Syllabus_-_8th_Grade_US_History

PITTSBURGH CAPA 6-12
8th Grade US History SYLLABUS

Mr. Thompson, Social Studies Teacher ([email protected])

Adopted Textbook: The American Journey – Early Years
ONLINE TEXTBOOK: connected.mcgraw-hill.com

Supplementary Materials: Next Text: Slavery in America
District Student Handouts

Various Discovery & History Channel Videos

Materials needed for class: 1” Three-Ring Binder
Loose Leaf (filler) paper

5 Dividers for sectioning a three-ring binder

8th Grade History Road Map:
The 8th grade curriculum for American History will provide an in-depth study of the

development of the United States from Jamestown to the period of Reconstruction. Students will
be asked to understand how and why the United States developed the way it did from multiple

perspectives. Using primary and secondary source texts, students will study the development of
our country and the unique blending of its many cultures. Students will discover the complexities

of human interaction through the eyes of historians, native citizens, discoverers, conquerors,
politicians and enslaved Africans. We will place our emphasis on activities that engage students

in inquiry and problem solving about significant human issues such as the government serving all
the people and the evolution and involvement of the democratic election process.

As the students work through the reading of primary source documents, they will practice being
historians and learn to "think outside the box" by evaluating documents and questioning the
intentions, actions, and outcomes of various sources. The question “how do we know?” is
woven throughout the course as a way of teaching students how to think historically. Students
will also be supported to internalize the five themes of geography as integrated into the study of
early U.S. History.

Grading

§ Students will be graded on classwork, assessments, writing, participation and homework.

§ Point values vary by assignment.

§ The computation of the students’ grades are as follows:

Grade Breakdown 25%
Assessments 25%
Classwork (Assignments/Notebook) 10%
Homework 20%
Participation 20%
Writing (Informal and Formal writing) 100%

Total

See Reverse Side

Homework and Missed Assignments

Homework is given when necessary. It is usually assigned Monday and due Friday of each week.
Sometimes homework will be assigned and due the next school day. Students have one (1) calendar week
to turn in an assignment (Homework, Writing, Project, etc.) with penalty. Please refer to the CAPA 6-8
grading expectations for more information.

When a student misses class for any reason (field trip, illness, etc.), they are required to make up any
missed classwork. For updated information throughout the year, please refer to the course website at
www.schoology.com. In order to access this site, please use the appropriate code to create a student
account. The codes will only work to create student accounts. These codes can also be used to add the
course to an existing account. Please, only one account per student. Parents should sign up for
Schoology as a PARENT, not a student. Once students join a course, parents can contact the teachers for
their parent access code (different from course code)

8th Grade Student Course Code: FFZN2-PSPB6

This website includes important information such as the assignment guidelines and behavior expectations.
Our classroom uses “classdojo” to monitor participation, please look for information regarding this at a
later time.

Expectations

Pittsburgh CAPA Non-Negotiables:
• Use academic and positive language
• Keep hands to yourself at all times
• Turn off and place electronic devices away in a bag

Tardy Policy:
• Students who are 10 or more minutes late to class without a note will be referred to Ms. Humphreys
for disciplinary action.
• For further information regarding the MS tardy procedures, please see the Student Attendance
Brochure.

Elevator Policy:
• Elevators are off limits unless students have a pass from the nurse.
• Students will receive an afterschool detention.

Electronic Device Policy:
• Students are not permitted to charge their electronic devices during class.
• Students can have their electronic device confiscated by a teacher.
• For further information regarding the Electronic Device Policy, please see the CAPA student handout,
which can be found inside your child's planner.

Perseverance/Integrity/Empathy (PIE)
These are character traits CAPA 6-8 are building on this school year. The focus for the 8th grade is “Integrity.”

Classroom Rules:
1) Students will attend class everyday; it is the student’s responsibility to obtain and complete the
necessary make-up work.
2) Students must be on time for class. This means that students are in their assigned seat and starting the
warm-up at the ringing of the bell.
3) Students must come prepared for class (Having their binder and a pen/pencil)
4) Water is the only thing permitted to be consumed in class (including NO GUM).
5) Students must ask permission to leave their seat.
6) Students will respect self and others, especially those speaking.
7) Students will avoid disruptive or distracting behavior.
8) Students should respect the classroom furniture and materials.
9) Students should respect the possessions of others.
10) Students must adhere to the district acceptable use policy when using school computers for class work.

We encourage our students and families to familiarize themselves will all policies in the student code of
conduct. You can view the PPS Student Code of Conduct at http://www.pps.k12.pa.us/Domain/43