2. WELCOME TO MR. RYAN’S SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS

3. WHAT WILL WE LEARN? WE WILL FOCUS ON HISTORY-- DUH RANGING FROM EUROPEAN EXPLORATION, EUROPEAN INFLUENCE ON THE FOUNDATION AND CREATION OF THE UNITED STATES,THE COLONIAL ERA, AND AMERICAN HISTORY UP TO PRESENT DAY.

4. WHAT I EXPECT FROM YOU: TO BE PREPARED RESPECT: For me, the classroom, your fellow learners, and YOURSELF!! PROMPTNESS DEDICATION EFFORT FOLLOW CLASSROOM RULES AND REGULATIONS ASK QUESTIONS PARTICIPATION!! HAVE FUN

5. RULES and REGULATIONS BE PREPARED EACH AND EVERY CLASS Bring all materials every class: notebooks, pens, pencils, loose-leaf, markers/crayons, rulers, folders, agenda books NO TALKING UNLESS RECOGNIZED RAISE YOUR HAND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION HAVE ALL HOMEWORK AND PROJECTS DUE ON TIME--NO EXCEPTIONS RESEPCT THE TEACHER, THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, EACH OTHER, AND YOURSELF NO LATENESS!!!! HAVE FUN!!

6. PARENT LETTER Dear Parents, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to C.C.A. Baldi Middle School for the 2008--2009 school year. I will be your child’s eighth grade social studies teacher. I am looking forward to getting to know and work with your children. We will be studying United States History, and I am excited about the upcoming material we will cover. There is much to cover and students will be given a variety of ways to express what they know. It is my goal that every child succeeds in learning the subject matter, and comes to appreciate the history of the United States. Provided below is a list of materials your child will need for class. Please have these supplies ready by Monday, September 17, 2007:  1 notebook for Social Studies ONLY  1 folder for Social Studies ONLY  Paper  Pens and pencils  Highlighters  Crayons, or markers, or colored pencils for map work  1 box of tissues to donate to the class It is your child’s responsibility to come prepared for each and every class, and part of being prepared is having the necessary supplies. I also expect all of my students to respect the learning environment. Specific classroom rules and guidelines will be discussed, most of which can be found in their agenda books. Please make sure your child utilizes these books as they are the most effective way of keeping track of their assignments. Students will have homework almost every night, and they are required to write down their assignments in their agenda books. I ask that you check your child’s agenda book nightly, to ensure completion of assignments, because homework factors into their final grade. If at any time you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me here at school at 215-961- 2003. Please be sure to provide me with a number to reach you, or an e-mail address to contact you. You may also e-mail me at: mr.ryan2007@yahoo.com.When using e-mail, please note that you are a Baldi parent, as I delete unfamiliar addresses. My goal is for every student to have a successful year, and leave prepared for the ninth grade. Thank you and I look forwarding to meeting you at Back to School Night.mr.ryan2007@yahoo.com Sincerely, Mr. S. Ryan I have read the parent letter. Parent Signature Phone number and e-mail address

7. HOMEWORK GRADE You are responsible for doing your homework each and every night. Homework will be graded using the following guidelines:  You start off with a homework grade of 100 points, or the same as a test grade.  Each homework assignment not completed will result in 6 (six) points deducted from 100. For example, if you did not complete 2 (two) assignments, your homework grade will be an 88.  If 3 (three) assignments are missed, a note will be sent home to your parent alerting them of the situation, which must be signed and returned the following class period.  Being absent is not an excuse for missing homework. Please check the HOMEWORK BOOK the, day you return, to see what assignments you missed. You may hand in any missed homework due to absences the next class period.  Late homework assignments will not be accepted unless you were absent.  If you are in school, but missed Social Studies class due to a special program, you are responsible to get work that day from either a class buddy or by seeing me. If you do not complete the assignment by the following class period you will have points deducted.  Getting Tests signed counts towards your homework grade. Any signed tests not returned by the following class period will have 6 (six) points deducted each class period it has not been returned. Following these guidelines will ensure the 100 average for your homework grade stays intact.

8. CURRENT EVENTS Current events are an important way for you to understand and find out what is occurring in the world around you. By completing this assignment, you will remain updated on the world and issues around you. This assignment will be due on the dates discussed in class, and will be worth 25 points each. When completing this assignment, please adhere to the following guidelines:  Read a CURRENT newspaper, magazine, or Internet article.  The article must pertain to global events, not local Philadelphia news.  You will provide the original article with the date it appeared in publication intact.  On a separate sheet of paper, write a one paragraph summary, (who, what, where, when, why, and how), and attach it to the article. Be prepared to share your article with the class, as students will be chosen at random to present their assignment.

9. Website I have a website for you to use: Mrryanshistory.synthasite.com Here you will find: power point slides, assignments, documents, links, and grades Grades: You will get an id number--do not loose this!!! Go to: engrade.com, register (it is free), and track your academic progress

10. How to Succeed in 8th Grade Follow the rules: –No hoodies –No iPods, MP3 players, PSP’s, etc… –No cell phones –No big hoop earrings –No unexcused lateness –Do what you are asked: school is not hard. Just do what you are supposed to do There are plenty of fun times to be had in 8th grade!!! If you follow these simple rules, you will enjoy them

11. How to Succeed in Mr. Ryan’s Class Do all of your work Review your notes nightly Hand in all assignments on the due date Do not be late Ask questions if you are unsure Do your own work Do not plagiarize Actively participate Follow the rules Have Fun!!!!