Syllabus and Class Information

Course Syllabus for 8^th Grade Social Studies

2010-2011 Academic Year

LaVenture Middle School

gdoud@mv.k12.wa.us - 428-6104, ext. 2424

Instructor:  Greg Doud – Room D105

Welcome to 8^th Grade Social Studies at LaVenture Middle School.  Social studies is the exploration of how people live in and relate to the social, cultural and physical world around them. This class will be based in US history, covering the periods from the American Revolution through the post-Civil War era known as Reconstruction.  Social Studies in middle school covers all of the state required areas of study for young citizens, including:

• Civics – The creation and make-up of government, citizenship rights and responsibilities, and how this affects our lives
• Geography – How the environment affects people and events
• History – Analysis of how America became a nation; how we changed, expanded and resolved conflicts.
• Economics – How resource and money issues affect societies, and how changes in economic practices change the environment and the communities that depend upon it.

Classes:  86 minutes, meeting every other day for the entire academic year (either “green” or “white” days).  It is important for students to be punctual, have good attendance and stay focused and up to date with their work.

Goals:  We care about the work we do, and the people with whom we work.  We will ask for help when we need it.  We not only strive for quality in our social studies work, but we continue to enhance our reading, writing, listening, speaking and questioning skills.  We will use a variety of means to gather information, and to show our learning.  We will have fun, and find that history is interesting as well as important, and does have a lasting impact.

Requirements:  Students are required to arrive to class on time each day with assigned materials and a positive attitude toward learning more than they knew the day before.  Assignments are to be turned in promptly, completed with the student’s best effort.  Students should follow instructions, and actively participate in all activities.  Students are to treat other students and staff with respect.

Homework:  Homework is assigned throughout the units.  Homework can include practice, research and/or reading.  Each unit of instruction will have a culminating project requirement that may require time outside of class. 

Assessment:  Grades will be based on the percent of total points achieved in the class.  These points will be accumulated through daily work, projects, presentations, and tests.  Mid-term reports will be sent home half way through each quarter.  Report cards will be sent home at the end of each quarter.  Parents or guardians are required to sign and return all mid-term reports with their student.  As recommended by the State of Washington, students will complete at least one CBA (classroom based assessment) for social studies.  Your grades for all of your classes can be found at www.mvaims.org .

Grades:           A = 100% to 90%

                        B = 89% to 80%

                        C = 79% to 70%

                        D = 69% to 60%

                        F = Below 60%

“Plus” grades are above the sevens (as in 88% is a B+), and “minus” grades are below the threes (as in 82% is a B-). 

Materials:  Students are required to keep a section in their binders labeled “Social Studies.”  The front pages of this binder section will be calendar pages for students to enter assignments and due dates.  Students should come to class each day with lined, three-hole punched paper, a pencil, and colored pencils or markers.  Students should also have a glue stick, scissors and green, yellow and pink highlighters. 

Students will be assigned several books throughout the year, which will be used in class only.  These include:

• Call to Freedom – a social studies text book published by Holt, Rinehart and Winston
• A History of US  – a series of books on American History by Joy Hakim

There will be other assigned readings and media as designated by Mr. Doud.

Class Web Page/Newsletter: There is a web log for social studies students to review classroom expectations and curriculum, link to resources and communicate with Mr. Doud.  The web page can be found at: http://think-social.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/gdoud - Follow me!

Other school information can be found at the LaVenture web site:

http://www.mv.k12.wa.us/laventure/

Classroom Rules

1. Follow Teacher Instructions
2. Respect all people in the classroom
3. Respect all school and personal property
4. Give your best effort every day

Follow Teacher Instructions: Please be prompt in following verbal and written instructions from me, a guest teacher, or any adult staff member or guest speaker who is involved in a lesson or other school business.  This  makes everyone’s life easier, and allows learning to happen faster. 

Respect all people in the classroom: Please use respectful language and non-verbal behavior towards all people in this classroom.  Please address me as "Mr. Doud," and your peers by their first names.  Please keep your hands, and all other body parts or objects off of others, and out of their space.

Respect all school and personal property:  Please take care of all school property, and all items provided by school staff.  Please DO NOT take items from anyone else without their permission.  Please DO NOT deface (vandalize) desks, walls, other peoples' work, etc.

Give your best effort: Every day may not be your best day, but give the best of what you've got every day!  This includes, but is not limited to completing all assignments by their due date, and participating in learning activities in class.  Your best effort also earns your best grades!)

Please understand that ALL SCHOOL RULES AND REGULATIONS APPLY IN THIS CLASSROOM.  You can find these in the student handbook section of your daily planner.