Welcome to American History Mrs. Hernandez & Mr. Valadez Rm. 111 & 112

Student Expectations for 8 th Grade American History By the end of Eighth Grade U.S. History the Student will: Describe the issues and characteristics of the major eras in U.S. History from the early colonial period through Describe the issues and characteristics of the major eras in U.S. History from the early colonial period through Locate and identify characteristics of places and regions of the U.S., describing the acquisition, settlement, and population distribution of U.S. territory Locate and identify characteristics of places and regions of the U.S., describing the acquisition, settlement, and population distribution of U.S. territory Use geographic tools to collect, analyze, and interpret data. Use geographic tools to collect, analyze, and interpret data. Explain the American beliefs and principles reflected in the U.S. Constitution and other important historical documents Explain the American beliefs and principles reflected in the U.S. Constitution and other important historical documents Describe the importance of effective leadership in a democratic society. Describe the importance of effective leadership in a democratic society. Explain the rights and responsibilities of citizens of the United States Explain the rights and responsibilities of citizens of the United States Describe the rich and diverse cultural background of the United Stats as they identify the different racial and ethnic groups that settled in the United States Describe the rich and diverse cultural background of the United Stats as they identify the different racial and ethnic groups that settled in the United States Conduct research using primary and secondary sources. Conduct research using primary and secondary sources. Apply critical thinking skills to organize and use information acquired from a variety of sources including electronic technology, artifacts, and visuals such as cartoons, graphs, maps, charts, and timelines. Apply critical thinking skills to organize and use information acquired from a variety of sources including electronic technology, artifacts, and visuals such as cartoons, graphs, maps, charts, and timelines.

Class Rules All rules of McDowell Middle School will be enforced fully. See student handbook. All rules of McDowell Middle School will be enforced fully. See student handbook.

Rudeness and / or disrespectful behavior to the teacher or to other students will not be tolerated. Students must use appropriate language at all times. Rudeness and / or disrespectful behavior to the teacher or to other students will not be tolerated. Students must use appropriate language at all times.

Students must not chew gum, eat any food item or have drinks in the classroom Students must not chew gum, eat any food item or have drinks in the classroom

Any behavior that interferes “with the ability of the student’s classmates to learn” will not be tolerated (Texas Ed. Code Sec ) Any behavior that interferes “with the ability of the student’s classmates to learn” will not be tolerated (Texas Ed. Code Sec )

No student may participate in any conduct that creates a safety hazard including but not limited to pushing, tripping, and hitting. No student may participate in any conduct that creates a safety hazard including but not limited to pushing, tripping, and hitting.

If a student chooses to severely disrupt class, he/she will be sent immediately to the office. If a student chooses to severely disrupt class, he/she will be sent immediately to the office.

Possible Consequences of Inappropriate Behavior Verbal Warning Verbal Warning Change Seating Change Seating Time out Time out Teacher/ Student conference Teacher/ Student conference Telephone call to parents Telephone call to parents Notice of concern sent home Notice of concern sent home Lunch or after school detention Lunch or after school detention Discipline referral Discipline referral Student/Parent/Teacher/ Student/Parent/Teacher/ Principal conference

Possible Rewards for Consistent Good Behavior Class privileges Class privileges Positive verbal reinforcement Positive verbal reinforcement Positive comments on Progress Report Positive comments on Progress Report Better Grades Better Grades

Class Procedures Entering Class – Class begins when you enter the room. Entering Class – Class begins when you enter the room. Once you are in the classroom, you will get your notebook and take a seat. Once you are in the classroom, you will get your notebook and take a seat. At the end of each class period, you will return the notebook and clean your work area. No one will be allowed to leave class until the room is clean and all books are put away. At the end of each class period, you will return the notebook and clean your work area. No one will be allowed to leave class until the room is clean and all books are put away.

Seating Students WILL sit in assigned seats each day. Students WILL sit in assigned seats each day. I am placing you in a seating position that I feel will benefit the group. If you have problems with you seating assignment, come to me after class and I will consider your request for a change. I am placing you in a seating position that I feel will benefit the group. If you have problems with you seating assignment, come to me after class and I will consider your request for a change.

Leaving Class A student may leave class to go to the nurse (with a health referral form). Students need to use the time BETWEEN classes to get a drink or go to the restroom. At no time will students be allowed to leave class to use the telephone. This must be done between classes or at lunch. A student may leave class to go to the nurse (with a health referral form). Students need to use the time BETWEEN classes to get a drink or go to the restroom. At no time will students be allowed to leave class to use the telephone. This must be done between classes or at lunch.

Heading on Paper Students must use proper heading on all papers to be turned in. The heading should be written in the upper left hand corner and include: Students must use proper heading on all papers to be turned in. The heading should be written in the upper left hand corner and include: First and Last Name First and Last Name Subject and Class Period (American History - ?) Subject and Class Period (American History - ?) Date Date No heading = 0

Late Work A grade of zero will be given if a student is present when an assignment is made and when the assignment is due. In other words, unless you were ill on the day an assignment was given, you are responsible for turning in that assignment on the DUE date. A grade of zero will be given if a student is present when an assignment is made and when the assignment is due. In other words, unless you were ill on the day an assignment was given, you are responsible for turning in that assignment on the DUE date. Assignments may be turned in one day after the due date for a maximum grade of 70. Each day following will be an additional 10 points off. Assignments may be turned in one day after the due date for a maximum grade of 70. Each day following will be an additional 10 points off.

Make up Work It is the student’s responsibility to request missing assignments from me after an absence. It is the student’s responsibility to request missing assignments from me after an absence. See Make Up Folder See Make Up Folder

Cheating Cheating will result in a zero for the assignment or test and your parents will be notified. Cheating will result in a zero for the assignment or test and your parents will be notified.

Text Books These textbooks belong to the State of Texas. Defacing them is destruction of public property. Your parents will be asked to pay for any class materials that you destroy. These textbooks belong to the State of Texas. Defacing them is destruction of public property. Your parents will be asked to pay for any class materials that you destroy.

Teachers’ Desk and Computer These areas are off limits to students. The white computer may be used with permission for special projects. These areas are off limits to students. The white computer may be used with permission for special projects. You are NEVER to get on the Internet without your teacher’s permission!!!! You are NEVER to get on the Internet without your teacher’s permission!!!!

Cell Phones and Electronic Devices If you have your cell phone, ipod, or other electronic device out, I will assume you are using it, and it will be picked up. If you have your cell phone, ipod, or other electronic device out, I will assume you are using it, and it will be picked up.

Materials for Class Notebook Notebook Pen or Pencil Pen or Pencil Agenda Agenda

Classroom Etiquette A student MUST raise his / her hand to be recognized to speak. A student MUST raise his / her hand to be recognized to speak. No student may leave his / her desk without first receiving permission. No student may leave his / her desk without first receiving permission. No more than one student will be allowed out of his/her desk at one time unless specified by the teacher. No more than one student will be allowed out of his/her desk at one time unless specified by the teacher. Students MAY NOT talk during instruction. Students MAY NOT talk during instruction. No letter writing allowed – letters will be picked up and mailed to parents. No letter writing allowed – letters will be picked up and mailed to parents.

Dismissal All students will wait to be dismissed by the teacher. Misbehavior may result in students being kept in class for part of passing period. All students will wait to be dismissed by the teacher. Misbehavior may result in students being kept in class for part of passing period. No one is to leave his or her desk until the class has been dismissed. No one is to leave his or her desk until the class has been dismissed.

If we all follow the rules, we will have a more productive environment where everyone can learn.