好色导航

Welcome to 8th grade Social Studies! 

Course Description:   This course will engage you in a study of the ideas, events, and leaders responsible for shaping the American tradition. You will develop critical thinking and inquiry through the exposure to a breadth of knowledge about the American Founding to Contemporary times.  You will have the opportunity to work in a variety of learning situations: individually, in small groups and as a whole class. In order to be successful you must take responsibility for your learning. I am here to help you succeed and am looking forward to a great year!

This year we plan to explore the following topics…

• Foundations of the American Government
• Civics/U.S. Constitution
• Civil Rights & Civil Liberties
• Current Events
• Economics & Personal Finance

Course Goals/Outcomes:  The students will be working on the Deer Valley's 8th grade curriculum for Social Studies.  We will be using the backward design district preferred teaching approach where assessments of meaningful learning objectives using critical thinking skills will be the guide to answering essential questions along with ELA College and Career Readiness standards as set by the Arizona Department of Education.  All students will participate in Deer Valley's PDSA Cycles of Learning and Goal Setting to track their individual growth. 

By the time students complete this class they will know or be able to:

1. Use research skills to interpret historical data.

2. Compare and contrast historical happenings to contemporary events.

3. Identify key ideas, cite strong and thorough textual evidence and determine author’s point of view of informational texts.

4. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of historical subjects.

5. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately.

6. Write routinely over extended time frames and shorter time frames for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.

7. Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one on one, in groups, and teacher led) with diverse partners on various historical topics, primary and secondary texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

    

Arizona State Social Studies Standards:  Eighth Grade History Strands emphasize the historical foundations and democratic principles that framed our Constitution and led to our form of democracy.  The content focus will be viewed through civic and economic lenses. Citizenship and civic engagement will be taught through inquiry. Eighth grade students will make connections between historical and current/contemporary issues as a basis for implementing change in society. Students will recognize and practice their roles and responsibilities as both American and global citizens. United States History will focus on the major events that have their roots in the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and subsequent amendments.

Necessary Materials:

General Classroom Order:

Behavior: The following is an outline of parameters that must be followed in order to ensure optimal success in the classroom and provide for a smoothly run class. This program is designed to promote positive cooperation between parents, students, and school. School wide expectations are based on the Positive Behavioral Intervention Plan (PBIS) and the Six Pillars of Character/Growth mindset. Each student is responsible for his/her own behavior.

“No one has the right to interfere with the learning of others.”

School Wide Rules:

Always be safe, responsible and respectful – you may not verbally or physically disrupt the educational process of any student. Bullying will never be tolerated - either physical or verbal.  Always be prepared for class with homework and supplies.  Follow all class and school rules.

Consequences:

If a student CHOOSES to violate any of these expectations, there will be consequences for their actions.

Consequences are progressive depending on the severity of the infraction and follow the 好色导航Student Rights & Responsibility Handbook.

 Start of Class Expectations:

• Please enter the room quietly and orderly

• Sit in your assigned seat

• Organize yourselves and get out all necessary materials (agenda, notebook, sharpened pencil, homework, etc…)

• Get started immediately and silently on the warm up. The warm up is generally a review of the previous day’s lesson or a preview of that day’s lesson

During Class Expectations:

• Have materials ready promptly

• Focus your attention on the lesson

• Listen carefully and follow directions

• Make an effort to understand what is being taught and ask sensible questions at an appropriate time

• Keep desks and equipment clean and free from vandalism

• No Gum, Food, or Drinks (water bottles are the only exception)

Classroom settings:

Whole Group- 
            Eyes front;
            Listening to the speaker; 
            Stay in seat; 
            No talking

Individual- 
            Work on your own; 
            Raise hand to ask for help; 
            Stay in seat; 
            No talking
Testing- 
            Eyes on your own paper; 
            Raise hand to ask question; 
            Stay in seat; 
            No talking

Transistion- 
            Follow directions; 
           Get prepared in the minimum amount of time without distracting others

Small Group- 
            Follow directions; 
            Stay on task;
            Talk in 12" voices (Speak quietly. You should not be heard from across the room) 
            If you have a question, ask your group members first before asking teacher
            Be willing to help if a team member needs it.

End of Class Expectations:

• Students will be dismissed when ALL classroom supplies are accounted for, classroom is cleared of debris, and all students are in their seat and ready to leave

• Wait quietly in your seat until the instructor dismiss the class

Restroom Use: As per 8^th grade policy, students are not allowed to use the restroom during passing times.  It is the expectation that students will use the restroom before school, during lunch breaks and afterschool. Using the restroom during academic time should be reserved for emergencies ONLY.  Students are encouraged not to use the restroom during instructional time. In the event that one needs to leave the classroom, students must sign in/out using the log book located by the exit during the designated classroom time.

Electronic Device Use: As a STEAM Academy, teachers may choose to periodically allow students to use technology (computers, cell phones, iPods, hand-held devices, etc.) in the classroom throughout the school year. The technology is intended to enhance the learning environment for all students; however, any use of technology that substantially degrades the learning environment, promotes dishonesty or illegal activities, is prohibited. If the instructor determines that the use of technology is a distraction to the learning process, either of the student using the technology or to those around him/her, the student may, at the discretion of the teacher, be asked to discontinue the use of technology in the classroom. Personal devices such as cell phones and music players must be stored away in the students’ backpack and not used during the school day unless directed otherwise by a teacher. Use of cell phones without teacher permission will result in confiscation of the devise until the end of the school day. 

Classwork:  Most of the work for Social Studies class will be completed within the classroom via class discussion, notes, and primary source analysis.  We will also be focused heavily on the writing process as this is a school wide initiative.

Assessments:  A pretest will generally be given at the beginning of each unit. This will not count for a grade.  The pretest will be used as baseline data to guide instruction.  Students should set individual goals and track their results. Along the way, formative assessments will be given in order to track and monitor student progress.  These will count for a grade and include such items as quizzes, pop quizzes and notebook processing. A summative assessment will be given at the end of every unit, which is typically every 4 weeks. Summative assessments will consist of multiple choice, document based questions, short answer, and/or essay questions. Projects may also be considered summative assessments. In addition to unit exams, at the end of each semester there will also be final exams that are developed by the district.  The Deer Valley Social Studies Assessments or (DVSSA) consist of two exams: the multiple choice exam and the document based essay.

Projects and long term assignments (long term assignments are those whereby the student was provided at least two weeks to complete) are due on the due date.  – No exceptions.    

• turning in someone else's work as your own

• copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit

• failing to put a quotation in quotation marks

• giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation

• changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit

• copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your work, whether you give credit or not