1. Civics What you need to know!

2. Civics is tested by the State of Florida. The State EOC exam is 30% of a student’s grade for the year (Florida Law). The EOC exam is based on concepts and facts called Benchmarks.

3. We Will Learn More! Griffins Team Civics students will master the State Benchmarks. While the Benchmarks are surprisingly comprehensive, there is much more to the study of Civics that will be learned this year. Griffins students are being prepared to be successful in A.P. Social Studies in the 9 th grade!

4. STUDY SKILLS MATTER! Study Every Night, Not Every Other Night: This reinforcement puts learning into long- term memory and prevents “information fade.” Take Notes in Class Daily: Some of what you need to study nightly is not in the book!

5. Pay Attention to the News News It’s amazing, but what we learn in Civics is happening every day in the real world, and applying what is learned in school to current events leads to a deep and long-lasting understanding. This course will come in handy for the rest of students’ lives!

6. The “Typical” Unit of Study Read and take notes on the yellow words. Quiz on the yellow words. Quiz on Benchmarks. Test Some units will include small projects. A classwork grade or two per unit is common.

7. History Fair History fair is Required! An information sheet will be sent home requiring a project choice before Winter Break. A link to the NHD website can be found on geospeak.com Download the pdf file of the rules from the NHD website

8. Field trip There have been substantial changes to the District’s field trip procedures. If a major trip happens it will be to the Kennedy Space Center in the days prior to Thanksgiving Break.

9. Use Geospeak.com Students should access my website often for deadlines and downloads, including Benchmark Tests! Deadlines on the board always win. Students need to write assignments daily in their plan books!

10. Williamsj15@duvalschools.org Contact me with any questions or concerns you may have throughout the year. Thank You for supporting your child and our program!