Welcome!
NEWS FROM THE SOCIAL STUDIES CLASSROOM:
The end of the first term is nigh! Most of our students are doing very well! For those struggling, use your study hall wisely, and do a little homework once in a while. No late work from Term 1 will be accepted after October 31st (the end of the term).
Hello Blue Team families,
As the year kicks into high gear, I would like to let you know that this year we will be focusing on the competencies and dispositions for the Vision of a Graduate. Although the VOG is more of a high school thing, we will be demonstrating those competencies and dispositions as we complete our projects and assignments this year. The competencies include informed thinking, problem solving, communication, and collaboration. The dispositions are self-direction*, civic engagement, emotional intelligence, empathy and diligence*.
Hope to hear from y'all soon!
Mr. G
*BIG FOCUS FOR THIS YEAR
**Social Studies Placement Update***
The following criteria will be utilized to determine advanced level (L3) placement for 9th grade. The student must:
- demonstrate ability to work independently
- demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- successfully participate in large and small group activities
- be recommended for advanced level placement by the eighth-grade teacher
- receive score in the advanced range (4) on Smarter Balance Assessment
- achieve a score of goal on a minimum of 2 benchmark assessments
- end of the year grade of an A in Social Studies
Heads up--
Many students are struggling to follow directions independently. Please remind your student that the study of history is not a race to complete assignments. It is a journey to understand how we became the nation we are today.
and...just a reminder that most of our work is project-based. That means a lot of self-directed and independent work. So, students asking questions is a must! Don't be shy. If you tend to be shy, email me your questions!
The Basics:
It is expected that any and all unfinished classwork be completed at home and prepared for submission to Google Classroom precisely on the due date.
As a reminder...
1. Spelling and grammar rules do count in class. Since I see Social Studies as a "non-fiction" extension of Language Arts, it is extremely important that our written work be of the highest quality (It's a form of Communication!). Consider your well-written works to be a tribute to our "Founding Fathers" (and Mothers, too!). Make them proud!
2. We will basically explore one concept for the remainder of this year: "How did America come to be the way it is today?".
A quote for you: "When I lost all of my excuses, I found my results."
Let's get it done!
MR. GOTT
Keys to Success
"Action is the fundamental key to success."
"Successful people never worry about what others are doing."
"Do it now, because sometimes later becomes never."
A few things you might want to know about me...
1. I am excited to be teaching 8th Grade U.S. History. I have been teaching in North Haven for 27 years, and in a few years my family will have been in this country for 400 years. I guess that makes me an actual part of history!
2. In my past life I worked in the restaurant business for almost 30 years. (I do a presentation on my experiences for the kids at our "Parent University" event in the spring!)
3. When teaching I like to follow the guidance of the question:
"How did the U.S. come to be the way it is today?"
4. I am an avid performance boater in my free time, and I am learning to be a marine mechanic.
5. I am a "dog person". We have 5: Suzie, Sadie, Bentley, Moose and Zeus...all rescues.
"No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar."
-Abraham Lincoln
"If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter. If you can't do the little things right, you will never do the big things right."
-Admiral William H. McRaven
