8th Grade World History: Prehistory to 1500



8th Grade World History: Prehistory to 1500

Course Syllabus

2013-2014 School Year

Teacher: Miss Leverett

I. COURSE OBJECTIVES:  The study of world history in Grade 8 addresses the time period from prehistoric man to the 1500s.  The class incorporates economics, geography, history, and political science, with an emphasis on the history and geography strands.  This course covers the migrations of early peoples, the rise of civilizations, the establishment of governments and religions, the growth of economic systems, and the ways in which these events shaped Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.  Unique to this course are the experiences that provide for the study of the ways human beings view themselves over time. 

II. THINGS YOU’LL NEED:

You will be provided with the following:

1. A textbook entitled: World History, Journey Across Time, The Early Ages.  Please bring to class daily.

2. Classroom facilities and some supplies are provided for your use.  Please treat with care to minimize wear and tear.

YOU will need to provide the following:

1. A three prong notebook (preferably heavy duty plastic type).  It will contain class notes, assignments, handouts, and worksheets.  The same notebook should be maintained for the duration of the year. May need replacing throughout the year.

2. Tab Divider Pages for Notebook. 

3. Loose-leaf paper

4. A pencil. No pens are allowed.

5. Markers, crayons, and/or colored pencils. You will have many assignments in which you will be asked to be creative.  I will provide some supplies but you will benefit from having your own.

III. COURSE PROCEDURE: Each unit of study focuses on a particular aspect of World History.  It is essential that you know and understand the information from your textbook, class work, and class notes to be successful in this course.  In each unit, you will: maintain a notebook, which will include class notes and homework or classroom assignments, complete map quizzes, complete group activities and individual projects, and take a test.  In addition, there will be a comprehensive final exam at the end of the semester.

1. Tests.  One test will be given at the end of each chapter or chapters of study.  The tests will be composed of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions.  The test will cover information from class notes, the textbook, and class assignments.

2. Notebook.  Much of your class work and homework will be done in your notebook to help you record, organize, and process new information.  Notebooks will be collected and graded about every three - four weeks.  Notebooks will be graded on thoroughness, quality, organization, and visual appeal.  Students will know the value of each major notebook assignment when it is given. This should be an easy grade.

3. Group Work.  You will be assigned to a ‘Student Work Group,’ which will change periodically throughout the year.  Various tasks and activities will be assigned to the group.  Typically, the group will be graded on the basis of group achievement, though efforts will be made to grade individual members within the group for their contributions.  Cooperative learning is not only a sound, research-supported approach to learning but also a means to teach valuable “people skills” that will serve you in the workplace and community. 

4. Map Quizzes will be given periodically.  The tests will be on continents and countries.

IV. GRADING: Each semester is divided into two nine-week grading periods. Grades will be determined on a points system.

V. CHEATING AND/OR COPYING MATERIAL:  Should a student be found cheating on a unit activity OR copying material, he or she will be awarded a ZERO for that particular activity as well as any student involved.  Allowing your paper to be copied or plagiarized by another student constitutes cheating and will be dealt with in the same way.  SPECIAL CAUTION on computerized work: it is essential that your work represents your own analysis.  Plagiarized or copied work will be given NO CREDIT. I will check research papers and presentations on a website for plagiarizing.

VI. ATTENDANCE:  The policy will be the same as stated in the Student Handbook.  If you are not in the class room when the bell rings, you will be counted as tardy. 

VII. MAKE-UP WORK: It is the student’s responsibility to make-up missed work.  A student must ask me or a peer about the work missed the day the student returns to class.  A student will have the number of days to make-up the work equal to the number of excused days absent.  (Two days absent = two days to complete assignments.)  Students with an unexcused absence will have until the following day to complete the assignment. Any student who has missed a day is responsible for getting all class notes and bell ringers from a classmate.

VIII. ASSISTANCE:  If you need extra help, you can come by my classroom before school. I will be at school by 7:30.  Also, you can see me during my prep period.  My e-mail address is: jleverett@.  I will attempt to promptly respond to all e-mails.  I do have a website where I will post information for major assignments and projects. It is:

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