8th Grade US History
Course Syllabus
Students and Parents,
I would like to welcome you all back to a new school year. I hope you are well rested and as excited as I am about this year. My name is Mr. Becigneul (Bes-ig-nal) and I have a number of great things planned for us this year. I have been teaching for a number of years now and have experience teaching both at the high school and middle school level. I have taught everything from 7th grade to 11th grade, but my true passion is middle school US History.
Students will be given a variety of instructional methods, which include cooperative learning, graphic organizers, reading guides, note taking, videos and projects just to name a few. The following information is provided to help students and parents understand what will be expected of them this year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me here at school. My normal work hours are 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM or by appointment. I can be reached at 807-3700 ex. 3203.
Paul Becigneul
Accountability: Please understand that I am here to help you in any way I can, but the responsibility of your learning lies on you, the student. By that I mean that you, not your parents or friends, are responsible for your work. If you are absent, you will be given three days to make up work. Missing assignments and extra worksheets can be found on the calendar and desk by the door.
Homework: Homework is a necessary evil in every class. However the amount of homework you have will depend upon your ability to work well in class. The harder and more attentive you are in class, the less you will have to do at home. Most quizzes will be given on Friday’s throughout the year. That being said, your homework may be to stay on top of the material by studying. Also, you will be asked to complete a number of DBQ’s and projects, which will require some work outside of school. Failing to complete these assignments will drastically lower your grade.
Required Materials: Each student will be required to be prepared for class by bringing a blue three ring binder with paper, and a pen or pencil . Students will also use colored pencils, but do not need to bring them everyday.
Extra Help: I am available most days before school beginning at 7:15 and after school until 3:15. I coach in the fall and winter so my after school time is limited, but I am more than willing to help when I can. I can also be contacted during my lunch if prearranged.
Grades: Grades will be based on the following scale.
Major Grades-tests, projects etc. will count 3x
Minor Grades-quizzes and larger assignments will count 2x
Homework Grades-small assignments will count 1x
Example: Johnny got an 85% on a test, three grades of 85% will go into my grade book.
Course Outline
SeptemberFebruary
-Geography of the USA
-Civil War-Continue WWII: Ch. 25
-Reconstruction: Ch. 18-Holocaust
-Rise of Big Business: Ch. 19-Post WWII
*Inventions~Library research project
*Labor Unions~DBQ
~Unit Test
March
October-Cold War: Ch. 26 & 27
-Immigration-Culture of 1950’s-60’s
~Library research project~Unit Test
-Populism and Progressivism: Ch. 20
*Reform movementApril
~Unit Test-Civil Rights Movement
Ch. 28
November~DBQ
-Imperialism: Ch.21& 22-Cold War Challenges
*Panama Canal -Vietnam War
*Spanish American War~Unit Test
*WWI
~Unit TestMay
-Presidential Administrations
DecemberNixon through Bush Ch. 30
-Roaring Twenties: Ch.23-Begin Review
~Mini-Test
June
January-Review
-Great Depression: Ch. 24~Review Test
~Mini-Test
~DBQ (Document Based Question/Essay)
-WWII: Ch. 25