Mr. Tonnesen

Grade 8 Social Studies

 

Course Description:

This course will cover European History from the Fall of the Roman Empire to Christopher Columbus and the Age of Exploration. Students will also engage in current events, introductory civics and decision making processes. Students will learn to apply mapping strategies, use charts and graphs, diagrams, timelines, learn vocabulary, and engage in supplemental readings throughout the course. Students will be engaged in classroom activities and discussions, along with many individual and group research projects.

 

 

 

Grades:

Detailed progress reports can be printed and sent home any time when requested with 1 week notice. I encourage all parents and students to take full advantage of this policy to ensure their success in the course.

Marking Period Grade Weights:

Tests and Quizzes = 35%

Class work = 35%

Projects = 20%
Other Assignments (Do Now, journals, etc) = 10%

 

 

 

 

Test and Quizzes:

Small quizzes will be given frequently to help assess the understanding level of students. Students will always receive advanced notice and an in class review for all tests and quizzes. Students are expected to study their notes at home daily (at least 30 minutes), this will assist in being successful completing quizzes and tests.

Classwork:

Class assignments will normally consist of note-taking. Students must have a notebook dedicated to Social Studies only. They may not use a multi subject notebook for this class. If a student is not in class for any reason, it is up to the student and parents to make sure that all classwork assignments/projects are picked up for this class. This ensures that the student will not fall behind. Some work is available online. The majority of the notes are PowerPoint driven. These will be posted on the Google Classroom, so students can have access to notes if absent.

Projects:

National History Day:

 

National History Day is a year-long research project beginning in September and concluding in January. Students are allowed to work in a group or individual setting for this. Students can create a website, documentary, exhibit, or a performance in addition to their paper. Students will receive grades based on their process paper, use of primary and secondary sources, presentation, and research paper. These grades will be used in the First, Second, and Third quarter.
Homework:
Newsela:

In order to keep students aware of current events, we use a program on newsela.com. Students will once again be given an access code in order to read the assigned current event news articles. I will assign TWO ARTICLES to read every single week. Students have until THURSDAY MORNING to read and take the quiz at the end of each article.