8th Grade American History Syllabus
Mrs. Wells Email: [email protected]
Bridgman Public Schools—F.C. Reed Middle School
Course Website: http://kwells.weebly.com
Required “Texts”: American History Beginnings to 1877:myWorld Interactive
Course Topics:
Unit 4: A Constitution for the United States (1776-Present)
Unit 5: The Early Republic (1789-1825)
Unit 6: The Age of Jackson & Westward Expansion (1824-1860)
Unit 7: Society & Culture Before the Civil War (1820-1860)
Unit 8: Sectionalism & Civil War (1820-1865)
Unit 9: The Reconstruction Era (1865-1877)
Classroom Expectations:
--Respect yourself, others, and the school
--Do nothing to interfere with teaching or learning
--100% Effort is required at all times
--No gum chewing
Academic Dishonesty:
Any form of cheating, plagiarism, or forgery will not be tolerated in this class. The first offense will result in a failing grade for the specific examination, assignment, or activity. Any further offenses will result in a failing grade for the marking period and/or 1-5 days ISS and parent notification.
Late Work Policy:
Work will be counted late if it is not turned in at the beginning of class the day it is due. If a student completes the assignment and turns it in the work will be accepted with a 50% reduction in grade until 2 days prior to the chapter test or one week prior to the semester exam.
Tardy Policy:
A student will be counted tardy if they arrive at class after the designated time class begins or if they arrive to class without the necessary materials. Starting with the 4th tardy a student accumulates per marking period, and for each subsequent tardy, the student will be assigned a behavior referral.
Makeup Work (Extended Absences):
In an effort to encourage consistent attendance during scheduled instructional days and facilitate the completion of missing work in the event of an extended absence, a one week cap has been placed on the number of days that learners have to complete makeup work upon their return to school.
Cell Phone Policy:
All students will be expected to store cell phones and non-school issued personal electronic devices in their lockers (turned off). Students may not possess or use their phone during instructional time in the classroom setting. The use and possession of headphones in the classroom will be permitted at the teacher’s discretion.
Assignment Type Breakdown
Class Work- Students will complete a variety of work in the classroom both individually and with other students. The classroom work will primarily revolve around the American History Beginnings to 1877 course content.
Essential Questions Quizzes- Students will be given a set of essential or guiding questions that relate to the section they are learning. The students must find the answers to the questions using the resources provided or other outside sources. Once the section is completed students will have a quiz over the essential or guiding questions.
Unit Writing Assignments- For most units students will complete a unit writing assignment. The writing assignment will be based on the unit and will allow the students to delve deeper into specific aspects of the unit.
Tests- At the end of every unit students will take a comprehensive unit test. The tests will be a variety of formats and styles based on the specific units.
Semester Test- At the end of each semester the students will take a cumulative test over the material covered during that semester. This test will count for 10% of the student’s overall semester grade.
Grading Scale:
A 94-100%
A- 90-93%
B+ 87-89%
B 84-86%
B- 80-83%
C+ 77-79%
C 73-76%
C- 70-72%
D+ 67-69%
D 63-66%
D- 60-62%
F 0-59%
Mrs. Wells Email: [email protected]
Bridgman Public Schools—F.C. Reed Middle School
Course Website: http://kwells.weebly.com
Required “Texts”: American History Beginnings to 1877:myWorld Interactive
Course Topics:
Unit 4: A Constitution for the United States (1776-Present)
Unit 5: The Early Republic (1789-1825)
Unit 6: The Age of Jackson & Westward Expansion (1824-1860)
Unit 7: Society & Culture Before the Civil War (1820-1860)
Unit 8: Sectionalism & Civil War (1820-1865)
Unit 9: The Reconstruction Era (1865-1877)
Classroom Expectations:
--Respect yourself, others, and the school
--Do nothing to interfere with teaching or learning
--100% Effort is required at all times
--No gum chewing
Academic Dishonesty:
Any form of cheating, plagiarism, or forgery will not be tolerated in this class. The first offense will result in a failing grade for the specific examination, assignment, or activity. Any further offenses will result in a failing grade for the marking period and/or 1-5 days ISS and parent notification.
Late Work Policy:
Work will be counted late if it is not turned in at the beginning of class the day it is due. If a student completes the assignment and turns it in the work will be accepted with a 50% reduction in grade until 2 days prior to the chapter test or one week prior to the semester exam.
Tardy Policy:
A student will be counted tardy if they arrive at class after the designated time class begins or if they arrive to class without the necessary materials. Starting with the 4th tardy a student accumulates per marking period, and for each subsequent tardy, the student will be assigned a behavior referral.
Makeup Work (Extended Absences):
In an effort to encourage consistent attendance during scheduled instructional days and facilitate the completion of missing work in the event of an extended absence, a one week cap has been placed on the number of days that learners have to complete makeup work upon their return to school.
Cell Phone Policy:
All students will be expected to store cell phones and non-school issued personal electronic devices in their lockers (turned off). Students may not possess or use their phone during instructional time in the classroom setting. The use and possession of headphones in the classroom will be permitted at the teacher’s discretion.
Assignment Type Breakdown
Class Work- Students will complete a variety of work in the classroom both individually and with other students. The classroom work will primarily revolve around the American History Beginnings to 1877 course content.
Essential Questions Quizzes- Students will be given a set of essential or guiding questions that relate to the section they are learning. The students must find the answers to the questions using the resources provided or other outside sources. Once the section is completed students will have a quiz over the essential or guiding questions.
Unit Writing Assignments- For most units students will complete a unit writing assignment. The writing assignment will be based on the unit and will allow the students to delve deeper into specific aspects of the unit.
Tests- At the end of every unit students will take a comprehensive unit test. The tests will be a variety of formats and styles based on the specific units.
Semester Test- At the end of each semester the students will take a cumulative test over the material covered during that semester. This test will count for 10% of the student’s overall semester grade.
Grading Scale:
A 94-100%
A- 90-93%
B+ 87-89%
B 84-86%
B- 80-83%
C+ 77-79%
C 73-76%
C- 70-72%
D+ 67-69%
D 63-66%
D- 60-62%
F 0-59%