8th Grade Accelerated American History
September 2012
Dear Students and Parents:
Welcome to 8th grade Social Studies!! This year we will be studying the connections between yesterday and today while learning about the development of America between 1865 and 1945.
The 8th grade Social Studies course is designed to be a hands on learning experience. Students will work collaboratively throughout the year researching various topics and at times will design their own learning experiences. The design of our building allows for the seamless inclusion of technology into the learning process. Students will be assessed through a variety of methods. Traditional tests, and quizzes, project based learning, and written assessments will be used throughout the year.
Accelerated Course Description and Goals
The Radnor Middle School eighth grade course continues the study of American history, beginning with the rebuilding and re-growth of the nation following the Civil War. Students will analyze the development of the American West, and the rise of cities and industrialization. They will next study America’s rise as a world power, beginning with its involvement in global affairs including the Spanish- American War, involvement in World War I, and role the United States played in World War II. The curriculum was designed in accordance to the Pennsylvania Standards for Social Studies for Civics and Government, Economics, History, and Geography as well as the Common Core Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies.
The accelerated course will utilize above grade level resources for content acquisition and exploration of course material and will move at a fairly aggressive pace. Teacher led activities will focus on higher level critical thinking and historical thinking skills. Students will be required to use effective discussion strategies, essay writing strategies, presentation skills and research skills throughout the course The course will allow the students to delve deeper into much of the course material by analyzing primary sources from each period of study and will encourage students to make connections between the past and the future.
Goals
The student will acquire strategies for reading social studies materials and for increasing social studies vocabulary.
The student will acquire strategies to access a variety of sources, and use appropriate research skills to gather, synthesize, and report information using diverse methods.
The student will acquire strategies to analyze, interpret, create, and use historical resources and materials.
The student will acquire strategies needed for applying decision-making and problem-solving techniques both orally and in writing to historic, contemporary, and controversial issues.
The student will acquire strategies needed for effective incorporation of computer technology in the learning process
The Middle School Social Studies department looks forward to sharing this exciting curriculum with our students. Enclosed with this letter is a list of materials your child will need throughout the year in Social Studies.
Sincerely,
Joseph Echternach
Textbook
Creating America: 1877 to 21st Century McDougal Littell
**Please cover textbooks with book socks or paper covers only. Contact paper
may leave a sticky residue and offers little protection for texts.
Supplemental Resource Materials
A History of Us Series-Oxford University Press
The Story of America -Hold, Rinehart and Winston
World History – Continuity and Change Holt, Rinehart and Winston
Primary Source Readings
Required Daily Class Materials
One Three Ring Binder with 5 dividers labeled as follows:
1. Notes (Blank Lined Paper)
2. Handouts
3. Supplemental Textbook Readings
4. Current Events
5. Tests and Quizzes
Pens and Pencils
Lined Paper
Durable Folder - Needed for Research Project Materials
Covered Textbook
Recommended Materials
**Ink for Your Printer at Home (Assignments are expected to be printed before class begins.)
Thin Felt Tip Black Markers
Ruler
Colored Pencils
Glue Sticks
Post It Notes
Index Cards (200)
Grading
Student grades will be comprised of each of the following:
Major Tests and Exams
Quiz Grades
Daily Homework
Projects
Written Work
Current Events
Daily Classroom Expectations
Students who adhere to the following expectations will be prepared to learn on a daily basis in Social Studies class.
1. Listen to all directions carefully and follow all teacher directives the first time they are given.
2. Be prepared for class. All pencils, pens, notebooks, and assignments should be brought to class on a daily basis.
3. Students should be respectful of the teacher and their classmates. Students should remain seated and if they have a question or comment should raise their hands and wait to be called on.
4. Students should be respectful of their teachers and classmates. When engaged in activities that require small group discussion, student should be respectful and stop talking when asked.
5. Respect the personal space and property of others. All hands, feet and objects should be kept to yourself at all times.
6. Respect the classroom provided for you. Students should not chew gum or eat any candy or other food products in the classroom at any time.
***Students who do not adhere to the above expectations will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis as outlined in the Radnor Middle School Behavior Plan.
Expectations For Assignments (Homework, Current Events, Projects)
Assignments will be assigned 4-5 times per week. Assignments will also be posted on Mr. Echternach’s web page on “Schoolwires”. Many assignments in the accelerated course will be ongoing reading and research activities.
1. All assignments are to be completed fully and be turned in on time. Incomplete assignments will not be accepted for credit.
2. Daily homework assignments and current events will not be accepted late. Projects and long term assignments ( more than one night to complete) will be reduced by 10% for every day late. The definition of long term assignments will be determined by the teacher.
**Students will have two days for every day absent to make up homework and classwork missed due to the absence.
Students should see Mr. Echternach on the day of their return to school for missing work. Mr. Echternach is available before school, at lunch by appointment and during the SOS period. Making up missed assignments is the responsibility of the student when classes are missed due to absences.
Expectations For Organization
Students are expected to keep an organized three ring binder of all social studies materials. The notebook should be divided into five sections and will be checked periodically
Contact Information:
Phone 610-386-6300 ext. 7317
RMS Schoolwires Web Page - Teacher Pages “Mr. Echternach”
8th Grade Accelerated American History Expectations
Please sign the following sheet and return to Mr. Echternach no later than Tuesday September 25, 2012.
I have read and understand all of the class policies outlined in Mr. Echternach’s 8th Grade American History Welcome Packet.
Student Signature ______
(Printed Name) ______
Parent Signature ______
(Printed Name) ______