8th Grade Social Studies Syllabus

Instructor: Gloria Millar

Room: 100
Telephone: (562) 370-6061
Email: Gloria.Millar@losal.org
Website: https://www.losal.org/mcauliffe
School Hours: 8:45 am – 3:10 pm

Welcome!
I am looking forward to a great year with you in the classroom! Since we will only be
meeting for 45 minutes a day, we will be very busy. Don’t worry, some of it will be fun! Since we
will be working in groups regularly you will all get to know each other. Here is an outline of what
I expect from you and what you can expect from me this school year.

Course Description
This US History class is an exploration into pre-colonial America through the Industrial
Revolution, with a special focus on government, geography, economy, foreign affairs, and the
famous (and not-so famous) people who shaped our nation. We will examine various primary
and secondary sources to develop critical thinking and information literacy skills. Connections
to the present while be made throughout the class to bring relevancy to our learning.

Course Goals
By the end of this year, you will be able to
 Understand, analyze, and interpret central issues in colonization, the
American Revolution, the early American political system, slavery, the Civil
War, the Reconstruction period, and the beginnings of industrialization
 Think critically about the past after understanding the historical context
 Understand how historical events correlate and effect other events
domestically and abroad
 Analyze primary and secondary sources
 Identify key steps of legal processes (like how a bill becomes a law)
 Distinguish between historical facts and opinions of author
 Compile a journal throughout the semester about historical figures

Textbook
For the purpose of this class we will be using McDougal Littell’s Creating America. Our
units are based off of these chapters. I expect you to keep up with the readings every week. There
are questions at the end of each section that you will be responsible for. I may use those
questions for quizzes or in-class discussions. There will be several reading handouts that I will
provide as we need them.
Supplies
To have in class everyday
Required Recommended
Spiral notebook Red Pen
Pencil or Black/Blue pen 3x5 Index Cards
3-4 Highlighters Colored Pencils
Lose leaf line paper Glue Stick

Class Expectations

From the Teacher: From the students:

o create a safe environment
o treat the students with respect and
care
o provide necessary instruction
o return assignments promptly
o treat peers and teacher with respect
o attend class daily
o be attentive and not disruptive
o come to class prepared

Academic Dishonesty
McAuliffe Middle School requires all students to demonstrate honesty and to abide by ethical
standards in preparing and presenting materials, as well as in testing situations. Grades should
reflect the student's own work in the fairest possible way. Academic dishonesty, cheating, or
plagiarism involves an attempt by the student to show possession of a level of knowledge or skill
which s/he does not possess. It involves any attempt of a student to substitute the product of
another, in whole or in part, as his or her own work. It also includes theft, possession, or
unauthorized use of any answer keys or model answers.
Students who violate the McAuliffe Middle School Academic Honesty Code will be subject to
disciplinary action up to and including: suspension, dismissal from student offices and all athletics
and extracurricular activities, involuntary transfer, and expulsion. This policy covers all school-
related tests, quizzes, reports, class assignments, and projects, both in and out of class.

Grading

10% Participation 90%-100% A

30% Homework 80%-89% B
70-79% C
30% Projects 69% or lower must retake class
30% Tests

Late or Missing Assignments

Any assignment not completed in class will completed at home, unless otherwise
specified. Students will be given adequate time to complete all homework assignments,
therefore, late work will be penalized through grade deductions.
Missed quizzes and exams due to excused absences can be made up during lunch or after class.
After grades are submitted, no work is accepted (at the end of each semester).
 * I understand that things happen, please talk to me so we can work things out!

Technology
Students may possess cell phones at school but their use, including text messages, is
prohibited during school hours (8:45- 3:10) and they must be turned off. Students may not use
their cell phones to take photographs or videos.

Course Overview
I’ll provide a calendar with due dates and instructions each unit.

Unit Topics Homework Weeks

Exploration in  European Competition in European Motivations 1
North America America reading
Ch. 2  Impact of Colonization Columbian Exchange chart
 Jamestown Pocahontas: Beyond the 2
Early Colonies  Colonies and Religious Myth reflection
Ch. 3 Influences Colonies map
 Establishment of the 13
Colonies
Colonization  Life in American colonies Origins and Growth of 3
Ch. 4  New England and Slavery reading
Religion Study Guide
 Plantations and Slavery Exam- Sept. 24
Journal Check
 Colonial Resistance to The Boston “Tea Party” 2
Road to the Tight British Control handout
Revolution  Revolutionary Fervor Lexington and Concord
Ch. 6  Lexington and Concord Reading and Quiz
 Declaration of Chart of American and
Independence British war strategies
Short essay on the causes
of the American Revolution
American  Early Years Common Sense and 3
Revolution  Path to Victory Independence reading
Ch. 7  Effect of the War War leader’s worksheet
Study Guide
Exam- Nov. 5
Journal Check
 Articles of Confederation Articles of Confederation 3
Creating a and the Constitution reading
Government  Rights and The Great Compromise
Ch.8 Responsibilities reading
 Lawmaking process

Thanksgiving Break
  George Washington, Factionalism and Political 2
New Republic Alexander Hamilton Parties reading
Ch. 9  Challenges Federalist System Venn
 Federalists Diagram
Short essay on Economic
Debate
 Election of 1800 1800 Election reading 2
Jefferson Era  Louisiana Purchase Jeffersonian Ideology
Ch. 10  Foreign Powers reading
 The War of 1812 Louisiana Purchase
reading
War of 1812 reading
Exam-Dec. 20
Journal Check

Winter Break
 Early industry and Cotton Gin and Eli 3
A Growing economy Whitney reading
Nation  Plantations Slavery and Sectionalism
Ch. 11  Nationalism and reading
Sectionalism The Abolitionists reading
“Slave Catchers, Slave
Resisters” film
Andrew  Politics Jackson’s Address to 1
Jackson  Native Americans Congress “On Indian
Ch. 12  State Rights Removal”

Manifest  Westward Migration Texas and War with 2

Destiny  Mexican-American War Mexico reading
Ch. 13  CA Gold Rush “Gold Rush” film
Study Guide
Exam- Feb. 14
Society  Immigrants Women’s Rights reading 1
 American Literature Harriet Beecher Stowe
Ch. 14  Women’s Rights reading
Journal Check
Pre-War  North and South A Divided Nation reading 2
Tensions  Politics and Slavery “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” film
Ch. 16  Lincoln The 1860 Election reading
 Start of the War Secession and Civil War 3
Civil War  Major Battles reading
 Turning Point Emancipation
Ch. 16 & 17  Emancipation Proclamation reading
Proclamation
 North Wins Study Guide
 Consequences of War Exam- April 8
  Restoring Union Radical Reconstruction 3
Reconstruction  African-Americans after reading
War End of Reconstruction
Ch. 18  Daily Life reading
 End of Reconstruction Journal Check

Spring Break
Industrial  Significant inventions Technology and Change 2
Revolution  Labor forces reading
 Urbanization Inventors and Inventions
chart
Struggles of Labor reading
Study Guide
Exam- May 21
Journal Due- May 28