Syllabus

INNOVATION MIDDLE SCHOOL

2024-2025 Course Syllabus – U.S. History 8

bturk@sandi.net

Instructors: Brian Turk

Course Description:

Students in 8th grade U. S. History study the ideas, issues and events from European arrival through Reconstruction.

WEBSITE: https://sites.google.com/sandi.net/turkhistorycc8/home  

CANVAS: https://sandiegounified.instructure.com/

Assignments, homework, related resources, and samples will be posted in CANVAS. This is the best place to bookmark to keep track of what is happening in and out of class!

Text:

• Holt, Rinehart, Winston, United States History: Independence to 1914

• In addition to the text, several supplementary readings and videos will be provided to broaden the students’ depth of understanding.

Online Textbook: The text can be found in pdf form through a simple Google search and many assignments will have embedded links to resources and readings.

Grading policy and practices/extended opportunities: One Semester grade with two 6-week progress reports will be based on the content standards and assessed by means of classwork, tests, quizzes, projects, discussions, and writing assignments. Students may “Upgrade” missing, incomplete, and sub-standard work past the due date until the assignment is closed and locked in CANVAS.

Attendance/make-ups/tardies: ATTENDANCE IS CRUCIAL. Students are responsible for all missed work and must communicate with the teacher regarding opportunities to demonstrate understanding of missed standards.

*** The district is transitioning to Standards-Based Grading (SBG) which should allow for students to have multiple chances to demonstrate learning and progress but may make it more difficult to earn an “A”. ***

Traditional Grades:       Standards-Based Equivalent

A = 100 – 90%                4  or   3.6  – 4       >>   Exceeding Standard              90 – 100 -- A                    

B = 89 – 80%                  3  or   2.8  – 3.5    >>   Meeting Standard               75 – 89 --   B     

C = 79 – 70%                  2  or   2.0 –  2.7   >>   Approaching Standard        60 – 74 --  C       

D = 69 - 60%                   1  or   1 – 1.9   >>   Not Demonstrating Standard  45 – 59 -- D  

F = 59 and below            0  or    0 - .9          >>   Not Attempting Standard    < 44    -- F  

Classroom behavior standards and consequences: The classroom is to be a positive learning environment at all times. Positive consequences include praise from the teacher and classmates, excellent citizenship grade, as well as parents being contacted about good/improving behavior and participation.

Citizenship Basic Rules       Cooperation and Kindness

• Be Prompt- Students should arrive to class on time and in seats before the tardy bell rings. Take care of restroom issues before class.

• Be Prepared - Students should be sitting quietly in their assigned seats, before the tardy bell rings, with their laptop, binder, paper, pencil, pen, textbooks, necessary work and any other needed materials.

• Be Polite and Positive - Students should always be courteous and polite to other students and the instructor. Be positive when facing challenging or difficult work. Students should raise their hands and wait to be called on by the teacher before talking or getting out of their seats for any reason.

• Be Productive- Class time is limited so it is important to use every minute for learning. Please keep side conversations and off task comments for outside of class time. Most class work can be finished at school if students use their class time productively.

Cheating/Plagiarism policy:

Any cheating or plagiarizing will result in 0 points on that assignment and an automatic “I” or “U” in citizenship for the grading period.