8th Grade History Syllabus

8th Grade History Syllabus
Class Overview:
Throughout this class, students will learn about the history of the United States beginning at the Age of Exploration all the way to the 1900’s. Students will be asked to place themselves in the various time periods and realms of history and imagine what life would have been like if they were alive during that time period. Students will also be expected to analyze how history has shaped the world that we live in today and to explore how it might be different if history were altered. Students will also be required to begin to contribute as a citizen of the United States to the community by completing 20 hours of community service throughout the school year. During the end of the first quarter and beginning of the second quarter students will extensively study the Constitution. As a requirement for graduation, students must pass the Constitution Test with an 80%. Students will leave this class with a greater knowledge of their country, both past and present.
Class materials:
Notebook paper, a pen, a pencil, colored pencils, markers, scissors, and a glue stick should always be brought to all class periods.
Curriculum:
The American Republic by Bob Jones
Class Grading Scale:
Tests 30%
Quizzes 20%
Daily assignments and homework 20%
Projects 20%
Community Service (5 hours a quarter) 10%
Extra credit assignments will be given at times, but only if all assignments have been turned in.
Academic responsibilities:
1. All tests and quizzes are to be done in blue or black ink.
2. All assignments are to be done to the best of each student’s ability and must be turned in on time (at the beginning of the class period).
3. Each student is to be on time to class. On time means: students are in their seats quietly waiting for instructions, with all of their needed supplies.
4. Each student must have a binder reminder, write down their assignments per class period, and get a parent signature.
5. Community service hours must be completed under the supervision of someone in their community (NOT A PARENT); therefore, students will need to find a supervisor to oversee their community service hours. It is their supervision who signs that the student has fulfilled the community service hours. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of the hours and the type of duties performed, on the form given by the teacher. Some suggestions for community service : teach/help in a children’s Sunday school class, help in the nursery at your church, volunteer in a teacher’s classroom after school, volunteer to do jobs in daycare, be a homework helper for younger students, pick up trash at the beach or in your neighborhood, read to and visit the elderly, Sunday morning snack helper, assistant coach a team of younger kids in a sport you know well, clean a park, babysit for free, volunteer at a soup kitchen, volunteer at Harvest Celebration, volunteer to set-up for youth group/Awanas, ect
Class behavior standards:
1. During instruction, students must be quiet, unless they raise their hands and wait to be called on.
2. Disrespect toward the teacher/other students will not be tolerated. (Inappropriate language/conversations, name calling, bullying, stealing supplies, destruction of property, ect)
3. Students are to be in their seats, unless they have permission from the teacher.
4. Cheating on any assignment will result in a 0% on that assignment and a detention.
Homework policy:
1. Homework turned in by the end of the period will lose 10% credit.
2. Work turned in the next day is worth 50% credit.
3. Work turned in beyond the next day is worth 0% credit.
Rewards for Obedience:
1. Every three weeks students with an S+ will receive two late work passes. Students with an S will receive one late work pass.

Consequences for Disobedience:
1. Verbal Warning: Warning no consequence
2. Name on Board: Warning no consequence
3. 1 Check: Citation
4. 2 Checks: Call home/Detention
5. 3 Checks: Office referral, isolation from class
(See student handbook page 32 for Cumulative Consequences)
Note: Verbal warnings and names on the board do not have immediate consequences; however, they will affect a student’s citizenship grade. Also if a student does not complete a citation or show up for a detention a parent teacher conference will be called and the student will be referred to the discipline committee.

If you have seen this, email me at tstiles8th@yahoo.com by Friday and your student will get one late work pass.
My webpage is http://TeacherWeb.com/CA/BethanyChristianAcademy/MrsStiles