8th Grade Social Studies Newsletter
Ms. Davis
May 2013
This newsletter is to provide up to date coverage of information relevant to the 8th grade SS classes.
Course Materials
Scholars must have the following materials:
1-Binder/Folder-To keep all work
2-Composition notebook/spiral notebook-daily assignments (Project grade in 4th advisory)
3-Green folder-to show families sample work from portfolio
4-Pens, markers, and glue for interactive notebook
This week @ Paul
Homework Center after school daily
Wear "Just Do It" t-shirts on Monday
What's important to know
Final Exams in all classes-May 20-24
Social Studies exam is Thursday, May 23
Final grade determined by 20% of each advisory grade and final exam=100%
Social Studies Journals are due now through May 22
SS Unit Highlights
Unit 6-North v. South/Civil War
We are studying the differences and similarities of people who lived in these regions before the Civil War.
Unit 5-Westward Expansion
Students wrote essays on why Andrew Jackson is considered polarizing.
Students annotated the famous painting of Manifest Destiny.
Students created a passport of our travels through territories acquired by the United States.
Students learned the song Deep in the Heart of Texas!
Unit 4-Our Constitution Website Project
Below is a list of the student created websites designed to teach about the Constitution:
www.constitutionkids.weebly.com (winning website!)
www.unit5thecon.weebly.com
www.theworldofhistoryscholars.weebly.com
www.wethepeoplemack.weebly.com
www.wethepeopledoc.weebly.com
www.gddjf.weebly.com
8th Grade Behavior Goals
Just do it (Do the right thing the 1st time)
HALLS (Hands Off, Always Walk, Low Voices, Language Appropriate, and Smile)
SS Concerns
2nd period-Students who are off task in class and try to disrupt learning for others
Students who did not turn in Spring Break Assignments-Andrew Jackson essay and Scavenger Hunt of 6 sites throughout the city. ONLY EXEMPTION: students out of town with families who could not participate.
Students who are still struggling with reading independently and applying reading strategies taught throughout this entire year
SS Field Trips
November 7th-We the People 8-4 pm (20 students)
January 31-We the People 8-4 pm (17 students)
March 27-Newseum (50 6th-9th grade students invited)
Myah (2), Valorie (3), DeAndre (4), Ndibuisi (6), and Omosefe (7), Tayla (2), Canae (3), Moziqe (4), Mikiyas (6), and Joshua (7)
3rd and 4th Advisory Participants-TBD
History Makers Special Events
1st and 2nd Advisory Honors Celebration April 4th
I had more, but could only choose 10
7th-Cameron, Desmond, 6th-Raekwon, Kela S., 4th-Jacob, Jordan, 3rd-Brelyn, Talia F. and
2nd-Jhalil, and Saeviona
3rd and 4th Advisory Honors Celebration-TBD
Reading Strategies
1-Expert readers annotate the text.
Annotation symbols and notes are used to think when you read. They may include:
Main idea, details, make a connection, question, wow, agree with, or disagree with
2-Expert readers use before, during and after reading strategies.
4 Ways to help Scholars at home
Communication
Visit website at historyscholars100.weebly.com
Email me @ [email protected] or go to the contact page
Class email/drive: [email protected]; password-they know it :-)
Stop by our class during class period
Ms. Davis
May 2013
This newsletter is to provide up to date coverage of information relevant to the 8th grade SS classes.
Course Materials
Scholars must have the following materials:
1-Binder/Folder-To keep all work
2-Composition notebook/spiral notebook-daily assignments (Project grade in 4th advisory)
3-Green folder-to show families sample work from portfolio
4-Pens, markers, and glue for interactive notebook
This week @ Paul
Homework Center after school daily
Wear "Just Do It" t-shirts on Monday
What's important to know
Final Exams in all classes-May 20-24
Social Studies exam is Thursday, May 23
Final grade determined by 20% of each advisory grade and final exam=100%
Social Studies Journals are due now through May 22
SS Unit Highlights
Unit 6-North v. South/Civil War
We are studying the differences and similarities of people who lived in these regions before the Civil War.
Unit 5-Westward Expansion
Students wrote essays on why Andrew Jackson is considered polarizing.
Students annotated the famous painting of Manifest Destiny.
Students created a passport of our travels through territories acquired by the United States.
Students learned the song Deep in the Heart of Texas!
Unit 4-Our Constitution Website Project
Below is a list of the student created websites designed to teach about the Constitution:
www.constitutionkids.weebly.com (winning website!)
www.unit5thecon.weebly.com
www.theworldofhistoryscholars.weebly.com
www.wethepeoplemack.weebly.com
www.wethepeopledoc.weebly.com
www.gddjf.weebly.com
8th Grade Behavior Goals
Just do it (Do the right thing the 1st time)
HALLS (Hands Off, Always Walk, Low Voices, Language Appropriate, and Smile)
SS Concerns
2nd period-Students who are off task in class and try to disrupt learning for others
Students who did not turn in Spring Break Assignments-Andrew Jackson essay and Scavenger Hunt of 6 sites throughout the city. ONLY EXEMPTION: students out of town with families who could not participate.
Students who are still struggling with reading independently and applying reading strategies taught throughout this entire year
SS Field Trips
November 7th-We the People 8-4 pm (20 students)
January 31-We the People 8-4 pm (17 students)
March 27-Newseum (50 6th-9th grade students invited)
Myah (2), Valorie (3), DeAndre (4), Ndibuisi (6), and Omosefe (7), Tayla (2), Canae (3), Moziqe (4), Mikiyas (6), and Joshua (7)
3rd and 4th Advisory Participants-TBD
History Makers Special Events
1st and 2nd Advisory Honors Celebration April 4th
I had more, but could only choose 10
7th-Cameron, Desmond, 6th-Raekwon, Kela S., 4th-Jacob, Jordan, 3rd-Brelyn, Talia F. and
2nd-Jhalil, and Saeviona
3rd and 4th Advisory Honors Celebration-TBD
Reading Strategies
1-Expert readers annotate the text.
Annotation symbols and notes are used to think when you read. They may include:
Main idea, details, make a connection, question, wow, agree with, or disagree with
2-Expert readers use before, during and after reading strategies.
4 Ways to help Scholars at home
- Discuss news and ask questions (BBC, CSpan or local news)
- Get a library card and check out historical fiction or nonfiction books on topics
- Celebrate their daily success by asking what the learned in SS
- Organize homework and materials every week
Communication
Visit website at historyscholars100.weebly.com
Email me @ [email protected] or go to the contact page
Class email/drive: [email protected]; password-they know it :-)
Stop by our class during class period