Social Studies 8

Teacher: Mr. Cook		Phone: 468-2541 ext 2065
School Year 2004-05		email: tcook@keshequa.org
Room: 2065

Introduction

Welcome to 8th Grade Social Studies!   This year we finish a two-year adventure in Our Great American History Challenge. Our Middle School Social Studies courses challenge us to be good Social Scientists – to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to explore our history, geography, economy, government, and much more. Our work also prepares us for the New York State Social Studies Assessment Test we take next June and for the challenges of high school.

There are several parts to this sheet.  They include the expectations, policies, and procedures we will use during the year.  You will also find attached our classroom rules and a special SS8 sheet which should be returned as soon as possible.

Course Expectations

Our goal is to become good Social Scientists. A good Social Scientist is someone who enjoys learning and demonstrates continual growth, has a body of knowledge and skills, is able to investigate problems and find and apply solutions, communicates effectively and works cooperatively, accepts responsibility for their actions and their learning. 

As good Social Scientists we will be able to successfully solve the problems and challenges we face in Social Studies, including homework, tests, projects, and passing the grade.  Everyone who works hard and does his or her best will be successful!

Here are some useful Steps for Success in 8th Social Studies
•	Take responsibility and treat others and everything with respect
•	Complete everything to the best of your ability!
•	Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – learn from them and improve!
•	Keep open communication with your parents, teachers, and classmates!
•	Come to class on time, prepared, and ready to work!
•	Work on your weaknesses – always ask for help if you need it!
•	Follow the classroom rules (attached) and the Student handbook!
•	Be part of the winning team made up of your parents, teachers, classmates, and the most important member – you!

For a more complete description of expectations, requirements, procedures, and rules you can contact Mr. Cook.

Grading Policy

We will be following the general grading procedures found in the Student Handbook.  In each ten-week period, your Social Studies grade will be figure using the following categories and weights:

•	Student work (homework, projects, class activities, packet grades) 45%
•	Quiz and Test grades   45%
•	Social Scientist Grades (participation and preparation grades) 10%

It is important to remember that your grade depends on you.  You will have the opportunity to correct and return most of your student work, and participate in remediation activities for your quiz and test grades.  If you do your best and take responsibility, you will be successful!

Homework Policy

Homework is a significant part of our work.  I never give busy work – each assignment is important.  To do well you must complete each of the homework steps below to the best of your ability  (we will learn more about these steps in class.)

1.	Get the Assignment (make sure you understand it and have the necessary materials!)
2.	Do the Assignment completely and to the best of your ability!
3.	Bring the Assignment to Class
4.	Get Feedback in form of grades or other assessment.
5.	THEN – either success or go back through the steps again!

We will be setting our goals at 80 or better.  That means that success is when we get an 80 or higher on an assignment.  Any thing less we should always rework!

•	Assignments are due at the beginning of class unless you are told otherwise by Mr. Cook!  Since they are so important to our work, we follow these procedures if they are not done.
•	Incomplete work  (any part not done) is given a 50 and three points deducted from your preparation grade for the 5 weeks.  
•	Don’t leave the hard ones out – they are the ones you need to do!  Remember, if you get it wrong, you will be able to correct it!
•	Missing work (not done or not handed in when asked for) is marked missing and counts as a zero and five points are deducted from your preparation grade for the 5 weeks.
•	Missing homework must be made up!

Students MUST make up missing work by choosing one of the following:
•	Student completes assignment and make up work
•	Student completes assignment and stays 9th period for a homework detention.

If I student consistently fails to complete homework, they may lose their choice in how they make up their work.  Remember, homework is essential to success!

8th Grade Classroom Rules

	We all want to reach the goals we have set for this year’s Social Studies, and to do this we want a classroom that runs smoothly and safely and which promotes learning. That is why we will be following these basic rules...

1.  We will follow the rules found in the student handbook and discipline code.

2.  We will treat everyone and everything with respect. 

3.  We will all take responsibility for our learning and behavior.

4.  We will come to class prepared and begin at the bell by getting out our materials and checking the “Can You” board.

5.  We will make sure not to disturb the class or classmates by inappropriate talking or actions.

6.   Each student will be given six bathroom/locker slips per ten weeks. Students can use these at anytime during class to go directly to the bathroom, locker, or to get a drink.  The student is responsible for the material or activities we are doing at class. Students should not abuse the privilege or may lose their passes for the ten weeks.

