Welcome to 8 th Grade Social Studies

1. Welcome to 8th Grade Social Studies Alejandro Vasquez 480-541-5954 avasquez@kyrene.org

2. About Mr. V • Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and American History • Master’s degree in American Politics • Post-Baccalaureate in Secondary Education Social Studies • Arizona Highly Qualified and Certified in 7th-12th grade • 2.5 years teaching experience 8th grade Social Studies

3. What do we study in 8th grade social studies? This year we will be studying United States History dealing with the American Revolution and how it led to the formation of the U.S. Government, the Constitution and U.S. History from WWII to the present.

4. Curriculum By Quarter (estimated) • 1st Quarter • Introduction • The Road to Revolution • The New Nation • 2nd Quarter • The Constitution • Bill of Rights • Arizona Government • 3rd Quarter • WWII • The Cold War • The 1960's and 1970's • 4th Quarter • The 1980's and 1990's • The New Millennium • Personal Finance • Students will work throughout the year to demonstrate their knowledge and skill through individual and collaborative assignments, project-based learning, simulations, and assessments. The focus this year is to integrate the common core standards into the curriculum, so an emphasis will be placed on practicing and assessing critical thinking skills.

5. Classroom Resources • American History Textbook and Atlas • Civic in America • Consumer Economics and Personal Finance • Atlas of United States History • Historical Reader: Forging a New Nation, World War II, Japanese-American Internment, The Vietnam War, and Civil Right. • Technology in the room

6. Classzone • The is a website connected to our book to provide activities for quiz and test review: www.classzone.com • Please check the 8C Team Calendar and my website to stay updated with current homework and assignments.

7. LETS TAKE A CLASSROOMTOUR!

8. Grading • Assessments: 90% (tests, quizzes, projects, and writing assignments) • Practice: (includes class work and homework: 10% )                • Homework Tuesday! Every Tuesday students will be given an assignment to take home. Please be on the look out =) • It should not take more than 15-20 minutes to complete. • Students will be allowed to take home their SS notebooks to study a few days before the exam. Studying consists of vocabulary review and active review of their notes (students should make flashcards, using the interactive reviews on classzone and turning the statements in their notes into questions). It is NOT just reading over the notes – there are no test makeups • Late Work: Students will receive partial credit if completed in Homework Club within one week of due date.

9. Supplies for Social Studies • Pocket folder • Composition notebooks • Pencils (daily) • Highlighters(pink, yellow, green, and blue) • Crayons or colored pencils • Class donations- Copy paper

10. Test Differentiation • I provide test differentiation using student scores on the reading and writing portion of AIMS ands based on early assessments and observations at the start of the school year • This provides higher level questions/vocabulary for more capable students and grade level questions/vocabulary on smaller scale for other students. • I give two tests for each unit – vocabulary and written. The written test is short answer, extended response, and multiple choice. Students choose 3/6 short answer, 1of 2 extended response to answer, and all of the multiple choice questions. • I have a bonus question to help encourage all students to go above and beyond. (worth 2 extra points) • By differentiating, I am able to monitor and adjust the assessment • given to students as they show growth. I assess progress on the tests on an • as-neededed basis, but usually quarterly. • By differentiating and providing choice in what questions to answer, I can speak to specific strengths and/or areas in which a student needs improvement.

11. Thank you all for coming! Questions/comments??