Eligibility is determined every other week. In addition to keeping one from playing sports, failing to maintain sufficient effort and proper citizenship can make one ineligible for end of the year activities, such as an 8th grade trip or picnic. In SS8, we have a generous late policy, as far as grading goes, but it’s stricter in terms of eligibility. If any assignments remain undone, from any point in the quarter, at the time Mr. Frohne sits down to record “U”s for lack of effort or citizenship, then the student will receive a U for effort. That means the same assignment, if left undone for weeks at a time, could accumulate several “U”s. Also, if a student earns lower than a 65 on a test and did not complete a study guide, then he or she will receive a U for effort. (If the study guide was completed fully, then no U will be assigned no matter the test score.) “U”s for citizenship are assigned if a student has to be removed from the room, and might also be assigned for other unhelpful or disrespectful behavior.

Welcome. In 8th grade we study the economic, political, cultural, and geographical dimensions of American history from Reconstruction through the Cold War (and beyond if time).

We consider four big historical themes that tie our units of study together:

• How the United States became an economic powerhouse: (Industrialization, Immigration, Urbanization)
• How the United States became an imperial power (US Imperialism, WWII and Cold War)
• How people have struggled to protect and foster individual rights (Reconstruction, Civil Rights Movement)
• How the federal government has become stronger and more directly involved in our lives (Progressive Era Reform, Interwar Era 20s & 30s)

NOTES: The easiest way to locate any notes you might need is to select the relevant unit under “categories” on the right hand side of this page.