Welcome to History Class!
Directions:
1. Silently walk around the room, and WITHOUT
TALKING find other students who have the
same colored dot on their foreheads.
2. Once you have found your group, sit at your
color table.
3. These will be your seats for the next couple of
classes.
Signal for Quiet
There will be times in class when I need
everyone’s attention. I will hit the chime
when I need your attention. When you hear
the chime I expect you to be:
1. Quiet
2. Sitting still
3. Looking at me
Today in Class:
1. Write down homework
2. Introductions
3. Name game
4. Course Overview: What will we be doing in history
this year?
5. Questions?
Homework:
Everyday when you come into
class you will take out your
agenda and write down your
homework.
Today’s Homework: Get Course
Overview signed!
About Ms. Cruickshank
1. I studied abroad in college and traveled to
Switzerland, Italy, England, Germany and The
Netherlands.
2. When I was 15, I won a pancake eating contest
at the VA state fair.
3. I play the guitar and sing. I have performed
on stage 4 times.
Which is the lie?!
About Ms. Cruickshank
• Graduated from Virginia Tech
• 3rd year at Eagle Ridge
• Love traveling, playing the guitar, doing yoga
Niece and Nephew 
Name/Animal!
The first person will say his/her name and an animal
that starts with the same letter. The second person
will repeat, then at his/hers. We will continue until
everyone has had a turn!
The purpose of the game is to get to know each other
and learn everybody’s names. While your
classmates are talking you should be:
– Sitting quietly
– Looking at the speaker
– Making hand motions for your animal!
Please walk calmly back to
your assigned seat!
What does walking calmly look like?
1. Quietly stand up
2. Leave your area clean
3. Move quickly and calmly through the
classroom
4. Sit down and listen for instructions
Where is everything in the
classroom?
1. Homework board
2. Weekly schedule
3. History Notebook Table of Contents
4. Art Supplies
Break Spot
There may be times during class when I ask you to take
a break.
The break spot is for someone who has made a
mistake, broken a rule, or simply needs a few minutes
to collet his/herself. It is NOT a punishment!
If you are sent to the break spot, you will have time to
think about:
– Why am I here?
– What should I do differently when I return?
Once you have gathered your thoughts you will be
welcomed back into the group.
Class Overview:
Listen closely and follow
along on your paper!
*If you have a question, raise
your hand and I will call on
you*
Passing out and collecting papers:
Each week I will ask two students to help with
passing out and collecting papers. I will
randomly choose your desk number 
Please quickly distribute or collect papers to
each table.
Paper passers/collectors: #1 and #27!
Class Description:
In this class, we will explore the early history of
America. You will develop and understanding of the
regions of the United States and how geography
impacts where people live. You will learn about the
earliest Americans and discuss how their lives
changed when Europeans landed in America. You
will explain the importance of inventions and
innovative thinkers in the development of the
country. You will look at historical shifts of power
that resulted from the American Revolution and Civil
War. Throughout the year, you will learn the stories
of individual people who worked to change the story
of the United States.
Essential Questions:
1. What is culture?
2. How does a culture develop?
3. How did different cultures
interact with one another?
Curriculum Outline:
1. Geography
6. Manifest
Destiny
2. Native Americans
7. Women’s
Suffrage
3. Explorers
8. Abolition
4. Colonies
5. Revolutionary War/
Early Government
9. Civil War
What supplies do I need?
Spiral notebook: 150
pages or more!
Colored pencils
2 rolls of clear tape
What if I am absent?
YOU are responsible for picking up, completing
and turning in any missed assignments or work
due to an absence. All handouts will be posted
on the class website. They will also be
available in the classroom.
Participation
You are expected to come to class prepared to
learn and to contribute to the learning
environment. Make sure you come to class
with all required materials, complete your
assignments on time, and are actively
engaged in class discussions and activities.
Late Assignments:
It is YOUR responsibility to turn your work on
time; however, if you are unable to meet the
deadline, you have a responsibility to
complete your work. All late work will be
accepted for two class periods. All missing
work will be entered into the grade book as
a 50%.
Grading:
The grading scale is a 10-point scale:
A 100-93
A- 92-90
B+ 89-87
B 86-8 B- 82-80
C+ 79-77 C 76-73 C- 72-70
D 69-60 F 59 and below
Grades will be calculated on a point system and will
incorporate the following:
1. Tests and Quizzes
2. Daily Tasks (class assignments and homework)
3. Essays, Projects and Presentations
4. Notebook Checks
Classroom Expectations
You are expected to come to class ready to
participate and be respectful of the teacher,
students, and school materials.
We will create more specific classroom rules
in the next couple of classes 
Baskin-Robbins 31:
We will go around the circle counting to 31.
You can say 1 number, 2 numbers, or 3
numbers. The person who says 31 is out!
Questions/Concerns?
1. On the small square of paper, write down
one question or concern you have about
middle school.
2. Put your square in the hat. I will put them
out one by one and we will discuss them!