Welcome

Course Overview
History Program Skills and Content Objective:
To help students develop important critical thinking skills, deepen their appreciation and interest in history, understand why people study the past, and learn how God revealed Himself in the history of our nation.

8th Grade Skills Objective:
To help students master organizational, critical thinking, reading, writing skills and emphasize the following:
* Taking lecture and text notes.
* Preparing for quizzes, tests and research projects/papers.
* Understanding historical significance, cause and effect, bias, and perspective.
* Doing historical research
* Reading and understanding both physical and political maps
* Developing the ability to work effectively in a group

8th Grade Content Objective:
Students will understand who they are socially, politically, intellectually, culturally and economically as Americans by examining the important events, peoples, and leaders of its history. Students will also gain an understanding of and an appreciation for the democratic ideals and principles in the American story. Students will examine the lives and actions of great leaders, as well as ordinary people, and the roles those men and women played in establishing the foundations of our American culture. Emphasis will be placed on the development of government institutions and practices.

Grading:
50% Tests
30% Class Participation/Homework
20% Quizzes

Sources:
Deverell, White. California Social Studies United States History Independence to 1914. Holt, Rinehart and Winston. 2006 isbn #0030412286

Homework:
Homework will be assigned on a regular basis. Assignments will vary in length and structure, but should not exceed 30 minutes per night. All homework is due on the given date. Late homework will only be accepted the following day for half credit. Homework will be regularly posed on the web, but in class instructions always take precedent over the web.

Assessments:
There will be regular quizzes on classroom material and homework reading. These will be worth 5 to 25 points each. Chapter tests will be worth 50 to 100 points. Class participation will also be a significant portion of the student’s grade. This includes involvement in class discussions, and following class procedures. The final examination in June will be cumulative.

Classroom Materials:
Students are require to used a black or blue pen or pencils with all writing. Students will need a 3 ring notebook to keep class notes. Work that is turned in that was ripped out of a spiral notebook will not be accepted.

Office hours:
Students are encouraged to meet with all teachers to seek help or to clarify a point made in class. All teachers are available to meet with any student at various times throughout the day including before and after school.

Course Units
1st Trimester
Unit 1 A New Nation
Unit 2 The New Republic
2nd Trimester
Unit 3 The Nation Expands
Unit 4 The Nations Breaks Apart
3rd Trimester
Unit 5 A Growing America
Unit 6 The Greatest Generation

**Parent Survey Link**

http://www.aerweb.com/calvary

Classroom Management Policy

Four Basic Rules

1. Be PROMPT-Be on time to class.

2.Be PREPARED-Be ready to do your work.

3. Be PRODUCTIVE- Do your work with diligence!

4. Be POLITE- Treat others how you would like to be treated.

8th Grade U.S. History

Mr. Brian Kelly