Welcome folks!  Originally from the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York, I have been a teacher at Stikine Middle School since the Centenial Gold Rush year of 1998.  The courses I teach are 6th grade World Cultures and Geography, 7/8th grade American History, Current Events, and middle school physical education.  My interests include running, hiking, mountain biking, golfing, snowmachining, and four wheeling.  If you have any questions, email me at jbrooks@wpsd.us.

TEACHER SCHEDULE

Period 1  8:19-9:07:  6th Grade World Cultures & Geography

Period 2  9:13-10:01:  Current Events

Period 3  10:07-10:55:  7/8 Grade U.S. History

Lunch  11:01-11:49

Period 4  11:55-12:43:  7/8 Grade U.S. History

Period 5  12:49-1:37:  Prep

Period 6  1:43-2:31:  Sustained Silent Reading

Period 7  2:37-3:25:  6/7/8 Grade Physical Education

EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY SOCIAL STUDIES 7 - 8

Welcome to the 7th & 8th grade Social Studies program at the Stikine Middle School.

This year’s focus of study will be Early American History.  Early American History begins with the Age of Exploration and culminates with the United States Civil War.  Some examples of the major events that will be covered are the settling of the Western Hemisphere, life in colonial America, the American Revolution, the creation of a democratic government, the expansion and growth of the young nation, and the issues leading up to the Civil War.

 Students are expected to come to class each day with the following:         

1. A pen or pencil.
2. One large three ring binder with loose leaf paper (no spiral notebooksplease).  The binder must contain three dividers.  This binder is for Social            Studies.  It may be randomly checked for organization and graded at any time.
3. Your laptop.
4. A novel.

Students are expected to behave in a manner that shows courtesy and respect towards others at all times.  Behavior which has a negative impact on the learning environment will not be tolerated.  If the situation warrants it, students will receive detention for breaking class rules.  They will have two days to make up detention time.

Approximately 50% of the student’s grade in this course will come from tests and quizzes.  The other 50% will come from homework assignments, writing assignments, class projects, and class participation.   All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date specified.  Any late assignments will receive an automatic grade reduction of 20%.

Students who are absent, who are missing an assignment, or who have an average below 70% are encouraged to stay after school during the tutorial period (3:25 - 4:00) until they are caught up and passing.

MODERN AMERICAN HISTORY SOCIAL STUDIES 7 - 8

Welcome to the 7th & 8th grade Social Studies program at the Stikine Middle School.

Modern American History begins with post Civil War Reconstruction and culminates with current events in America today.  Some examples of the major events that will be covered are post Civil War Reconstruction, westward expansion, the construction of the Panama Canal, the Gilded Age, social issues of the early 1900’s, World Wars I & II, the Great Depression, the atomic and nuclear age, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War.

 Students are expected to come to class each day with the following:         

1. A pen or pencil.
2. One large three ring binder with loose leaf paper (no spiral notebooks please).  The binder must contain three dividers.  It may be randomly checked for organization and graded at anytime.
3. Your laptop.
4. A novel

Students are expected to behave in a manner that shows courtesy and respect towards others at all times.  Behavior which has a negative impact on the learning environment will not be tolerated.  If the situation warrants it, students will receive detention for breaking class rules.  They will have two days to make up detention time.

Approximately 50% of the student’s grade in this course will come from tests and quizzes.  The other 50% will come from homework assignments, writing assignments, class projects, and class participation.   All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date specified.  Any late assignments will receive an automatic grade reduction of 20%.

Students who are absent, who are missing an assignment, or who have an average below 70% will be strongly encouraged to stay after school during the tutorial period (3:25 - 4:00) until they are caught up and passing.

WORLD CULTURES & GEOGRAPHY SOCIAL STUDIES

Welcome to the 6th grade Social Studies program at the Stikine Middle School.

This year’s focus of study will be on World Cultures & Geography.  World Cultures & Geography will be focusing on the regions of Latin America, the Middle East & North Africa, Africa South of the Sahara, & Asia.  Students will be studying the five themes of geography (location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, & regions) in regards to these various areas.

