Social Studies

Grades 5-8

Ms. McCoy

Who is Ms. McCoy?

Ms. McCoy is elated to be a member of St. Jude’s creative, faith filled & vibrant family. She is a native Floridian and loves being an active member of the extended Tampa Bay Community. Ms. McCoy discovered her love for teaching while earning two baccalaureate degrees from the University of South Florida. The cultivation of critical and creative teaching praxis, are attributed to her dual majors of Psychology & Religious Studies. Since graduating she has earned multiple subject area teaching certifications (English 5-9 & Social Studies 6-12) with the guidance of mentor teachers.

Course Syllabi• United States History (5th Grade) - The United States History course provides

students with the opportunity to build a preliminary conceptual foundation of the heritage of the United States. The Content includes but is not limited to: Geography of the US, Ancient/Native Cultures, Spanish/French/Dutch Exploration and Early Settlements.

• World History (6th Grade)– The World History course provides students with the opportunity to acquire knowledge and understanding of various civilizations & cultures throughout six of our seven continents . The content includes but is not limited to: Early Humans& the Agricultural Revolution, Ancient Egypt & Kush, The Isrealites, Ancient India, Early China

• Civics (7th Grade)- The Civics course provides students with the opportunity to acquire knowledge and understanding of local, state & national government operations. Students are also privy to learning about commerce & trade. The content includes but is not limited to: Economic Rights, Forms of Political Participation, Necessity & Purpose of Government. Florida studies will be integrated within the course.

• American History (8th Grade) - The American History course provides students with the opportunity to acquire knowledge and understanding of the heritage of the United States and its relationship to the present. The content includes but is not limited to: the political, economic, technological and social growth of the United States from the Age of Exploration through the Reconstruction period after the Civil War. Florida studies will be integrated within the course.

Course Syllabi (Cont.)

• Note; Make-up work will be given and will be accepted from a student who has been absent. The late work policy will be followed per the student handbook.

• AGENDA - CHECK DAILY

• MAKE-UP WORK DAY - Students get (1) day per each day absent. I am available Wednesday afternoons 2:45-3:30pm for help or to administer a make-up test/quiz. Otherwise, I will meet with students during other times by appointment only. After school hours of availability via appointment setting are Monday-Thursday from 2:45pm-4:00pm.

• Non-excused late work will receive a 25% deduction for the first day. Assignments submitted two days or more past the due date; will be worth 50% of all points possible for the assignment. Any student that consistently submits non-excused late work may be subject to disciplinary action.

Supplies for Student

• A (3) ring binder no larger than 2”

• (5) Dividers (Vocabulary, Notes, Classwork/Homework, Handouts/Worksheets & Extra Credit)

• #2 pencils, pens blue/black

• Filler paper (Loose Leaf)

Textbooks

• Published by McGraw-Hill (All Are Florida Edition)

• 5th Grade – United States History

• 6th Grade –Discovering Our Past: A History of the World

• 7th Grade –Civics: Economics & Geography

• 8th Grade- Discovering Our Past: A History of the U.S.

• CLASS SET OF TEXTBOOKS (6th-8th)• STUDENT WORKBOOK(All Grades)

Grading

• Students will be graded on a traditional point system, 100-90=A / 89-80=B / 79-70=C / 69-60=D / 59-50=F

• Assignments will include : classwork, homework, quizzes/tests , class projects & mastery exams (midterm/finals); and a notebook check based on organization for 1st quarter and 2nd quarter.

• Non-excused late work will receive a (25) point deduction per day. Maximum point deduction 50%.

Need Assistance?

• E-mail me at dmccoy@cathedralofstjude.org

• Check your child’s agenda for assignments & the Rediker Parent Portal for current grades.

• Ask your child daily what they learned in Social Studies.

Thank you!Let’s Have a Great

Year!!