Course:7thgradeSocial Studies E-mail:

Teacher: Mr. Berry Voice Mail:(623) 445-7859

Room: 403 Website:dvusd.org/ss-berry

Prep: 1st period

Course Description

Welcome to Sunset Ridge Elementary School Social Studies Department for the 2016-2017 school year. This year will be filled with many exciting opportunities for you to help bring history alive; through projects, literature, and simulations. It truly will be a journey through America's beginnings. We believe strongly in helping your child achieve his or her maximum potential through hard work, high expectations, and teamwork all while trying to make learning fun!

Course Objectives

7th Grade: Emphasize American history from the Civil War through the Great Depression. We will study the impact of the Industrial Revolution and imperialism on world events. Students will also learn to analyze and evaluate historical materials which offer varied perspectives.

Materials/Supplies

Text Book: Discovering Our Past, McGraw-Hill 2014

Supplies:Students need a pen or pencil and lined paper DAILY. Students will also need a three ring binder where they will do the majority of their work.Classroom sets of markers, crayons, colored pencils, and glue will also be provided, but I recommend students have their own since these are overly used items. Students are permitted to bring in their own personal supplies and at times may need colored pencils or markers at home. Students are responsible for obtaining their own supplies on projects beyond what is available in the classroom.

Progress Reports

Progress reports can be viewed daily through PowerSchools.

PowerSchools Access Information

Parents/Guardians that do not have a login code for their child, they can get one at the front office. An I.D. will be required to receive your password. The PowerSchools’ site allows parents/guardians and students to access the student’s grades, attendance, and other information.

The web address is:

Discipline Procedures

•White Card: sign and give back to teacher (warning)

•Yellow Card: take home and sign along with a parent signature

•Email/Phone call home

•Detention

•Parent/Teacher Conference

•Administration is notified and brought in on a conference with teachers and parents

Grading Breakdown

30% of a student’s grade is based on class work and homework assignments.

30%of a student’s grade is based on projects.

40%of a student’s grade is based on quizzes and tests.

Percentage Breakdown of Letter Grades:

100%-90% = A

89%-80% = B

79%-70% = C

69%-60% = D

<59% = F

Attendance and Make-Up Work Policy

Keep absences to a minimum. Upon return to school, it is the STUDENT’S responsibility to locate and make-up any assignments missed.

Please speak with Mr. Berry regarding any special circumstances.

Classroom Procedures

Students will learn all procedures necessary to maintain a smooth running classroom during school time. Procedures play a vital role at school and we will be learning them and practicing them regularly throughout the school year. The goal of procedures is so they can turn into routines and provide more class time towards learning.

Communication

Please contact Mr. Berryfor any student concerns. It is crucial that teachers, parents, and students maintain open lines of communication. Contact information is provided at the top of this page. Please refer to my website for all information needed for this course. Email is the best form of communication as I can respond at a good time during the day.

Remind

To sign up for periodic text blasts please send a text message to: 81010 with the message @d8960d

This is a way for me to communicate with students and parents and I am unable to see the phone numbers of who joins. This reminding text blast service is not connected to my phone in any way so if you need to contact me then email is preferred. (Standard text rates apply):

Homework

Enough time will be given during class to complete all class assignments, but if you do not take advantage of this time then students will need to finish the work at home. It is rare that an actual “homework” assignment will be assigned with the exception being projects.

Curriculum

Everything covered in class matches the standards set by the Arizona Department of Education and can be found at

Make sure you select 7th grade. The main topics to be covered this year will be:

1st Quarter: Early Industrial Revolution/Immigration and Pre Civil War (1800-1861)

2nd Quarter: Civil War and Reconstruction (1861-1877)

3rd Quarter: Industrial Revolution/Immigration, the Progressive Era, and American Imperialism (1880-1917)

4th Quarter: World War 1, Great Depression, and Introduction to WWII (1914-1941)

Besides these topics, throughout the year we will also address: geography, research techniques, primary and secondary sources, Arizona state history, economics, and civics.

What Every Student can Expect from Mr. Berry

For every assignment you will know what you have to do to be successful.

You will not be given “busy work” in this class-everything you do in this class has a purpose. I am trying to prepare students for 8th grade and beyond. I hold students to high expectations and I expect students to hold me to high expectations as well.

If you have a concern or problem with anything that takes place in class, I will honestly listen to your point of view and highly respect you for bringing it up.

Student Information

Name ______ID#______

Home Address ______

City, State, ZIP ______

Home Phone # ______

Mother’s Name ______

Contact Phone # ______Email ______

(mother)

Father’s Name ______

Contact Phone # ______Email ______

(father)

______I authorize my child to view videos of historical importance with the rating of G, PG, or PG-13 that are listed below with ratings, and dates to be shown. If you wish for your child to not view a specific movie make a check next to the movie in the table.

Movies
Movie / Rating / Date(s) Shown
The Presidents (History Channel) / Not Rated (G- for everyone) / All Quarters
The Red Badge of Courage (1951)
The General (Buster Keaton) / “Approved” rating
Not Rated (G- for everyone) / 2nd Quarter
Iron Jawed Angels (Women’s Suffrage/Starring Hilary Swank) / PG-13 / 3rd Quarter
(Will show one or two of these)
Sergeant York
War Horse
Cinderella Man
Journey of Natty Gann
Tora!Tora!Tora! / PG
PG-13
PG-13
PG
G / 4th Quarter
(Will only show one or two of these films.)

**Please make sure you sign, date, and return this form by 8/19/2016 confirming that you have completely read and understand the expectations for this course. If you have any questions, please contact me via e-mail

______

Print Student NamePrint Parent/Guardian Name

______

Student SignatureParent/Guardian Signature

DATE______DATE______

Home Technology Questionnaire

Throughout the year students will be expected to complete projects at home. Some of these projects, if your child decides, will take advantage of PowerPoint or other software. If there is no computer access at home, arrangements will need to be made to work on these assignments at school.

1)Do you have a computer at home? Yes______No______

(If no, does the student have access to a computer somewhere? Please explain.)

2)Is the student able to use the computer for school work? Yes______No______

(If no, please explain.)

3)Does the student have access to the internet for research? Yes______No______

4)Is there a printer connected to the computer? Yes______No______

Thank you!

(Bring this form back to Mr. Berry on or before 8/19/16)