8 th Grade Social Studies: U.S. History I 8 th graders! They are so capable, so fun! (Thanks for sharing them with me this year!)

My Expectations:  Cooperate I believe in my students’ best selves.  Participate I also believe mistakes are for learning.  Be respectful (& on Task) (In the gradebook this = CPROT -- citizenship)

Ways of Learning  Discussions/Seminars  Simulations  Small group activities  Partner work  Individual work  Presentations  Debates  Upfront magazine reading & seminars  Research writing  Quizzes & Tests (short answer, T/F multiple choice and essays

U.S History Overarching Questions for the Whole Year:  To what rights are all humans entitled?  Why can’t we all just get along?  How can/do people successfully resolve their problems?  How do power, resources and differences impact history?

Middle Passage Colonial Fair Election Scrapbook Town Meetings (Should the colonies rebel?) Constitutional Convention & making & our own class bills JA Field Trip (Personal Finance)

Issues and Events that Shaped the U.S.  Constitutional Convention & making & our own class bills  Political Parties (how it all began... )  War of 1812  Mexican American War  Industrial Revolution  Civil War  Reconstruction

Active Learning  Indian Relocation Talk Show  Debates  Westward Expansion Monopoly Game  Individual Presentations for each unit (for A credit)  Mini Dramas  Re-enactments

Research  On a controversial constitutional issue of the students’ choice  Research  Debates (team, partner or solo)  Short paper writing (includes proper) MLA citation

Homework & Grading Daily homework is NOT GRADED. Students maintain a Homework Log Work scoring below a 69% can (and should) be re-taken within a week for the average of the two scores. Cheating or plagiarism is a violation of our mutual trust, demonstrates a lack of integrity, and will result in a conference, a student re-do and no higher than a 60%. Graded assignments (with an MAF) can be completed over the week end with no penalty.

GRADING: For possible C credit for each unit, students must:  Complete daily homework for the unit  Be on-task and participate during class  Complete unit vocabulary and application quiz and score a 70% minimum  Complete the online Reading Challenge  Score 70-79% on the unit exam

GRADING: For possible B credit for each unit, students must complete all requirements above AND:  Complete the Reading Further  Design 1 higher level multiple choice test question and answer  Complete an at-home essay on one Essential Question for the unit  Score 80-89% on quizzes and the unit exam

GRADING For possible A credit for each unit, students must complete all requirements above AND:  Research and present one character &/or event from the unit list according to teacher directions  Design 2 higher level multiple choice test questions and answers  Complete an in-class essay on one Essential Question for the unit  Score % on quizzes and the unit exam

Homework & Grading, continued Late graded work = 50% if in before the end of the unit. No extra credit. Extenuating circumstances, should be communicated to Ms. Kiemle before the due date so that together we can devise a plan for success.

Service Learning How can 8 th graders use their interests and talents to help our community? NOT REQUIRED, BUT SO ENCOURAGED