Syllabus
8th Grade Social Studies (NC and American History)
Mr. Russell’s Class Syllabus 2020-2021
Overview:
Welcome to the new year at Polk County Middle School! I am excited to be here and I am very much looking forward to working with each of you. This course will focus on American history from the Age of Exploration through the present day with an emphasis on the growth and development of North Carolina. We will research and study history from a variety of perspectives. We will incorporate writing assignments, primary source documents, and an extensive use of technology into this course, especially considering the hybrid remote start to the school year. You can expect that I will come to class prepared to help you become well-informed historians. In turn, I expect you to be proud of your work and of your conduct. All eighth grade students will follow the school’s pacing guide for this course and will be made aware of any and all assignments, tests, projects, etc. well before they are due.
Remote vs. In-Person Learning:
All students, whether they are at home or in school, will be taught the same standards this year. While individual assignments for these groups might differ slightly, the concepts taught will be identical. Paper copies of weekly lessons will be made available for remote students that do not have reliable internet access and can be picked up at PCMS every Wednesday. All students with internet access will submit most assignments via Google Classroom or email.
Expectations:
-Be respectful, appropriate, and positive whether you are in class or participating from home
-Be in your seat prepared for class before I enter the room
-Take responsibility! Check your email daily for announcements and assignments so that you can stay on top of your work.
Necessary Supplies (taken from 8th grade supply list at PCMS website):
-1 3-ring binder (at least 1”)
-Notebook/filler paper
-Pens/pencils (enough to last all year)
-Colored pencils/markers for school/home use
-The need for other supplies for specific projects may arise later in the year but I will provide you enough time to get these supplies
Grading:
Grades from this class will come from a variety of areas, including projects, presentations, essays, tests, quizzes, journals, and class participation. All assignments will be given a point value and weighted at the teacher's discretion (the bigger the point value of the assignment, the bigger the grade).
Example:
Unit Test (100 points) Daily Entrance Ticket (10 points) Individual Activity/Assignment (25 points)
Contact Information:
Matthew Russell
-email: mrussell@polkschools.org
-phone: 828-894-2215 (Room #210)
-Zoom info: 964 2037 5839 pass code: 658550
-I am more than happy to meet virtually with parents/guardians and/or students via Zoom or phone on Wednesdays from 8:00 - 12:00.