“We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.”
-- George Bernard Shaw
-- George Bernard Shaw
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
Welcome to 8th grade U.S. History! This course will focus on providing you an understanding of how and why specific events in America’s history took place. From the American Revolution to the Civil War, we will investigate, discuss, and debate a number of historical issues and seek to find the relevance of the past to our world today.
II. MATERIALS (Required Daily)
III. GENERAL CLASSROOM RULES
"One’s discipline and behavior is more important than one’s I.Q. in the pursuit of happiness and success in life."
Disciplined behavior is a must. It will take precedence over everything we do in this classroom because it forms the foundation upon which you will be able to successfully achieve standards of work and performance required for this course. Therefore, it is imperative that you choose to test the limits of your mind rather than test the limits of your behavior in the class.
IV. STANDARDS OF ASSESSMENT
V. DEL MAR MIDDLE SCHOOLS GRADING PRACTICES AND POLICIES
VI. HOMEWORK POLICY
Homework assignments are to be turned in on time and be completed with quality. Consequences for failing to complete or submit an assignment(s) at the appropriate time may include the following:
Work which requires printing must be printed PRIOR to attending class. Violations of academic integrity (cheating) will result in an automatic student referral. No extra credit is provided in this course.
VII. ABSENCE POLICY
It is the student’s (not the parent’s) responsibility to complete the following when absent or when aware of an upcoming absence:
A) Review their teacher’s assignment page and know what work is being missed.
B) Formally communicate with their teacher about the absence.
C) Avoid approaching the teacher at the start of a class about an absence. Do not ask, “What did I miss?” The student should already know what was missed due to completing the steps above.
D) Take advantage of SMART sessions in order to gain additional time during the school day to get work done or to work with teachers one-on-one.
Welcome to 8th grade U.S. History! This course will focus on providing you an understanding of how and why specific events in America’s history took place. From the American Revolution to the Civil War, we will investigate, discuss, and debate a number of historical issues and seek to find the relevance of the past to our world today.
II. MATERIALS (Required Daily)
- Del Mar Assignment Planner
- Social Studies ONLY Notebook/Binder
- Charged and properly functioning iPad w/ charger
- Writing Utensils (pen, pencil, highlighter)
III. GENERAL CLASSROOM RULES
"One’s discipline and behavior is more important than one’s I.Q. in the pursuit of happiness and success in life."
Disciplined behavior is a must. It will take precedence over everything we do in this classroom because it forms the foundation upon which you will be able to successfully achieve standards of work and performance required for this course. Therefore, it is imperative that you choose to test the limits of your mind rather than test the limits of your behavior in the class.
- Be on time.
- Be prepared.
- Be respectful.
- Be productive.
IV. STANDARDS OF ASSESSMENT
- Historical Thinking and Knowledge
- Speaking and Listening
- Reading & Written Communication
- Habits of Learning
V. DEL MAR MIDDLE SCHOOLS GRADING PRACTICES AND POLICIES
- Four clear learning levels: Beginning, Approaching, Proficient, and Advanced.
- Teachers will input IE (Insufficient Evidence) when they do not have sufficient evidence of student learning. The grade will be adjusted when evidence of student learning is presented.
- Habits of Learning are separate from academic grades.
- Teachers will not reduce the overall grade due to late work.
- Teachers will not give extra credit.
- Teachers will not use points or percentages in giving feedback.
- Formative assignments and assessments are to provide practice and feedback
- Summative assessments make up the majority of a student’s academic grade.
- ALMA will be updated bi-weekly; including Habits of Learning
VI. HOMEWORK POLICY
Homework assignments are to be turned in on time and be completed with quality. Consequences for failing to complete or submit an assignment(s) at the appropriate time may include the following:
- Attendance at the teacher's assigned office hours
- Forfeiture of a formative/summative assessment
- Parent contact
Work which requires printing must be printed PRIOR to attending class. Violations of academic integrity (cheating) will result in an automatic student referral. No extra credit is provided in this course.
VII. ABSENCE POLICY
It is the student’s (not the parent’s) responsibility to complete the following when absent or when aware of an upcoming absence:
A) Review their teacher’s assignment page and know what work is being missed.
B) Formally communicate with their teacher about the absence.
C) Avoid approaching the teacher at the start of a class about an absence. Do not ask, “What did I miss?” The student should already know what was missed due to completing the steps above.
D) Take advantage of SMART sessions in order to gain additional time during the school day to get work done or to work with teachers one-on-one.