NEWTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL 8TH GRADE – GIFTED - U.S. HISTORY ( ) PARENT TEACHER NIGHT MR. JOE FABRIZIO Signing of Declaration of Independence

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

- To enable a student to read, understand and evaluate materials of a social, political and economic nature.

- To enable a student opportunities to respect/be proud of: themselves, their family/culture and their country.

- To develop in the student the ability to demonstrate a positive decision making role in his/her community.

- To improve analysis, reading, writing, organizational and map reading skills.

- To be responsible for completing assigned work on time.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Constitutional Convention

We will be studying U.S. History from Topics will include: U.S. Supreme Court Building

The 13 English Colonies

From Revolution to Republic,

Forming a Government

The New Republic

A New National Identity James Monroe Andrew Jackson

An Expanded Nation

Sectionalism/Civil War

PROJECTS: students will also be required to complete several projects William Penn Congressional Medal of Honor Project Colonial Brochure Project

Several short research papers will be required

Political Party Project

Battle of Bunker Hill re-enactment – Marines train students in basic drill

Battle Re-enactment Day

Memorial Day Projects/Letters

Debt letters

TEXTBOOKS: 1. U.S. History Beginnings to Creating America Available on line.

Literature Books 1. Rise to Rebellion – Jeff Shaara 2. Killer Angels – Michael Shaara

- Test reviews are conducted the day prior to each test

- TESTS: Tests are announced several days in advance. Copies of tests available upon request AFTER all students have completed.

NOTEBOOKS

- Assignments posted in classroom and web site - Assignments posted in classroom and web site

- Collected the day after chapter test. - Accumulation of all class and homework assignments. - Collected the day after chapter test. - Accumulation of all class and homework assignments.

- Max score without extra work is 90 points - Extra work required for an “A” includes: typing assignments, art work, current events - Max score without extra work is 90 points - Extra work required for an “A” includes: typing assignments, art work, current events

- 120 points may be earned per notebook - For additional information on notebooks/extra credit please read instructor handout points may be earned per notebook - For additional information on notebooks/extra credit please read instructor handout

MISSING/LATE ASSIGNMENTS: Uncompleted/missing assignments due within one week of the original due date. Uncompleted/missing assignments due within one week of the original due date. Late assignments will lose one grade per day for each non-excused day tardy. (Work missed due to excused absences is worth full credit upon turn-in). Late assignments will lose one grade per day for each non-excused day tardy. (Work missed due to excused absences is worth full credit upon turn-in). - Failure to make up an assignment will result in a grade of zero. - Failure to make up an assignment will result in a grade of zero.

Chapter Tests – 100 points each Stay on school grounds

Map Tests 50 points – relate to areas we are studying in class

TEACHER/PARENT COMMUNICATION: TEACHER/PARENT COMMUNICATION: GIEP conferences in November

- Grade average - below 70% results in parent notification - Please contact me concerning any questions: or Grade average - below 70% results in parent notification - Please contact me concerning any questions: or