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August, 2007

Dear Student/ Parent/Guardian:

Welcome to 8th grade U.S. History. This is going to be a fantastic year. I promise to do my best to make it an exciting year. I hope you will also do your best to make this class one of your favorite classes.

High Stakes:

U.S. History is a required class. As a part of high stakes, you must pass all four terms in order to continue on to Timpview. I am available afterschool from 3:00-4:00 everyday. I also have Academic Assistance on Wednesdays until 4:00.

Textbook:

You will be issued a textbook to keep at home. You will need to bring with you to class each day; paper, pen or pencil and a notebook to keep handouts and worksheets in. Don't loose your book or I will have to charge you for a new one.

Assignments/Tests/Quizzes:

Please check the board and the class Web page (www.soerensenhistory.com) for information on class activities and due dates. I will keep both of these as up todate as possible.

Every Monday that we have school, the News Flash assignment is due. These are current events. One national and one local per week. We will discuss them in class and you will turn in the summary. (See the template for the grading rubric.)

Assignments will be given. Don't be afraid of these. If you use your time wisely, most can be completed in class. But, sometime you will be asked to complete the work at home. Late assignments will be penalized. The most you can recieve after an assignment is late is 70%. You should take your material home at least once or twice a week for review and study time.

Tests are quizzes are a part of the assessment process. Get in the habit of studying as we discuss and reviewing the information. If you do you will be prepared. Tests/quizzes can be retaken, but the highest grade awarded on a retake is a "C".

Grading:

Grading is as follows:

A= 90-100%

B= 80-89%

C= 70-79%

Below 70% is an I, Insufficient effort; intervention required.

Students who recieve a "I" at the end of term with at least 50%, will be placed in the Credit Intervention class in order to make up the missed credit. Summer School will be offered to students who are below 50% for their term grade and/or for missed credit for 4th term. Only one term of credit can be made up during summer school.

Units covered:

First Semester

Geography-Early Exploration and Colonization-American Revolution-Constitution

Second Semester

The New Nation-Adams-Jefferson-Madison-Industry and Growth-Monroe-Jackson-Westward Expansion-the Civil War-Reconstruction

Video Policy:

There are many great historical events which have been the topic of the movie industry. Many are also very accurate in their portrayals of these events. I may use the following movies or clips of these movies to enhance our curriculum.

A More Perfect Union- Three Sovereigns for Sarah- Gettysburg- Ironclads-Uncle Tom's Cabin-Johnny Tremain-Tweleve Angry Men (black and white version)-The Alamo-Seven Alone

Monday Movie Madness. Because there are so many wonderful historical movies , which we have no time to share... the 8th grade history department has created, "Monday Movie Madness". Six times during each term we will show a movie. Students can earn 20 pts per show, up to three shows. Students must attend for the entire 2 hour block (3-5 PM) , before credit will be earned.

All students will be expected to observe the standards for behavior set in the CMS planner. Tardies will be marked. Students need to come to class prepared to learn and allow others to do the same. Copying of anothers student's work is inappropriate and will not recieve credit. Only when you are directed to work together in groups or pairs is collaboration appropriate. All students are expected to do their best work.