8th Grade Social Studies-Montana History

•Core Classes: Math, Language Arts, Physical Education, Science And

Social Studies

Social Studies is an integrated study of the past and its effects in order to promote civil competence.

Across Montana, students in either 7th or 8th grade learn Montana History.

Question: What is your Montana History?

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Team Synergy and Mr. Hoth

•Teaming: Enhances your education by allowing a school within a school to better tailor your learning.

Your Synergy Team meets daily to coordinate your learning and constantly seek ways to make your 8th Grade

year safe, responsible, respectful, and enjoyable.

My main goal is to inspire you with our amazing past and make it relevant to our present.

Question: Is Montana your Future?

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History? Why?

•You use history for every decision you make.

History helps you reflect on choices, consequences, responsibilities, and helps insure your future.

Montana’s past is filled with stories of rocks, nameless people, fantastic tribes, brave explorers, greedy entrepreneurs, selfless heroes, and amazing locations.

Question: Where is your Special Montana?

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It’s the Law?

•In 1972, Our new Constitution required every student to study our history.

The results speak for themselves. We graduate more who know more, provide more, and have turned Montana into the Last Best Place.

Along our journey, your identity will be molded, your beliefs will be challenged, and you will be ready to take

Montana further into the 21st Century.

Question: Do you know any Montana History? 04

Expectations at KMS!

•Don’t be rude. It is only funny to you.

•Be polite. You might make someone’s day.

•Your education should be your top priority. •Failure shouldn’t be an option. •Everyone has excuses. •Everyone has problems. •Your effort needs to exceed your ego.

•Ask for help. •Raise your hand. •Don’t interrupt or

criticize. •Respect everyone

and yourself. •Strive to

understand. •Don’t bully.

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My Class Specifics •We do lots of art.

•We take notes. We take tests. We do homework. •We write. We play school.

•My Class Rules: •Spill-proof water bottles

filled only with water. •Electronic devices are prohibited except for

research during group days. •Candies and gum may be enjoyed if it isn’t an issue. •No sunflower seed or

other obnoxious smelling candy or gum please.

•Bathroom breaks may be requested

and are rarely turned down

unless they are continual.

•Tidy up your area. •Wait for dismissal.

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Your Responsibilities

Take out a piece of paper and write down two sentences of at least nine words each.

•On average, you will do this 29 more times over the course of a typical 2 week Unit. Each Unit is around 30 total notes.

•This is your reference material for your homework and tests. •Your handwritten notes are the only items allowed during test

days. No copies or borrowing. I consider this cheating.

•Refusal to participate in notes, turn in homework, or work on in-class projects has consequences. •Standard Based Grading requires evidence in order to accurately evaluate your abilities and skills.

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My Evaluations Throughout the year, I evaluate your understanding of history and your ability to convincingly write and

reflect about it.

Besides my notes, your textbook is your other main source of information and the basis for the class notes.

•Most class units are one chapter in length. •The 15 or so units throughout the year might occasionally

include multiple book chapters.

•Units include note, group, movie, project, and test Days and typically last two weeks. •Evaluation is continual and is based upon three pieces of homework or projects, and a unit test.

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Three Homeworks?

•Each unit includes one Group Day to help you, but that Is the only class time given. Group days are structured for cooperative learning. •The three Homeworks are typically given at the beginning of the unit,

each with its own end of class period due-date. •Each Homework evaluates one Social Studies’ standard, but lack of, or poor homework, will also be reflected in the weekly Work Ethic score.

•Vocabulary Homework requiring research, proper use and

definition. Utilizes notes, the book, and other outside research. Includes puzzles and writing.

•Unit Homework requiring reading, research, and short writing.

Utilizes the book or other outside research. Short sentence answers.

•The last homework is nicknamed ‘3-Pick’

•This flexible assignment might be an art project one

unit and a movie the next. It might include library research

time and lead to an essay about being a miner in 1862 Montana or allow you to try your hand at Cowboy poetry. 09

Group Days

•Group days allow SYNERGY to flow between students to produce results. •Groups are 3 people only. Spares will

be assigned to a current group of 3.

Group Procedures •Each group must include one new

member each group day. •Groups must first select a leader.

Leaders are responsible for keeping groups on task.

•Each student is responsible for their own homework.

•Group time must stay focused or it will be replaced with individual,

less social time.

•Electronic Device Restrictions

•Group days allow students to utilize modern technology.

•Any violation of the acceptable use policy or use of devices for chatting or other illicit uses will

result in suspensions from future technology use and

scores of 0 for all Unit Homeworks.

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Unit Flowchart

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Book Time Book Time

Vocabulary Homework

Due!

Work Ethic Assessment

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Jeopardy Team Submissions

Jeopardy Teams

Announced

Unit Homework

Due!

Work Ethic Assessment

3-Pick Homework

Due!

Week 1

Week 2

Previous Unit’s Review

New Unit Homeworks Handed Out

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Work Ethic

•Work Ethic is the assessment of how well you play school. •KMS utilizes three measureable areas: safety, respectfulness, and

responsibility. I average the three for a final, weekly, Work Ethic Grade.

Work Ethic Repercussions •Any time your work ethic in any Core Class averages a 1, you are excluded from athletics, clubs,

field trips, or other fun activities. •Anytime your work ethic in Social

Studies averages a 2 or lower, individual punishments may

include re-teach time, or parental and administrative involvement.

Work Ethic Bonuses •At the end of Trimesters 1

and 2, students who averaged a 3.9 or higher work ethic will

receive a homework pass. •Homework passes may be used on any upcoming homework for a maximum standard’s score.

•Each Work Ethic Area allows for accurate records of failure to turn in homework, disruptions in class, disrespect, or tardiness.

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Jeopardy with Mr. Biggs •Right before each Unit Test, my co-teacher, Mr. R.B.

Biggs will take over and oversee Jeopardy. •Mr. Biggs is the oldest Montanan and was alive during

the construction of the Great Northern Railroad. •His boss, James Hill, is the reason Kalispell exists.

•Mr. Biggs worked for 40 years overseeing construction of the

Great Northern Railroad from Havre to Troy.

•Besides running Jeopardy, Mr. Biggs’ intimate knowledge of

Montana will benefit students with a primary source of research.

•5 member teams are recommended by students but must be approved for fairness.

•Jeopardy consists of Unit category ‘answers’ given to ‘questions’ worth different

scores. •Teams will select leaders who

are the only ones who may give responses after consulting

with their teams.

•Winning team members each receive a homework pass good for a

full standard’s score. 13

mr-hoth.com •Everything taught or utilized in each unit is available

on-line at my website:

mr-hoth.com

•Each Unit has its own Montana Home that leads to a gateway page. •Each gateway page includes all homeworks, relevant links, vocabulary

words and their usage, unit slideshows, and book chapters. •Each Unit gateway page also includes a relevant map utilized during the unit. Questions from unit homeworks or 3-picks might utilize these maps

and information from them might appear on unit tests.

When you’re absent, it is your responsibility to visit my website:

mr-hoth.com To make up notes,

download homework, or even get ahead on your

notes.

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