9TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES

Welcome parents and students! 

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." — Maya Angelou

My name is Mr. Julius McDonald, and this is my first-year teaching at Thomson High School. Prior to this position I spent 3 years teaching Biblical History and Literature at Augusta Christian Schools. This year I will be teaching 9^th Grade Government, and we are going to have a whole lot of fun doing it! We will perform speeches like the Gettysburg address, I have a Dream, The Declaration of Independence, and many more. We will have “spirited” political debates where students will learn the skills of how to form and support political arguments both for and against their adversaries! We may even learn and sing a few songs! My goal is for every student to leave my class more knowledgeable, self-confident, and capable in public speaking and Government knowledge.

ABOUT ME:

I am a 22-year veteran of the US Marines, 14 years active and 8 years as a government civilian. I am an ordained minister and GA Notary Public. I have an Associates of Arts Degree in History from GA Military College, a Bachelor of arts Degree in Religion (Biblical Literature and History) from Luther Rice College and Seminary, and a Master of Arts Degree in Christian Apologetics from Luther Rice College and Seminary. I am currently finishing up a Master of Arts in Teaching (History) from Augusta University, and I am GACE certified to teach History.

Teacher Schedule:

1st Period: Planning

2nd Period: US Government

3rd Period: US Government  

4th Period: US Government

Regardless of the course, there are certain aspects of my classroom that will be similar throughout.  Below are some items that you should be aware of regarding Classroom Expectations, Grading System, and Online Resources that would benefit and enable you to have a successful classroom experience.

Class Rules:

Students are to follow the school-wide expectations as outlined in the Agenda Book and the Student Code of Conduct.  However, students are reminded that THS is the place to showcase (1) Perseverance, (2) Respect, (3) Integrity, (4) Determination, and (5) Empathy.

Technology:

As new technologies continue to change the world in which we live, they also provide many new and positive educational benefits for classroom instruction. Incorporating this initiative, students are ONLY allowed to use their devices at the invitation of the teacher. Students participating in BYOT with the express consent of their parents or guardians must adhere to the Student Code of Conduct, as well as all Board policies.  Personal devices should not be "out" during class.

 Suggested Course Materials:

Students must come to each class equipped with a 1 or 1½” 3-ring binder, paper, a folder with pockets/3 prongs, pencils or pens, highlighters, and headphones/earbuds (MUST CONNECT TO THE CHROMEBOOKS). Students will not be allowed to return to their lockers to retrieve homework, assignments, books, notebooks, or other materials once the bell has rung. If an assignment is late, 5 points will be deducted from the student’s score for every calendar day past the due date. After five calendar days past the due date, the assignments will not be accepted.

Retaking Failed Tests:

Students will complete test corrections after school during two tutoring sessions offered Monday through Thursday from 3:30 to 5:00 pm.  Students will have one week from the day the test is returned to turn in corrections and attend the two tutoring sessions. If test corrections are not completed, the failed test grade will remain in PowerSchool. Retesting must be done within two days of turning in the test corrections (retest time will be determined on a case-by-case basis).

Retaking Failed Assignments:

TESTS/PROJECTS are the ONLY assignments that can be retaken/redone if you fail them. Quizzes and Classwork/Daily Assignments will not be redone/retaken if you fail it.

 Make-up Work:

Students are expected to be present and on time for every class period. If circumstances prohibit a student from attending school, upon his/her return, that student must present to me an excuse from the office. All make-up work must be completed and turned into me within five (5) school days. After five days, a grade of zero (0) will be given. It is the student’s responsibility to request make-up work and/or review of material missed.

Grading System:

• Tests/Projects/Essays = 30%
• Quizzes/Labs = 20%
• Daily/HW = 30%
• Final Exam = 20%

PowerSchool:

Students and parents/guardians should use PowerSchool to keep track of their grades in this class. If an assignment is missing (no work has been completed), it will be flagged with a missing (orange) and incomplete (blue) code. If an assignment is partially completed, it will be flagged with ONLY an incomplete (blue) code. If you see an assignment listed as EXEMPT (coded with the color purple), this means that the student does not have to complete the assignment.

Online Resources

 It is very important that you sign up for the following and check often:

REMIND

Each course will have a remind code, please sign up for the correct one to receive notifications regarding class assignments and daily updates on materials.  These codes will be given out in class.

 SCHOOL GMAIL

Check Gmail daily.  Google Classroom assignments, which will include almost every online resource we will use in class, will send you an email when items are posted and when they are due.