– SOCIAL STUDIES 8 COURSE SYLLABUS –
"...Democracy's very existence depends on an educated electorate..." --Thomas Jefferson
MISS HOOS
ROOM 7
2010-2011
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?
In 8th grade Social Studies, we explore the history of our country from the American Revolution through
the events leading up to World War I in alignment with the California state standards for 8th grade
Social Studies. I love history and I hope that you learn to love it too. If you are curious, work diligently,
and stay involved in class, it might even be fun! We are going to ask and answer a lot of questions. By
the end of the year you will know more about the history of our country. But more importantly, you will
have learned new ways to solve problems, and will know how to answer your own questions about the
world and how to check to make sure your answers are reasonable.
WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT HISTORY?
I am sure that you have heard the statement, "Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to
repeat it." It sounds like an important statement, but what does it mean? Here is the way that I see it:
What you and I are doing now – the things we do, the things we wear, the things we eat, the things we
believe – are all part of a big experiment. It is an experiment that we call 'life,' but fifty years from now
or one hundred years from now, it will have somehow become this thing called 'history.'
So, why do we care? If we look at history as an experiment, then it is natural that some of the things
people have tried over time have not worked. We know that there are civilizations that once spread
over huge areas of the Earth, but now all that remains are buried ruins. What happened to them? And
how can we live so that the same thing does not happen to us? These are some of the important
questions that historians try to answer.
We are going to study the experiments of our past and see what happened. Then we will try to look at
the ways we live now in terms of an experiment and see if we can predict what some of the results of
our actions will be. Maybe, just maybe, we can learn to make better decisions than those who came
before us.
RESOURCES AND MATERIALS:
This year we will be using TCI’s History Alive! – The United States Through Industrialism and the
companion interactive student notebook (ISN) as our primary social studies text. Please take good
care of your book. Any damages to your book will result in a fine at the end of the year. Please bring
the following items to class each day: your interactive student notebook (ISN), a 3-ring binder (it does
not have to be just for this class) with dividers, an adequate supply of Cornell Notes paper, your MHS
assignment book, and all necessary school supplies (sufficient notebook paper, working pens,
sharpened pencils, erasers, highlighters, etc.). Having your own colored pencils and your own
pencil sharpener will be useful. You will be asked to bring 3" x 5" note cards to use in preparing for
exams. When we study the Constitution, you will need to bring 200 cards with you to class every day.
ATTENDANCE:
Regular attendance is essential for you to be successful in this class. Many activities involve lectures
and partner or group work that are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to make up. Please help
maintain the continuity of the learning process by scheduling appointments on Friday afternoons and
keeping vacations to the times provided in the school calendar. If you are absent for any reason, you
must return to class with a re-admit and are 100% responsible for all work you missed during your
absence. The tardy policy will be strictly enforced. No exceptions.
THE CONSTITUTION EXAM:
All students in the 8th grade must take and pass a comprehensive Constitution exam. This is a
Promotion requirement. If you do not pass the exam, you will not be able to participate in Promotion
activities. Never fear...we will devote at least four weeks of class time to preparing for this exam. You
will make many flashcards and there will be required extra study sessions held both during and after
school. However, once we have begun studying for this exam, it is essential that you spend time every
night studying. Be especially careful to keep track of your study cards. Every year there are students
who have their flashcards stolen. Do not let this happen to you. While we are studying for this exam,
you will be required to have 200 flashcards with you every day. You will be required to put your name
on every single card so that any lost card can be returned to you. I know it sounds intimidating and I
am sure you have heard nightmare stories about this test, but if you are diligent and responsible, you
will be successful! If you need help at any time – PLEASE ASK! Please let me know as soon as you
have a concern so that I can help you get prepared in time for the exam. Please do NOT wait until the
last minute to ask for help!
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For Students: Please contact me with any questions or concerns you might have. I cannot help with
problems of which I am not aware! See me in class, before school, after school, or during nutrition. To
meet at lunch, please make an appointment with me ahead of time. You are also welcome to email or
call me. My contact information is listed below. If at any time you feel uncomfortable about our
class, please request an individual conference. Your feelings are important to me, and I want to give
you my full attention -- something I cannot do when I am in charge of the whole class.
