1. Ms. Kim Thomas 8th Grade Social Studies Pine Lake Middle School B 20
Welcome!
Ms. Kim Thomas
8th Grade Social Studies
Pine Lake Middle School
B 20

2. A little about me BA Whitman College MA Seattle Pacific University
ISD for 16 years
3rd year at PLMS
students—some are still very literal and some have developed abstract thinking skills

3. Communication Class website Family Access
show website

4. Junior Achievement Permission slips (Thursday, Sep. 14) Fee ($8.00)
Field Trip
Tuesday, Sep. 19
Bring a lunch
Dress “professionally”
Volunteers

5. Grading 80% Assessment (tests, quizzes, presentations, writing, etc.)
20% Process (assignments)
Extra credit is not offered
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6. Absent Work
Students are allotted one day for every day absent to make up missed work that is scored.
If student is able to stay current with work during an absence, s/he is encouraged to do so (absent work and dues dates are available on my website).
If a student is gone on a prearranged excused absence, I will make every effort to give work in advance of your absence, but this courtesy is not always possible.
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7. Late, Incomplete, Missing Work
Assignments turned in after the due date will receive full credit but will be marked “late” in the gradebook.
Assignments are an integral part of the learning process.
In order to receive credit, students must turn in late and missing work within one week of the end of a unit.
No late or missing work will be accepted in the last week of a trimester.
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8. Retakes & Rewrites
A total of three tests per trimester may be retaken for an improved score (quizzes may not be retaken).
Tests may only be retaken once and an average of the scores will be given.
Writing assignments may be improved upon and resubmitted for an improved grade.
Retakes and rewrites must be submitted within one week of the end of a unit. Retakes and rewrites will not be accepted in the last week of the trimester.
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9. Technology
Students will need regular computer, internet, and printer access, and a personal address.
Problems with printers, computers or internet access will require a parent note or with an action plan for completing work in a timely fashion.
Students will be able to use their phones, e-readers, and tablets in class for academic purposes.
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10. Phones Students will store their phones in a classroom wall chart.
If reading an independent reading book from a phone or e-reader, your device MUST be in airplane mode.
Parent-student communications should not occur during the class period. If there is an emergency, students can be reached by calling the PLMS office.
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11. Plagiarism and Copying
Includes but is not limited to
cutting and pasting documents from the web,
direct copying of sentences from a text without citing the source used,
copying the work of another student in part or in whole.
On the first occurrence, students will redo the assignment/test under the teacher’s supervision.
Subsequent violations will result in disciplinary action and loss of credit.
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12. Behavioral Expectations
Work ethic (assignment completion, prepared for class)
Initiative (self-advocacy, retakes & rewrites)
Collaboration (group work, peer interactions)
Citizenship (class rules, phone use, honesty)
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13. Every Day Supplies binder (SS and completed homework) planner
pencil with eraser
correcting pen (NOT blue, black, glitter or multi-color)
loose-leaf notebook paper
independent reading book
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14. Supplies (kept in locker)
highlighter
post it notes
pouch or Ziploc bag of mapping supplies (colored pencils, black & blue pens)
tape or glue stick
calculator (for JA unit, 1st trimester)
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15. Now accepting donations…
Kleenex
disinfecting wipes
hand sanitizer
pencils
correcting pens
notebook paper
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