1. Middle School Language Arts & Social Studies
Course Outline
Welcome back to another exciting school year here at St. Patrick. I am very excited to be
entering my fifth year teaching at St. Pat's, and I am eager help each student reach and exceed
the learning goals over the next nine months. After reading over the syllabus, if you still have
questions, please contact me by email or visit my website
Textbook
Students will be required to keep all of their textbooks covered throughout the school year in
order to assure quality textbooks for future classes.
It is expected that all students will come to class each day with their Social Studies text.
Social Studies: Houghton Mifflin Social Studies
6th: A Message of Ancient Days
7th: Across the Centuries
8th A More Perfect Union
Supplies
Students will be expected to come to class each day with the following items.
2 Composition books
1 will be used as a morning jumpstart
1 will be used a a pre-write notebook
1 spiral one-subject notebook
To be used as ISN
1 yellow tablet
To be used as a rough draft tablet
Textbooks
Art supplies
Pencils and pens
Classroom Management Plan
It is the responsibility of everyone in the classroom to help create and maintain a positive learning
environment. Students are expected to be respectful to his or her classmates as well as to
teachers and other staff, be present and on time to class, and have needed materials in class
everyday.

2. Grading Scale/ weights
The following are the subjects that will be graded by Mr. Parent. Grades will be based on points
assigned to tests, projects, quizzes, daily class work, homework, ISN, and presentations. Below
are percentages of how each component is weighed:
Language Arts:
Listening/Speaking 25%, Grammar 30%, Writing 40% and Homework 5%
Spelling:
Tests/Quizzes 95% and Homework 5%
Social Studies:
Geography – Map and Diagram Skills 25%, Projects ( ISN) 30%, History Knowledge 40% and
Homework 5%
Art (8th grade only):
Projects 95% and Homework 5%
Percentage Grade Equivalent
97-100% A
93-96% A-
90-92% B+
87-89% B
85-86% B-
80-84% C+
75-79% C
70-74% C-
65-69% D
Below 65% F

3. Testing
Tests will be announced at least a week prior to the scheduled day. Quizzes will be given weekly
to assess student's progress of knowledge. Most quizzes will be on scheduled days of the week
with occasional unannounced quizzes. If you were absent the day of a test or quiz, the test or
quiz must be made up on your time, recess, lunch, or after school. You must make an
appointment ahead of time before you do so.
Homework and Makeup Work
Homework will be assigned everyday and must be turned in on it's due date. Only students who
meet the requirements of absences in the student handbook will be allowed to make up any
missed work. (See page 29 in student handbook.) The student will need to make arrangements
with the teacher to complete any missed work. Make-up work is the student’s responsibility, not
the teacher’s responsibility! See the Student handbook for details.
ATTENDANCE
Please read the student handbook for the full school attendance policy.
Absence
• When a pupil has been absent, a written excuse signed by the parent or guardian is
required, and this must be kept on file until the end of the official grading period.
• When a pupil is absent without an excuse, the situation should be investigated and
appropriate remedies applied. Truancy should be reported to the school.
• If a student is absent for fifteen days or more during a marking period, official grades
may be withheld, unless the work is made up. This decision is, however, left to the
judgment of the principal.
Tardies
- 3 unexcused tardies = Conference with teacher
- 5 unexcused tardies = Conference with principal/administration
- 3 truancies = Conference with principal/administration
Academic Requirements
Students are required to maintain a GPA of 2.30 in order to participate in fieldtrips and
upcoming class activities.
Websites
Students will be using several different websites that will support learning this year. Students
will be required to sign a terms and agreement form in order to use the "Spider's Web."

4. This is your "homebase" website. All of your teachers will have a website this year, and this is
mine. You can find your homework, a calendar of events, instruction, and other useful sites for
social studies and writing here:
http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/7th8th/
Classmarker.com will be used throughout the year for some quizzes and tests.
http://www.classmarker.com/
The Spider's Web blogs will be used to publish completed student writing. Students will also be
receiving a grade for their blogs:
http://tparent831.edublogs.org/