For Parents: The best and most reliable way to reach me is by email. My email address is
jhoos@smmusd.org. Alternatively, you may call my voicemail MHS at (310) 457-6801 and leave a
message for me at ext. 74-228. To meet in person, please fill out a pink CORE Conference Request
form, available in the main office, and leave it in my box, which is also in the main office, and I will
schedule a CORE meeting with all of your child’s teachers at the earliest opportunity.
HOMEWORK:
All homework assignments are posted on the white board at the front of class and on the homework
website (http://malibuhigh.org/teacher-hoos) on a weekly basis. Check these locations regularly to
make sure you are aware of what your assignments are and whether any changes have been made
since they were originally posted. I make every effort to keep the website updated, but information
given in class is always the most accurate. Get some reliable “Study Buddies” and keep in contact with
them to make sure you do not fall behind if you are ever absent.
Even though the homework may only be to study for an exam or work on a long-term project, there is
homework every night. Expect it and plan for it. Do not leave all your studying to the night before the
exam or wait to work on a project until the night before it is due! PLEASE put a complete heading on
each paper - papers without names will not be graded. If you are having any difficulty completing
homework in the time allowed, please contact me immediately so I can help you…that’s why I am here!
HONESTY POLICY:
At MHS you are expected to do your own work. Our honesty policy includes, but is not limited to
cheating on exams in any way. In addition, you may not copy or borrow work from other students. You
may not lend or give to another student work that you have done. You may not copy or paraphrase
work from a textbook, the internet, or any other source, and submit it as your own. Any violation of
this policy will result in a zero (0) grade on the assignment for all involved, regardless of whether you
used someone else’s work or someone else used your work. If you earn a zero grade on something
because you violated this policy, the work cannot be made up. Administrators also will be notified.
The overall school policy is provided, in detail, in your Malibu High School student handbook.
THIS POLICY IS STRICTLY ENFORCED!!!
GRADING POLICY:
The single most important thing to understand about grades in my class is this:
I don't give grades, you earn them!
Each assignment is given a point value, and point values vary. Larger assignments will have a
larger point value and smaller tasks will be worth fewer points. For example, a writing assignment
or project on which we spend considerable time may be worth 100 points while a homework
assignment or quiz could be worth only 10 points. Grades and points are based not only on
completion of work but also on the quality, neatness, presentation, timeliness of that work as well
as whether or not it has been corrected and improved before being turned in for a final grade.
Except in the instance of an excused absence by re-admit, late work receives half credit. If there
is an excused absence, it is YOUR responsibility to obtain the missed work and complete it in a
timely manner. The amount of time allowed to make up work is equal to the time you were away
from class for an excused reason. If you were absent for an unexcused reason, contact someone,
get the work, and turn it in the day you return to class. Make sure you have at least two reliable
"study buddies" who will give you accurate and complete information. In the case of truancy, no
makeup work will be accepted and you will receive a zero (0) grade for all assignments that were
assigned or were due on days that you missed. This includes missed exams or project deadlines.
Late work will be accepted until one week before the end of each grading period.
Please make sure that you read, understand, and follow all directions so that you can earn the
maximum number of points. Always put a complete, properly formatted heading on all papers.
*****Work without a name will not be graded.*****
All points are important, so strive to do your best on everything. Progress reports and semester
grades are determined by adding the total number of points you have earned and dividing by the
number of points possible in the class to date. The grading scale is as follows:
100-93%
92-90%
89-87%
86-83%
=
=
=
=
A
AB+
B
82-80%
79-77%
76-73%
72-70%
=
=
=
=
BC+
C
C-
69-67%
66-63%
62-60%
59-0%
=
=
=
=
D+
D
DFail
A note on EXTRA CREDIT: I do not offer many opportunities for extra credit, so take advantage of
every opportunity. It is important to understand that extra credit in this class is just that – EXTRA.
Extra credit is ON TOP OF, not instead of, regular work. It is not “alternative” credit. Extra credit
exists to help you raise your grade IF you have already done everything else first. You can (and
should) do the extra credit assignments when offered. However, extra credit points will not be
assigned until the END of the semester if (and only if) you have NO ZEROES. If you have any
missing work (even one assignment) – you will not earn any extra credit points. You should check
Pinnacle Link regularly to make sure you are not missing any assignments.
