8th Grade Social Studies

Mr. Armstrong / marmstrong@ecusd.info / Erie Middle School

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:
1. R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Respect your classmates, your teachers, your school, and yourself.
-Keep an open mind & consider others’ ideas
-Be careful with your materials
-Be courteous in all that you do!

2. Be on time & prepared for class! Be in your seat by the bell with all of your materials.
-Make sure you have your assignments WITH you when they are due
-If you are absent, email me to see what you miss & make work up ASAP.

3. Learn & Grow! This is why we are here - work to improve every day!
-Challenge yourself to learn & improve. I will do my part, but this ultimately comes down to YOU!
-Be a positive learner & try to enjoy this class! I hope that you do!

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
We will begin the year by learning how the United States came to be, from the colonies developing, to the
events that led to our independence in the American Revolution. We’ll then learn about more of the
ideals the U.S. was founded on, and how the government still works today, as well as our role in it, by
learning about the U.S. Constitution. We’ll then learn about the early years of our country, and how the
country expanded West, while Native Americans tried to hold on to their ways of life. After this, we’ll look
at the growing divisions in the country, with slavery being the most divisive issue, eventually leading to the
U.S. nearly splitting in two, engaging itself in the bloodiest war in American history: the Civil War. Besides
these topics, we’ll stay up to date with current issues in the world as well as some others.

*If you ever have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please let me know!
 8th Grade Social Studies
OUR GOALS:
GOALS This year, we hope to...
HISTORICAL 1. Better understand important lessons from history, in order to recognize how things have
UNDERSTANDING progressed, and shaped the world we live in today. (Cause & Effect, Chronology, etc.)

2. Develop our critical thinking skills, by improving our ability to ask questions, examine the
RESEARCH
credibility of sources, and make our own conclusions based on evidence.

COLLABORATION 3. Become better team players, so we can work with others in a variety of ways to be successful.
4. Improve our communication skills, by being good listeners, that consider others’
COMMUNICATION
perspectives, and clearly share our own ideas in writing and speaking.

5. Become more aware of ourselves & the world, so we understand the issues facing our
CITIZENSHIP
world, and how we all play a role in it.

PROCEDURES:
Assessments: You will be assessed on your work throughout the year, with individual assignments, small group
work/projects, presentations, quizzes, tests, etc.

WHY? To see what you’re learning and how you’re growing! I’ll give you feedback as soon as possible and I will often
ask you to reflect on your own learning and growth. You will be encouraged often to try to improve your work, which
will improve your grade, and more importantly, show you’re mastering the knowledge and skills we’re working on in
class. You will not always have the ability to retake and redo assignments, given the circumstances, but take
advantage of the opportunity to improve and revise your work whenever you can!

Late/Missing Work: Any late or missing work will result in you having a zero for that assignment in Skyward until
it’s turned in and graded. See me if needed, and turn in the missing assignment ASAP so you can earn credit!

*If you ever have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please let me know!