WELCOME TO 8TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES!

Hello. Feel free to look through your agenda (the grayish colored binder) and all the “fun stuff” on your desk. We will go over all that “stuff” today and tomorrow. Fun…fun…fun!

- Mr. Taff

STUDENT INFORMATION CARD

[On the back, write one interesting fact about yourself]

X

Student Name: ________________ Date of Birth: _________________Parent/Guardian: ___________________________________________Parent/Guardian: ___________________________________________Student’s Home Address: ____________________________________Home phone: ______________ Cell: ____________ Work: __________Other numbers parents can be reached at: ______________________E-mail address: _____________________________________________2nd e-mail address: __________________________________________Do you have daily access to the internet after school hours? YES NOEmergency contact personAnd number to be reached at: _________________________________Transportation: car walk/bike bus#________ other ________Are there any allergies or medical conditions you have? ____________Are you interested in volunteering here? _________________________

“DO NOW” ACTIVITY – 5 MIN. Select an index card and marker from the

basket on the table in the front of the room. ATTN: There might not be enough markers for

everyone so please share! Fold the card in half lengthwise (like a hotdog

bun). Print your name in the center of each side of

the card. Place the card in front of you (Share the

markers with other classmates when finished).

PAPERWORK ON YOUR DESK

RULES/GUIDELINES

I don’t have a handout…things in here are simple!

PERMISSION TO LEAVE THE ROOM… To leave the room, ASK

for permission. If you have permission,

come and grab a pass from me and then sign out on the “sign out form” by the door.

Please come back!!! Pretty simple…pretty

easy, right?

GRADING SCALE… Based on a 7.0 scale Tests/Quizzes = 30% Homework = 30%

Projects will count as homework Class work = 30%

Group work “in class” is considered class work

Class Participation/Materials = 10%

QUESTIONNAIRE

1.Who is your BEST teacher ever & why?

2.Who is your WORST teacher ever & why?

“MY TEACHING STYLE”Core 2 start

“I am convinced that schools attempt to cover far too much material and that superficial understandings (or non-understandings) are the inevitable result. It makes far more sense to spend a significant amount of time on key concepts, general ideas, and essential questions and to allow students to become thoroughly familiar with these notions and their implications.”— Howard Gardner

TO BE CRITICAL THINKERS…WHAT?

Here’s my point…

I want you to be able to make decisions in your life…and make the RIGHT ones!

If I can make you think for yourselves, then I’ve accomplished my goal here.

End of core 1, 3 & 4

What are you hoping to take away from this class?

DAY #2

GUESS THE STUDENT’S ITEM Please place “1” item of yours at the front

of the room while I am “in the closet.” When everyone has placed an item up

here, I will come out and try to guess who belongs to the item.

If I guess correctly, that student then has to take over and continue the process until completed.

Let’s have some fun!!!

“YOUR LEARNING STYLE”

“MULTIPLE LEARNING STYLES”

Students have different learning styles.Each of us is stronger in some types of intelligence than in others.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------• You might be “word smart,” or have verbal-linguistic intelligence.• You might be “music smart,” or have musical-rhythmic intelligence.• You might be “number smart,” or have logical-mathematical intelligence.• You might be “picture smart,” or have visual-spatial intelligence.• You might be “body smart,” or have body-kinesthetic intelligence.• You might be “people smart,” or have interpersonal intelligence.• You might be “self-smart,” or have intrapersonal intelligence.

WHAT IS AN AMERICAN EDUCATION ???

The Goals of Public Schooling

WHAT DO YOU LEARN IN SCHOOL?

Quality or Quantity? Is cramming as much info as I can down your throat beneficial to you? NO!!!

FACT = We are becoming more schooled, yet less educated overall.

JCMS POLICY BOOKPlease take em’ out!

You can all expect a fun and enjoyable year with me. I ain’t your typical history teacher…so be

warned! You might actually enjoy history.

Day #3

DO NOW - (FRIDAY, AUG. 27TH) This question was taken from a survey

of random employers throughout the US:“Other than being able to do the job, what do you think most employers look for in an employee?”

Please take these 5 minutes to write down what you think are the top 5 qualities or skills.

TOP RATED CHARACTERISTICS

-------------- A LITTLE TIP---------------

Creating a Cooperative, Tolerant Classroom

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What should I expect in this class?-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DESK OLYMPICS You will be working in several types of small groups

throughout the year and must know how to move into each type of group quickly and efficiently.

Before you move into groups, I will tell you the materials you will need to take with you, (2) with whom you will be working with and, (3) where you will be working.

I will consider groups to be prepared only when all are seated quietly and properly with materials out and ready.

Your desk arrangement is important to group success.

COOPERATIVE SKILLS1. Break tension and be friendly.2. Learn and use names.3. Arrange desks properly.4. Use positive body language.5. Be aware of eye contact.6. Listen to others and take turns giving ideas.7. Use positive comments, encourage, and express appreciation.8. Be helpful and assist each other.9. Disagree in an agreeable way.10. Stay on task.

TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITY Human Statues - Each group will be

assigned something different that they must work together to mimic with their bodies, ex:some kind of object or person/animal.

I will award ring pops to group members who can physically represent their object or animal the best! If the class can immediately identify it, that group will receive 2 bonus points for the day.

“KEY IDEAS BEHIND MY STYLE/APPROACH”

1. Students have different learning styles.2. Cooperative interaction increases learning.3. All students can learn.4. Students learn best when they have a clear goal.5. Both reading and non-reading activities improve learning.

ONSLOW COUNTY POLICY BOOKPlease take em’ out!

ASSESSMENT TEST MONDAY