Syllabus

__Eighth Grade American History Course Overview__ __**Course Description**__**:**

The Eighth grade U.S. History course will cover the period from the birth of the United States as a nation, through the events, arguments, and movements of the 19th century. It will include a study of the principles of the U.S. Constitution, as well as connections to local history, and extensive use of primary source materials.

In addition, students will be expected to show competence in literacy, inquiry and research skills such as:

• Access, gather and interpret information from a variety of primary and secondary sources. • Create various forms of written work (informative, persuasive, narrative, descriptive). • Participate in social studies discourse. • Create and present relevant social studies materials using both print and electronic sources.

Students will also be expected to show civic competence in addressing historical issues and current problems:

• Use evidence to identify, analyze and evaluate historical interpretations. • Analyze and evaluate human action in historical and/or contemporary contexts from alternative points of view. • Apply appropriate historical, geographic, political, economic and cultural concepts and methods in proposing and evaluating solutions to contemporary problems.

__**II Materials**__
 * One Single Subject Notebook
 * One Double Pocket Folder
 * 2 black or blue writing pens
 * 2 pencils and erasers
 * 2 correcting pens of various bright colors
 * One three-holed pencil case
 * Art supplies (crayons, markers, glue etc) for home use
 * One binder

__**III. Grading Guidelines:**__


 * Tests & Projects 50%
 * Quizzes/Writing Assignments/Classwork & Major Homework Assignments 40%
 * Homework 10%

__**IV. Homework Policy**__

Homework assignments are expected to be neat and thoroughly completed on time. All assignments are checked as complete or not complete and the overall average will count as 10% of report card grade. Some homework assignments are further graded as an individual assignment. Students will have the opportunity to make up any major homework assignment assigned in a timely manner for full credit.