Course Syllabus
Mr. Shirley’s Syllabus
Shirley.brian.q@muscogee.k12.ga.us
8th Grade: Georgia Studies
GSE: SS8H, SS8G, SS8CG, SS8E
Welcome to 8th Grade: Georgia Studies.
Georgia Standards of Excellence.
Eight Grade
Georgia Studies
In eighth grade, students study Georgia geography, history, government & civics, and economics. While the four strands are interwoven, ample opportunity is also provided for in-depth study of the geography of Georgia and the government of Georgia. U.S. historical events are included, as appropriate, to ensure students understand Georgia’s role in the history of the United States.
What the student should and should not do to ensure they have a successful 8th grade experience.
Should Do:
1. Respect yourself, teachers, staff, students, and any guest that may be in the classroom.
2. Be in your seat when the bell rings.
3. Bring your materials to class every day.
4. Maintain a neat and organized notebook. Your notebook will be essential when it comes time to study for exams and they will be checked and quizzed periodically.*
5. Complete all assignments on time to receive full credit (earned).
Should Not Do:
1. Do Not be a distraction to the teacher and the other students.
2. Do not let your Cell Phone (If you have one) utilize your attention.**
3. Do Not talk during a Quiz or Test.***
4. Do Not pack up your belonging early.
Notes:
* I recommend that your notebook be a minimum of a 1” three-ring binder. You will be placing all handouts and assignments in the binder as the class covers each of the regions. There will be surprise quizzes covering the material that is required to be in the notebook. These quizzes are open note quizzes and are designed to monitor the student’s participation within the class and assignments.
** If your cell phone becomes a problem, you will be asked to place the phone in your phone cubby and you will be able to retrieve it at the end to the class. It the problem becomes a habit you will be required to place the phone in the cubby as soon as you walk in to the classroom. If you refuse you will be sent to the office and your parents/ guardian will be notified.
*** If you are caught talking during any test or quiz, your paper will be collected and you will not be allowed to continue with the test. Your parents/ guardian will be notified immediately.
Quizzes^
Throughout the year, there will be quizzes over the material that is covered in class. There will also be vocabulary quizzes from each of the units that will be covered. PAY ATTENTION
Tests^
There will be a test over every unit that we cover in class. Study guides will be provided prior to each Test. The study guides are an assignment. They will be paper or on Canvas.
^: IF you are absent on a test/ quiz day: Excused absent you will have 3 days to make up the test/ quiz. Unexcused absence, you will make the test/ quiz up the day you return to school.
Absences/ Make Up Work.
Make up work is the responsibility of the student, not mine. If you are absent, Excused or Unexcused, it is you, the student, who needs to ensure you get caught up. Ask a classmate or me, the teacher, what you missed and for help. When I state that it is your responsibility, I am stating I will not seek you out.
Homework
I am one who does not believe in bogging my students down with homework. With that being stated, if a student comes home with homework, that is because one of the following reasons…
- Refusal to participate in class and complete his/ her work.
- The class is working on a project. At times, we will be doing projects. To ensure that the students are afforded the opportunity to finish the project, work will be required to be done at home.
- If a student is absent for any reason the make-up work will be required to be completed at home.
Extra Credit
I do believe in extra credit. Students will have multiple opportunities to earn extra credit while in my class. One way is through what I am calling Convocation. Each Semester the student will have three opportunities to earn extra credit by attending a school activity. These activities could be an athletic event, theatre production, choir performance, etc. After the activity, they must write a 250-word summary of the event to include their personal observations and opinions. The better the summary, the more points awarded. Each summary can earn up to 10 points. There will be other opportunities for students to earn extra credit, but they will not be advertised ahead of time.
Grades/ Grading
Grades follow State and MCSD Guidelines.
A: 90 and Above
B: 80 – 89
C: 70 – 79
F: 69 and below
Assignments turned in late will automatically have 30 points deducted from the grade. I will not be accepting work that is late for more than 14 days. Assignments turned in with no name will be put on display for three (3) days. If the student does not claim it, the assignment will be thrown in the trash.
Assignments/ Student work will be graded in different colors.
Exams/ Texts: RED.
Quizzes: GREEN.
Homework: BLACK.
Classwork: BLUE.
Extra Credit: PURPLE.
Student Supplies
The following is a list of supplies the student will need for their 2017-2018 6th Grade Social Studies class.
1 or 1 ½” Three-Ring Binder* Pen
Pencil* Colored Pencils
Lined Paper (50 – 100 Sheets Max) Highlighter(s)
I am trying to provide as much of the supplies as possible. The only supplies that I require ASAP are the supplies with the *. Please be advised that not having the supplies immediately WILL NOT be held against you, the student. If there are any questions please ask.
Donating Supplies
If you would like to donate any supplies to the class, here is a list that will always be appreciated (Please remember that this list is NOT MANDATORY but always welcome):
Pencils Copy Paper
Paper Towels Kleenex
Hand Sanitizer Lysol Wipes
Thank you.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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