8th Grade Honors Social Studies
MR. FARIS (Rm. 823)
Plan Time: 2:00 – 2:45
School Phone 816-224-1700
Email: mfaris@bssd.net
Parents: This is an effort to inform and communicate to you and your child what I expect this year in
my Honor Social Studies class. This is the first assignment. Please read and sign your name on the
back of this sheet and have your child return it to me for 20 points EXTRA CREDIT!!!
Thanks!
Mr. Faris
HONOR SOCIAL STUDIES____________________________CLASSROOM INFORMATION
(Student’s Name)
This survey course parallels the content of the 8th grade Socials Studies course, it is designed
to meet the needs of students who desire to study social studies content in a more in-depth
and rigorous setting. This course is designed to be challenging, taught at an accelerated pace
and at an advanced level of instruction. Honor Social Studies students will use independent
and cooperative strategies with an emphasis on research, writing, technology, inquiry and
informational reading. In addition to expanding social studies content, Honor students will be
required to read, write and research their findings and questions. Honor students are
expected to have exemplary daily attendance and dedicate up to three to four hours a week
of additional study time outside of class. Honors Social Studies will be a survey of social
sciences and will prepare students to be successful for future advanced social studies courses.
This course will intensively examine the dynamic forces that shaped American history from
Exploration to Reconstruction. A main purpose of the course is to help students gain an
appreciation of their heritage and a clearer understanding of those events and people that
became the American legacy.
Course Objectives for 8th Grade Honor Social Studies
1 - The student will evaluate European exploration and migration to the Americas.
(Exploration Ch. 1-2)
2 - The student will examine the economic, social and political development of the colonies.
(Colonization Ch. 3-5)
3 - The student will analyze the impact of British policies toward the colonies and the role it played in bringing
about the American Revolution. The learner will… Analyze important principles in the Declaration of
Independence, including inalienable rights and government by the consent of the governed.
(Pre-American Revolution Ch. 6)
4 - The student will interpret the American Revolution, including the perspectives of the patriots and loyalists,
and factors that explain why the American colonists were successful.
(American Revolution Ch 7)
5 - The student will identify the basic plan for the structure of the United States set forth in the United
States Constitution. (Confederation and Constitution Ch. 8)
6 - The student will examine the political traditions and tensions that first appeared in the early years of the
new republic. (New Nation Ch. 9)
7 - The student will assess the decisions made by Thomas Jefferson and the impact on Americans.
(Jefferson Era Ch. 10)
8 - The student will recognize the forces and events that affected national unity and growth.
(Era of Good Feelings Ch. 11)
9 - The student will summarize reform movements such as Abolitionism, Women's Movement, and Jacksonian
Democracy. (Jackson, Manifest Destiny, Reform Ch.12-14)
10 - The student will interpret political, economic, and social causes of the Civil War and investigate how a
deeply divided nation moved forward after the Civil War.
(Civil War, Reconstruction Ch 15-18)
1. Remember to bring PENCIL, BOOK, AND 3 RING BINDER each day unless otherwise notified.
With an additional focus on technology and a variety of informational sources, it is important that
students have reliable internet access and a USB flash drive.
DON’T FORGET!!!
THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!!!
2. A student who has an excused absence should make up work they have missed. It is
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to see me about work you have missed. The day that you return to class would
be the time. In most cases this work should be handed in within a few days after you have returned.
If a student was in attendance when the assignment was given out, the student will be expected to turn
in the assignment when it is due. I will consider legitimate excuses!
3. LATE WORK: Assignments should be turned in the HOUR they are due. If you turn the assignment in
later that day it will be 80%. Students will receive semester late work passes (2 per semester), each
allowing the student to turn in an assignment late for full credit. Once the student has turned in two
late assignments, they will not receive credit for late work. Semester late passes may not carry over
from one semester to the next.
EXCEPTIONS ARE: You are absent on the day the assignment is given out. I will consider legitimate
excuses
4. Make sure your full name and hour are on all papers to be handed in. Any papers handed in without
a name will go into the trashcan for zero credit. Assignments are to be handed in having a neat
appearance.
