Extension Activities

Social studies offers two different extension activities for our students to participate in each year. 

One of those is National History Day.  Students choose to research a historical topic of their choice, complete a project to showcase their research, and then present the finished product at a regional competition held in Madison each year.  For more information on the project you can visit the state historical societies page at:  http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/teachers/historyday/about.asp

The other is the National Geographic Bee.  We hold classroom and a school wide bee each year in December for students who have an interest in geography.  If students are looking to study up and practice for the bee, addtional practice can be found on these geography game sites. 

http://geography.miningco.com/library/quiz/blpreviss.htm

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~charlo/peter/geo/

http://www.quia.com/pages/all.html

Social Studies Grade 8-LaFlash

Room 223 (new addition)

Course Overview and Welcome

Daily Work

1.  All assignments should be turned in at the assigned time unless due to an excused absence. Students who do not have graded homework in class at the time it is due will receive an incomplete (I) in SS until the work is turned in.  Work may also receive up to a 10% reduction in score depending on the date turned in.

2. All assignments should be labeled with your full name, class hour and date.  Nameless papers are marked incomplete (I) or/not done (ND) in the grade book.

3.  All assignments should be done to the best of your ability.  Poor quality work may be returned to you to redo.  Examples might be sloppy handwriting, torn papers etc. 

4. When assignments and tests have been announced well in advance (Week or more) of an expected absence (dental or doctor appointments, vacation, etc.) arrangements to meet requirements should be made prior to your absence. 

5. Please keep all worksheets, handouts, class notes, study guides and quizzes until after a test on that material.  This will keep you organized for review at home or at school and will allow you to talk to Mr. LaFlash about any grading questions that arise.  Students often get time to start assignments in class and may ask me questions during that time

Class Time:  Students are expected to come to class prepared with their materials.  Any homework can be completed in pen or pencil unless otherwise stated.  All homework may also be typed if students find that easier.  Many days you will have the opportunity to start your homework during class.  It is important that you attempt the problems at this time, in case you have questions.  It is not acceptable to come to class with incomplete homework and say, “I didn’t get it.” 

Extra Help:

I will be available most mornings before school, periods 4 and 7, every lunch period, most homerooms (3rd hour), and after school.  You may also email me questions at jlaflash@waunakee.k12.wi.us  I often check my e-mail between 9-10 pm or again around 7:00 am and I may send you a response before the next school day.

We also have several teaching aides, team teachers, and student teachers in my classroom that can also answer questions if you ask them.

Absences:

1.  If you are absent it is your responsibility to find out what you missed.  You should ask your chosen homework buddy first (you can call them at home too).  If you are still unclear about what to do, see your teacher or check out the g-8tors homework page on the middle school web site http://www.waunakee.k12.wi.us/middle/

2. If you are missing on the day of an examination or quiz it is your responsibility to arrange a time and place to make it up with your teacher.  This is usually done within a week of your return.

3. Each student has their own civics book for first semester and is asked to bring it to class daily unless told otherwise.  To access the online version of the text book students may use this link for first semester.

http://connected.mcgraw-hill.com/connected/login.do

  We have a different set of books for second semester and the eastern hemisphere.  The second semester book will be in hard cover and online edition.  You should bring your hard cover book to class.  Online editions may be accessed during 2^nd semester through http://www.my.hrw.com  Each student will be issued their own password (it is the same password you may have used in 7^th grade).  This edition does have many features including being able to read the text out loud, Spanish translations, review material, atlas help and a variety of others.

Grading Scale:

Quiz, Reading Checks and Short Assessments=10%

Tests=30%

Projects/Presentations=30%

Two Quarterly Current Event reports=10%

Formal Writing =20%

Daily homework/In class assignments=recorded but not graded other than done, not done, or absent

Participation/Group Work, Preparedness, and Citizenship/Respect=recorded but not graded.

Some work will be graded as a 4 point scale (4=A, 3=B. etc) while others will be graded by total points (8/10).

Final Grades are calculated as the following %:

98-100             A+

93-97.99          A

90-92.99          A-

88-89.99          B+

83-87.99          B

80-82.4                       B-

78-79.99          C+

73-77.99          C

70-72.99          C-

68-69.99          D+

63-67.99          D

60-62.99          D-

Below  60        F

Progress reports are sent home at mid quarter.  Additional progress reports may be sent home if a student is struggling has missing work, or a parent requests them.

Other items that are recorded and we will work on all year (life skills or 21^st century skills) may include:

• Responsibility and Work Ethic-this includes classroom participation-(Contribute to Current Events/Classroom discussion),
• Organization and Preparation-bring everything you need for class on time.
• Self Advocacy- how well do you ask questions for clarification.
• Respect- yourself, others (students, staff, parents, community members), the school and it’s property

Parents and Students are also reminded they may keep track of all work, grades, attendance, and health records through the district Infinite Campus Web Site.

Extra Credit, Extensions on Homework, Test Retakes:

In general I will not offer extra credit/bonus points.  If a student feels as though they deserve a higher grade based on their knowledge and skills they may submit more evidence of the work they did to show they deserve the higher grade on an assessment and truly understand the material.  The work to be presented will be decided by a joint conference between the student and I.

Generally graded work is due (without exception) on the due date in order to receive full credit for an assignment.  Students may however ask for a reasonable timeline extension of projects, etc. 

• The extension must be requested from the teacher in advance of the due date (minimum 24hours notice or by the last day of school before a break/weekend).
• Students must choose situations carefully as the extension may only be used once per semester!

Students may have an opportunity to retake tests if they discuss the test and their grade with me.  These retakes should also be timely and done before the grading period ends.

Conferences:

Conferences with parents, students or both can be scheduled at anytime during the year, not just at district conference dates.  Never hesitate to come in, email, and/or call.  Students are encouraged to come in before or after school if help is needed.  My Goal is that students succeed and enjoy social studies.  This can be accomplished by working together. 

What we cover during the year

1^st Semester-Civics

Nature of Government and The start of Democracy in America

The Constitution and Bill Of Rights

The Executive Branch and Elections

The Legislative Branch

The Judicial Branch

All Units Combine National, State and Local Government

2^nd  Semester-The Eastern Hemisphere

Asian Overview

South East Asia

India

China

Japan

During Each Asian Unit:

Geography, history, culture, religion, government, daily life, economy, relationship with the United States, problems facing the area and possible solutions, predictions for the future, and global interdependent are discussed

Current Event Presentation Guidelines:

Each presentation should be 2-3 minutes in length and use a power point, prezie, video, or some other form of electronic presentation.  Answer all of the questions from the report sheet in your presentaion. Print a copy of the article you are reporting on and please make sure that the article is about government and not just sports, entertainment, etc.  Also print a copy of the presentation for me to grade.  Try to be lively and make your presentation exciting.  All presentations should include some kind of visual (picture or video) and be practiced.  Please make sure videos from other sources are no longer than 2 minutes.  A picture from the article will be appropriate but you might want to make it bigger. 

You must choose one of the following thought questions to answer on part 8 of your report MAKE SURE TO USE EVIDENCE FROM THE ARTICLE HERE.

• How much was the government involved in this story?  Should it be more or less involved in the issue?  Explain why or why not?
• How did the background of those involved influence the event that took place?  Explain.
• Should legislation be passed to address an issue from the event? If so, what should that legislation be and why?  If not, why not?

Current Event Presentation Due Dates 2nd quarter:

For a copy of the Current Event questions click here and print.

http://www.waunakee.k12.wi.us/faculty/jlaflash/Current%20Event%20Report1.doc