South Carolina History Course Syllabus

South Carolina:  One of the United States

Social Studies Syllabus

Bryson Middle School

COMMUNICATION

MRS. SHERRY HELMS          355-2142                     shelms@greenville.k12.sc.us   

During school hours, this phone number will directly connect you to my voicemail.  Please leave your name, message, and phone number so that I can address your need or concern as soon as possible.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 The focus for social studies in grade eight is the story of the history of South Carolina and the role that the state and its people have played in the development of the United States as a nation.  This study begins with South Carolina's colonial development and settlement as a British colony.  South Carolinians played pivotal roles throughout the American Revolution and the Constitutional Convention, which established the foundations for the new nation.  Sectional division came as a result of the growing institution of slavery, interpretations of the role of government, and expansion of the nation.  South Carolina led the secession of southern states, culminating in the Civil War.  As the nation attempted to heal the wounds of the war, Reconstruction policies brought about political change while sectional division remained.  The end of the 19th century ushered in industrialization to South Carolina and the nation, providing new opportunities for many people.  Throughout the 20th century, South Carolina emerged as a national leader for defense production, agriculture, and tourism.  As the state grew economically, social change was also brought on by the Civil Rights Movement.  During the turn of the 21st century, South Carolina continues to attract businesses and people, while continuing to find solutions to new challenges. 

Instruction should utilize the historical thinking skills (Comparison; Causation; Periodization: Context; Continuities and Change; Evidence) and themes developed for grade eight.  These historical thinking skills are aligned with the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, with a focus on world-class knowledge, world-class skills, and life and career characteristics.  

COURSE STANDARDS

Please click here for a detailed list of social studies standards. 

COURSE OUTLINE 

Please click here for a tentative course outline.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND RESOURCES

Hicks, T. (2013). The South Carolina journey. Layton, UT: Gibbs Smith Education.

REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS

·         Three-Ring Binder or 4-pocket folders with three fasterner prongs

·         Notebook Paper (Loose Leaf…NO SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS PLEASE)

·         Highlighter

·         Blue/Black Pen 

·         Pencils

·         Colored Pencils, Crayons, or Markers

COURSE EVALUATION

Students progress will be assessed every quarter based on three major areas.  They are as follows:

·         Major Assessments- 50% - Tests are given at the end of every unit of study.  The frequency of tests varies; however,  students will generally have a test every two to three weeks.  All tests are announced at least one week in advance.  Papers and projects will also be counted as major assessments.

·         Minor Assessments- 50%- Minor assessments include quizzes, classwork (in-class activities), and homework.  Quizzes are given periodically throughout a unit of study.  Students are notified of quiz dates in advance.  All classwork and homework are expected to be completed on the due date for full credit.    

Extra assignments will not be given to a student in an attempt to pull up his/her grade.  Students are strongly encouraged to keep up with assignments on a daily basis.  This will benefit the student more than assigning “extra” work.

 COURSE GRADING SCALE

The following scale is used to assign grades:

A         100-90

B          89-80

C          79-70

D         69-60

F          Below 60

STUDENT RECORDS

Student records are maintained as directed by the School District of Greenville County and Bryson Middle School.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework is a tool that provides several opportunities:  finishing an already begun task, practicing new ideas and skills, preparing for future lessons, preparing for evaluation activities, learning responsibility, and developing good long-lasting work habits.  Homework is assigned an average of two to three times a week.  The assignment is clearly stated in class and posted in Google Classroom.  Even when students do not have a written assignment in history, it is always a good idea for students to study the notes taken in class.

PROCEDURES FOR MAKE-UP WORK

All students with excused absences may make-up work.  It is the student’s responsibility to arrange with his/her teacher(s) a method of making up missed school work.  The work should be made up within five (5) days after the student returns to school.  If a test or other project has been previously announced before the student’s absence, the student should be prepared to complete the assignment on his/her return to school.

Make-up work can be accessed by the student through Google Classroom. 

EIGHTH GRADE SCHEDULE

8:15- 8:30         Homeroom

8:30-8:55         1st Period FLEX Time (S.A.I.L)

8:58-9:43         2nd Period (Related Arts 1)

9:46-10:31      3rd Period (Related Arts 2)

10:34-11:33       4th Period

11:36- 12:34    5th Period

12:37-1:14 Lunch/Courtyard

 1:16- 2:13 6th Period

2:16- 3:15        7th Period

 ATTENDANCE AND TARDY POLICIES

South Carolina Law requires the regular attendance of all pupils.  To receive credit for a course, students must attend at least 170 days of each 180-day course.  When a student is absent, he/she should bring a written excuse to the Attendance Office.  Students who are tardy to school should report to the Attendance Office where he/she will be issued an admittance slip.

The tardy policy to school and/or class states that the fourth tardy results in ISS during lunch/courtyard time.

DISCIPLINE PLAN

Rules for student behavior and violation consequences are located in the student’s agenda and posted on the school website.  Each student was given a copy of the agenda on the first attendance day and teachers went over the rules of student behavior and violation consequences with students at that time.  

