6th Grade World History/Studies
Course Overview:
The Social Studies Department at Bandera Middle School provides students the
opportunity to develop their social studies skills in accordance with the Texas Essential
Knowledge and Skills (Chapter 113 Subchapter B. Middle School) as identified by the Texas
Education Agency. Students will build a foundation in the eight strands of the Texas Essential
Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) throughout their coursework. These areas include: history;
geography; economics; government; citizenship; culture; science, technology, and society; and
social studies skills. Students will experience many methods of learning, including, but not
limited to, social studies skill builders, experiential exercises, response groups, problem-solving
group work, and technology applications.
Grading Policy
Regular Classes:
50% - Major Grades (tests, projects)
50% - Daily Grades (homework, classwork)
In Grade 7, students study the history of Texas from early times to the present. Students
examine the full scope of Texas history, including Natural Texas and its People; Age of Contact;
Spanish Colonial; Mexican National; Revolution and Republic; Early Statehood; Texas in the
Civil War and Reconstruction; Cotton, Cattle, and Railroads; Age of Oil; Texas in the Great
Depression and World War II; Civil Rights and Conservatism; and Contemporary Texas eras.
The focus in each era is on key individuals, events, and issues and their impact. The study
strains include: citizenship, economics, technology and political structures
Grading Policy
Regular Classes:
50% - Major Grades (tests, quizzes, projects)
50% - Daily Grades (homework, classwork)
8th Grade Social Studies: Covers the time period from 1492-1877 and includes the eras of: Exploration and Colonization, American Revolution, Constitution, Early Republic: Washington to Monroe and Jacksonian Democracy, Industrial Revolution and Reform, Westward Expansion, Civil War, and Reconstruction. Concept standards include history, geography, economics, government, citizenship, culture, science, technology and society along with social studies skills such as map reading and creating, sequencing of events, and cause and effect relationships. Cycle grades will be based on 50% daily work and 50% tests/quizzes. This class is the best choice for most 8th grade students. There is a STAAR Test for this course in the Spring. Students are expected to reach the approaches or meets level score on the test.
HONORS LEVEL 8th Grade Social Studies: Covers the same time periods and eras mentioned above, but students will be required to keep up with an advanced rigor class, complete independent projects that require application of information covered in certain units, write an essay and/or complete fill in the blank/short answer portions of tests, and complete an end of year project as determined by the teacher. Cycle grades for the HONORS LEVEL class will be heavily weighted on tests/quizzes and projects as they make up 67% of the grade and daily work will only account for 33% of the grade. THIS LEVEL IS BEST FOR STUDENTS WHO LOVE HISTORY AND/OR ARE HIGHLY MOTIVATED TO EXCEL IN THE CLASSROOM. There is a STAAR Test for this course in the Spring and HONORS LEVEL students are expected to reach a masters level score on the test.
8th Grade Social Studies covers the time period from 1492-1877 and includes the eras of: Exploration and Colonization, American Revolution, Constitution, Early Republic, Jefferson-Jackson, Industrial Revolution and Reform, Westward Expansion, Civil War, and Reconstruction. Concept standards include history, geography, economics, government, citizenship, culture, science, technology and society along with social studies skills such as map reading and creating, sequencing of events, and cause and effect relationships. Cycle grades will be based on 50% daily work and 50% tests/quizzes. This class is the best choice for most 8th grade students. There is a STAAR Test for this course in the Spring. Students are expected to reach the approaches or meets level score on the test.
HONORS LEVEL 8th Grade Social Studies: covers the same time periods and eras mentioned above, but students will be required to keep up with an advanced rigor class, complete independent projects that require application of information covered in certain units, write an essay and/or complete fill in the blank/short answer portions of tests, and complete an end of year project as determined by the teacher. Cycle grades for the HONORS LEVEL class will be heavily weighted on tests/quizzes and projects as they make up 67% of the grade and daily work will only account for 33% of the grade.
THIS LEVEL IS BEST FOR STUDENTS WHO LOVE HISTORY AND/OR ARE HIGHLY MOTIVATED TO EXCEL IN THE CLASSROOM. In order to be considered for 8th Honors Level Social Studies students must meet two of the following criteria:
Overall average for 7th grade SS should be 85% or higher.
7th grade reading class average of 85% or higher.
In order to remain in the 8th grade Honors Level SS Class students must maintain an average of 75 or higher in the class.
There is a STAAR Test for this course in the Spring and HONORS LEVEL students are expected to reach a masters level score on the test.