5. Evaluation of work will be based on the following:
a. Written Assignments (Historical Fiction & Argumentative Essays)
b. Simulations
c. In-depth lecture/class discussions
d. Assigned Research Projects
e. Announced quizzes
f. In-depth focus on primary secondary sources/document based information
g. Essay exams
I give very little extra credit. B) Occasionally, students may have an opportunity to complete literacybased work above and beyond the regular coursework as extra credit. The extra credit will not exceed
3% of the semester’s total number of points.
I have no sympathy for those students who slack off during the grading period and then come begging to
me at grade card time for extra credit. Do not get yourself in this situation!!!
6. Overall grading will be based on the following: 40% Tests, 30% Projects, 30% Quizzes
Grading Scale
97%-100%(A+)93%-96%(A)90%-92%(A-)
87%-89%(B+)83%-86%(B)80%-82%(B-)
77%-79%(C+)73%-76%(C)70%-72%(C-)
67%-69%(D+)63%-66%(D)60%-62%(D-)
7. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY (CHEATING): Copying test or homework – Those students involved will
receive ZERO credit for that assignment. Both the person who did the actual cheating and the student
who allowed their paper to be copied. Also any student who is caught working on an American history
assignment in another subject area without that teacher’s permission will receive a zero!
8. GRADE REPORTS: Grades will be kept with a computer grade book. Parents will have the ability to
check their child’s progress over the Internet on Parent Portal. I will send out a printed grade report
(midterm) three weeks into the grading period. Any grade report that I send home is worth 25 points
and needs to be brought back the next day for full credit. One day late is 10 points. 2 days late is
recorded as zero, and will result in a phone call or e-mail home to make sure the parents are aware of
their child’s grade. Students may look at their grades on my computer before school and after school,
or if convenient for the teacher between class periods.
9. DISCIPLINE: I value the time that I have with my students. In order to guarantee your child, and all
the students in my classroom, the excellent learning climate they deserve, I will once again be instituting
the B.I.S.T. discipline plan that stresses RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY!!!
10. OUTSIDE TEXTS: Outside texts, such as Johnny Tremain could possibly be used. A student who wants
an alternative reading assignment for a particular assigned book should explain to the teacher why he/she
wants an alternative text, and the teacher will then work with the student to select an alternative text
of comparable text complexity that addresses the objectives of the course and of the particular unit in
which the assigned text is the focus.
11. STUDY/REVIEW SESSIONS: As a way to help the students prepare for quizzes and tests, I will have
optional review sessions in the morning before school at 7:30. These will take place on the mornings that
we have a quiz or test. These review sessions are completely optional, but past experience has shown
that students who show up for the review session tend to score well on the quizzes and tests. Review
sessions are additional help and are not to take the place of the regular studying for quizzes and tests
that is expected to be done outside of class.
13. Follow my directions at all times!!!
 Give Respect, Receive Respect!!!
 ALWAYS practice common courtesy to me and each other!
 Get quiet, and be in your seat when the bell rings (or start of class) and DO NOT talk
while I or another classmate is talking!
 Be organized! If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!!
 Keep hands, feet, books, and other objects to yourself. Respect each other’s personal
space!
 Treat my room (Faris World) with respect. My room is for you, but it must be treated
with respect. Any graffiti, vandalism, etc… will result in the student cleaning or paying
for the damages!
 Gum and candy not allowed!!!
 Abusive teasing, name calling, or any other undesirable language/gesturing are not allowed
and will not be tolerated!!!
DAILY CONSEQUENCES
1ST Offense – Safe Seat 2nd Offense – Buddy Room 3rd Offense – Recovery Room
All other offenses -- Refer to principal for discipline.
SEVERE CLAUSE
Severe misbehavior such as defying a teacher, fighting, or vandalism will cause the student to be sent
immediately to the office.
I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT YEAR!!! REMEMBER I AM HERE FOR YOU…..TO ASSIST YOU
IN ANY WAY I CAN, TO BE A SUCCESSFUL STUDENT!!!
Sincerely,
Mr. Faris
Mr. Faris:
I have read the information provided, and do understand that I will be expected to follow these
guidelines in a respectful and responsible manner.
Student Signature ___________________________________________________
Parent Signature ____________________________________________________
.