In addition to district and school rules, students will adhere to the following classroom rules:

1.      Respect the teacher, the classroom, other students, and yourself 

2.  Be responsible for your own learning 

3. Be on time, on task, and prepared to learn EVERYDAY

4. Keep all personal electronics PUT AWAY

5.  Clean up after yourself and your peers

If a student chooses to break one of the above-stated rules, the following consequences will be imposed:

1.      Warning

2.      Parent Contact (Letter, Phone Call, or E-Mail)

3.   Parent/Team Conference

4.      Referral to Administrator

SEVERE CLAUSE:  Severe disruptions or violations will be referred immediately to an administrator.

Included in this discipline plan are ways to positively reinforce students who behave appropriately.  In addition to using frequent praise, I will reward students with written notes, positive phone calls home, and/or special rewards/privileges.

The rules and consequences are posted in the classroom.  They are discussed at the beginning of the school term and referred to as needed throughout the year. 

PROCEDURES FOR NON-INSTRUCTIONAL ROUTINES

Assemblies:  Students will line up, exit my classroom to the left, and walk to the appropriate location.  During assemblies, students will sit as a class.  Appropriate behavior is expected and enforced.

Class Change:  Academic classes are approximately fifty-five minutes long.  Students have three minutes between each class.  Teachers stand at their doors during class change to monitor student behavior.  

Collection of Work: Classwork and homework will be placed by the student in the appropriate tray on the back counter.  There is a tray clearly marked for each class period. Assignments will also be turned in by the student through Google Classroom. 

Daily Assignments:  Assignments are posted daily in Google Classroom.

Dismissal:  At the appropriate time, the teacher (not the bell) will dismiss students to go to their next class.  At 3:15, the teacher will display the SAS dismissal system on the Promethean board.   When a student's name or bus number is displayed on the board, the student may exit the classroom and go to either the car-holding or bus-holding area.  Students should NOT leave the classroom until their names or bus numbers are displayed.  Leaving early may result in disciplinary action.

Emergency Procedures:  Routine drills are conducted at specified intervals for fire, bomb, tornado, earthquakes, and bus evacuations.  Evacuation routes are posted in each room and reviewed regularly.  Lockdown and shelter-in-place procedures have been developed and are initiated by a code sentence over the intercom.  Students practice these procedures periodically throughout the school year.  During each drill, the teacher must account for all students using the Raptor Alert System.  Students must take emergency drills seriously.  Horseplay and other misbehavior will not be tolerated.    

Homeroom/SAIL:  Students report to homeroom beginning at 8:00.  Students come into the room and sit in their assigned seats.  During this time, I check the roll and distribute materials such as letters from the PTSA, library notices, etc.  Announcements are made during the Bryson Middle News Show.  The Pledge of Allegiance and the moment of silence are also done during this time.  Students will also complete enrichment activities designed to promote academic growth in Math and English/Language Arts.  These activities are not suggestions.  All students are expected to complete the SAIL activity.

ID Badges: For safety reasons, ID badges must be worn by all students, faculty, and staff.  At the beginning of the school year, students are given a picture ID badge.  If a student does not have his/her ID badge at school, the homeroom teacher will send the student to the grade-level administrator at which time he/she will be given a temporary ID.  

Lockers: Lockers will not be assigned to any student unless requested by the student.

Lunch:  Eighth grade students go to lunch at the beginning of 6th period from 12:37-12:14.  Once in the cafeteria, students will sit in an assigned seat.  

COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS

In order to have a successful year, there must be an open line of communication between the teacher and the parents.  Several tools are used to communicate effectively with parents:

Conferences:  Conferences are set up through guidance at the request of the teachers and/or the parents. Bryan Beeson is the eighth-grade Guidance Counselor.  He can be reached at 355-2117.

Course Syllabus:  This explains the classroom rules and consequences, as well as provide parents and students with a course description, state standards, and the timeline for covering information.  My course syllabus is available on my web page.  For students who do not have Internet access, a copy of the course syllabus will be provided.

E-Mail:  Parents and students are encouraged to e-mail comments, concerns, and questions to me at shelms@greenville.k12.sc.

Parent Backpack:  I strongly encourage ALL parents to set up the parent backpack.  This is a wonderful tool that will enable parents to have up-to-date information concerning student grades.  

Phone Calls:  If needed, I will call parents at home and/or work to discuss a student’s progress.  Parents should feel free to call me at 355-2142 if they have a concern.  

Signed Agendas/Weekly Letters:  At the request of the parent, I will sign a student’s agenda signifying that the homework assignments listed are correct.  Behavior comments can also be written on a daily basis.  If a parent would like weekly feedback concerning their child, I ask that they send a letter or e-mail me on Thursday so that I will have time to reply by Friday afternoon.

Web Page:  Parents and students are encouraged to use my web page.  My web page contains links to my weekly lesson plans, links to unit websites, and other resources.