Syllabus for 2016-2017

HIGHTOWER TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOOL8th GRADE GeorgiaSOCIAL STUDIES

Mrs. Kirstin Baillie

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INSTRUCTIONAL EMPHASIS:

Students will apply knowledge of subject area content through formative and summative performance tasks that require higher order thinking. Types of assignments include but are not limited to: reading, essays, note taking, vocabulary terms, guided reading questions, role play, debates, written responses, posters, skits, reader-theater, quizzes, tests, document analysis, graphic organizers, maps, charts, and much more.

Unit Title and Topics / OBJECTIVE / DURATION
Georgia Beginnings: geography, climate, physical features, and the economy of Georgia / Understand Georgia’s geography, its physical features, the economic importance of Georgia’s cities, and what businesses/crops have flourished in our state. / 3 weeks
Constitution and Government:
The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Georgia’s three branches of government / Understand the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, the creation of the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights. Know the qualifications and duties of Georgia’s three branches of government. Analyze the Juvenile Court system in Georgia. / 7 weeks
Colonization: Georgia’s early inhabitants, explorers, and colonization / Evaluate the development of the inhabitants of Georgia from Pre-historic times to colonization. / 3 weeks
Georgia and the Revolution 1732-1785: life in the colonies, causes of the American Revolution and key aspects of the Revolution / Analyze the key elements/causes that lead to the American Revolution. Understand the roles of significant people and events during the war and Georgia’s contributions. / 2-3 weeks
Growth of Nation: the industrial revolution, innovations that launched our state and nation, Indian Removal and the antebellum south / Analyze the factors that caused Georgia and the Southeast to develop as a distinct economic and political region before the Civil War. Analyze the innovations and changes to industry and production that fostered this development. / 4 weeks
A Nation Divided: causes of the Civil War, the Civil War and Reconstruction / Examine the political and economic changes that resulted from the Civil War and Reconstruction. Investigate the key people and events involved. / 3 weeks
New South Period 1877-1918: developing a National Identity, political and social changes after reconstruction, the Guided Age and Progressive Periods / Examine the social, economic, and political changes during this period and how that led to conflicts between cultures and nations. / 3 weeks
Depression and World Conflicts: political, social and economic factors that led to world issues, starting with the conflict of WWI, the Great Depression, WWII / Analyze the economic, political, and natural factors that led to world conflict and the Great Depression. Investigate governmental factors used to try and end the depression. Examine the relationship between technology and societal changes in Georgia. / 3 weeks
Rise of Modern Georgia and the Civil Rights Movement:political, social and economic changes to Georgia during this time, in depth study of the Modern Civil Rights Movement. / Examine how Georgia’s growth after WWII impacts us today. Evaluate the role of prominent Georgians during the Civil Rights movement. Understand key events and court cases during this time period. / 3 weeks
Local Government plus Enrichment: the forms of local and city governments and other enrichment activities / Examine local government, special-purpose governments and the collection and distribution of state revenues. / 1 weeks

GRADING AND ASSESSMENTS:

Tests and Major Summative Assessments 40%

Quizzes, Projects and other summative assessments 30%

Classwork, formative assessments 25%

Homework 5%

Students scoring below 70% on Summative assessments will be given remediation and the opportunity to reassess. If a student does not complete the remediation work assigned within the allotted timeframe, reassessment is not an option. Grade recovery does not apply to End of Course or End of Grade assessments.

TEXTBOOK(S)/MATERIALS:

Blankenship, G. (2015). 8th Grade Georgia Studies Teaching the Georgia Performance Standards (2015 ed.). Lilburn, GA: Clairmont Press.

Georgia and the American Experience. Atlanta: Clairmont, 2005. Print. (Class set)

Notebook, Dividers, Paper, Colored Pencils, Pencils

BLOGS/EMAIL: Links to all teacher blogs and email can be found on the Hightower Trail website. Students are expected to check the blog on a regular basis.

HOMEWORK/LATE WORK POLICY: Homework is due according to assigned days. Late homework will not be accepted. For classwork and projects late work will be penalized ten points per day, unless with prior teacher approval.

MAKE-UP POLICY: It is the student’s responsibility to obtain, complete and turn in work missed due to absence. For excused absences, assignments should be made up within the same number of days as the student was absent. Missed assignments may be obtained by checking the blog. Additional information regarding makeup work may be found on page 8 in the student agenda.

NOTE:This syllabus is subject to change to meet the needs of students. Any changes that become necessary will be announced to students as far ahead as possible.

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