Stockbridge Middle School

8th Grade Georgia Studies

Course Syllabus
2015-2016
Ms. Williams
Room 813

Contact information:
Email: nakeshia.williams@henry.k12.ga.us
Website: http://iamgeorgiahistory.weebly.com/
Class Reminders: For class reminders via text, text @8c96fe to 81010.
You can opt-out of messages at any time by replying, 'unsubscribe
@8c96fe'.
Classroom hours (in addition to regular class time): I will be available on
Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:00-8:30 for tutoring, extra help, or
homework assistance. Please set up your appointment the day before so I know
to expect you and can give you a hall pass. Only students with a pass will be
allowed to visit in the mornings.
Teaching Philosophy: It has been my experience that hard work equals great
success. All students in my class will be held to high standards and expected to
work up to their potential.
Course Description: Eighth grade is completely different than 6th and 7th. We
will move away from world geography focus towards a Georgia-centered
curriculum. Students will discover Georgias geography, history, government,
and economy. We look at Georgias place in major American and world history
events as well as how Georgias economy fits into the global economy.
Organization: Course content will be presented in Powerpoint form. Notes will
be distributed to students every week. We will then build on the unit using
different types of activities, including Coach Book lessons, graphic organizers,
reading comprehension, and art projects. Textbooks will be available for use in
the classroom, but cannot be taken home.
Agenda Use and Responsibility: Students will be expected to keep up with
their agendas and write homework assignments in them. Notes and other
assignments will be posted on the website periodically. If a student loses
anything, they will be responsible for printing a new copy from the website. I do
not make extra copies of anything.

Recommended supplies:
3-ring binder (at least 1 inch)
5 dividers
Loose paper (please, no spiral notebooks)
pens or pencils (please, no ink other than blue or black)
colored pencils (for map coloring and other various art projects)
Post-its (regular sized)
Smart phone/tablet/laptop for use on projects in and out of class
Highlighter
Suggested supplies:
hand sanitizer
paper towels
paper plates (we will do several projects with food this year)
tissue
flash drive
Grading (as outlined on p. 7 of the Student and Parent Handbook):
Classwork/homework (including notes, projects, etc.) 20%
Assessments 65%
Semester final exam (given in December and May) 15%
Classroom Expectations: In order to be successful this year, there are
expectations that each student will be asked to follow when they enter my room
every day. They are as follows:
Please refrain from candy/food/drinks of any kind. This includes after
breakfast/lunch. You are expected to finish any opened food BEFORE
you come to class after a meal.
Remain seated during class unless given permission to do otherwise.
Check for sharpened pencils when you arrive in the room.
Immediately take out your warm-up when you report to class and update
your table of contents.
If you have a question or comment, wait until I am finished talking. Then
you may raise your hand and wait to be called on.
Respect others personal space and property.
Please make sure you bring a book to read with you to class every day.
There will be times when you finish your assignment early. You should
read or work on something else when you are finished, not disturb the
students around you.
Students are not allowed to leave the room without permission. Once you
are in the room, you must ask to leave. No locker, restroom, or water
breaks will be allowed during class unless it is an extreme emergency.

Please clean up after yourself before leaving the classroom. Take all
supplies with you when leaving.
Discipline: If a student fails to meet expectations in class or violates any part of
the Henry County Schools Code of Conduct or a Section 1 offense (as outlined on
pp. 18-21 of the handbook) while in class will be subject to the following
discipline procedures:
1st violation: warning
2nd violation: silent lunch
3rd and subsequent violations: action plan
Section 2, 3, or 4 (pp. 22-24 of the handbook) will result in an automatic office
referral.
Assignment Procedures: These are the procedures for turning in an
assignment in my class.
Only assignments completed in blue ink, black ink, or pencil will be
graded. No assignments will be accepted in other ink colors, crayon, or
colored pencil.
Please be accountable for your work and put your name on it.
Assignments turned in on spiral notebook paper will not count. Only loose
leaf paper will count.
Late work will only be accepted in case of an excused absence (as defined
on page 5 of the Henry County Schools 2014-2015 Student and Parent
Handbook). Otherwise, if an assignment is not turned in on time, it will
NOT be accepted.
Academic Honesty: Page 27 of the Henry County Schools 2014-2015 Student
and Parent Handbook outlines the system policy for academic honesty. Any work
submitted must be the students own, original work. Students shall not cheat
on any assignment by giving or receiving unauthorized assistance, or commit the
act of plagiarism. In this class, any student who copies another students paper,
allows another student to copy their paper, turns in something written in
someone elses handwriting, or copies and pastes off the internet will receive a
zero for that assignment.

Please sign and return this syllabus as soon as possible. Students will not be
issued a locker until all forms have been signed and returned. A copy of this is
available on my website if needed.
Parent Signature: _____________________________
Student Signature: ____________________________

Date: ______________________________________