7.  You don’t have to ask permission to leave your seats to get a tissue or sharpen your pencil, but remember to follow rules #2, #3,  & #5.

We will be following the discipline code procedure in handling the breaking of any these rules.

A Final Note To Parents!

Here are some ways you can keep up with your student’s Social Studies work:
•	Check the agenda weekly – we write our week’s work in it on Monday.
•	Look for SS progress reports at 3, 5, and 8 weeks
•	Ask your student what they are doing in class – I promise it is NOT “nothing”
•	Contact me if you have any questions or concerns!
•	Check out my Folder in the MS Collections at www.keshequa.org

8th Grade Social Studies     Content Outline    

Introduction:   						Time:  September
•	Being A Social Scientist
•	Our Tool Kits
•	Whatsit?
•	A Quick Review of 7th Social Studies  (ch 1-8)

Unit 4 The Nation Grows– America from 1790-1850   Sept /October
•	Packet One – The New Republic Begins (Ch 9)
•	Packet Two- America Grows and Changes (Ch 10-13)
•	Packet Three- America in 1850 (ch 14-15)
•	Unit Test
•	Presidential election activity

Family History Project

Unit 5  Division and Reunion		November/December 
•	Packet Four – A Dividing Nation  (Ch 16)
•	Packet Five – The Civil War& Reconstruction (Ch 17, 18) 

Unit 6 An Industrial Society      December/ January
•	Packet Six :  The West (Ch 19) 
•	Packet Seven :The Rise of Industry and Unions (Ch 20)
•	Packet Eight: Immigration and the Growth of Cities  ( Ch 21)
•	Packet Nine: Progressives and Reformers Ch 22

Midterm Examination

Unit 7 A New Role for the Nation    		Time:    February / March

•	Packet Ten:  America Foreign Policy  1860-1920  (Ch 23)
•	Packet Eleven:  World War I (Ch 24)
•	Unit Test

Unit 8  20th Century America 			Time March - May
•	Packet Twelve America between the Wars (Ch 25-26)
•	Packet Thirteen World War II (Ch 27)
•	Packet Fourteen Challenges of a Post War World (Ch 28-29)
•	Packet Fifteen  America of the 21st Century (Ch 30)
Review							May -June
State Exam   /   Final Test

Parent Sheet       SS8      Mr. Cook       Student’s Name_______________________

Directions:  Parents should review the attached handout with their student and then fill out and sign this sheet. Please remember to fill also fill in the back.  Students should return this sheet to Mr. Cook by September 10th.  Be sure to keep the rest of the handout!

1.  What do you think your student needs to improve upon in order to be successful in Social Studies this year?  (example:  completing homework, organization, quiz scores, paying attention...)

2. What goal (numeric grade) would you like to shoot for in the first 10 weeks? (No lower than a 75 please!)

3.  Are there any other special things I should know about your student or your family?  (If you would like to talk to me directly about this, please check the box below.)

I reviewed this handout with my student on (date) _________________

Parent’s Signature ________________________

        Check this box if you feel it would be helpful to talk with you before we begin our program.

Your Phone Number ________________________

Other Questions or Comments:

More on back!

Parent Permission Sheet      Mr. Cook    Middle School Social Studies

A few times during the school year we will be leaving our classroom and going off school grounds to use our community as a Social Studies Classroom.  This will usually consist of one or possibly two periods.  Some examples might be a short trip 
•	To the village building to study local government
•	Down a local street to study architecture
•	To a nearby site for a local history lesson
These are not really “field trips”, for we will usually walk to the location.  I will give verbal notice to the students the day before we go. 

This permission is only for those local walks or trips that are held during our regular Social Studies class time.  If we leave the District, or do an optional extra credit activity beyond our class times, we will be using the standard field trip permission slip.

 Please complete the permission slip below.  It will be kept on file for the year. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.  

I give ________________________________________  permission to participate during the school year in Mr. Cook’s local trips use the local community as a Social Studies classroom.  I do so with the understanding that Mr. Cook will announce verbally the day before such a walk is taken, and will follow the guidelines outlined above.

Parents Signature ______________________________________________________

Date ________________________

Thank you!  I look forward to working with you and your student this year!