8 Leopards Social Studies Course Syllabus 2018-19

The Leopard Mission Leopard Learners will strive for Excellence and take
Ownership in their decision-making to improve our community.

Teacher COURSE DESCRIPTION

Ms. Jenn Flory 8th Grade Social Studies is the integrated study of the Social
Sciences, which prepares young people to become
Classroom responsible citizens. The 8th Grade Social Studies curriculum
C122 primarily focuses on U.S. History and Government. The
E-mail Address curriculum will emphasize on the following skills according to
jlflory@gdoe.net the Guam Department of Education & Common Core State
Standards. The National Council for the Social Studies define
School Phone Social Studies as:
735-3110
300-2727/26 “The integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to
promote civic competence. Within the school program, social
Class Website studies provides coordinated, systematic study drawing upon
jlflory@weebly.com such disciplines as anthropology, archaeology, economics,
geography, history, law, philosophy, political science,
School Website psychology, religion, and sociology, as well as appropriate
www.gdoe.net/ums content from the humanities, mathematics and natural
sciences. The primary purpose of social studies is to help
UMS MISSION STATEMENT young people make informed and reasoned decisions for the
The Luis P. Untalan School Community public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic
will empower students with the society in an interdependent world.
knowledge that will enable them to be
Competent, Productive, and
COURSE OBJECTIVE
Responsible citizens in our society. 1. Students will be able to analyze the five themes of
geography.
DOE VISION STATEMENT 2. Students will be able to draw conclusions using
information from charts and graphs.
Every student: Responsible,
3. Students will be able to identify and analyze
Respectful; and Ready for life information on maps.
4. Students will be able to understand and evaluate
principles of American Democracy.
5. Students will be able to determine the characteristics
of different economic systems.
6. Students will develop a variety skills specific to
geography and history: understanding cause and
effects relationships, analyzing primary sources and
interpreting timelines.

1ST QUARTER 2ND QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 4TH QUARTER

8.2.1 Interpret and 8.2.3 Compare 8.2.2 Distinguish between 8.2.4 Discuss important
construct charts and information found in long-term and short-term events in the development of
graphs that show primary and secondary cause and effect the nation & Guam.
quantitative information. source documents on the relationships.
same topic. GH 2.2 Use concepts, such as
US 2.4 Describe how US 2.8 Describe the major time, chronology, causality,
early European US 2.6 Describe the events from the last change, conflict and
exploration and American constitutional decade of the 18th century complexity, to explain
colonization resulted in government at the federal through the first half of the connections and patterns of
cultural interactions and local level. 19th century. historical change and
among Europeans, continuity.
Africans, and Native US 2.7 Discuss the origin, US 2.9 Analyze the Civil
Americans interpretation, effects and War and Reconstruction
the application of certain Era and their importance
US 2.5 Evaluate the documents. as major turning points in
events and issues of the American history.
Revolutionary Period.
 GRADING: Student achievement will be assessed and reported using a four point scale instead of the current
percentage grade on specific standard, skills or topics. The simplified scale gives students, teachers and parents a
quicker and clearer reference to easily determine which standards have been mastered and which need further
study. These levels of proficiency will then be translated or converted to an easily recognizable letter grade.
How will Standards-Based Grading improve student learning?
The foundation of Standards-Based Grading is in the practice of Formative Assessment, namely the
process of regularly assessing and monitoring student achievement and modifying instructional strategies and
approaches to support student learning. SBG encourages a shift in focus away from the accumulation of points
needed to earn a certain grade to instead an awareness of what students know and are able to do in reference to
each specific Standard, Skill or Topic. Course expectations are more specific and clear, assessed and monitored
closely, and will now be directly reflected in the grades student earn.

