Dear Student and Parent,

8th grade social studies is a year long class that focuses on the history of the United Statesfrom the Colonial Period to the time of Reconstruction.The class will also serve to satisfy the high school graduation requirement for the study of Pacific Northwest history. Students who do not pass either semester of this class will be required to take and pass Pacific Northwest History when they get to high school.

Grading - Grades in this class will be based on a variety factors. Each week there will be a 10 point quiz on Friday. During the course of each week there will probably be homework or daily work assignments worth three to five points . Over the course of the quarter there will also be a midterm and final test as well as a written project, all worth 100 points each. Grades can be checked on-line as they are entered via family access.

Scope:

1st quarter: We will consider the colonial period, how the original thirteen colonies were founded and settled with some background on how explorers set the stage for settlement. We will also begin an examination of the geography of the Pacific Northwest.

2nd quarter: Next to be covered will be the American Revolution, its background and its results. In the Pacific Northwest we will examine the maritime explorations and fur traders.

3rd quarter: The formation of our country and the establishment of the Constitution will form the basis for this quarter. Also considered will be the beginning of westward expansion and the first settlements in the Northwest.

4th quarter: The Civil War and the issues that led to it as weel as the Reconstruction will form the basis for this quarter. In the Pacific Northwest we will consider the growth of the region and the economy that drives that growth.

I am excited at the prospect of teaching our program to your child. If you need to contact me you may reach me at the school at 279-5321 or you may e-mail me at deigenraam@ohsd.net .

Sincerely,

Dick Eigenraam
Social Studies Teacher