Welcome to 8th Grade U. S. History (2023/2024)
Thomas E. Pickens
904.630.6800
pickenst@duvalschools.org

The classroom instructions are different that most classrooms in U. S. History. Students will participate in  interactive role playing. Students will be reading, writing notes, and discussing the material within the  classroom. The textbook and reading notes are all available online at this website. All materials will be posted in the "Links and Resources" section.

During the course of the year the students will be  acting, singing, writing songs, creating art drawings, debates, and discussing issues that were important  at that time period in history as well relating to current times.  Homework that will be assigned on a daily basis and be required to complete before the next class period. 

All email correspondence must be through the school email system. My email account is: pickenst@duvalschools.org. Please make sure that the subject line is completed with the student's name in the subject line
















 

August 1, 2023

Supplies needed for class:
One "Five Star" five-subject COLLEGE RULED ONLY notebook (a must to have). Wal-Mart has them for less than $7.50/ea.
"A" Day classes need to have the five star five subject notebook by Friday, August 18, 2023.
"B" Day classes need to have the five star five subject notebook by Monday, August 21, 2023.
1. No Three Ring Binders
2. Pencils (you may have mechanical but you must supply your own refills)
3. Pens may be used BUT corrections are messy
4. COLORED PENCILS AND OR CRAYONS (you must supply your own-coloring is required)
5. GLUE STICKS (YOU WILL NEED PLENTY)
6. Scissors
7. Tissues
8. Hand Sanitizer
9.Your Intellectual ability (A MUST)
10.A vibrant Smile for every day that we meet.

August 7, 2023
Please look in the "Links and Resource" tab for the following forms to be completed and brought to class.
1. Student Information
2. Multiple intelligence survey.
3. Vocabulary 1st day
4. Interactive Portfolio information
5. Complete Geography Skills DUE DATES BELOW:
     B day, Monday, August 21, 2023
     A day , Tuesday August 22, 2023 


 





















 

August 17, 2023

"B Day" Monday, August 21, 2023
MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCE SURVEY
5 STAR FIVE SUBJECT NOTEBOOK
MAP SKILLS
VOCABULARY

"A day" Tuesday, August 22, 2023
LAPTOPS
MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCE SURVEY
5 STAR FIVE SUBJECT NOTEBOOK
MAP SKILLS
VOCABULARY


 

August 1, 2023


DO NOT SEND me anything via school email unless I authorize  you to do so.

Please check website under "Links and Resources" for more information
August 1, 2023

Supplies needed for class:
One "Five Star" five-subject college ruled notebook (a must to have). Wal-Mart has them for less than $7.50/ea.


"A" Day classes need to have the five star five subject notebook by Friday, August 19, 2022.
"B" Day classes need to have the five star five subject notebook by Monday, August 22, 2022.

1. No Three Ring Binders
2. Pencils (you may have mechanical but you must supply your own refills)
3. Pens may be used BUT corrections are messy
4. COLORED PENCILS AND OR CRAYONS (you must supply your own-coloring is required)
5. GLUE STICKS (YOU WILL NEED PLENTY)
6. Scissors
7. Tissues
8. Hand Sanitizer
9.Your Intellectual ability (A MUST)
10.A vibrant Smile for every day that we meet.
August 7, 2023
Please look in the "Links and Resource" tab for the following forms to be completed and brought to class.
1. Student Information
2. Multiple intelligence survey.
3. Vocabulary 1st day
4. Interactive Portfolio information
5. Complete Geography Skills (due A day , Tuesday August 23, 2022 and B day, Monday, August 22, 2022.

These forms will be stored within the classroom.

DO NOT SEND me anything via school email unless I authorize  you to do so.


