Syllabus

8th Grade Social Studies Syllabus

North Carolina and the United States: Creation and Development of the State and Nation

Mr. Stanek - jeffrey.stanek@nhcs.net

(910)602-4046 ext. 72547

Class Expectations:  I have high expectations for all students, the goal in my classroom is for students to become self-motivated learners who set and reach goals daily. It is necessary for students to put forth their best effort and exhibit a high level of respect and self-discipline in class everyday. Students will be expected to follow our PBIS Code of Conduct known as TRACK, which stands for Trustworthy, Responsible, Accountable, Consistent and Kind. This will promote and foster a positive learning environment where all students can reach their full potential. 

Classroom Guidelines: 

1. Always enter the classroom quietly and take the most direct route to your seat.

2. Once seated, read our Agenda.

3. Be prepared to learn.

4. Make an effort, NOT an excuse.

5. No cell phones should be visible. This is a school-wide expectation.

6. Respect your group’s time.

7. Do Not leave your seat without permission.

8. Treat others the way you want to be treated. 

9. No eating in class! Food should stay put away.

10. When in the hall, while other students are in class, STAY ON THE RIGHT & BE SILENT.

Class Supplies: 

• 1- three subject notebook

• sharpened pencils

• highlighters

• colored pencils

• glue sticks

• scissor

Grading:  Each assignment will be based on percentages and graded using the following scale: 100 - 90 A, 89 - 80 B, 79 - 70 C, 69 - 60 D, 59 and below F. TESTS/PROJECTS will be worth 60% of your final grade. Quizzes, Class work, Homework, and Participation will be worth 40% of your grade. 

Late Work: Students will have 5 points taken off the grade each day from the due date.  After two weeks the highest grade received will be a 50.  If the assignment is not completed, the grade earned will be a zero.

Just so you know: We will typically have a Unit Test every 3-5 weeks. We will have a Quiz every 1-2 weeks. Quizzes will be open notes so be sure to take notes and keep your notebook up to date. 

Course Overview:

Students will continue to build on the fourth and fifth grade introductions to North Carolina and the United States by embarking on a more rigorous study of the historical foundations and democratic principles that continue to shape our state and nation. Students will begin with a review of the major ideas and events preceding the foundation of North Carolina and the United States. The main focus of the course will be the critical events, personalities, issues, and developments in the state and nation from the Revolutionary Era to contemporary times. Inherent in this study is an analysis of the relationship of geography, events and people to the political, economic, technological, and cultural developments that shaped our existence in North Carolina and the United States over time. Although the major focus is state and national history, efforts should also be made to include a study of local history.

Units of Study: 

• Thinking Like A Historian: about 2 weeks

• Colonization: about 3 weeks

• Road to Revolution: about 4 weeks

• Building a New Nation: about 3 weeks

• Antebellum and Expansion: about 4 weeks

• Civil War: about 3 weeks

• Reconstruction: about 3 weeks

• WWI and the Roaring 20s: about 4 weeks

• The Great Depression and WWII: about 3 weeks 

• The Cold War and the Civil Rights Movement: about 3 weeks

Untold American Stories: about 3 weeks