Welcome to 8th Grade Georgia Studies!

“Let’s Dig Deeper!”

Dear Students and Parents/Guardians,
I am truly excited about the school year ahead of us, and I would like to inform you of some of
the details concerning our class. Just as archaeologists study and classify artifacts, we are going
to be taking on this fascinating role as it relates to our class. As such, we will study, classify, and
analyze key parts of Georgia’s history and much more. Our classroom will serve as our
archaeology “lab” to facilitate learning, and our occasional field trips/experiences will help to
enrich this. “Digging deeper” is more than a mantra; it is a goal for myself and each student and
parent or guardian to pursue. In the process, it is my hope that we will all develop a greater love
for learning, exploring, and questioning the world around us.

Course Content Grading Policy & Scale Tools/Supplies

I cannot wait for us to investigate Tests: 40% A: 100-89
Georgia’s geography, history,  Pencils/pens
government, and economics. We Projects: 30% B: 88-79 (colored pencils
will dig deeper into topics such as: optional)
Quizzes: 15% C: 78-69  3-ring binder with
 Native American history Homework: 15% D: 68-59 loose-leaf paper
 The American Civil War  Spiral-bound journal
 The Civil Rights  1 box of tissues
Movement  1 bottle of germ-x
 Modern Georgia

Class Rules
1) Be positive- Always come to class with a positive
attitude and a smile
2) Be a participator- Each student contributes something
unique to the class
3) Show respect- Raise your hands and converse calmly
with one another in discussions or debates

*We will continue to add to our class rules throughout the

school year.
 Class Procedures

Restroom Use/Emergencies
The first and last five minutes of class are reserved for restroom breaks. If you need to use the restroom during
these allotted times, please sign in and out (one at a time) on the clipboard by the door and wear the hall pass
necklace. In the case of an emergency, you may also sign in and out on the clipboard during class.
Attendance
To be successful archaeologists, historians, and students, we must show up on time to class each day, prepared
and ready for the task at hand. Feel free to discuss with me if you need to miss class.
Missing Artifacts/Make-Up Work
If you must miss a class and need to obtain work from the day(s) you missed, there will be a “Missing
Artifacts” station in the back of classroom. Folders will be dated, and work will be assorted accordingly.
Please turn it in by the next Friday.
Homework
Each week we will have a “site map” on the bulletin board. On Mondays, students will have the opportunity to
select three of the “sites” or activities to “excavate” or complete for the week. They will be turned in each
Friday for a grade. Students will be able to physically place pins (with their names attached) on the map to
mark which activities they have chosen to complete.

“My theory in anything you do is

to keep exploring, keep digging
deeper to find new stuff.”
-Blythe Danner
 Please Complete and Return to Teacher

Parent/Guardian Student
What would you like for your child to What are some things you would like to
learn/take away from this class? learn/take away from this class? (can be a goal
or a specific topic in GA Studies)

What would you like for me to know about What would you like me to know about you?
your child? (can be an interesting talent, hobby, etc.)

Name:
Phone:
Email:

I [student’s name] ___________________, promise to follow the classroom expectations, rules,

and procedures as outlined above. I promise that I will strive to always “dig deeper” in our
classroom and be open to the process of learning.
Parent/Guardian signature___________________ Student signature___________________

Please cut/tear off my contact information for your reference.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss Courtland Nation

Phone: 706-993-2543
Email:
courtland.nation@bobcats.gcsu.edu