Welcome to Ms. Dermody's Social Studies Class!

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.” - Abraham Lincoln

Be prepared for a vigorous and exciting journey that will make you become engaged  and excited to learn more about the world around you.  My goal for you is have you succeed. However to establish your success, you have the responsibility/goals to come to class prepared to participate, studied and walking through the door with a positive attitude.   My responsibility for you is for me to come prepared, with engaging lessons that will be fun, exciting and hopefully raise your thinking, writing and your social skills. I look forward to working with you this year!

How you will be Evaluated:

Participation and Homework (20%)

All students are required to get here and be seated ready to learn before the bell.  If students are late 3 times, without a pass, detention will be assigned.  All students should come prepared for class.  This means pen, paper, homework, and studied.  You are heavily encouraged to participate in class, asking questions on the homework or about the subject area.  Homework is assigned every day.  It will be checked and graded during your bell ringer.  The assignments will be short and designed for you to connect historical themes and ready you for tests and state exams.

Quizzes and Tests (40%)

 In order to completely assess the way you think, and the material you have learned: it is critical to have the “dreadful” quiz.  These quizzes will be ANNOUNCED, and will be weekly on learned material. There will be a Test after every chapter. The test will be ANNOUNCED, we will have a “Review Day” before the day of the Test.  If you are not present the day of the Test, please re-schedule ASAP!

Essays/ Outlines (15%)

There will be 2-3 short essays due Every Quarter. There will be an outline due before each essay you write. You will also be given a workshop on how to prepare you essay and thesis.

 Projects 25%

 There will be FOUR projects for the school year.  You will be required to pick a topic you are interested in, something we may have glanced at that you want to cover more in depth. You can work by yourself, or in a group.  The goal of the project is to be Creative as possible. Examples include: skit, song, art, poetry, a model. You will have a proposal for this project.  Feel free to talk to me about ideas and goals that you want to achieve. At the end of the semester, everyone will give their presentations, teaching the class through their own creative lens.

Homework and Participation: 20%

Tests and Quizzes:                    40%

Essays and Outlines:                15%

Projects:                                 ₊  25%

                                                  100%

Please feel free to ask questions, I am here after school, before school, and during lunch.  My goal is for you to be a Success! Good Luck!