MIDDLE SCHOOL STANDARD GUIDELINES:
Middle School Expectations Follow directions.
 Be prepared for class. (Bring materials and
class work, homework.)
 Be on time, in your seat and ready to work.
 Use appropriate language. (No teasing,
bullying or putdowns.)
 No food, gum or drinks in class. (Water OK.)
Middle School Consequences1st*: Warning
2nd: Move seat
3rd:
Removed from class
4th:
Removed from class and parent contact
5th:
Referral to office
*Some circumstances may require immediate
referral to the office.
COURSE OUTLINE: 2010 – 2011
AMERICA BEFORE THE REVOLUTION (Standard 8.1)
9/7 – 9/13
CAUSES AND IMPACTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (Standard 8.1)
9/14 – 10/8
THE CONSTITUTION (Standards 8.2 and 8.3)
CONSTITUTION EXAM
10/11 – 11/23
11/23
(THANKSGIVING BREAK)
THE NEW REPUBLIC (standards 8.3, 8.4, and 8.5)
(WINTER BREAK)
11/25-11/28
11/24 – 12/17
12/18 – 1/2
THE AGE OF JACKSON AND MANIFEST DESTINY (Standards 8.4, 8.5, and 8.8)
1/3 – 1/21
REVIEW AND FIRST SEMESTER EXAMS
1/24 – 1/28
END OF FIRST SEMESTER
1/28
BEGINNING OF SECOND SEMESTER
2/1
THE ERA OF REFORM (Standards 8.6, 8.9, and 8.10)
2/1 – 2/18
THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION – PART I AND THE WORLDS OF
THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH (Standards 8.6, 8.7, 8.9, and 8.10)
2/22 – 3/11
THE CAUSES OF THE CIVIL WAR (Standards 8.7, 8.9, 8.10)
3/15 – 3/25
THE CIVIL WAR (Standard 8.10)
3/28 – 4/8
(SPRING BREAK)
4/9 – 4/24
RECONSTRUCTION (Standard 8.11)
4/25 – 5/13
(STATE TESTING WINDOW)
5/2 – 5/13
THE NEW WEST (Standards 8.11 and 8.12)
5/16 – 5/26
THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION – PART II AND
THE AGE OF IMMIGRATION (Standard 8.12)
5/31 – 6/10
THE PROGRESSIVES (Standard 8.12)
6/13 – 6/16
(2ND SEMESTER FINALS)
8TH GRADE PROMOTION / LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
6/17, 6/20, 6/21
6/22
PLEASE NOTE: DATES FOR THE BEGINNING AND ENDING OF EACH UNIT ARE APPROXIMATE.
STUDENT SIGNATURE
I have carefully read and discussed this syllabus with my parent/guardian.
I am aware of the class requirements and expectations.
I am also aware that I must pass the Constitution exam in order to participate in
8th Grade Promotion at the end of the year.
Student name {Please print}
Student signature
PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE
I have carefully read and discussed this syllabus with my child.
I am aware of the class requirements and expectations.
I am also aware that my child must pass the Constitution exam in order to
participate in 8th Grade Promotion at the end of the year.
Parent/Guardian name(s) {Please print}
Parent/Guardian signature(s)
PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATION
*To be completed by mother or female guardian:
What is the best way to get in touch with you? (Please circle one) EMAIL
OTHER
PHONE
Name: Mrs. / Ms.
Email Address:
Work/daytime Phone:
Home/evening Phone:
OTHER:
*To be completed by father or male guardian:
What is the best way to get in touch with you? (Please circle one) EMAIL
Name: Mr.
Email Address:
Work/daytime Phone:
OTHER:
Home/evening Phone:
PHONE
OTHER
To be completed by either parent (or both!):
Please tell me about your child. What are his/her interests?
What do you think is important for him/her to learn this year?
How would you like to be involved in your child’s education this year?
Is there anything that I should know about your son/daughter that would allow me to help
him/her be successful in my class?
If you are interested in volunteering in this class (field trip chaperone, etc.), please indicate the
amount and type of assistance you would be willing to give. Please note time constraints as
well. Thank you for your willingness to help!