Week of August 17-August 21, 2009
Welcome to Ms. Levinson'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
