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8th Grade United States History I

East Central Jr. High School

Mr. Luneau | Rm. 124Email:luneaty@tulsaschools.org

Phone: 918-401-0530Website: http://luneausocialstudies.wordpress.com

Course Description

Welcome to 8th Grade Social Studies! This year, we will be exploring approximately

the first half of American History, spanning from Colonial America to the

Reconstruction Era (c. 1750-1877). In this study of American History, we will be

looking at some of the major events that occurred during this time span. In addition,

we will also focus on what is called social history, that is, the history of ordinary

people living during these time periods.

In order to become successful citizens, everyone should know that the impact of

slavery and prejudice rooted in the foundation of this nation still affect the ways

racial stereotypes exist within our culture. Students should know that the important

and often forgotten history of labor movements in the United States have a direct

impact on working conditions across the nation.

In this class, we will focus on developing the following skills: effective reading

and writing, critical thinking, articulating an opinion, and digging deeper into a topic

through research. These skills and mindsets will prepare students to pursue

whatever field they desire beyond high school, with a more informed understanding

of American society.

My vision for this class is to create an open academic community where students are

motivated to learn about their nations past. Also, we will create a welcoming and

open environment where everyone can feel comfortable sharing their opinions or

beliefs on a topic, and more importantly, one where students can feel comfortable

questioning what they have been told and will feel motivated and encouraged to

seek out answers for themselves.

If you as a parent, guardian, or student has questions about the course material,

assignments, or anything else, please do not hesitate to contact me! My preferred

method of contact is email, but I can also be reached via phone. If you would like toset up a time to meet in person, I would be more than happy to arrange that. I will be

reaching out to families frequently, providing updates on how students are doing in

my class, and I look forward to working with each family to ensure their student

receives the best possible education.

mailto:luneaty@tulsaschools.orgmailto:luneaty@tulsaschools.orgmailto:luneaty@tulsaschools.orgmailto:luneaty@tulsaschools.org

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Goals

With this vision in mind, I have set forth the following goals for my students:

1. 100% of students will pass the OCCT exam for 8th grade U.S. History withadvanced proficiency.

2. 100% of students will pass an exam aligned to the standards of the NYRegents exam for 8th grade U.S. History, an exam that sets a nationalstandard for social studies education in terms of academic rigor.

3. 100% of students will write a 5-6 page thesis-based research paper on atopic of their choice that falls within the time period being studied. All

students will develop the necessary skills to write a paper that scores at

least a 3 on each section of the relevant Pre-AP writing rubric.

4. Students will develop a personal plan for their path to college/universitythat includes the following components:

a. Areas of study which they are potentially interested inb. Potential colleges or universities that they are interested in

learning more about or applying toc. A personal statement that explains why pursuing higher education

is important to them.

d. Outlining areas of strength they have developed throughout theyear, as well as areas or skills that they will need to improve upon

in high school in order to be prepared for the rigor of college-level

work.

e. Taking the ACT Explore pre-test to assess their readiness forcollege-preparatory work in high school. Students will aim to

score at least an 18 on this exam.

f. Exploring the requirements of and applying for OklahomasPromise.

Course Materials

Supplies needed for this class:

- 3-ring binder (1.5 or 2) with divider tabs (used for this class ONLY!)- Notebook paper or a spiral notebook- Pens (blue or black ink only)- Planner or notebook for homework assignments- Optional materials: highlighters, markers, colored pencils

Textboks and other course materials (provided by the teacher):- [textbook name here]- A Young Peoples History of the United States, Howard Zinn.- Primary source materials (letters, speeches, newspaper articles,

photographs, etc.)

- Journals and other secondary sources accessed through JSTOR

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Classroom expectations

In order to achieve as much learning and academic growth as possible this year, we

need to establish a few guidelines for academic and behavioral expectations.

- Be in class, seated, and silent when the bell rings.- Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself- Respect teachers and classmates. This means:

o Use appropriate language; no put-downs, teasing, or otherdisrespectful language

o Track the speaker. When a teacher or student is speaking in class,everyone should be quiet and paying attention with their eyes on the

speaker.

- Follow directions the first time they are given. If directions are unclear,please raise your hand and the teacher will clarify.

- During lectures or class discussions, raise your hand if you have a questionor would like to answer a question.

- No electronic devices of any kind (cell phones, iPods or mp3 players,handheld games, etc.) are to be out at any time during class unless otherwisespecified by the teacher.

o If seen using these devices, students will first be given a warning. Ifseen again during class, the teacher will confiscate the device until the

end of class. Repeat offenses may result in the device being held until

the end of the day or being given to the teacher at the beginning of

class.

- Respecting your classmates right to learn. If you are being disruptive inany way, you are not only taking away from your own education, but you

may be preventing other students from learning.

- No food or drink is permitted in class except for water.- 10/10 rule: Students are not to leave the room (bathroom break, water, etc)

during the first 10 minutes or last 10 minutes of class. If a student needs to

use the restroom or get water, the student should raise his or her hand.

Consequences: If a student fails to follow the above expectations (or others

outlined in class), the following system will be used at the teachers

discretion:

o 1stoffense: verbal warningo 2nd offense: relocation to focus desko 3rd offense: lunch detention and/or call home to parent/guardiano 4th offense: call home to parent/guardian and/or behavioral essayo 5th offense: removal from class & write-up

* note that more serious offenses may result in increased

consequences (e.g. verbal or physical harassment, leaving class

without permission, etc.)

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Grading

The following grading scale will be used:

A+ = 97-100 A = 93-96 A- = 90-92

B+ = 87-89 B = 83-86 B- = 80-82

C+ = 77-79 C = 73-76 C- = 70-72D+ = 67-69 D = 63-66 D- = 60-62

F = 59>

The final grade for each quarter will be calculated as follows:

Tests/quizzes = 20%

Homework = 25%

Classwork = 20%

Class participation = 15%

Projects/essays/etc = 20%

Homework

Homework can be expected 3-4 nights a week. The purpose of homework is not

simply to make students do work, but rather to practice the skills that we have

learned in class. Homework assignments should take no more than 20-30 minutes.

Homework assignments will be on the board at the beginning of every class and will

also be posted on the teachers website each week.

Late work policy: Late work will be accepted, but each day that an assignment is late

will result in a 10-point deduction. For example, if a student turns in a homework

assignment 1 day late and earned a 90, the student will receive an 80 due to theassignment being late. Homework will not be accepted if it is more than 3 days

late.

Absence Policy:

If you are absent from class due to illness or family emergency, there will be a folder

in the classroom containing assignments from each day. Students are expected to

seek out this folder on their own and/or meet with the teacher if they have been

absent from class.

Extra Help:

I am always available for extra help before or after school. I will be in the building

after school on 2 specified days per week (to be announced), and can stay on other

days if a student requests extra help. Again, feel free to contact me at any time with

concerns.