Week of November 9-November 13, 2009

This week, we begin learning about the formation of the Constitution. Test corrections were due today.  We get a new current event assignment today and it will be due on 11/16.  This week we learn about founding documents and begin working on our founding documents skits.  Vocabulary is due this Friday, 11/13.

Week of November 2-November 6, 2009

Today we have the mock elections and we will see how accurate our students are at determining the next political office holders.  For the remainder of the week, we will focus on reading about one of the dirtiest recent elections. On Wednesday, students will be given a Vocabulary list that is due on 11/13.

Week of October 26-October 30, 2009

We continue working on our mock elections this week.  Remember, that students' political parties essay is due this Friday, October 30 in Advisory.

Week of October 19-October 23, 2009

Current Event #2 is due today.  This week we learn about the electoral college and review for the Unit Test on Thursday, 10/22.  Unit notes are also due on this day. Students are also assigned an essay comparing the two political parties.  That paper is due on 10/30. Please have your child bring in his/her white t-shirt for our mock elections by this Thursday, 10/22.

Week of October 12-October 16, 2009

Current Event #1 and Political Parties Vocabulary is due today, 10/12, in Advisory.  We examine voting in VA, the Mass Media and Public Influence on elections this week.  Current Event #2 is due next Monday, 10/19. Please remember to get your t-shirts for our political parties unit turned in this week.

Week of October 5-October 9, 2009

This week we begin our Political Parties Unit.  We start by examing political ideology and the functions of political parties.  You child was given his/her Economics Unit Test back today.  Test Corrections for this test are due Wednesday, 10/7.  Political Parties Vocabulary was also handed out and is due 10/12.  Current Event #1 is due 10/12 as well.

Week of September 29-October 2, 2009

This week we complete or product ads with an informal presentation.  We also examine energy problems and how countries are dealing with them econmically.

Week of September 21-September 25, 2009

Current Event #3 is due on Monday, 9/21.  We finish our unit on Economics this week with a Unit Test on Friday, 9/25.  Also on Friday, 9/25, students Economics Notes will be due. On Monday, students are assigned a product essay.  This project is due on Monday, 9/28 in Advisory. On that day, students will also give an oral presentation about their product.

Week of September 14-September 18, 2009

Current Event #2 is due on Monday, 9/14.  We continue our economics unit this week and will have a Quest (a big Quiz worth 75 points) on Friday, 9/18.  The Quest will cover topics from last week through Tuesday. Economics Vocabulary is due on 9/18 in Advisory.  Current Event #3 is due on Monday, 9/21.

Week of September 7-September 11, 2009

Current Event #1 is due on Tuesday, 9/8. This week we begin our economics unit.  On Tuesday students are assigned a short writing assignment regarding the economic concept of opportunity cost.  On Wednesday, students will be assigned Economics Vocabulary, due on 9/18.  Please make sure your child stays on top of this.  Current Event #2 will be due on Monday, 9/14.

Week of August 31-September 4, 2009

We will look at how to write a current event in class on Monday and Tuesday.  Current Events will be due each Monday, except for the first one which will be due the Tuesday after Labor Day, Sept. 8.  Current Events teach the kids about what is going on and it is another way we teach them how to write analytically.  They are always due in Advisory 1st Period. On Wednesday we begin our examination of the US Constitution. We will have a quiz on what we have learned about the document on Friday.

Important Dates This Week:

Constitution Quiz, Sept. 4

Current Event #1 Due Sept. 8.

Week of August 24-28, 2009

This week students will continue working on their voting essay.  We will spend the week in the computer labs to allow students to begin writing when they are ready.  On Friday, the essay is due in Advisory along with a brief 1 minute oral presentation.

Week of August 17-August 21, 2009

Welcome to Mr. Teller's 8th grade civics class. This week students will receive the course syllabus, guidelines for my class, and the civics website form.   Please make sure to sign these forms and have your student return the last two to me.  Notice that there is a writing assignment each week in the form of a current event. This assignment requires students to read a newspaper article and to write a summary and an analysis about the impact the event may have on our society. The assignment is accessible on my website under "worksheets." Links to newspapers are found under "links" on my website.  Computers are available for use during advisory time in the library. 

We will spend time this week learning how to write analytically for civics class and students will be assigned an essay on voting.  The essay along with a brief 1 minute presentation will be due on Friday, 8/27.  Students will have time next week to do some work on the essay but should also be working on it at home.

A calendar can also be found on my website. There, you will find due dates, class projects and lessons.

Next week, students will be assigned their first current event. This assignment will be due on September 8.  

In addition to current events each week, students will be assigned one five paragraph essay each six weeks. Students will be given an average of 1.5 weeks to complete each essay. I will try to work in some class time as well.

Please contact me at any time during the school year via email or by phone at BMS with any questions or concerns. I am looking forward to working together  this school year!

Upcoming Due Dates:
8/27-Voting Essay #1
8/27-Essay Presentation
9/8-Current Event #1