Civics Class Syllabus
8th Grade History
CIVICS
Water Learning Community
Mr. Eric Bakke
ebakke@arlington.k12.ma.us
Room 313
Daily Toolkit
Be prepared every day with:
- Chromebook (with charger)
- Headphones
- Blue 3 prong folder
- with 30 sheets College ruled paper
(in clasps of folder)
- Colored pencils
- Black ink pen
When to Talk about
Missed Work
1 Email
2 After school
3 While checking today's work
4 If class is independently working
Digital Spaces
Live LC Calendar Scan for assignments & LC website
Google Classroom Tip
Comments on assignments aren't visible until I grade them. Email or speak to me in person!
Communicate
Your Voice & Advocacy
Our goal is to help you grow into an independent civic thinker. If you have questions or concerns about an assignment, start a conversation! Step up, chat after school, or send an email.
Email Etiquette
Every email to a teacher must include four vital sections:
.
✓
Subject Line e.g., Homework Question
✓
Greeting Line e.g., Dear Mr. Bakke,
.
✓
Separate Body Text Clear message space
✓
Signature Line Your full name &
class color
Missed Class? No Sweat!
When you're out, keeping track of your assignments is your responsibility. Catch up on Google Classroom, complete the missed work, or seek me out directly after school for assistance.
Keep It Real: Academic Honesty
Your brain, your thoughts! Copying someone else's ideas or words, using generated text from AI or online, or copying from a friend is cheating. Cheating results in a zero and may involve disciplinary action. Let's see what you can do!
Staying on Track
Grades show progress; portal updated regularly.
Grade Portal Updated regularly so you always know where progress stands
.
Pacing & Deadlines Points deducted daily for late work. After a unit, assignments may no longer be accepted.
Missing Work (Zeroes) Unsubmitted work is a temporary zero until you show it for credit
.
Absence VS Late Absences receive an absent tag; late work receives a late indicator.
Student Duty Notify me directly once completed. Check the portal, not Classroom!
.
If it's not in the portal yet, it's not late.
UNITS & GRADING
Year at a Glance
What We'll Learn
UNIT I
Intro & Gov Structure
Types of government, civic virtue, and U.S. structure.
UNIT II
Influences
Enlightenment Thinkers, Ancient Greece & Rome, and British roots.
UNIT III
Founding Documents
Declaration of Independence, US Constitution, & Bill of Rights
.
UNIT IV
Execute It!
The Executive Branch: President, Cabinet, & departments.
UNIT V
Legislate Yo’ Self
The Legislative Branch: Congress, committees, & political parties.
UNIT VI
Full Court Justice
The Judicial Branch: Supreme Court, US and State Court structures, jury duty, and trials.
UNIT VII
All Politics is Local
MA State Government, town & city structures, Arlington and Boston, school districts
UNIT VIII
Expanding Rights
Black equality, women's rights, Disability Rights, and student interest-based movements
CAP
Civics Action Project
Student-led community issues project.
How You're Evaluated
Each category weighs equally (25% each)
ASSIGNMENTS 25%
In class work and may need to finish at home
5 points each
PROJECTS 25%
Mix of group and individual creative and larger Productions.
Per rubric
PARTICIPATION 25%
Engagement & folder checks
25 pts/unit
TESTS & QUIZZES 25%
Vocab quizzes(10 pts) & end-of-unit tests.
30-50 points
No-Stress Test Blueprint
WE PREPARE TOGETHER
1 ADVANCED NOTICE
Announced 2 weeks prior
2 STUDY GUIDE
Received 1+ week before
3 PREP
Full day in class on working on the study guide
4 REVIEW GAME
Day before the test
Personal Habit Tracker
Spend 20 minutes a night studying the week before a test.
Office Hours
I'm available every day until 3:15 PM or by appointment!
