Social Studies 8

1. Mr. K. J. Benoy Social Studies Department Social Studies 8 Course Outline & Expectations

2. Supplies • You will need the following: • A binder – at least 1 ½ inches. • Plenty of lined paper. • A portable computer storage device. • Coloured & regular HB pencils. • Pens. • Erasers. • Whiteout. • A ruler (a geometry set if you have one).

3. Provincial Objectives • The Ministry of Education expects that you will do the following things in Social Studies 8

4. Applications of Social Studies • Problem solve. • Summarize information from a source. • Assess information. • Defend a position. • Write and speak effectively. • Address a problem.

5. Society and Culture • Find out why civilizations rise and fall. • Compare life in various civilizations. • Describe different cultures and religions. • Be aware of artistic traditions. • Identify important cultural achievements.

6. Politics and Law • Understand the tension between rights and responsibilities in various cultures. • Understand the influence of contact, conflict and conquest on civilizations. • Describe how people influence laws and politics. • Explain how governmental systems develop.

7. Economy & Technology • Compare economic systems. • Analyze how commerce affects lives. • Compare rural and urban work. • Describe how technology & science affects politics, societies and economies.

8. Environment • Make and use maps, graphs, tables, grids, scales, legends and contours. • Locate places and geographical features on maps. • Locate current and historical places on maps. • Analyze how people have interacted with their environments in history.

9. How Will We Do This? • First we will study Geography. • We will read and interpret maps and globes. • We will construct a variety of maps. • We will learn about time zones.

10. Then We Study History • We begin with the Roman Empire. • Then we look at Byzantium and the origins of Islamic Civilization. • Next we look at the Medieval World. • Then we study the Renaissance and Reformation.

11. History • Finally, we will study civilization in: • India • China • Japan

12. Text Books • Most work in Geography will be teacher created and will be based on atlas work.

13. Text books • Most of our work in History will be in Burton Beers’ Patterns of Civilization I.

14. Assignments • You will complete and be marked on a variety of things: • Homework • Paragraphs and short assignments • Maps • Reports • Oral Presentations • Quizzes • Tests

15. My Website • Go to: • http://sites.google.com/site/kbenoy/ • Here you will find PowerPoint presentations that cover the entire curriculum. • Your assignments will also be posted here.

16. Lessons & Homework Blogsite • Go to: • http://kjbenoy.blogspot.com • We will post the week’s work here. I will also give you notice of tests and their composition.

17. Final Exam • At the end of the course, you will write a final exam on everything we have covered. • The exam is written during a special exam period, after classes have finished for the term.

18. Final Exam • This test is worth 20% of your course mark. • If you have done well during the term, it is a chance to show what you have learned. • If you have not done well, it is a 2nd chance to pass.

19. Grades • We use the standard provincial grading system: • A 86%+ • B 73-85% • C+ 67-72% • C 60-66% • C- 50-59% • D 40-49% • E 39%- • If you seem in danger of dropping to a failing mark during the semester, you will receive an “I” on an interim report. • An F is a term end failure.

20. Expectations - Attendance • What we cover in class is important – do not miss things if you can help it. • If you are away: • Call the school to let us know why you are away. • Go to the blogsite to see what you missed. • Check the week plan at the back of the room. • Bring a note for the school and a note for me. • Expect to make up what you missed.

21. Expectations - Punctuality • You expect me to be here on time and ready to go. • I expect the same of you. • Surprize quizzes and homework checks happen at the start of class. If you are late you may be given a zero. • If you do arrive late, come in without disturbing the class. • Wait until you can enter without disturbing the class. • Make sure I know you have arrived.

22. Expectation - Assignments • All assignments are given to help you learn. • I do not give out “busy work” as there is too much to cover this year. • If you don’t see the point in an assignment, ask! • All assignments must be completed. • When students fail this course it is almost always because they do not complete the work.

23. Expectation - Assignments • Deductions will be made for late assignments: • 10% of the value of the assignment for 1 day. • 20% for 2 days. • 30% for 3 days. • A 50% grade is the best that can be earned for an assignment later than this. • Any assignment, no matter how late, can earn 50% • If you lose an assignment, go to the blog. Late Assignments

24. Expectations - Marking • I will return marking quickly. • Expect to receive short assignments back the next day. • Give me a week for long assignments. • If you did not get your work back in class, remind me. I probably have it ready but forgot to return it.

25. Extra Help • Ask if you need additional help. • I arrive early and leave late most days. • I usually arrive near 8:00 a.m. • I usually leave near 5:00 p.m. • If my door is open, I am here. • Look for me in D208, the staff-room or the photocopy room next to the office. Sometimes, after school, if there are games on, I may be there taking pictures. • Don’t be afraid to ask another Social Studies teacher for help.

26. Expectations - Decorum • Be dignified. • Respect the rights and feelings of others. • Be considerate. • Do not disturb people who are working. • Leave other people’s belongings alone. • Never vandalize. • Do not interrupt when others are talking.

27. Expectations - Decorum • If anyone is speaking to the whole class, pay attention and remain silent. • Raise your hand to get on a speaking list or to ask a question or request permission for something.

28. Expectations – Leaving the Class • I am responsible for you during this block. • Ask before you leave the room. • I need to know where you are, so tell me before you leave. • Use the washroom outside class time. • Return as quickly as possible.

29. Learn and Enjoy • Social Studies is fun. • If it wasn’t, I would not be here! • Learn and become a more educated and interesting person. • Figure out what makes people, and the world, tick. • Work toward scholarships in grade 12.

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