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** Mr. Michael Xydias **

 * mxydias2@rockdale.k12.ga.us **
 * 770-483-3371 ext. 23180 **

=** Welcome to Mr. Xydias' 8th Grade Social Studies! **= = = = = = =
 * CMS Track Page **

** Course Overview ** Welcome to 8th grade Georgia Studies. This year will be exploring how Georgia coincides with the United States. We will be studying its geographical features, location, climate, historical events, economic and environmental impact, culture, and government systems. Please review the syllabus to learn about how the course will be graded, homework and late work policies, as well as other helpful information that ensure that your experience in social studies will be a success. Homework is given as practice. This practice is very important in helping each student to review daily lessons taught in class, retain information, and reinforce skills and concepts. Even if homework is not assigned on a particular night it is expected that students review their notes for at least 15 to 20 minutes each night. Incomplete in-class assignments should be completed as homework and brought to class the next day to be turned in. ||
 * ** 8th Grade Social Studies Syllabus ** ||
 * ** Homework Policy **


 * ** Late Work & ** ** Make-Up Work Policies **

Late Work: Up to 10% can be lost after each day an assignment is late. Once a Unit of Study has been completed, no late work will be accepted for that unit. In-class assignments that are not completed during class due to a student’s refusal to work may not be made up.

Make-Up Work: If you are absent, it is **YOUR** responsibility to complete all missing assignments and turn them in. Missing assignments should be turned in no later than 3 days from the day you were absent. Make-up work turned in after 3 days is subject to the late work policy. ||

Please refer to the 2012-2013 Standards-Based Assessment, Grading and Reporting Middle School Parent Guide for your child’s grade. ||
 * ** Grading Policy **


 * ** Expectations & Consequences ** ====__**Expectations:**__====

Along with all of the rules in the student handbook, all students are expected to:

 * ====Be in your assigned seat and prepared to begin class on time.====
 * ====Start the daily warm-up questions upon entering the classroom. DO NOT wait for the teacher to tell you to get started.====
 * ====Bring all of your necessary materials to class.====
 * ====No candy, gum, food or drinks. No personal grooming.====
 * ====Raise your hand to speak or leave your seat.====
 * ====Respect yourself and others at all times.====

Any students not meeting these expectations will:

 * ====Be given a verbal warning and an opportunity to correct their behavior.====
 * ====Have a parent/guardian contact.====
 * ====Be assigned detentions, before or after school.====
 * ====Be referred to the office for school-level consequences, such as ISS or OSS.==== ||


 * Materials Needed for Class
 * 2 Spiral Notebooks
 * Pens, pencils, crayons, glue, scissors, rulers, and other art supplies for class projects. ||


 * ===**No Name = No Grade! Put your name on yourpaper**.=== ||

Get to class on time! If you are late you must have a pass. When the teacher closes the door you are considered tardy. Consequences for being tardy are:
 * ** Tardy Policy **
 * 1st tardy – verbal warning
 * 2nd tardy – parent/guardian contact
 * 3rd tardy – detention before or after school
 * 4th or more tardies – office referral. ||

Class Work: Paying attention, asking/answering questions, participating in class activities, and completing work correctly and in a timely fashion are important. Assignments not finished in class are to be taken home, completed and turned in the next day unless other specified by the teacher. Assignments to be completed will be written on the board in the “Homework” section. Also, assignments to be completed should be written down in your agenda. Projects: Projects are assigned to extend concepts learned in class. Projects are to be completed over several days and may be completed in groups or individually depending on the project. Some class time may be used to work on the assignment. Quizzes: Will be given to monitor progress. Quizzes will be given regularly and may or may not be announced prior to being given. Tests: Will be given at the end of major units or projects. The teacher will give notice before a test to allow time to prepare and study. Notebooks: Required to keep all daily work, warm-up questions, notes, worksheets, quizzes and tests organized. Notebooks will be checked regularly to see if you are keeping with your assignments. ||
 * ** Class Assignment Expectations **

You will be responsible for paying to replace your textbook if it lost or stolen. You will also be responsible for paying for any damages done to your textbook while it is in your possession. Textbook checks will be done frequently to ensure each student has their assigned textbook. ||
 * ** Textbooks **

ONLINE: [|www.mystatehistory.com/] Password: ga11hist Payment will be expected for the cost of replacing the book if your child damages or loses the book. Price of the textbook is $67.50
 * Textbook:** Georgia and the American Experience