Social Studies 8 – U.S. History
Mr. McMahon
C.R. Anderson Middle School
406-324-2819
Room 222
dmcmahon@helenaschools.org
Course Summary
This course is designed to provide students with learning tasks and opportunities to study American history from the Constitution/Manifest Destiny to the present. Emphasis is placed on vocabulary, critical thinking, and interpretation of original documents as aligned to Montana state and C-3 Inquiry Based Learning Standards. Through lecture, discussion, debate, role play, and simulations, students will participate in a variety of class activities to develop a better understanding of where the United States has been and key issues that have shaped its development. Emphasis on continued progress towards proficiency in individual student reading and writing skills will be class goals so multiple assigned opportunities should be expected. It is important to note that students are expected to continually develop their Geographic, Civic, and Current Issues Awareness as well.
Text and Resources
TCI – History Alive! The United States Through Modern Times (online curriculum), Student News (10-minute current events news program), “America the Story of Us” (History Channel), “The Men Who Built America” (History Channel), and various other digitally delivered resources and applications.
Materials
Chromebook, pens and/or pencils, Highlighters, Colored Pencils, ear buds/headphones, 3-Ring Binder w/Class Notebook and Folder
How will students be assessed?
Classwork will consist of using the online TCI Interactive Notebook, various handouts, maps, and various short writing activities (bell ringers/exit tickets). These will all have various assigned point values and will account for 30% of the student’s total grade.  Assessments in the form of online TCI Lesson Games (quizzes), vocabulary quizzes, traditional tests, written response assessments, and projects will account for the other 70% of the student’s total grade. Grades are determined by dividing the total points you earned by the total that was possible with the appropriate weight for the two categories being assigned. The grading scale will be 90-100 is an A, 80-89 is a B, 70-79 is a C, 60 –69 is a D, and 0-59 is a F. Check your grades often to make sure you have everything in, and it is what you expect it to be.Â
What can students do to raise their grade?
The goal in this Social Studies class is to ensure that students master the essential standards for the class, so any efforts to raise a student’s grade will have the same goal. Options include correcting assignments, enrichment, and/or test retakes. KEEP IN MIND:
STUDENT HINTS FOR SUCCESS!
 Classroom Rules
It should be an AWESOME JOURNEY that WE get to take this year.
Thanks So Much,
Mr. McMahon