 Students are expected to come to class each day with the following:         

1. A pen or pencil.
2. One large three ring binder with loose leaf paper (no spiral notebooksplease).  The binder must contain Five dividers.  This binder is for Social            Studies.  It may be randomly checked for organization and graded at anytime.
3. Your laptop.
4. A novel.

Students are expected to behave in a manner that shows courtesy and respect towards others at all times.  Behavior which has a negative impact on the learning environment will not be tolerated.  If the situation warrants it, students will receive detention for breaking class rules.  They will have two days to make up detention time.

Approximately 50% of the student’s grade in this course will come from tests and quizzes.  The other 50% will come from homework assignments, writing assignments, class projects, and class participation.   All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date specified.  Any late assignments will receive an automatic grade reduction of 20%.

Students who are absent, who are missing an assignment, or who have an average below 70% are encouraged to stay after school during the tutorial period (3:25 - 4:00) until they are caught up and passing.

MIDDLE SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The objectives of middle school PE are to increase students’ endurance, flexibility, strength, and agility.  A variety of skills are also targeted such as hand-eye coordination, throwing, catching, defense, movement without a ball, kicking, body movement, etc.  PE should be physically challenging as well as fun.

RULES & EXPECTATIONS:

1. Students are expected to show up with proper gym cloths (T-shirt, shorts or sweats, sneakers, and a warm top in case class is held outdoors, weather permitting). A red/ white reversible jersey and a water bottle are also encouraged. Coming to class unprepared will result in a loss of three points out of a total of ten possible points for the day.

2. Students are evaluated daily on their effort, attitude, and sportsmanship.

3. Be kind. Treat others and their belongings with respect.

4. Should a student show up unprepared and can’t participate, the student will be walking laps in the gym for the duration of the period.   

5. Combination locks for P.E. lockers are optional. If a student decides to take a lock, he/she is responsible for it.  If the lock is lost, the student will be charged $6.50.   

GRADING POLICY

Middle school physical education students receive a possible ten points per day.  To receive a passing grade, the student must come to class prepared, cooperate with the instructor, put forth good effort in all activities, and behave in way that demonstrates the characteristics of good sportsmanship.

The default grade for students who are meeting expectations is a 9.5 out of 10 possible points. To receive a 10, the student must accomplish something that is exemplary that day (ex. making a great play, hitting a home run, demonstrating extra effort, demonstrating superior sportsmanship, etc.).  

If a student is striving for an “A+”, the student may discuss an “A+” project with the instructor (ex. a paper on the benefits of physical activity, the risks of consuming junk food, etc.).

CURRENT EVENTS CLASS

Welcome to the Current Events Class at the Stikine Middle School.   

Current Events Class will be focussing on local, national, and international current events.  Through the use of video news programs, articles, and maps, students will gain a better understanding of various events occurring in the world around them.

  Students are expected to come to class each day with the following:          
1.  A pen or pencil.
2.  A three ring binder.
3.  A novel.

Behavior:
Students in this class should feel welcome, safe, and respected.  Any behavior that negatively impacts that will be strongly discouraged and may result in detention.
      
Evaluation:
    1.  Students will be quizzed each Friday on the current events that we have covered the past week.
    2.  The students will receive a maximum of ten points on questions from daily Newsela articles.
    3.  Students will be quizzed on a variety of political and physical maps.
    4.  Any other types of various evaluations that may come up during the school year.
    *    This class will require at home study time.  There should be little to no homework.

CLASS RULES: SOCIAL STUDIES 6/7/8

1. Always treat others and their belongings with respect.

       2. Arrive to class on time. Tardiness will result in 15 minutes detention.

       3. Come to class prepared. You must have a writing utensil, three ring binder, a laptop, and a novel.  Failure to do so may result in a 15 minute

            detention.

       4. Be kind. Failure to do so will result in a minimum of 15 minutes of  detention.

       5. Do not throw anything in the classroom (respect). If you do, you may receive up to 60 minutes detention.

       6. There is no food or drink allowed in the classroom except fruits, vegetables, and water.

SUPPLY LIST

1.  A three ring binder with three dividers.

2.  Pencils.

 THREE RING BINDER ORGANIZATION

 Section 1:  Notes

 Section 2:  Handouts

 Section 3:  Graded tests, quizzes, & assignments