CLASSROOM RULES AND EXPECTATIONS
Social Studies 8
2013-2014
Mr. Harrington
1. Be on time. Be in your seat and ready to work when the bell rings.
2. Be prepared. Bring all required materials to class. This includes your textbook, your
current red folder, your composition notebook, and something to right with. You should
bring your agendas to all classes in the Middle School, including Social Studies. Review
your notes on a nightly basis! And remember…no excuses!
3. Show respect. Speak with appropriate voice level, use acceptable language, and
encourage others. Speak when it is your turn and do not interrupt others.
4. Do your own work. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated and it will result in a
zero grade and disciplinary action. When you are using material from other sources,
please give credit where credit is due. You are not expected to know everything, but you
are expected to cite authorship. Students are allowed to DISCUSS homework
together, but simply copying someone else’s work is unacceptable and BOTH
students’ will receive a zero.
5. If students need to use the restroom during class they can sign out on the bathroom signout sheet located by the maps. If bathroom trips become excessive, however, a limit may
be placed on the number of times a student may sign out unless there is a legitimate
medical reason provided.
6. The Red Jacket Middle School Code of Conduct is in full effect at all times in Mr.
Harrington’s classroom. No cell phones, hats, food and drink, inappropriate dress, etc.
See Red Jacket Middle School’s Code of Conduct for a full list of rules.
7. Failure to follow the RJMS Code of Conduct in Mr. Harrington’s room may result in a
lunch detention, an after-school detention, a phone call home, or a disciplinary referral.
Course Overview and Grading Procedures
Social Studies 8 – Social Studies 8 is a required course for all 8th graders at Red Jacket Middle
School. The course is a continuation of Social Studies 7. Students will study American History
from the time period of Reconstruction up through modern times. There will be frequent writing
assignments that include thematic essays and Document Based Questions, or DBQs. Students
will read from a wide variety of sources including primary source documents. There will also
be weekly current events assignments.
OVERVIEW OF COURSE
Social Studies 8 will include the following units:
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Course Introduction, Geography, Primary and Secondary Sources
The Civil War and Reconstruction
Westward Expansion & Industrialization
The Gilded Age
The Progressive Era
Imperialism and World War I
Between the Wars
America and World War II
The Cold War Era
Modern America
Supplies Needed for Course
- 5 Red Folders*
- Composition Notebook
- pencils/pens
- Highlighter
*Folders will be used to keep all handouts and materials for each unit. At the end of each unit,
students will store previous unit folders in Mr. Harrington’s room in the designated area.
Grading Procedures
Each student’s grade in this course will be based on the following criteria:
Class grade – 15%
Quizzes – 15%
Current Events – 15%
Homework – 15%
Unit Test/Projects/Writing Assignments – 40%
Class grade includes preparation for class, participation in class, and completing classroom
activities. Quizzes are multi-choice and short answer only and are sometimes unannounced.
Unit tests are more extensive, include an essay or DBQ component, and are always announced.
Projects are given with complete directions and a timetable for completion. Current Events are
due every other Monday unless otherwise noted.
Each 10 weeks will count as 20% of the final grade for the course, and a final exam will count as
20% of the final course grade.
Homework Procedures
Homework is always due at the beginning of class the day after it is assigned unless otherwise
noted. Anything received after the beginning of class will be considered late. Homework is
assigned most nights but not every night. All assignments will be listed on the whiteboard near
Mr. Harrington’s desk, will be listed on Mr. Harrington’s website, and should be written in
student’s agendas.
Late Homework Policy
Minus 20 points if one day late
No work accepted for grade after one day
Attendance-Related Grading
Unexcused absences – Student will receive an automatic zero on any in-class assignments,
quizzes, or tests for that class period. Furthermore, the student will not be able to make up the
missed work for a grade, but I will be happy to go over missed work for educational purposes so
that the student remains caught up.
Excused absences – Student will have one day to make up work form the day they return.
IMPORTANT – It is the responsibility of the student to see the teacher and ask for missed work.
Failure to do so may result in a zero grade for an assignment without the opportunity to make it
up. If student is absent for an extended period, a timeline for completion will be determined.
*See RJMS Code of Conduct for definitions of excused and unexcused absences.
Students staying with Mr. Harrington 9th period or outside of class to make up late work may
receive a completion grade of 65% if beyond required days allowed.
If you are absent on the day an assignment is due but you were present when the assignment
was given, the assignment is due at the beginning of class on the first day you return.
Similarly, if you miss a test or quiz then you are expected to take the test or quiz on the day you
return. An exception will be made for students who miss an extended period of time.
September 5, 2013
Parents/Guardians:
Please sign and return with student.
I have read the classroom rules and expectations with my son/daughter
__________________________________, and we have discussed our goals and
understandings of it.
____________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian
____________________________________
Signature of Student
Please use the remainder of this space for any additional comments or questions. Thank you in
advance for your support and cooperation this school year.
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