7^th GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES

2011-2012 COURSE OVERVIEW

Teacher: Lisa Hayle

510-570-7580 x271

lhayle@windrush.org

“Social Studies is everyone’s subject; who is not fascinated by ‘ourstory?’ –L.H.

The seventh grade Social Studies course meets or exceeds the California State Standards. Students explore medieval world history, focusing on six regions from the publication History-Social Science Content Standards for California Public Schools. The six major units of study for the year are listed below.

1.   Byzantine and Muslim Civilizations (Sept.- Oct.)

2.   Civilizations of Africa (Oct.-Nov.)

3.   Early Civilizations of the Americas (December)

4.   Civilizations of Asia (Jan.-Feb.)

5.   Europe in the Middle Ages (March-April)

6.   A New Age in Europe (May-June)

Materials/tools include, but are not limited to:

·      Prentice Hall: Medieval Times Today in Association with DK (Dorling Kindersley)

·      Teacher-created packets combining various resources

·      Films

·      Internet

Goals Of Our Study:

·      To enrich the student experience with progressive principles in the Windrush School Strategic Plan, every unit we cover this year will be based around the theme of Tolerance and Intolerance in Medieval History.

·      To explore what these terms mean, and then examine examples of “tolerance” and “intolerance” throughout each unit.

·      To focus on religious tolerance and intolerance since religion played such a key role in medieval peoples’ lives.

Skills We Will Develop Throughout The Year:

·      Critical analysis                                   

·      Public speaking

·      Interpreting maps

·      Listening

·      Note-taking

·      Library and internet research

·      Writing effectively

·      Reading

·      Analyzing historical materials

·      Chronological thinking

·      Cooperative teamwork

·      Self-assessment

Major Projects (There will be minor projects as well that include creative writing, maps, research, and simulations/dramatizations.)

·      Africa Project (Nov.)

·      Asia Project (Jan.)

·      Academic Innovations Fair Project (May)

ASSESSMENT:  The work itself is assessment, and students will manage their own portfolios, filing graded work that will be sent home for parent/guardian signatures periodically throughout the year. Additionally there are regular quizzes and unit tests. If a student scores lower than 80% on any quiz or test, s/he may retake it. A score of lower than a 75% on a unit test means the student must retake the test.

 REQUIRED MATERIALS: Students are expected to bring the following materials to every class:

• Assignment Book
• Pencil Box
• Binder with paper
• Completed homework
• Flash drive/USB key (you may use the same one for several classes)
• Covered textbook
• One pack of 4 x 6 index cards, A pack of colored pencils 8 or more, Atlas (as needed – keep in locker)

POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS:

• PREPAREDNESS: Students are expected to come to class each day with their homework completed at the beginning of class. (Sixth graders take time to adjust to middle school, and as such, some degree of unpreparedness is expected at the start of the year. Seventh graders will not be allowed this flexibility and must come to class with all necessary materials.) If a student is not prepared for class, the 10% of the trimester grade for participation that everyone starts the year with will decrease.
• LATE WORK: If a student needs an extension, s/he must request the extension before the deadline.  Daily late work will lose 10% of its value for each day late unless accompanied by a parent/guardian short note. (This brief note with signature can be right on the work itself.)
• ABSENCES: Students must make up work they miss when absent within one week. (See Middle School Policies and Procedures Handbook.) If a student is ill or has challenging circumstances, s/he is encouraged to speak with teachers, and her/his advisor if need be about a flexible make-up schedule for the work.
• TARDINESS: Arrive on time for class.  Late students will receive a Warning Slip and/or additional consequences.
• COMPUTERS AND PRINTERS:  It is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL that students bring a HARD COPY of their reports to class on the date they are due. Electronic or e-mailed submissions alone are NOT acceptable.  Students will not be allowed to print assignments at the beginning of class (unless there was a legitimate problem printing at home).
• EXTRA HELP AND/OR EXTRA CHALLENGE: It is a teacher’s job to encourage students to ask questions, seek help, work their hardest, and invite them to communicate the need for more work or independent study when the work is not challenging enough. Students may do this before class or after class, by leaving a voice mail, or sending an email.

A WORD ABOUT STUDENT BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS:

All middle school students are expected to adhere to the WINDRUSH BILL OF RIGHTS. Consequences for inappropriate behavior are laid out clearly in the Middle School Policies and Procedures Handbook.

Additionally, I have my own set of classroom agreements, which were discussed the first week of school. To make a binding contract, myself along with every student signed a poster listing the following:

LISA’S 5 SIMPLE COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS FOR STUDENTS:

We will:

1. Follow directions.
2. Comply with all school policies.
3. Keep hands, feet, and objects to us.
4. Not name-call, use hurtful language, or bully.
5. Try every assignment or activity and ask for help if we need it.

GRADING POLICIES: Below is a description of how grades are calculated by trimester:

• CLASSWORK: 20%
• HOMEWORK: 20%
• MAJOR PROJECTS: 25%
• QUIZZES, TESTS 25%
• DAILY POSITIVE PARTICIPATION IN/ PREPAREDNESS FOR CLASS: 10%