UMS NEW Proficiency Scale

Level Average Letter/% Description
4 4.00 A+ (100) Advanced understanding and application of the standard(s). Exceed standard(s)
expectations.
3 3.00-3.99 A(90-99) Proficient understanding of the standard(s) : progressing towards level 4.
2 2.50-2.99 B(80-89) Meets partial understanding of the standard(s): progressing towards level 3.
Hoe
1 2.00-2.99 C(79-70) Meets less than partial understanding of the standard(s) Continued supports
are in place.
0 0-1.99 D/F(69-0) Shows no foundational knowledge, skill or prerequisite of the standard(s).
Student is in need on continued support and monitoring.

CITIZENSHIP begins in the classroom. Students TEXTBOOK:

have to learn how to get along with, and help
others as members of a community. They
learn how to understand and analyze difficult
situations and learn how to problem-solve in a
way that benefits everyone. As part of being a
good citizen, students must also conduct
themselves morally and ethically in their daily
activities with others.
Note Taking 30%
Participation 30%
Behavior 40%
The American Journey: Reconstruction to the Present
Glencoe/McGraw-Hill 2005
TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES:
This course utilizes both online and offline technology.
Computers are available to use during lunch for
Students who do not have access at home.
Internet resources include but are not limited to the
following: Edmodo.com, Brainpop.com and Icivics.org
TEXTBOOK POLICY:
*Students will keep textbooks at school. If they need to take
it home they may sign one out, they will be held responsible
for that book. All handouts and notes necessary for students
to study for a test will be kept in a student’s notebook

ESLR’S Team Goals

Collaboration Leopard learners will effectively communicate
and cooperate within our team.
World Class Citizens
Academics Leopard learners will be able to attain high academic
Information Users marks in all classes.
Lifelong Learners Technology Leopard learners will develop efficient technology
Decision Makers skills and abide by and respect school technology policies.
Social Leopard learners will exhibit positive social behaviors in
Critical Thinkers and out of the classroom.
Academic Achieves
Technology Users Supply List
Solutions Seekers 2 pen/pencils
2 folders
1 composition/spiral/binder or
notebook
Crayons/colored pencils
Scissors
Ream of paper (optional)
 - John Bowman

GDOE MISSION STATEMENT:

Our educational community prepares all students for life, promotes excellence, and provides
Support.

Classroom Rules/Expectations Classroom Rules and Procedures

1. Do your best at all times. Use your imagination and creativity when doing your assignments.
2. Practice the 5 P’s
A. Be PROMPT
B. Be PREPARED
C. Be POLITE
D. Be PRODUCTIVE
E. Be POSITIVE
3. Bring all supplies, such as notebook, pens and pencils to class with you.
4. Demonstrate RESPECT at all times. Be Responsible for your actions. Use appropriate language.
5. Do not talk over other people
6. You are responsible for all missed work even if you have an excused absence.
7. All classwork, if not finished, will be considered homework and turned in the next class period. Do your
homework! Missed and late work will bring your average down.
8. It is good to ask questions. Ask for help when you need it.
9. No eating or chewing gum in class. Drinks are allowed.
10. No Electronics during class (cell phones, I-pads, I-pods, PSPs, DS’s etc…) even during free time. First
offence you will be asked to put them away, if seen again during class period it will be taken away and given
back at the end of class. If excessive use and disregard for this rule, electronics will be handed into the office.
11. Follow all school rules.
12. Absolutely no Fighting, Teasing, or Bullying
13. Have Fun

Violations of classroom rules will result in

the following disciplinary actions: Instructional Strategies
1st offense – Verbal Warning
2nd offense – Call/Note to Parents
3rd offense –Referral to Counselor o Cooperative Learning
4th offense – Referral to Office o Interactive Notebooks
o Graphic Organizers
o Hands-on, active
participation
o Reinforcing skills through
games
o KWL Charts
o Think-a-louds, Think-Pair-
Share
o Modeling

Make Up Assignments
If students are absent on the day that an assignment is due or a test/quiz is given, they will be
given the opportunity to turn it in when they return to school. You have 2 class periods to make
up all missed work even if you have an excused absence..