August 14, 2023
All classes are to bring their laptops on Wednesday (8/23) and Thursday (8/24)


MAKING CONNECTIONS IS ABOUT AN ARTICLE THAT RELATES TO THE CHAPTER. One is required the second one is for extra credit. You must write a complete one page summary in your own handwriting, then you must attach the article to get credit.



































































































































































 










































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































APRIL 4 2019

Because of time constraints, district, state mandated testing, district finals, and needing to complete the work in the text, chapters 14 and 15 test are available to take at home. These test need to be completed by Tuesday, April 9, 2019. If you are kicked out then I will attempt to reset but not more than once. Should you not have them completed by Tuesday then you will be required to take them in the class. 
Your portfolios will be graded and recorded. 
Thank you
Mr. Pickens

Also remember that you will be required to have homework outside of class for the balance of the school year. Currently Chapter 16, " Life in the West" is available in the "Links and Resources" Tab. You make work ahead on the chapter. 



March 29 Achieve 3000  articles are due by March 31. The articles are as follows;
"Should the Voting Age be Lowered?"
"Private:Keep Out!"
"The Story of States."

Also FSA writes Tuesday, April 2, 2019. We will have an abreviated B Day schedule. B day classes will need to have the vocabulary completed. Chapter 15 portfolios will be completed. You may work ahead on the Chapter 16 reading notes. The text is available on line.






MARCH 27 2019
We are rapidly approaching the end of the school year and it is hard to believe. Year end testing will begin next week with FSA writes. You will now be required to work on your reading notes ahead of time. I have posted Chapter 16 text, vocab and reading notes on line at the website. You must stay current. What we don't get to in class will be done as homework. I must move fast in order to set you all up for the district EOC in U.S, History on May 15/16 for my classes. 
If you are absent for some reason contact me immediately via email and I will respond either on my PC or phone. 
I will be advising Monday on Chapter 14 and 15 assessment.  Thank you all for this year so far and let's make the final nine weeks great!


January 7, 2019
Welcome and I hope your holiday time off was relaxing and fun.

This week, Tuesday and Wednesday, we will have the mid year exam (this is not a graded exercise) and this is a district program.

Thursday/Friday we will start on Chapter 11, "The Political Developments of the Early Republic." By completing the Geography Challenge/critical thinking questions.  Also complete the reading notes (11.2-11.5)  on the ideologies of Alexander Hamilton vs. Thomas Jefferson. 

Achieve 3000- There will be three(3) articles due this month and they are:
1. "Secret of Lincoln's Watch"
2. "The Bill of Rights"
3. "Is this Law fair?"
These three articles will be available immediately (January 7) and will expire on January 28, 2019. These are graded assignments.

PORTFOLIO CHECKS FOR CHAPTERS 8, 9, AND 10 will take place Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. The point Value is 101 points possible.

Just a reminder there are 141 calendar days until the last day of school!!


December 17, 2018
There will be no assignments during the Christmas Break.



Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.


December 17, 2018
Scholarship warnings for 2nd grading period.
On Friday, December 14, 2018 scholarship warnings were sent out for the "A" day classes and "B" day classes on Monday, December 17, 2018.




November 5-8, 2018
A day classes are to complete the reading notes from 5.2-5.6 by Wednesday's class. You may complete the entire chapter but do not do the "processing"
Portfolio work will be due and checked along with a test given on Tuesday, November 13.

B day classes are to complete the reading notes from 5.2 to 5.6 by Thursday's class. You may complete the entire
chapter but do not do the "Processing." 
Portfolio work will be due and check on Wednesday, November 14 along with a test given.

