Copy of 2010 Syllabus

Mr. Toole’s Syllabus for Eighth Grade Social Studies

My goal is to provide a caring and safe environment where your child can grow academically and socially. I will work along with each student to help them succeed.

It is my expectation that all students will take an active role in their education and work hard to get good grades and become a lifelong learner. I believe all students are capable of success in my social studies class given they put forth a good faith effort.

I have created a classroom blog. This is a classroom resource website. You can access it at: mrtoole2010.blogspot.com. The blog shares with students and parents the current studies, resources, test reviews and happenings in my social studies classes. I encourage all students and parents to utilize this valuable resource. I will add to the blog as the school year progresses. Throughout the year, if you have questions or concerns, I am easily accessible via email communication. My email address is: bob.toole@staff.spartaschools.org.

Supplies:
· Come to class every day prepared with a social studies notebook, planner
and the assigned History Alive Textbook.
· Pencils for daily work as well as for tests and quizzes.
· Colored pencils may be needed to complete certain assignments (these are
available in class as well).
Attendance:
· Be on time to class
· Be in your assigned seat when class begins
· Be prepared with materials and a sharpened pencil when Mr. Toole is ready
to start teaching
Make-up work:
· Students are responsible for making arrangement to complete make up work
or assessments.
· When returning from an absence get materials from the absent folder and
fill in planner with assignments missed. Ask a friend and then Mr. Toole,
if necessary for clarification.
· Make up work must be completed within 1 day for each day absent unless
arrangements are made with Mr. Toole ahead of time. A zero will be
assigned to work not turned in within the timeframe.
Homework/Class work:
· All assigned work needs to be completed and turned in on time for a grade.
· Homework and class work turned in late will not be given a grade and score
will be recorded as a zero.
· Failure to complete and/or turn in assignments will negatively affect your
final grade in social studies
Grading:
· Daily class work and homework are worth approximately 30% of the final
grade
· Quizzes and tests are worth approximately 70% of the final grade

Welcome to the start of the 2010-2011 school year and Mr. Toole's Classroom Blog!

The purpose for this blog is to provide the students, parents and other interested viewers a chance to access what is happening in our Sparta Middle School 8th Grade Social Studies Class and more. I am very excited for this school year. Welcome all of you! It is great to have so many awesome students in my classroom. A special welcome to our new Sparta students and families...you'll find this is a great place to be!

Students and parents are encouraged to use this blog as an online classroom resource. I would like to see this blog as a valuable tool and resource. Parents and students, if you need to contact me, I encourage you to email me at bob.toole@staff.spartaschools.org. I will check my emails regularly. This blog will include information on our unit of study, critical vocabulary, content big ideas, and essential questions. And of course, for those of you who already know me, I will also share information about my family and personal interests.

I am Looking Forward to an Awesome Year!

-Mr. Bob Toole
"Teach a Worm to Swim....Go Fishing!"