Course Syllabus

Van Wyck Junior High School 

Social Studies 8 Self Contained

Fall of 2024-2025

Instructor Information

Instructor: Kelly Barry

Room Location: 206/ 202

E-mail: kelly.barry@wcsdny.org 

Extra Help Time: By request

Course Identification

Course Number: Y857

Course Name: Grade 8 United States and New York State History  

Course Location: 206/202

Prerequisites: Prerequisite:  Completion of Grade 7 Social Studies

Course Description/Overview

Areas of Study Include: 

• Reunion and Reconstruction after the Civil War

• The U.S. becomes an Industrial Society

• The expansion of the U.S. as an Independent Nation in an Increasingly Interdependent World; World War I

• The U.S. Between the Wars; Roaring 1920’s and Great Depression 1930’s

• The U.S. Assumes Worldwide Responsibilities; World War II

• The Changing Nature of the American People from World War II to the Present; Prosperity, Optimism, the Cold

War, Civil Rights Movement, Korean War and Vietnam War, Space Race

Course Website(s)

https://www.wappingersschools.org/Page/5314

Required Course Text

• Supplied in class

Course Supplies

Supplies to be shared with ELA: 

• Planner

• Loose-leaf binder with loose leaf and five dividers

• Spiral notebook if you prefer

• Colored pens for annotating, sharpened pencils

• Post-its (flags, 2 inch and 3x3)

• Highlighters

• Earbuds for use in a Chromebook

Course Learning Objectives

In Grades 7 and 8, students will examine the United States and New York State through a historical lens. The two-year sequence is arranged chronologically, beginning with the settlement of North America by Native Americans∗ and ending with an examination of the United States in the 21st century. Although the courses emphasize the skill of chronological reasoning and causation, the courses also integrate the skills and content from geography, politics, economy, and culture into the study of history.

As outlined by the New York State Social Studies Framework, Grade 8 Social Studies is arranged chronologically, beginning with Reconstruction and ending at the present, and incorporates geography as well as economic, social and political trends. The course content is divided into nine Key Ideas; the first seven trace the human experience in the United States from Reconstruction to the end of World War II.  The last three Key Ideas examine different themes in United States and New York State history from the post-War period up to the present day, which provides the opportunity to explore contemporary issues.

Grade 8: Social Studies Practices 

A. Gathering, Interpreting and Using Evidence 

B. Chronological Reasoning 

C. Comparison and Contextualization 

D. Geographic Reasoning 

E. Economic and Economic Systems 

F. Civic Participation 

Student outcomes for the social studies curriculum can be found at: 

https://www.engageny.org/resource/new-york-state-k-12-social-studies-framework

Grading Policy

Grades will be based on the following: 

Projects/ Long Term Assignments 30%

Tests/ Quizzes             20%

Classwork 20%

Homework 15%

Participation 15%

The following is a list of possible videos which may be shown during the year. Your signature is granting permission for viewing.

1. Various collections of History Channel and A&E documentaries

2. The Century, America’s Time (ABC NEWS)

3. Newsies

4. All Quiet on the Western Front

5. The Lost Battalion

6. Cinderella Man

7. Swing Kids

8. Hidden in Silence

9. Escape from Sobibor

10. Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman

11. Forrest Gump

12. America, Story of Us - History Channel

13. The President’s Collection - History Channel

14. The Men Who Built America - History Channel

Course Policies:

Classroom Rules:

1. Show respect for yourself, for others, and for the facilities and equipment.

2. Act in a responsible manner in everything you do.

3. Practice safety in regards to yourself and towards others.

Students are expected to:

1. be a positive influence on others.

2. follow classroom rules.

3. come prepared to class daily.

4. complete assignments by their due dates.

5. work to the best of your ability.

6. actively participate in cooperative groups and classroom discussions.

Wappingers Central School District is committed to advancing the mental health and well-being of

its students. If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, depressed, and/or in need of

support, services are available. For help or to find additional resources, contact the School

Counseling Office at (845) 227-1700 or visit the School Counseling website.

Academic Integrity Rules

As outline in the Wappinger Central School District Code of Conduct:

A. HONOR CODE

A healthy learning environment can exist only if a commitment is made by all to live in the most

ethical way possible. Those who refuse to make this commitment hurt not only themselves but

also those in the entire school community.

1. Cheating

The District recognizes all policies and procedures required by NYSED for instances of cheating on

all New York State Assessments. For class assigned work or local assessments a grade of zero may

be given to any student who gives or receives information, including electronically, on any form of a

test, quiz, homework, assignment or lab. Any person falsifying a grade or a test or related material,

with the goal of increasing that grade shall take the penalty of cheating. A student may appeal the

grade to the Principal and/or Building Administrator. In addition to the range of possible disciplines

listed in the Disciplinary Measures table of this code of conduct, penalties for cheating will be at the

discretion of the Building Administrator and the Classroom Teacher.

2. Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as the act of stealing and passing off as one’s own the ideas or words of

another, or using a created production without giving credit to the source. This includes ideas or

words from any printed text and/or the Internet. Students must use proper citations and references

when using another’s work or ideas. Any student who plagiarizes may receive a zero on the

plagiarized work and may have a conference with the teacher to explain the circumstances. In

addition to the range of possible disciplines listed in the Disciplinary Measures table of this code of

conduct, penalties for plagiarism will be at the discretion of the Building Administrator and the

Classroom Teacher.

3. Falsification and forgery

Falsification refers to the act of changing, adding to or deleting information from an absence note,

early dismissal note, late arrival note, hall pass, parking permit, etc. Falsification also refers to

deliberately providing false/inaccurate information. Forgery refers to the act of writing one of the

above and passing it off as written by the appropriate adult. In addition to the range of possible

disciplines listed in the Disciplinary Measures table of this code of conduct, penalties for

falsification and forgery will be at the discretion of the Building Administrator and the Classroom

Teacher.

4. Intentional False Allegations

Any intentional false allegation is a serious offense and a breach of the Code of Conduct. In the

event that it has been determined by administration that an intentionally false allegation has

been made, the matter will be subject to disciplinary action. Disciplinary measures for honor

code violations may include contact of parent by administrator, detention, in-house restriction,

external suspension, or alternative to suspension