Course Syllabus 8 Grade Social Studies, SY 2013-2014

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Curriculum Overview Eighth-grade students study the history of the United States in the second half of the 20th Century and the early 21st Century.

Eighth grade students will: Analyze economic, social, and political factors during the Cold War, the rise and fall of communism, the structuring of Europe, the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and key world events. Learn about economic systems and how natural resources, supply and demand, and interdependence affect international economic interactions. Examine the structures, laws and documents of the United States to determine founding principles and philosophies.

Use skills in research, critical thinking and geography to understand history.

Expectations. I expect all students to: Abide by the ECMS Honor Code, including ECMS plagiarism policies Follow all classroom rules and procedures Come to class ready to learn and actively participate in all learning activities Be respectful (and quiet) when a teacher or a classmate is speaking Quietly raise their hand to talk and wait to be called on Cooperate and collaborate with other students Take ownership for their learning; including asking questions about assignments and/or coming to see me before or after school for help Do their best Grades. ECMS grades on a 4-point scale, rather than a traditional letter-grade system. On this scale, level 3 is considered grade-level proficient and is the goal for each student. 4: Exceeds grade level expectations; advanced mastery 3: Meets expectations, shows mastery 2: Approaches expectations; needs help to get to proficiency 1: Below expectations; not proficient

Grades are posted on the Parent Internet Viewer (PIV) and updated every week. Students and parents each have a login for PIV. Students are responsible to keep track of their grades throughout the year. A blank assignment box means that work has not been graded; an X means that assignment has been omitted; a Z means that assignment is missing. Behavior Consequences Incident 1 2 3 4 5 Positive Verbal praise Academic Success Call Home/Email Homework pass Self-Esteem Negative Verbal Reminder/Warning One-on-One Conference Call Home/Email Referral/ISS Seat reassignment

How We Do Things (Policies and Procedures) Start of class: Bring all required materials (notebook, planner, pencil, etc.). Begin bellwork immediately upon entering the classroom. Be in the classroom, in your assigned seat before the bell finishes ringing. Assignments. Due at the beginning of class Must be given directly to the teacher Restroom Passes Only for emergencies Take care of personal needs during passing periods End of class: The teacher dismisses the class, not the bell. Homework. Helps students better understand a particular skill or concept Unfinished classwork can become homework. Late Work. Accepted up to the end of that unit of study Lowers the PS&R grade for that assignment

Tardies. If a student arrives in class after the bell rings without a pass, I will sign their student planner. After three unexcused tardies, students earn a lunch detention. Absences. If a student misses class, they should go to the class website to check for assigned homework. Students without internet access should check with a classmate or come in before school starts to get caught up. I expect students to make up any missed work within two days of returning to class. For planned absences, it is the students responsibility to contact me in advance to see what they will miss and to turn in any existing assignments prior to the absence. Technology failures. I encourage students to complete and print out assignments ahead of the due date so they can resolve technology failures like printer problems. Otherwise, students should email me the file before the due date or use a library or Pod computer to print the assignment before class starts. Telling me during class is not a valid excuse.

I am a teacher and a studenta graduate student working toward my Masters Degree in the College of Education at the University of Arizona. I feel very fortunate to be working with the students at Esperero Canyon.

Some Facts About Me I am an Eagle Scout. I graduated from Palo Verde High School here in Tucson and earned my Bachelors degree in Architecture from the U of A. My wife and I have three kidsour oldest is a student at the U of A; our other two are students in CFSD. For 20 years, I served in the Air Force in space and missile operations, including a tour at the Pentagon. I made it into the Jeopardy! contestant pool twice but wasnt called to go on TV. Besides Arizona, I have lived in California, Nevada, Montana, Colorado, Texas, Michigan, Virginia, South Carolina, Florida, England and Italy.

Please sign below and return this syllabus. Once recorded, I will give it back to the student to place in their Social Studies binder. Thank you. I have thoroughly read the syllabus and understand what is expected of me in class. Student Signature____________________________________________________ I have thoroughly read the syllabus and understand what is expected of my child. Parent Signature____________________________________________________