Civics Welcome Letter
8th Grade Social Studies • Welcome Letter & Guide
Civics: Power, People, and Progress
Mr. Sundstrom
Room 209
tsundstrom@arlington.k12.ma.us
Extra Help: Mondays after school
Welcome to 8th Grade Civics!
This year, we will explore how American democracy works and how everyday people create change. We begin with the early ideas behind democracy and trace how our nation has grown over time. Our goal is to build strong knowledge of U.S. government and history while practicing essential life skills: critical thinking, teamwork, and solving real-world problems. Most of all, this class is about helping you find your voice as an active, informed citizen.
Units of Study
Year-Long Curriculum
1 Roots of Democracy
Where democratic ideas came from and why self-government matters.
2 Founding Documents
The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and early America.
3 President & Political Parties
How elections work, what political parties do, and the Executive Branch.
4 Congress: Making Laws
How the Legislative Branch represents people and turns ideas into laws.
5 The Courts & Justice
The Judicial Branch, the Supreme Court, and how rights are protected.
6 "All Politics is Local"
State and town government in Massachusetts and local civic issues.
7 Expanding Rights & Civics in Action
Racial equality, women’s equality, immigration, equal rights for all peoples, and our culminating student-led civic action project.
Key Skills & State Standards
Understand how government and citizenship work in daily life.
Check if information and websites are accurate and trustworthy.
Ask focused questions and research real-world issues.
Defend your conclusions with solid reasoning and facts.
Organize information from primary and secondary sources.
Plan next steps and take meaningful civic action.
Analyze different perspectives and clearly separate facts from opinions.
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Mr. Sundstrom's Class Policies & How to Succeed
Essential information to help every student thrive in Civics this year.
Room 209
Classwork & Homework
Assignments will be started in class and completed at a later date. Handouts and digital resources will be posted on Google Classroom or distributed in class.
→ Always check the Homework Dashboard for current assignments.
PowerSchool Grade Portal
The grade portal for Civics is updated regularly. If an assignment is not handed in on time, it will be entered as a zero and marked missing.
Missing work can be made up within the current unit to replace the zero!
Missing & Absentee Assignment Policy
Missing or absent assignments can be made up for full credit, provided they are completed and turned in within the current unit.
To receive credit, students MUST show completed work to Mr. Sundstrom IN PERSON during:
1. Before School
2. During ASPIRE
3. After School
Please Note: To ensure accurate tracking, work will NOT be accepted if it is left on my desk/chair, emailed, handed to me in the hallway, or passed in during class time.
Course Projects
In addition to formal assessments, we will do multi-day projects throughout the year to deepen understanding. Class time will be permitted for most projects, and each project will be introduced with advance notice and a detailed description and rubric.
Civics Action Project
As part of the Massachusetts 8th Grade Civics curriculum, students are required to complete a Civics Action Project. Students identify a real issue they care about, research perspectives, and take meaningful action toward positive community change.
Questions or Extra Support?
I am here to help you succeed! Please reach out anytime via email or visit Room 209.
tsundstrom@arlington.k12.ma.us Room 209 • Extra Help Mondays
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