AMERICAN STUDIES 8MR. YORK- HRS. 2 AND 6
Welcome to 8th grade American Studies! I will begin by expressing how excited I am to be teaching this class again. The last two yearsI’ve taught 8th grade after a ten-year hiatus.During that time my family and I have traveled to many of the places we will be talking about throughout the year, so I’m now able to share some of my experiences.
During this school year we will study the history of our country from its first inhabitants crossing the Bering Land Bridge, European exploration, Colonial settlement, steps toward Independence and the Constitution, up to the end of the Civil War. We will talk about all of the “puzzle pieces” that have made our country what it is today.
With all of the information we will be covering, it is very important to dedicate 10 to 15 minutes a day to studying class notes. This daily study time is meant to not only help students with the present material, but to also develop a very important study skill—review. Parents, please work with your student in the first few weeks of the school year so that they might get into the routine of studying just a little bit every day.
Grades will be given on a “90,80,70,60” scale. On this scale, 90% and above will constitute an “A,” 80% will be a “B,” and so on. Grades will be determined by points earned on homework, quizzes (both announced and not announced), and tests. Tests will be worth 100 pts.
There will be research projects during the year. Some will be individual projects, some will be completed in groups. In addition to the research projects, we may be doing newspaper summaries to keep up with current events.
TESTING
The tests could be matching, multiple choice, short answer, true or false, or essay in form. Tests could also have information from previous chapters called, “WHYLSF” or, “What Have You Learned So Far?” This will be an attempt to keep information fresh in the students’ minds and keep them ready for the Semester Exam in January.
MASTERY LEARNING- I will be going back to Mastery Learning this year. A student may retake any TEST that they receive less than 80% on. Quizzes and final exams are not eligible. The student that gets less than an 80% on a test may need to do a corrective assignment based on what was missed on the test, and then simply come in for Success or Home Base to retake the test. Students who retake the test will receive the higher of the two scores up to 80%.
Retaking tests could be a good way for “bubble” students to reach that higher grade. For example, a student has a B+ in the class. If I see that the student has done everything they could to improve their grade, I may give an A-. On the other hand, students who had the chance to retake tests and never did would not get such a benefit. I will likely close the retake window after about a week. The farther we get from a test, the less likely it becomes for a student to improve on their first test.
BRAIN-STRETCHERS- Every day there will be a question or topic on the board. Once a student enters the room, he or she is responsible for responding to this “Brain-Stretcher.” The minimum is an 8th grade-level, five sentence (minimum) paragraph. Students may write more if they like.
NOTEBOOK CHECKS- I may check notebooks at any time. When I check them, I will make them worth anywhere from 20 to 40 points. I will be looking for organization, neatness and most of all, whether the student is following directions. Having a notebook for just my class will be important.
TEAMS-At the end of the 1stQuarter, I may be putting students into teams. I will use their 1st quarter averages (among other factors) to put people into teams as equally as I can. I do not worry much about having friends in groups together. In fact, I may even do the opposite. Furthermore, those who do not do their work on a regular basis, or have issues with tardies or attendance, may not be placed on a team at all. If they are placed on a team, they may be on a team with others like them. The teams will compete for stickers based on tests, homework completion, attendance, etc. The team with the most stickers at the end of the quarter will be rewarded. Students who are placed on teams originally, and quit being productive, run the risk of being “thrown off the island,” or removed from his or her team and will fend for themselves. Or, as stated earlier, be placed with other students who tend to not be all that productive.
CLASS RULES-
-Students will be in their assigned seats when the bell rings. Students are to remain in those seats unless given permission to do otherwise.
-Students are expected to bring their materials to class every day. These materials include: American Studies book,American Studies notebook, pen, somewhere to put AMERICAN STUDIES papers, sometimes colored pencils or crayons.
-When I am speaking, students are expected to pay attention and not talk. Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak.
-Homework is to be completed on time. Late work will receive a grade no higher than 50%. NOTE: In PowerSchool a missing assignment will appear as a zero with an “m” next to it. When the assignment is late, the “m” will be replaced by an “l”.
-A student’s job is to be in the room. Passes will only be given in an emergency.
-The text books for this class are five years old and are in pretty good condition. Students will be responsible for returning the book they were assigned in the same shape they got it at the end of the year. Fines will be assessed for those that are returned in worse shape than they received them. **Students will have the books covered by the end of the first full week of school.** Paper bags work best for covering the books. It has been my experience that the elastic covers are not the right size and inflict more harm than good on the books.
-I do not mind gum chewing in class as long as I cannot see it or hear it. When I see it or hear it, it will need to be thrown away. In addition, if I find wrappers, or gum remnants on or underneath desks, I may have to ban gum from the room. I have better things to do than to be the “Gum Police.”
-Candy or drinks other than water are not permitted. Candy becomes a distraction by constantly reaching for it. If candy is discovered, I will confiscate it. I have a sweet tooth.
-Students are expected to be in school. However, if time is missed, any information: assignments; class notes; tests or quizzes is expected to be gathered BY THE STUDENT upon returning to school. Possible ways to obtain the information are a poster on the wall that gives assignments (usually two weeks in advance), my school website calendar, friends, or me during Success Period, before, or after class.
-Students who miss a test or quiz will be expected to make that test or quiz up during Success Period (M,W,F, 7:15-7:45 am), or Home Base. It is important to take any missed tests or quizzes as soon as possible to insure that the information is not forgotten. There will likely be multiple forms (versions) of the test or quiz.
-Students (parents) are responsible for their progress. We have an open grade-book online. Students and parents have access to grades any time they want to see them. Students who do not have internet access at home may use the computers in our library at school or the public library. There should be no surprises. There should be no panicked students asking for extra credit in week #9 of the grading period.
-My school website will keep parents and students informed. By going to my page, one can see my class calendar (for homework, tests, quizzes, etc.), Power Point presentations for notes, or even past tests to be used to study for the Semester Exam. The class calendar is especially helpful for people who are absent, or are going to be absent.
EXPECTATIONS- With all of the information that will be covered this year, I do not consider my class to be easy. I have rather high expectations about the work that needs to be done. However, I do say that students have to TRY to fail my class. Students who pay attention, do their work, and do some outside studying should do well. I do my best to make the material as interesting as I can. I want the class to be fun, as well as challenging.
ASSIGNMENT- This is the first assignment of the year, and maybe the easiest. In order to receive credit, simply write this statement in your notebook, “We have read and understand Mr. York’s letter.” After writing this statement, simply sign it and have a parent or guardian do the same. This assignment will be worth 20 points.
Hopefully, all students and parents are looking forward to having success this school year. Have a great year! And enjoy!
Mr. York
Room phone #- 374-3933
Prep. Time- 12:10-12:55
Email-
Directions to my school website:
- Choose Hanover Middle School (drop-down menu upper-left)
- After signing in, go to teachers (upper-right)
- Choose “Christopher York”
- There will be multiple options to click on: Power Points, Calendar, Tests. (Obviously, tests will not be available until either everyone has taken the test, or the end of the grading period)