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    Dear Students and Parents:

     

    Welcome to 8th grade Social Studies.  I am looking forward to this year and hope you will enjoy the course.  Below I have listed the topics we will study, classroom rules, course requirements, and the grading policy.  Hopefully all of this information will bring about a successful school year.  I am always available to answer any questions related to the course.

     

    Topics (What we will study)

     

    During the school year we will cover the information from Chapter 16 through Chapter 29.  Chapter 16 deals with Reconstruction and the New South.  Chapter 29 deals with Challenges for a New Century (1980-Present).  Topics covered in Chapters 17 through 28 include:  The West Transformed, World War I, The Great Depression and the New Deal, The World War II Era, The United States in the Cold War, The Civil Rights Era, The Vietnam Era, etc. 

     

    Classroom Rules

              1.  Be on time for class and in your seat when the bell rings.

              2.  If you come to class late, place your pass on my desk and quietly go to your seat.  After

                   class I will give you any work you missed.

              3.  Stay in your seat until I dismiss you (The bell is not the signal to leave).

              4.  Maintain eye contact as often as possible when someone is speaking to the class (Whether

                   it’s me or a student speaking).

              5.  Do not write on the desks.

              6.  Be respectful to others (Do not interrupt someone when they are speaking).

              7.  If you have a question or want to answer a question raise your hand and wait to be called

                   on.

              8.  Ask permission before leaving your seat.

              9.  Respect the property of others as well as the schools.

              10.  Keep the classroom clean (Throw garbage in the garbage can).

              11.  Bring your 3-ring binder (Either a 1-inch binder just for Social Studies or a 2-inch binder for

                     both Social Studies and ELA), pencil, pen, paper, and highlighter to class everyday.

              12.  You must come to class, unless you have an emergency, before you go to guidance, the

                     bathroom, nurse, or to an administrator.  This is because I am legally responsible for you.

     

    Course Requirements

              1.  You must have the necessary materials in class everyday (Look at #11 under Classroom

                   Rules).

                         a. Your 3-ring binder has to have a section for:  1. Notes  2. Classwork  3. Homework

                              4. Returned quizzes and tests

              2.  When you return from being absent you will go to the folder in the front of the room labeled,

                   ABSENT WORK.  In that folder will be all of the handouts (Worksheets) that you did not get

                 because you were absent.  All of your handouts will be stapled together and your name will

                 be on the front sheet.  If notes or a homework assignment from the book were given while

                 you were absent, you will copy the notes and find out what the homework assignment was

                 from your Student Buddy.  Everyone will be assigned a Student Buddy.  This means you and

                 another student will exchange phone numbers.  If you are absent call your Student Buddy so

                 you can find out what was and will be covered in class.  This way you will not fall behind (For

                 example:  you can keep up with the assigned readings in the textbook).

            3.  If you miss a test/quiz or do not have your homework due to an unexcused absence

                 (Example:  cutting class) you will receive a fifty on the homework assignment and a zero on the test/quiz. 

            4.  Homework Policy:  Homework assignments may be collected and graded, checked, or we

                 may just go over them as a class.  Late assignments will be accepted for half credit.  If you are absent the day work is due

                 then it is due the first day you are back in class.

            5.  In this class you are expected to do your own work.  Copying from others will not be

                 tolerated.  If you copy answers from another student, whether it’s on a homework or

                 classwork assignment or a test or quiz, you will receive a zero on that test/quiz and a grade of one on that homework or classwork assignment. 

            6.  Keep your binder organized.  Every quarter there will be surprise notebook checks and/or

                 quizzes.  The notebook checks will count as either a test or quiz grade.

     

    Grading Policy

    Your quarter grade is determined by the following:

                     1.  Homework- 10%                  2.  Quizzes- 30%

                     3.  Tests- 30%                           4.  Classwork and Projects- 30%

     

    Please read this again at home with your parents.  I would like for you and your parents to sign this

    course outline and return it to me.

     

    Parents- I am looking forward to this year and welcome any suggestions or questions you may have.  Feel free to call me if you have any concerns at 227-1700.  Please write your phone number on this course outline just in case I ever have to contact you.  Also, Open House is September 28th at 7:00 p.m.  Hope to see you there.

     

    Sincerely,

     

     

     

    John Mazzola