8th Grade US History
by Carol Braun
August 26, 2010
Teacher Information
Name: Mr. Ringen
Position: Social Studies Teacher at Southern High School
Room: 205
Email: mringen@esu5.org
Education: Undergraduate and Graduate at Peru State College
Degree: Bachelors in Secondary Social Studies & Masters in
Instructional Technology
Certification: Nebraska Department of Education
Recent Workshops: Moodle Technology; Classroom Management; From L to J Learning Strategies; Teaching Nebraska Social Studies
Coaching: Assistant Girls’ Basketball & Assistant Track
Sponsorships: S-Club
Mr. Ringen’s Daily Schedule
Before School: Arrive at 7:15-7:30 (earlier if students need help)
Period #1- Fundamentals of Social Studies—9th Grade Standards
Period #2- OT Government
Period #3- 7th Grade Career Education
Period #4- 8th Grade US History
Period #5- Political/Historical Studies Period #6- Planning
IAP- Room 205
Period #7- Government/Economics
Period #8- 8th Grade US History
After School 3:32-4:00- Student help/meetings
After School 4:00-6:00 Sport practices (winter/spring)
8th Grade United States History
This course will examine America from colonial independence & the creation of the United States Constitution to the beginnning of the Civil War.
Class Length
The length of this class will be one school year (two semesters).
Textbook
Prentice Hall: America History of Our Nation 2008_TEXTBOOKS MUST BE COVERED!!!!
Standards Tests
Students are required to pass all standards tests assessed in this class. Main standard assessments will include 8.3.7; 8.4.2; 8.4.6 (also possibly 8.3.6)
Semester Grade
There will be no semester tests for this class at this time. Subject to change with discretion of the teacher (if changed semester grade would include Q1=46% Q2=46% and Sem Test 8%)
Semester Grade
Quarter #1=50% of grade
Quarter #2=50% of grade
Quarter Grading
Tests- 60-70% of your grade
Homework quizzes, Regular Homework, Check for Understanding Quizzes, Regular Quizzes, Moodle assignments/projects- 20-30% of your grade
Review Homework- 6-10% of your grade
Focus on your tests! Tests will be 2-3 times the actual grade. Ex. 50/60=83% on a test would really be 150/180=83% (x3).
All homework and review sheets will be based on total points. Ex. 16/20=80% for that homework assignment.
More on Grading/Homework
Regular Homework- Any assignment might be collected…even notes. So do all of your work. Be prepared by doing each assignment thoroughly.
Reading/Notes Quizzes- Quizzes over assigned reading or notes.
Check for Understanding Quizzes- These quizzes will be given at the conclusion of a lesson discussion. Students can best prepare for these quizzes by simply listening and participating in class discussion when we cover content material.
Moodle - Homework, quizzes, discussion posts, special projects, and other assignments using the Moodle online technology.
***Only 10-14 regular homework assignments will be collected each quarter. Any assignment might be collected…even notes. So do all of your work. This does not include review worksheets. Preference might be given to reading responses and larger worksheets.
Honesty
Practice academic honesty!
Therefore…
Do not copy others work. Do not allow others to copy your work. Both are considered equal offenses.
Late Assignments
Late homework will result in a 10% deduction off of the total assignment grade for the first day of being late. Special projects may fall under a different deduction.
Any homework late after the first day will result in an additional 5% (added to the 10%) for each day thereafter.
* If students continue to have late assignments on a regular basis, the teacher may assign work times as an additional consequence. These work times will not be recorded as detentions unless the student skips this session.
Notetaking
Almost every section covered in this class will have some sort of hard copy of notes provided for the student. Sometimes this will be in the form of a worksheet or quiz which can be used as notes for that section (after handed back). Other times this will occur in the form of regular not taking. KEEP ALL OF THIS!
Moodle
Mr. Ringen’s classes will now be using the “Moodle” online learning system. This will require students to complete online activities and assignments using Moodle.
3 Ring Binder
All students will be required to have a 3 ring binder (at least 1 inch binder but 2-3 inch also acceptable). This is required to practice organization and will be taken as a project grade.
Required Materials
• 3 ring binder (for organization)
• Textbook (supplied by school)
• Two notebooks (for notes and vocabulary)
• Writing utensils every class period
Here are just a few areas this class will study more closely:
***** These areas of study are only tentative and may see changes throughout the year. We will begin with early American history and continue leading up to the Civil War.
* Review of Early American History
* Colonial Life
* The American Revolution & America’s Independence
* Articles of Confederation
* Creating the Constitution 1776-1790
* Washington & Adams: United States as a New Nation and First Presidents 1789-1800
* Era of Thomas Jefferson 1800-1815
* War of 1812, Tecumseh, & Madison Presidency
* Monroe & Era of Good Feelings
* Age of Jackson 1815-1840
* Van Buren & Harrison Presidencies
* North and South Take Different Paths 1800-1845
* Early Age of American Reform 1820-1860
* American Begins to Move West/Midwest 1820-1860
* The Nation Divided 1846-1861
* The Civil War 1861-1865
