Raul Perales

Ms. A. Moreno

8th Grade Social Studies Syllabus

2021-2022

amoreno@uisd.net

Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year. I am delighted to have your child in my Social Studies class this year and hope to provide a truly positive learning experience. As a lifelong learner, I know that learning extends from my classroom to your home. If at any time you have questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact me or schedule a conference. I wish you and your child a wonderful school year! Go Oilers!

Purpose/Course Description

To meet and master the criteria for 8th Grade Level Social Studies as outlined in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for the state of Texas.
To master the skills that will help the student excel in knowledge of Texas and U.S. history.
To build character qualities such as Respect, Preparedness, Manners, and Safety as required by Raul Perales Middle School.

Classroom Expectations

All RPMS students are expected to practice “Respect, Prepared, Manners, and Safety.” In addition, students need to:

Always be prepared for class
Be good listeners
Encourage and support classmates
Treat others the way they want to be treated

Attendance

Students are expected to be in on time and in class during school days and hours. If a student cannot attend school, please contact the RPMS front office at your earliest convenience. Our goal is for your child to be well prepared with skills needed for the 8^th Grade STAAR exam. For the virtual classroom, students are expected to log on time every day and be prepared for class with their microphone off and camera on.

Rewards

Students who consistently exemplify good behavior and demonstrate progress will be rewarded. Rewards can be in the form of spoken praise, a positive phone call home, oiler coins, fun activities and/or privileges. Failure to behave correctly will result in the opposite of such rewards: phone call/email to parents, detention, office referrals, parent teacher conferences, etc. During virtual learning, students are expected to have their camera on at all times, if a student fails to do so, it’ll result in consequences: a conference with the student, a phone call home, then a conference with administration.

Extra Credit Policy

Once every six weeks, I will offer an extra credit opportunity. However, in order to qualify for the extra credit, a student must not have any zeros in the class. Extra credit will usually replace a failing quiz grade. Other extra credit opportunities may be available during six weeks.

Restroom/Water Breaks

Students should try to use the restroom and get water between passing periods. Students must have a pass to use the restroom. Students not allowed to leave the class 10 minutes after class begins or before the class ends, unless it is an emergency. They allowed to visit the nurse's office if it is a dire emergency. A pattern of restroom or water breaks and nurse visits will conclude with a phone call home. During virtual learning, students should try to minimize their restroom/water breaks for in-between classes and/or during breaks.

Materials

For my class, your child will require the following supplies:

Computer (this can be device provided by district)
Charger for computer
Pencil/pen
Journal

If other items needed for projects, a notice sent to you.

Methods of Evaluation

Students given at least 12 assignment grades and at least 4 test/quiz grades per six weeks. A progress report/report card will be given to your students at least every 3rd week.

Homework

I understand students have other classes, activities, expectations, etc. Yet, sometimes, students may have the opportunity to finish classwork at home. Even though homework not assigned as frequently in this class as others, it is NOT an excuse to disregard the expectations for success. On evenings, when the student does not have homework, they expected to review their material. The bulk of the student’s grade will come from their major grades (assignments, tests/quizzes and projects). Studying 20-30 minutes, a night can be the difference between barely passing and passing with excellence. We hope to have students feel confident in their success.

Make-Up Work

When a student is absent, it is his/her responsibility to pick up missed assignments. Students should collect their work from the designated area on the day that they return to class. The time allotted to complete make-up work is one day for each day the student is absent. Any work not turned in within the allotted time considered late.

Late Work

A student has 3 days to turn in late work and have guardian’s signature:

1 day late = 10 points will be deducted from the top of the grade. (Highest grade achieved 90%)
2 days late = 20 points will be deducted from the top of the grade. (Highest grade achieved 80%)
3 days late = 30 points will be deducted from the top of the grade. (Highest grade achieved 70%)

NO LATE WORK accepted after 3 days. A zero goes in the grade book.

Tests/Quiz

The student will have weekly quizzes, and tested every two weeks.

Missed Test

If your student has missed a test, the test provided upon the students return to the classroom. The student is still responsible to inform the teacher of a missed exam.

Tutorials

Students will have the opportunity to attend tutorials if necessary. Teacher will provide them with a tutorial permission form and schedule. The tutorial schedule posted on my course page.