About

Welcome to 8th grade Georgia Studies. The purpose of this course is to enlighten you to the geography, history, government, and economics of the state in which you live. With that in mind, realize that this course is taught much like a high school course. The resources we use in class are on a higher level, the tests have been generated on a higher level, the workload is high school level and the requirements will be the similar to that of a freshman in high school. I hope that in addition to the subject matter that you will learn how to be a better student, learn more about yourself, and learn the dedication and pride that comes with achieving a long term goal. Regardless of your final grade in this class, hopefully, you will be a changed person from this experience. It is my sincere hope that you will have learned to question, think, and support your thoughts in a clear, concise, and intelligent manner.

IF GRADES ARE MORE IMPORTANT TO YOU THAN THE PROCESS OF LEARNING, YOU ARE IN THE WRONG CLASS.

The pace is hectic in this course and more work is always forthcoming and should you get behind in your reading you may find it nearly impossible to catch up. STAY CURRENT! STAY ORGANIZED! If you feel lost or confused, don’t let it get worse! Come see me immediately so we can work on a solution. It has been my experience that most of those students that are struggling have overloaded themselves with too many advanced courses and/or too many outside activities.

Expect reading assignments frequently! Reading and taking notes is essential to success in this class. Expressing yourself publicly and through the written word (FRQs) is also an integral part of the course. Only by excelling in these 2 areas can a student hope to attain an “A” in this course.

Class rules
1. My actions will allow my teacher to teach.
2. My actions will allow other students to learn.
3. I will follow all school rules and be responsible for my actions.
4. I will come to class prepared by bringing my supplies and assignments.
5. I will work the entire class period at maximum levels.

Other requirements (in order to earn an “A”)
- Class participation and completion of all written and reading assignments.
- Attendance in class.
- Keep lecture notes, handouts, weekly writings and assignments in a well organized three-ring notebook w/ twelve dividers...every handout I provide you will have a number on it. Please keep these organized as they will serve as your "textbook" for the year.
- Maintain honesty and integrity when completing all work.

Grading: You are expected to take all quizzes and exams on the assigned day. Different make-up quizzes and/or tests (free response) are given after school only. Semester grades are based on in-class assignments, simulations, projects, quizzes, essays, unit tests, and the final exams. Daily attendance is critical to success in this class.

Unit Tests: Unless otherwise directed, tests will be in formats including multiple choice, short answer, and FRQs. Tests will cover assigned chapter readings, class notes, and readings from primary source material. Other major assignments that will count as test grades can be reports and presentations that require in-depth research, notebook, etc.
FRQs will start narrow in scope and broaden into larger concepts. These FRQs will be based on assigned readings and class lectures. It is virtually impossible to answer FRQs questions without being prepared! Remember that there is never a right or a wrong essay response as essays are either supported or unsupported by factual evidence. Students who are absent unexcused for unit tests will be given an alternate free reponse test...extenuating circumstances will be considered.

Recovery- for those who score below 80% on unit tests.
1. Complete certain assignments per Mr. Wilson
2. Test Rewrite...students will examine information for questions missed and relearn the material.
AFTER completion of these two activities...
3. Test Retake (highest score one can earn is 80%)
It is the responsibility of the student to seek out test recovery.

Socratic Seminars - We will be discussing many documents, books, outside readings, etc. throughout the term. One of the best ways to understand challenging material is to discuss it. We will use a Seminar style discussion to facilitate student led discussion. You will be graded on “Accountable Talk” and will be expected to reference text with appropriate and germane evidence. These will counted as summative grades . Our first Socratic Seminar will be held during the fourth week of class on explorations of Hernando de Soto. If you miss a Socratic Seminar you must write a 1000-1500 word paper on some aspect of the seminar essential question.
The following links contains information about pre-writing, decorum and grading rubrics.
Socratic Seminar Guidelines/Rubric
Socratic Seminar Evaluation Form

Food for Thought
Late projects will be penalized 10 percent per day (including Saturdays, Sundays, holidays). Any type of cheating on tests/quizzes or plagiarism on essays/papers is unacceptable. “Group” projects are often assigned; however, it is very clear from the rubric-based evaluation that individual efforts (or lack thereof) are rewarded and/or penalized. Copying from another student, a book, or the internet is plagiarism. Please consult the Forsyth County Code of Conduct for an in-depth discussion of plagiarism and its consequence. I do not expect you to be an expert on every aspect of history, nor to be fluent in the latest historical scholarship...I'm certainly not. Cite your sources. Use appropriate citation formats when appropriate.

Due dates and assignments may change based on teacher’s illness, school functions, inclement weather, master schedule deviation, unexpected events, and acts of God. All assignments and due dates will be posted in ItsLearning.

Friendly Advice
The class sessions will be organized on the assumption that students are keeping up with the readings that has been assigned and looking over notes nightly. This means that there will be times when names and/or events will be referred to in lectures and class assignments with the expectation that you are at least familiar with the name, term or concept. Class sessions will often deal with material that is not covered in your text. My job is to pull things together for you, make connections, show patterns, and provide the basis for lively class discussion. My job is not to go over the handouts; that is your job. Be sure to do the outside readings and continually look over your notes. They will appear on assessments.

The first semester is the most demanding. We will cover about six units including a large unit on state govenment. The rest of the course is not as fast paced, but it is just as demanding. DO NOT get behind. I assume that you are doing what is noted on the schedule posted on ItsLearning. If you are not, it will show up in your unit test grades and on your seminar grades. Close attention to the daily schedule is a must. It may change based on unforeseen events.

We spend a good deal of time analyzing primary source documents because they reflect the culture and historical perspective of the people and events that shaped history. Many cultures, cultural practices, and values will be studied. No particular cultural view will be favored over others; however, the course will consider how different aspects of culture, including religion, affected and shaped history. This class asks you to think beyond the ordinary….to hypothesize “what if’s” and to always ask: whose “voice” is missing?. Be respectful of others, their opinions, and cultural differences. I will not tolerate rudeness or insensitivity.

Office Hours
I am available every morning by appointment...availability after school by chance.