October 29-November 2, 2018
Assessment on B day for Chapter 4 (10/29) this is an open portfolio test
Vocabulary quiz C-5 Tuesday and Wednesday
Chapter 5- "Towards Independence" Reading notes have been handed out for the classes that include the "Map Skills, Georgraphy Challenge, and Critical Thinking Skills." Students are to complete those three pages in class and review in class. 
November 1 and 2, 2018, the balance of Reading notes will be passed out. The students will do the preview as well as sections 5.2 to 5.7

Thursday,October 25, 2018
"B day" Test on Monday, October 29
"B day portfolio due Thursday, October 25.
The entire actual test will be viewed with questions and answers for the "B day" classes on Thursday.
"B Day" classes were assigned their "Colonial Herb" assignment which is due on Wednesday, October 31


Wednesday, October 24, 2018
The chapter 4 test  will be on the following day.
"A day" Test on Friday, October 26.
"A day portfolio due Wednesday, October 24
The entire actual test was viewed with questions and answers for the "A day" classes on Wednesday, October 24.

" A day" classes were assigned their "Colonial Herb" assignment which is due on Tuesday, October 30.

.

Wednesday, October 3
The "Achieve 3000
articles will be due no later than October 10. They are as follows:
"American Revolution Never Forgotten"
"Even Jefferson Made Mistakes"
"Honoring Early American Leaders"

If you have completed these "Achieve 3000" articles then you reading notes for chapter 3 need to be  completed.
Chapter 3 assessment will be on the following days; A Day-Tuesday, October 9 and B Day-Wednesday, October 10. Your portfolio will be checked on your test day. 





Week of October 1

A Day classes are to complete the chapter 3 reading notes if they have not been completed.
Classes will work on their colonial poster for Chapter 3
Processing For chapter 3 must be on a 4x6 index card (no substitutes), with 5 color artwork. I will provide the cards next week. This is a 50 point processing exercise.
Presentations will take place on Thursday (10/4) and Friday(10/5) of this week.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2018

B Day classes will have all vocabulary completed by Friday, September 28
New group assignments for all B day classes, complete preview and sections 3.1 to 3.5
Home work complete balance of chapter 3 from 3.6 to 3.10 for Wednesday
See link for textbook in "Links and Resources" section under "English Colonies in Nroth America"

A Day classes -Tuesday, September 25 Assessment on Chapter two, grade portfolios , hand out reading notes as well as vocabulary
HOMEWORK Vocabulary is due on Thursday, September 27 as well as the following reading notes compete the
Preview and sections 3.1 to 3.5. This is due Thursday aswell. 


Monday, September 17, 2018
Chapter 2 Test will be on the following days.
A Day- Friday, September 21
B-Day- Thursday, September 20
The following material will need to be  read and reviewed.
Chapter 2 of the text book "European Exploration and Settlement".Please access the text book under "Links and Resources" and read  Pages 25-49. Also reread your reading notes as well in your portfolio (notebook). Captions under pictures are important as well.
"Making connections" one article is required and the 2nd is for five extra credit points.
 The portfolio ( notebook) for Chapter 2 will be graded on the test day.
ACHIEVE 3000
The following Achieve 3000 articles are to be completed. Starting Tuesday, September 11 to September 30, you can complete them at home or at school. You must make sure that you do them for U.S. History, under my name in order to get credit. You must complete all activities except the math. They are as follows:
"Native American way of Life"
"Show Marks 400 years since Hudson set sail"
"Saving Hopi tradition"

These will be scored for a grade and your first attempt is the one graded. Each one has a maximum point value of 10 points.

We will be working on Chapter 2 "European Exploration"


September 4/5, 2018 Assessment on Chapter 1- "Native Americans" also a portfolio check as well.
Reading notes for Chapter 2 on B day will be handed out. This includes vocabulary words as well and they must be completed by the next class (B day-9/6, A day-9/7)




Chapter 1 Test-Native Americans will be as follows:




B-Day Tuesday, September 4, 2018 plus portfolio check
A-Day Wednesday, September 5, 2018 plus portfolio check
Reading notes for chapter 2 have been handed out for A-day classes(8/31)

address:https://duval.focusschoolsoftware.com/focus/TeacherWebPage.php?teacher=17653

QUIZSTAR

Get registered asap, the test is Friday, August 31 and you need to be registerd before the test.
 quizstar.4teachers.org
The instructions are in the student email in One View.

