8th
Syllabus
Grade US History
Instructor: R. Kissam
Subject: United States History
Email: ryan.kissam@marion.k12.fl.us
Eighth Grade Social Studies provides an introduction to the study of American History.
Throughout this program the student will learn about exploration and settlement, colonial
history, the American Revolution, the early American Republic, and the Civil War through the
Reconstruction. Over the course of the year, students will be expected to develop and explain
their own interpretations regarding a host of major issues in the study of history in the United
States.
Course Outline-U.S. History
Quarter 1
 Colonizing America: Chapter 2&3
 Revolutionary America: Chapter 3&4
Quarter 2
 Creating a Nation: Chapter 5,6,&7
Quarter 3
 A New Nation: Chapter 8,9,&10
 A Growing Nation: Chapter 11&12
Quarter 4
 A Changing Nation: Chapter 13&14
 A Dividing Nation: Chapter 15
 A Nation Breaks Apart: Chapter 16&17
Grading
Grading Scale
90-100 =A
80-89 = B
70-79 =C
60-69 = D
0-59 = F
Tests, Projects, QWAs-55%
Coursework, Quizzes, DBQs, Folder/Planner-40%
Homework-10%
TESTS (Tests may be changed or altered at Instructors discretion)
 All chapter tests are graded in three parts
 Multiple Choice Section (30 questions)-60%
 Short Response Section (10 questions)-40%
(Scantron does not go home if included for test)
 Total for exam 100%
 Other Tests include-Quarterly Writing Assessments ( See rubric information for DBQ),
political maps, and Presidential Test. Students will be expected to know the spellings of
all presidents and or political maps discussed in class. (Word banks may or may not be
included on any other test).
 Test Reviews-Chapter Review Packets or Outlines will be given during the school year.
These reviews are designed to assist students with test prep as well as possible short
response questions that may be found within actual exams.
QUIZZES (Quizzes may be changed or altered at Instructors discretion)
 Crossword Puzzle
 10 short response question
 Vocabulary Quiz
 Total for quiz-100%
DBQ
 Document Based Questions are writing assessments that are completed each quarter.
These writing assignments are separate from the Quarterly Writing Assessment, however,
they are designed to assist with proper writing techniques amd format, which are
influential to the QWA. All DBQs are given a rubric and are scored from 0-4
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0=0%
.5=50
1=55
1.5=62
2=70
2.5=77
3=85
3.5=93
4=100
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Students are expected to write in complete sentences and use proper grammar. Students
will also spell correctly. Failure to meet expectations may result in a loss of 1 per error.
Homework/Classwork
 All work is given a grade based upon the number of questions for a given assignment.
 Students are required to answer questions in complete sentences on various assignments.
 Failure to meet these standards will result in a reduction of 1 point per error
 If a student is absent, the student is responsible to ask the instructor for the assignments
that where missed when they return to school. Upon receiving the work, the student has 3
days to return all assignments that they missed while they were absent.

Late work: Each day that it is not turned in on the required date will result in a reduction
25 points per day.
Nine Week Exam
 Nine Weeks Exam-Two parts
 40 Multiple Choice-80%
 10 Short Response-20%
 Total 100%
 Reviews will be given for the Nine Week Exams
Academic Honesty
 It is important to understand the difference between “helping” and “cheating,” as well as
when it is permitted to work together. Students may work together to complete most
homework and classwork assignments, however copying another’s answers is not
permissible. Rule of thumb for assignments is that working together or explaining how to
do something is helping. Giving another student a “free ride” without contributing to the
assignment is cheating. Quizzes and tests are not cooperative assignments, and it is
consider cheating to assist another student with their quiz or test.
Class Materials
 ‘All students are required to have a portfolio (A portfolio consists of tabbed areas within
their NMMS Folder and a NMMS Planner). Students must bring their portfolio everyday
to class.
 All paper and pencils must be brought to class. You will not be supplied with them.
Students may only use#2 pencils on quizzes and tests. Black or Blue pens may be used on
classwork or homework assignments, however it is not recommended.
 Any additional items will be requested at a later date.
Classroom Rules
 When I am talking you are not talking
 No food or drink in the classroom
 Students may use the bathroom with approved pass from the teacher. Policy-Students will
not be allowed bathroom breaks at the first 10 minutes and the last 10 minutes of class.
(This also applies to water breaks)
 Come prepared with all necessary school supplies.
 Raise your hand before sharpening all pencils, speaking to the teacher or class, and
getting out of seat.
 Watch what you say in class.
 Keep your hands and feet to yourself.