Mr. McCarthy

I teach 8th grade U.S. history, and Geography as an elective. My goal is for each student to learn about the country we live in, and to learn the skills they need to be successful in high school and beyond. Families can help their students by encouraging them to read, checking Schoology (parent portal) and monitoring their grades, and contacting me if needed. Students in 8th grade history will study the Constitution, Government, and history of the United States of America from the founding of the nation to about the year 1900. Students will display their knowledge through projects they create (parents- ask your student to show you their latest project!) as well as skills displayed as described in the syllabus (full syllabi attached on the left).

WPMS STEM is dedicated is dedicated to providing students with rigorous math, science and engineering centered learning. Starting this year, the 'Leadership' elective is merging with the 'Geography' elective class. For Geography, students will study the basic aspects of geographic studies and map usage, investigate how people interact with and affect the geography and environment of our planet and then use their skills in the spring to create a presentation for the LAUSD STEAM festival. For Leadership, all members of the Leadership class serve as the WPMS Associated Student Body (ASB). Our ASB/Leadership provides for student activities, serves as training experience for student leaders, promotes the common good for all students, and empowers them to create and run student activities. Students will plan fundraisers, service projects and more. This class does have a demanding time commitment- to lead activities students in this class will sometimes have lunchtime or afterschool time commitments. It is a project-based curriculum where students are graded on participation and meeting standards.

Families can help by encouraging their students to read, checking Schoology (Parent Portal) weekly and by contacting me if needed.

Learning Expectations

✅ Be curious and ask questions.
✅ Work collaboratively and share ideas.
✅ Show effort and persevere through challenges.
✅ Use evidence to support your thinking in both math and science.

✅  Build reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills to learn.

Behavior Expectations