Hi! I am Sandy McWilliams and I have been teaching here at Southern Middle School for 10 years. SMS is a great school and a wonderful place to teach. I have taught 2 years on the Exploratory Team, 2 years in 7th grade World History, and now am in my sixth year as an eighth grade Social Studies teacher on the Orange team.
***I was born in Pulaski County and have lived here all my life except for 5 years in Melbourne, FL. I graduated from Pulaski County High School and did not attend college until later as a non-traditional student. My undergraduate and graduate degrees are from Eastern Kentucky University and I have attained a Rank 1 in Middle Grade Education.
***Silent Warrior Award - SMS - 2002-2003
***Adult Salute to Good Character Award - Honesty - 2004-2005
***Presently, 8th Grade Orange Team Leader; Social Studies Department Head
|
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
| 29 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 | 2 |
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
2007 - 2008
8th GRADE ORANGE SYLLABUS
Dear Parents and Students,
The following syllabus describes the topics and units that will be covered during the school year by the eighth grade teams.
NOTES
All of the topics and units discussed are based upon the Kentucky Department of Educations Program of Studies and Core Content for Assessment. The topics in this syllabus are subject to change due to time constraints and/or unit plans. The Core Content for Assessment may be accessed at:
http://www.kde.state.ky.us/oapd/curric/corecontent/core_content_index_version_30.asp.
Each teachers webpage may be found by visiting Southern Middle Schools homepage at http://sms.pulaski.net/ and then clicking on Staff Page which will provide a list of all teachers and access to their webpage.
ORANGE TEAM TEACHERS
Arts and Humanities C. Rachford
Language Arts R. Bell
Mathematics S. Jones
Science G. Kinney
Social Studies S. McWilliams
Collaboration C. Fitzgerald
ARTS AND HUMANITIES
In Arts and Humanities this year, students will be introduced to elements of music, dance, art and drama. They will examine the following cultures and periods: Ancient and lineage-based, Pacific Rim, Classical Greece and Rome, Islamic and Judaic architecture, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Enlightenment, Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism and Modern/ Contemporary. Grades will be determined by percentage of total points as stipulated by the Pulaski County Board of Education.
MATHEMATICS
The topics studied this year will be: Data Analysis, Counting and Probability, Geometry and Measurement, Ratio/Proportion and Percent, Integers, Variables, Expressions, Equations, Rational and Irrational Numbers, Functions and Relationships, Linear Equations and Inequalities, and Algebraic Ideas and Concepts.
All Algebra I students will be issued a textbook and workbook at the beginning of the school year. As needed, Pre-Algebra students may check a textbook out from the library and should be responsible for returning it. All students will be issued a calculator. Damaged or lost calculators must be replaced by the responsible student.
--- Grading Policy --- The following explains how grades will be determined:
30% Accelerated Math 30% Homework / In-class Work 40% Tests
SCIENCE
The topics studied this year will be: Graphs, Scientific Inquiry, Measurement, Metrics, Mass Volume, Density, Scientific Method, Reproduction, Body Systems, Nutrition, Wellness, Genetics, Heredity, Evolution, Big Bang Theory, States of Matter, Earth and Space, Properties and Changes of Matter, Introduction to Atoms and Atomic Structure, Science in Personal and Social Perspectives, and Forensics Applications.
Grades for Science will be determined by percentage of total points as stipulated by the Pulaski County Board of Education
SOCIAL STUDIES
Social Studies will follow Kentucky's Core Content for Assessment and the Program of Studies for Kentucky's Schools that are assessed in the spring. There will be approximately ten units this year with topics including U. S. Geography; American culture and society; Native Americans; European Exploration and Settlement in the Americas; Early American colonization; Events leading to the Revolutionary War and the Revolutionary War, The New Republic; the U.S. Constitution; The Young Republic through the first seven presidents, Westward Expansion and Social Reform; Events leading to the Civil War and the Civil War.
Each class will have a classroom set of books. Copies of the chapters will be supplied or books can be checked out of the library. Students will be given several days to complete most assignments and will be made aware well in advance of due dates of when assignments are due. Due dates are expected to be met. A Social Studies notebook will be kept and checked periodically. The total number of points earned on all assignments determines grades. Assessments include homework, in class assignments and group work, quizzes, open responses, hands-on projects; notebook checks, and end of the unit multiple choice tests.
LANGUAGE ARTS
In Language Arts, we will concentrate our focus on improving writing and reading skills. Students will learn and apply various reading strategies to make sense of a variety of print and non-print texts. Also, students will read a variety of literary genres, including short stories, poems, drama, novels, and non-fiction. Upon reading these materials, students will complete different exercises such as comprehension tests, Accelerated Reader tests and open responses. Students will also use the writing process and criteria for effective writing in order to compile a collection of writings for a variety of purposes and audiences. Effective speaking skills, research tools, and emerging technology will be used to communicate ideas and information for a variety of authentic purposes, situations, and audiences.
HOMEWORK POLICY
It is the students responsibility to complete their homework and turn it in to their teachers on the pre-announced due date. (Late work will not be accepted.) If a student is absent he/she will have three school days to make up any missing assignments. If the student has been absent for an extended period of time, the team will take into consideration allowing that student additional time to complete the assignments. The teacher also reserves the right to extend time for assignments if there are any unforeseen circumstances that prevent students from completing their homework.