. Students who do not pass the test will be given one opportunity to retake the test. If a student does not pass the test after two attempts, the student will not graduate in May and will need to make arrangements to retake and pass the test over the summer before enrolling in high school. We will take the U.S. Constitution test sometime near the beginning of the 2nd quarter. We will study the State Constitution at the end of this school year with the test either in April or May. This works well since it falls around the time of our field trip to Springfield. As always, if any student is struggling with any material in this class, (especially the Constitution Units) it is important to see me immediately for help.
Back to Mr. Seivert's Home Page
