Mr. K. J. Benoy
Social Studies Department
Social Studies 8
Course Outline &
Expectations
Supplies
You will need the
following:
A binder – at least 1 ½
inches.
Plenty of lined paper.
A portable computer
storage device.
Coloured & regular HB
pencils.
Pens.
Erasers.
Whiteout.
A ruler (a geometry set if
you have one).
Provincial Objectives
The Ministry of Education expects
that you will do the following things
in Social Studies 8
Applications of Social Studies
Problem solve.
Summarize
information from a
source.
Assess information.
Defend a position.
Write and speak
effectively.
Address a problem.
Society and Culture
Find out why civilizations
rise and fall.
Compare life in various
civilizations.
Describe different cultures
and religions.
Be aware of artistic
traditions.
Identify important cultural
achievements.
Politics and Law
Understand the tension
between rights and
responsibilities in various
cultures.
Understand the influence
of contact, conflict and
conquest on civilizations.
Describe how people
influence laws and
politics.
Explain how
governmental systems
develop.
Economy & Technology
Compare economic
systems.
Analyze how commerce
affects lives.
Compare rural and urban
work.
Describe how technology
& science affects politics,
societies and economies.
Environment
Make and use maps,
graphs, tables, grids,
scales, legends and
contours.
Locate places and
geographical features on
maps.
Locate current and
historical places on maps.
Analyze how people have
interacted with their
environments in history.
How Will We Do This?
First we will study
Geography.
We will read and
interpret maps and
globes.
We will construct a
variety of maps.
We will learn about
time zones.
Then We Study History
We begin with the Roman
Empire.
Then we look at
Byzantium and the origins
of Islamic Civilization.
Next we look at the
Medieval World.
Then we study the
Renaissance and
Reformation.
History
Finally, we will study
civilization in:
India
China
Japan
Text Books
Most work in
Geography will be
teacher created and will
be based on atlas work.
Text books
Most of our work in
History will be in
Burton Beers’
Patterns of
Civilization I.
Assignments
You will complete and be
marked on a variety of
things:
Homework
Paragraphs and short
assignments
Maps
Reports
Oral Presentations
Quizzes
Tests
My Website
Go to:
http://sites.google.com/
site/kbenoy/
Here you will find
PowerPoint
presentations that
cover the entire
curriculum.
Your assignments will
also be posted here.
Lessons & Homework Blogsite
Go to:
http://kjbenoy.blogspot
.com
We will post the
week’s work here. I
will also give you
notice of tests and their
composition.
Final Exam
At the end of the
course, you will write
a final exam on
everything we have
covered.
The exam is written
during a special exam
period, after classes
have finished for the
term.
Final Exam
This test is worth 20%
of your course mark.
If you have done well
during the term, it is a
chance to show what
you have learned.
If you have not done
well, it is a 2nd chance
to pass.
Grades
We use the standard
provincial grading system:
A 86%+
B 73-85%
C+ 67-72%
C 60-66%
C- 50-59%
D 40-49%
E 39%-
If you seem in danger of
dropping to a failing mark
during the semester, you
will receive an “I” on an
interim report.
An F is a term end failure.
Expectations - Attendance
What we cover in class is
important – do not miss
things if you can help it.
If you are away:
Call the school to let us
know why you are away.
Go to the blogsite to see
what you missed.
Check the week plan at the
back of the room.
Bring a note for the school
and a note for me.
Expect to make up what
you missed.
Expectations - Punctuality
You expect me to be here
on time and ready to go.
I expect the same of you.
Surprize quizzes and
homework checks happen at
the start of class. If you are
late you may be given a
zero.
If you do arrive late, come
in without disturbing the
class.
Wait until you can enter
without disturbing the class.
Make sure I know you have
arrived.
Expectation - Assignments
All assignments are given to help
you learn.
I do not give out “busy work” as
there is too much to cover this year.
If you don’t see the point in an
assignment, ask!
All assignments must be
completed.
When students fail this course it is
almost always because they do not
complete the work.
Expectation - Assignments
Deductions will be made for late
assignments:
10% of the value of the assignment
for 1 day.
20% for 2 days.
30% for 3 days.
A 50% grade is the best that can be
earned for an assignment later than
this.
Any assignment, no matter how
late, can earn 50%
If you lose an assignment, go to
the blog.
Expectations - Marking
I will return marking
quickly.
Expect to receive short
assignments back the next
day.
Give me a week for long
assignments.
If you did not get your
work back in class, remind
me. I probably have it
ready but forgot to return
it.
Extra Help
Ask if you need additional
help.
I arrive early and leave late
most days.
I usually arrive near 8:00 a.m.
I usually leave near 5:00 p.m.
If my door is open, I am here.
Look for me in D208, the staffroom or the photocopy room next
to the office. Sometimes, after
school, if there are games on, I
may be there taking pictures.
Don’t be afraid to ask another
Social Studies teacher for help.
Expectations - Decorum
Be dignified.
Respect the rights and feelings
of others.
Be considerate.
Do not disturb people who are
working.
Leave other people’s belongings
alone.
Never vandalize.
Do not interrupt when others are
talking.
Expectations - Decorum
If anyone is speaking
to the whole class, pay
attention and remain
silent.
Raise your hand to get
on a speaking list or to
ask a question or
request permission for
something.
Expectations – Leaving the Class
I am responsible for
you during this block.
Ask before you leave
the room.
I need to know where
you are, so tell me
before you leave.
Use the washroom
outside class time.
Return as quickly as
possible.
Learn and Enjoy
Social Studies is fun.
If it wasn’t, I would not be here!
Learn and become a more
educated and interesting person.
Figure out what makes people,
and the world, tick.
Work toward scholarships in
grade 12.
finis