Student Name _____________________________ Due Date - September 01, 2010

Course Syllabus for Social Studies 2010-2011

Teacher – Melody Barbour

Parent/guardian must sign this form and student must turn in by September 01, 2010 in order
to receive credit for this assignment.

I. Daily Requirements – Students will earn one point each day for having the following in class:
A. Textbook
B. Paper and pen or pencil
C. History journal
D. Assignment book
E. Current work or assignment due
F. Themselves - on time, in seat and working on opening activity

II. Homework – All homework must be turned in on time for full credit; late work will not be
accepted
without a consequence, unless it is late because of an absence. If a student is absent, he/she
must
take the initiative to get all missing assignments once he/she returns to school and the student is
also expected to give completed work to Mrs. Barbour within a reasonable amount of time.

III. Extra Credit – Offered to the entire class at specified times throughout the year.

IV. Topics to be Covered -

A. The history of the United States from its beginning to the Reconstruction period after the Civil
War.
B. The basics of economics and how it is related to history.
C. The United States Government – We’ll look closely at our U.S. Constitution and many other
primary source documents that influenced our founding fathers and are still relevant today.

V. Class Requirements and Set-up –

A. Student work will include textbook reading, worksheet completion, teacher-made materials
and
a variety of activities that may include the use of a computer (each student must have a
parent/guardian internet acceptable use policy on file with Mrs. Graydon).
B. Student learning will be accomplished through a variety of learning style strategies and
students
will have the opportunity to work independently, in large groups, and in small groups
throughout the year.
C. Students will be assessed by the quality of their completed work, projects and/or written
tests,
journal completion and correctness, as well as their daily grade (see Daily Requirements
above).
D. Students will begin their time in this class by completing the opening class activity. If a
student
is absent he/she is responsible for securing this information.
E. Tardy policy – Students will receive no daily points if tardy.

Parent/Guardian Signature
___________________________________________________________
One of the best ways for us to stay in touch is through e-mail. You can reach me at:
melody.barbour@kenton.kyschools.us. I have set up a blog and plan on updating it as we progress through our units of
study. The site is http://mbarbour-mbarbour-classnotes.blogspot.com/. If you have any questions or
concerns, please email or call me at 356-5559 ext. 6817. I am looking forward to working with you and your
eighth-grader this year.
Sincerely,

Melody Barbour
Man O’ War Team
8th Grade Social Studies Teacher