8th Grade History Course Outline
Teacher: Mr. Taliaferro
Welcome
The focus of this course will be a study of World History, following up on the 7th grade curriculum and beginning with a review of the “Fall of Rome”. The major focus of the course is an examination of European history from the end of the Roman Empire through the Protestant Reformation, but additional units of study include learning about the historical impact of Islam, as well as units on China and Japan as we investigate East Asia. This course covers several themes throughout the year, including the development of traditional religions, the evolution of economic class systems, the rise of European monarchs and the development of various types of governments including autocracies, theocracies and feudalism.
Text and Materials
Text Book: World History: Connections To Today - Prentice Hall
• Each student should have a three ring binder and loose leaf paper which will be divided up into the units we cover.
• Please place all materials you receive from me in this binder, as well as your homework and any classwork and notes we take in class.
Question of the Day
We will begin most days with a brief “Question of the Day”. Usually I will post a “Question of the Day” which will be tied into that day’s lesson. This will typically be graded on participation alone, serving as a “warm up” which is designed to get your mind thinking about Social Studies. Simply place the date and question at the top of the page and write a thoughtful response. More often than not, this activity will provide you with a way to easily review some of the main ideas before a test or quiz. This activity will be a daily routine and will be completed on an individual or a group basis.
Grading
Grades are an important part of the learning process. The following is a basic run-down of the assessment tools used in this class.
Tests - Generally given at the end of each chapter/unit.
Quizzes – Typically 2-3 per chapter/unit.
Map Checks – Information given out at the beginning of the week, outline map check taken at the end of the same week; often no more than 15 locations.
Projects – Both individual and group projects will be a consistent part of this class; expect 2-3 per term.
Class Participation – Daily input provided by you, both by asking questions and offering answers or follow-up.
Homework – Expect social studies homework 3-4 nights a week, with varying difficulty.
All grades in this class are out of 100% (100 points).
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