August 27-Homework-All classes have been instructed through the one view email system to complete reading notes from 1.1 to 1.4. These emails were sent out last Wednesday/Thursday. The sections 1.5-1.12 will be a classroom exercise.

August 27-The tenative assessment on Chapter 1 will be as follows:
A day- Friday August 31
B day- Tuesday September 4.
The textbook is available on line on the link and resource tab.



All students will need to have a "Five Star, Five subject, COLLEGE ruled notebook" by Monday August 20.
Book bags will not be permitted in the classroom starting August 20, 2018

ACHIEVE 3000
The following articles are to be completed  starting September 11 to September 30, or in class. You must make sure that you do them for U.S. History, under my name in order to get credit. They are as follows:

"Native American way of Life"
"Show Marks 400 years since Hudson set sail"
"Saving Hopi tradition"

Materials that you wil need for class.
1. Five Star Five Subject notebook
2. Colored pencils or crayons
3. Glue sticks
4. Pen or pencils
5. Your intellectual ability as well.



March 23, 2020
Welcome back to class and a new learning experience for me! I have sent each one of you in your school email a code to access your class. It is call "Microsoft Teams."  There is an "app" for your phone.  Please register as soon as possible.

Thanks

February 25-March 6, 2020
Achieve 3000 is due by March 6. Please complete 3 of 5 of the following articles:
" Civil War and Reconstruction, Two groups Rights for All"
"Small Town, Big Changes"
"Found Oldest Flute, Oldest Carving"
"The Early late Debate"
"On the Fast Track"

Chapter 14 test will be on the following days:
B Day, Wednesday, February 26
A Day, Thursday, February 27

Week of February 10-14, 2020

Parental Permission slip to be sent home on Feb. 11/12. This is for the movie "Selma" which will be shown in class  during the week of February 24. All permission slips must be returned by February 19, 2020

DUE DATES
Tuesday, February 11 B Day
African American Biography assignment

Wednesday, February 12 A Day
African American Biographies assignment

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Monday, February 3 (B Day), assessment Chapter 12 
Portfolio Check on Chapters 12 and 13
Tuesday, February 4 (A Day), assessment Chapter 12 
Portfolio Check on Chapters 12 and 13

Wednesday , February 5 (B Day)
Assign: Famous African American Biographies 
due date will be Tuesday, February 11

Thursday, February 6 (A Day)
Assign: Famous African American Biographies 
due date will be Wednesday, February 12

February 18-21 Movie "Selma"
Permission Slips to go home
***********January 13, 2020**********
Political Campaign songs to be sung on Wednesday (1/15, B day) and Thursday (1/16, A day).
Portfolio check will be due for chapter 11 on Wednesday for "B Day" and Thursday for "A  Day.





October 10, 2019
Chapter 4 "Life in the Colonies"
Test for all classes will be as follows:

B Day- Monday October 21, 2019
A Day - Tuesday October 22, 2019
The Portfolio, vocabulary, processing, and making connections will all be due.  
Making Connections can be on anything about "Life in the Colonies". One (1) is required and the second one is optional and is worth five  (5) EXTRA CREDIT points.


October 8, 2019
The textbook for chapter 4 is on the website under "Link and Resources". Continue to work on the  vocabulary and it should be completed. 
Please check the grade portal for my mistakes. If there is any of the following letters: "AB, M, L", in the grade portal means you have missing assignments. It is your responsiblity to see that these assignments are taken care of immediately by Friday, October 11, 2019.


The Chapter 2 test will be as follows:
B Day on Friday, 9/20/19, the portfolio check will be Tuesday, September 24, 2019.
A Day testing will be Monday, September 23, 2019 with a portfokio check on Monday as well.




Monday, September 9, 2019
Chapter 1 First Americans test:
B Day- September 10, Tuesday, all portfolios will be graded..
A Day- September 11, Wednesday, All portfolios will be graded