• Ms. Tracey Brody
  Hillcrest Middle School
  8th Grade Social Studies
  Tracey.Brody@DVUSD.org
  (623) 376-3344
  Team 8-1

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  My name is Tracey Brody, and I am excited to be your student’s Social Studies teacher for the 2023-2024 school year. I know this will be a positive year for all students as we continue to build our skills and embark on our new discoveries in middle school.
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• Suggested Supplies per individual student

Fully charged school issued Chromebook and charger

A book to read in class everyday

​​​​​​​Pencils, pens, colored pencils (prefer Twistables), highlighters

​​​​​​​Two Pocket Folder

Two packs of 100 index cards
*Classroom Requests: Tissues, Hand Sanitizer, Clorox Wipes
Arizona law requires that public schools provide supplies required for academic success. This list represents optional, supplementary items, which you may supply, at your discretion. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school.
Course Objectives from the Arizona State Standards:
The 8th grade Social Studies program focuses on Citizenship and Civic Engagement in today’s society. The content focus will be viewed through civic and economic lenses.

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  Arizona State Standards can be referenced at https://www.azed.gov/standards-practices/k-12standards/standards-social-studies
  In Social Studies, we support the Arizona English Language Arts Standards by focusing on analysis of primary source documents and supporting analysis with text-dependent written answers.
         
  Grading Scale and Percentage Weights of Assignments
  Practice: 0% Practice assignments do not count towards a student's overall score, but they provide necessary scaffolding for students to ensure they are successful when their learning is assessed.
  Coursework:  20% To fully succeed in class, each student must be an active participant. This requires that they utilize class time efficiently and to the best of their academic ability. Time in class is expected to be used appropriately. 
  Assessments: 80% Assessments include quizzes, unit or chapter tests, projects, and district assessments. Projects consist of any assignment that progresses over a period of 3 or more days and is made up of multiple components. Students will be notified if projects will have an assessment component grade.
  
  Grading Scale:
  Deer Valley Unified School District will employ two grade scales to calculate grades using a traditional averaging calculation method.  One grade scale will be used to mark student proficiency of the standards. One grade scale will be used to calculate the overall course grade. 

 

Traditional Grading -  100-90%=A     89-80%=B    79-70%=C    69-60%=D     Below 60%=F
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Standards Proficiency Grading - Students will also receive marks for their proficiency toward grade level standards using the following scale:

4 = Highly Proficient
​​​​​​​3 = Proficient​​​​​​​

2 = Partially Proficient

​​​​​​​1 = Minimally Proficient

​​​​​​​NE = No Evidence​​​​​​​

Late Work

• If a student meets the criteria, he/she will be issued full credit for the work submitted (no added penalties or caps on the grade that can be earned).  The teacher will mark the student’s assignment with the “Late” special code. If the assignment is an assessment, the proficiency level of the standards attached will be entered.
  In order for Late Work to be accepted, students must meet the following parameters:

Assignment is not due within the class period
​​​​​​​Assignment is not a timed activity (such as a Quick-Write Essay)​​​​​​​

Assignment is not a Long-Term assignment (over multiple weeks)

​​​​​​​Assignment is turned in within the following time frame within 5 school days after the end of the instructional unit

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Extra Credit

• Extra credit renders an academic grade less accurate since it is not based upon performance of the standards, but rather on compliant behaviors. Per District policy, no extra credit will be awarded.
  Canvas
  ALL lessons and content will be accessed through our online learning program-Canvas/DV Online Learning Program.
  Each Unit of Study is set up in MODULES.
  Assignments are open for the length of the unit plus an additional 5 days*, however due dates are usually within the same week. This allows for students who have been absent or need more time to show mastery of the standards within the unit to complete an assignment.
  Parents/guardians-please become a Canvas “Observer” by following the directions
  
  PowerSchool
  Students’ grades are updated weekly on PowerSchool (ps.dvusd.org) and are synced daily at midnight through Canvas, so changes may not be reflected immediately. Parents may contact the registrar clerk if a parent log-in is needed.
  Statement on Artificial Intelligence
  After careful consideration and in alignment with the developmental needs of our students and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), DVUSD has determined that the use of Large Language Models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT,  are not suitable for students in grades K-8 (under 13 years of age) and will not be utilized or endorsed in academic contexts.
  
  SS Classroom Behavior Expectations:
  All students are expected to be good citizens, respectful and caring of each other, staff and materials.  Students are also expected to put forth their very best efforts by being responsible. Students should also feel free to express their ideas within socially acceptable norms. Our combined goal is to prepare students for a successful school experience.
  MTSS BEHAVIOR Program (The HMS School-Wide Prevention Program)
  Our progressive discipline is based on the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
  Students are expected to conduct themselves in a proper manner at all times. Specific guidelines are outlined in the DVUSD Student Rights and Responsibility (SR & R) Handbook. The school rules apply coming to school, going home from school, and at all school-sponsored events. General misbehavior is handled by the classroom teacher in the following manner:
  PROGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS (teacher keeps record of minors)
  Step 1: Universal Interventions (Warning/Redirection)
  Step 2: 1^st Minor Incident Report with Interventions
  Step 3: 2^nd Minor Incident Report with Interventions and Parent Email
  Step 4: 3^rd Minor Incident Report with Interventions and Parent Phone Call
  Step 5: Major Behavior Referral
  Consequences for inappropriate behavior will be given according to the DVUSD discipline guidelines as outlined in the Student Rights and Responsibility (SR & R) Handbook.
  
  COMMUNICATION
  I will often communicate general announcements through “announcements” in Canvas and send reminders about missing or incomplete assignments through Canvas Messenger to students and parent observers.
  The best way to contact me is through Remind or through e-mail (Tracey.Brody@dvusd.org). Please allow 24 hours for me to respond.

Ms. Tracey Brody

8th Grade Social Studies

Tracey.Brody@DVUSD.org

(623) 376-3344

Team 8-1

The 8th grade Social Studies program focuses on Citizenship and Civic Engagement in Today’s Society. The content focus will be viewed through civic and economic lenses. Citizenship and civic engagement will be taught through inquiry. Eighth grade students will make connections between historical and current/recent issues as a base for implementing change in society. Students will recognize and practice their roles and responsibilities as both American and global citizens. United States History will focus on the major events that have their roots in the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and subsequent amendments, Civil Rights, Human Rights, and Global Social Issues.

 

Students will be receiving a balance of guided and independent instruction through canvas with a variety of resources within to guide our learning (textbook, primary sources, resource books, videos, notes), exploration (individual/group research), and cooperative learning.  The information will be assessed by quizzes, tests, projects, and presentations. At Hillcrest, grades are weighted. Assessments are worth 80% of the gradeand assignments are worth 20%. It is very important that all work is completed to ensure a good grade. 

 

Students tend to be more successful when they come to class prepared. Regular attendance should be a priority to you, assignments and lessons missed due to absenteeism are often a major cause of poor performance. 

 

 

Click here for Canvas Observer Instructions

Canvas Login: https://dvusd.instructure.com/login/ldap

Grades/Powerschool: http://ps.dvusd.org/public