Social Studies 8 Course Outline

Social Studies 8

Mrs. L.  Teichrob

Available by appointment

Dear grade 8 student,

            Welcome to Social Studies 8! It is my sincere hope that you will enjoy this class and that we will be able to develop a strong sense of classroom community and create an environment in which everyone can reach their full potential.

            Social Studies 8 is the study of human relationships and actions, both in the past and present. Students will be challenged to explore connections between themselves, their relationship God, with others, with various cultures and aspects of creation. The primary skills that will be developed throughout the course of Social Studies 8 are: reading, writing, listening, verbal communication, presenting, researching, organizing, critical thinking and building interpersonal skills. In order to make this the most positive experience possible, the information enclosed below will tell you what you need to know in order to make this year a success.

Social Studies Topics

*Chapter that are underlined in bold font will be more lengthy in nature

Unit 1 (September 3 – October 4)

·      Geography

·      Europe’s Early Middle Ages (Chapter 1)

·      Europe’s High Middle Ages (Chapter 2)

·      Early China (Chapter 3)

·      Early Arab World (Chapter 4)

Unit 2 (October 7 – November 12)

·      Europe’s Late Middle Ages (Chapter 5)

·      World Religions

·      Medieval Japan (Chapter 6)

Unit 3 (November 13 – December 20)

·      The Renaissance (Chapter 7)

·      The Reformation (Chapter 8)

Unit 4 (January 6 – January 29)

·      Ottoman Empire (Chapter 10)

·      India (Chapter 11)

·      Africa (Chapter 12)

·      China (Chapter 13)

Social Studies 8 Assessment Breakdown

*Breakdown is approximate and may vary

            Test & Quizzes                                    40%

            Projects & Assignments                        60%

                                                                        _____

                                                                        100%

           

Behavioral Expectations

A. Before the bell rings:

1.     You will use the washroom and get a drink if needed

2.     You will hand in assignments that are due into the “In Box.”

3.     You will get your journal/record current events (if applicable)

B. When the bell rings:

1.     You will be seated in your assigned desk on time

2.     You will be ready for instruction

3.     You will have all of your materials with you. Every class you must being the following items:

·      All applicable textbooks

·      Your binder and paper

·      Pen or pencil

·      School planner    

C. During class:

1.     You will raise your hand before speaking

2.     You will wait your turn to speak during class discussions

3.     You will use manners and be polite to both fellow classmates and your teacher

D. After class:

1.     You will write down homework from the homework board

2.     You will wait to be dismissed

3.     You will pick up and throw away all of your garbage

Assignments

The Blog

·      The blog address is http://wrcasocialstudies8.blogspot.ca

·      Students are expected to check the class blog at on a daily basis.

·      Homework assignments will posted at the end of every school day.

Homework Submission

·      Homework is due at the start of each class- no exceptions. This means that your homework is: (a) complete and immediately ready to be handed in (b) printed off  in hardcopy format (if applicable).

·      Homework must be submitted in hardcopy format. Electronic submissions will not be accepted (i.e. memory card, email etc).

·      Students will be given one hard copy of handouts and worksheets. In the case that they have misplaced their hardcopy or if they were absent from class, the student is responsible for obtaining an additional/new copy.

Late Assignments

·      Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned day. If a student has not completed their assigned work, they may be required to attend a mandatory homework completion, which may be schedule at lunch or after school, according to the teacher’s discretion. 

·      Students will not be allowed to hand in assignments once it has been marked and returned to the rest of the class.

Absences

·      Students are required to complete all missing work and assignments in the case of being absent.

·      In the case of an anticipated absence, students may approach the teacher to request the concepts that they will be missing while gone. They will be given assigned readings in advance, but daily work, tasks and assignments will be given to students: (a) once they have returned to school or (b) if someone picks up materials on their behalf during their absence.