Atlantic Middle School
86 Hollis Avenue
Quincy, MA 02170
617 984 8727
SYLLABUS
TEACHER J. MacRitchie
ASSIGNMENT WEBSITE Aspen.QuincyPublicSchools.com
COURSE/GRADE Grade 8 U.S. History I
TEXT MATERIALS
Text
Creating America:
Beginning Through Reconstruction
Online Techbook
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/
MAJOR TOPICS
In U.S. History I, students examine the historical and intellectual origins of the United States during the Revolutionary and Constitutional eras. Students study the basic framework of American democracy and the basic concepts of American government, as well as America’s westward expansion, the establishment of political parties, economic and social change, sectional conflict, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. Main themes include:
• Exploration and Settlement
• Establishment of 13 Colonies
• Causes, Events and Effects of the American Revolution
• Northern and Southern Economies
• Economic, Social and Political effects of Slavery
• Making of the United States Government
• Creation of a Party System
• Industrialization
• Native American Removal
• Early Immigration
• Manifest Destiny
• Causes, Events and Effects of the Civil War
• Reconstruction
*ASSESSMENT TOOLS
1. Objective Tests: Including Multiple Choice, Open Response and Essay Questions
2. Class Participation and Projects
3. Binder Organization
4. Quizzes
5. Homework- Listed on Aspen.QuincyPublicSchools.com
Within the aforementioned assessment tools, the following are included:
Daily Writing
Take home quizzes
Rubrics
Projects- In class and take home
Role Playing
Tests/Quizzes
Teacher Observation
Oral Presentation
Interdisciplinary activities
Cooperative group work
Multimedia Projects
Biographical Research Paper
*See Individual Student Education Plans or 504 Plans for modification where applicable.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
· Participation- Participation included being present with all required class materials, answering questions, offering constructive opinions, asking appropriate questions, and generally cooperating with the teacher and other students in the class.
· Organization- Each student’s binder will be organized within the first week of school. It is the student’s responsibility to have the binder and something to write with each class day.
· Effort- Students who put forth effort will succeed in this class.
HOMEWORK EXPECTATIONS
Homework is issued regularly and must be completed conscientiously and on time. Homework in this class is designed to stimulate students to prepare for history lessons and show a more engaged attitude and involvement in classroom activities. Homework may be checked, collected, completed on Aspen, or even assumed to be completed.
· When graded, each homework assignment is worth a designated number of points (see Grading Policy).
· Incomplete Assignments- Partial credit will be given for incomplete assignments based on how much of the assignment is complete.
· Late Assignments- Partial credit will be given for late assignments. Assignments will be accepted throughout the whole current term, but extra copies of assignments will only be available for one week following the original due date.
· An assignment not turned in or not fitting the standards and expectations of an 8th grade class will be given no credit.
GRADING POLICY
Each assignment, project, quiz and test will be worth a certain number of points. Each student’s grade will be the numerator over what the assignment is worth. At the end of a term each student’s total points earned will be divided by the number of points assigned in the term, giving the student’s average.
* Please note that poor attendance could negatively affect all of the above grades, while class participation and effort can help.
MAKEUP PROCEDURE
· Daily assignments are expected to be turned in following the day of the absence.
· Students are expected to meet with the teacher to collect missed assignment and to schedule a due date for the work to be completed.
· If a student is absent the day of a test or quiz, the student should be prepared to take it upon return to school.
o Tests and quizzes missed due to extended excused absences will be rescheduled between Mr. MacRitchie and the student.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Along with something to write with and an organized Social Studies binder every day, students must have access to the following supplies both in school and at home:
Colored pencils
Highlighter
Red Pen
Adjustments may be made in this syllabus to meet student needs. If adjustments are made to this syllabus during the school year, parents/guardians will be notified and a new syllabus will be distributed.