- Kitty Hawk Middle School
- Syllabus
-
8th Grade U.S. History Syllabus
This document includes the content we will be covering in this course, course policies, conduct, grading, and the specific standards you will learn in preparation for the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR). If you ever have questions about anything in this course, please reach out to me.
Pacing, course structure, grading scheme, etc. are subject to change if we move to a virtual or hybrid model at any point during this school year.
Course Content
The course content for U.S. History is divided into the following units:
- Colonization (1607-1750)
- The American Revolution (1700-1783)
- The New Republic (1775-1800)
- Growth of a Young Nation (1800-1820) & The Jacksonian Era (1824-1840)**
- Sectionalism & Reform (1790s-1850s)
- Expansion and Division of the Nation (1820s-1860s)
- The Civil War (1860-1865)
- Reconstruction (1865-1877)
**This unit is a combination of 2 short content strands included in the state standards.
Course Sequencing and Major Assignments
We will progress through these units chronologically as they are listed. Each unit will have at least 1 assessment in the form of a unit exam. These tests will contain 10-20% review items from previous units. In addition to tests, each semester students will complete a cumulative exam including test items covering all content learned.
Quizzes will be given perioically to assess student learning of individual standards within Units. Quizzes may be announced or unannounced.
Specific dates for unit assessments and common assessments will be communicated when dates are decided. Any additional major assignments, projects, or assessments will have specific information and dates on Canvas.
Assignments
Assignments will be distributed in class or uploaded to Canvas through Modules. Most lessons are a single day, but occasionally lessons will take 2-3 days to complete. Almost all assignments are able to be completed in class, so in most cases there are no assignments for homework if students are in attendance and work as directed in class. Only assignments not completed in class or missed due to absence are assigned as homework. Additionally, students will be expected to prepare for assessments and will be provided with study guides.
History Journal and Notes
All students need a spiral book to be used as a History Journal. This journal will be used daily for warm-ups, notes, or other activities. Students are expected to maintain their History Journal. This means both using it for all required activities and being responsible to keep up with it whether at home or at school. There is a weekly journal check which counts for a quiz grade and a quarterly journal check whick counts as an exam grade.
Participation in class including taking notes in their History Journals will be a part of students’ grade. Notetaking is an essential skill we expect all of our students to improve over the course of the year. This especially means identifying important concepts and summarizing the information in students’ own words. Students must use the opportunity to practice their analyzing and summarizing skills during notes. Many lessons will incorporate a graphic organizer or guided notes which are printed and provided for that day’s lesson in class.
Behavior Expectations
OUTSTANDING
All of the following criteria met:
● All assignments turned in on time
● All assignments submitted
● No unexcused tardies
● Chromebook /omputer charged daily
● Come prepared with materials (pencil, journals)
● Always engaged in class
● Always respectful to adults
● Rarely asks to leave the classroom (bathroom, clinic, counseling, office, etc.)
● Never socially disruptive
● Always follows directions when given
● Always respects others’ property and personal space
● Always maintaining a clean/tidy environment (classroom supplies, trash, etc.)
SATISFACTORY
All of the following criteria met:
● Most assignments turned in on time
● All assignments submitted
● No more than 2 unexcused tardies
● Computer charged daily
● Come prepared with materials (pencil, paper, journals)
● Consistently engaged in class
● Always respectful to adults
● Rarely asks to leave the classroom (bathroom, clinic, counseling, office, etc.)
● Rarely socially disruptive
● Regularly follows directions when given
● Consistently respects others’ property and personal space
● Consistently maintaining a clean/tidy environment (classroom supplies, trash, etc.)
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
● Any of the S criteria not met
● On a behavior plan at the time of reporting
UNACCEPTABLE
● 5 or more S criteria not met
● Shows disrespect to adults Note: Unacceptable behavior will automatically result in a parent call or conference to discuss consequences.