2011-2012 Classroom Syllabus
My Social Studies Classroom Syllabus was handed out at Open House and was given to every 8th Grade student...
Madison Accelerated Middle School Classroom Syllabus
Class: Social Studies, Science
Teacher: Mr. Michael S. Rice, Room 119
Grade: 8th
Conference Times: Monday thru Friday 9:00-9:30 AM (2nd Hour)
(Or other times set up by phone only: (618) 876-6409
I would just like to take a moment to say welcome to the 2011-2012 school year! I am very confident that this year is going to be very successful! Please refer to this syllabus throughout the school year for all the important information you will need in order to succeed and excel in social studies class. At Madison Accelerated Middle School, WE HAVE HEART!
Respectfully yours,
Michael S. Rice, Teacher
Below are the FIVE areas of Social Studies that will be covered in class this year:
Geography- Study of the natural features of the earth and the climate, and its inhabitants.
History- A study of the past and important events that happened then.
Economics- The production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.
Culture- Customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits or a particular group.
Government- Institutions, laws, and customs through with a political unit is governed.
In order to cover those FIVE areas, we will be talking about the following topics:
Building Geography Skills, Discovering Ancient China, Discovering Ancient Africa, Election Unit, Immigration, African-American History, Holocaust and Genocide, World War II Unit, United States Constitution, Illinois History and Constitution, Economics
Students will be graded according to the school’s grading scale:
A+ (99-100), A (96-98), A- (94-95), B+ (92-93), B (88-91), B- (86-87)
C+ (84-85), C (77-83), C- (75-76), D+ (73-74), D (67-72), D- (65-66), F (0-64)
It should be each student’s goal to have passing grades in all classes. Students that receive any unsatisfactory grades on weekly progress reports need to check in with their advisory teacher and see what they can do to bring those grades up.
Honor Roll
3.0-3.49 GPA is Honor Roll
3.5-4.00 GPA is High Honor Roll
ISAT and Think Link
Recently, many students and classrooms here at Madison Accelerated Middle School have really worked hard and have improved on their ISAT scores. We will be taking the ISAT test again this year and will look to continue or successes on that test. Throughout the year, we will be practicing and preparing all students to take the test. Remember, do your best!
The Think Link test will be given four times throughout the school year in both Language Arts and Math classes (once each quarter). These tests should be taken very seriously as it shows where the students are at and how they have improved during the school year.
Materials Needed:
In order to be successful in my class, you will need to bring your agenda to class everyday. Being organized and writing down your assignments will help you this year with grades and the learning process, but also later in life for many years to come.
Also, please round up the following and bring to class: pencils and/or pens, paper, colored pencils, crayons, markers, rulers, glue, etc. We will be doing a lot of projects and the more materials you have in class, the faster the projects will get completed!
Accelerated Reader Program:
The Accelerated Reader Program is very important to me and to the other educators here at this school. Students will take the Star Reading Test 3 times this year (once at the beginning, once in the middle, and once at the end of the year) to get a ZPD level (Zone of Proximal Development). Students will then be encouraged to read books at their grade level and take and pass quizzes over the material they have read. There will be many incentives for the best individual readers and the classrooms that receive the most points.
Field Trips:
Myself, along with my esteemed colleagues, usually plan 2-3 field trips per year. In the past, we have gone to Six Flags (for ISAT Saturdays) and the Cardinals game (for good grades and behavior). We will probably have these same field trips again this year and maybe even add on one or two for some really fun and educations experiences!
Let’s Have a Great Year! Aim High! Reach Your Goals!
