Humanities 6 Syllabus (IB MYP Level 1)
CAMPBELL MIDDLE SCHOOL
678-842-6873
2010-2011

Instructors: Shawnte Scott-Tompkins

COURSE SUMMARY:

Sixth grade is the first year of a two year World Area Studies course. Sixth grade students study Europe, Canada, Latin America and Australia. The goal of this two year course is to acquaint middle school students with the world in which they live. The geography domain includes both physical and human geography. The intent of the geography domain is for students to begin to grasp the importance geography plays in their everyday lives. The government/civics domain focuses on selected types of government found in the various areas so as to help students begin to understand the variety of governments in the world. The economics domain builds on the K-5 economics; however, the focus shifts from the United States to how other countries answer the basic questions of economics. The history domain focuses on major events in each region during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

Our study of these topics in humanities will be:

  • holistic - Students will be required to use humanities in many aspects of their lives to help become well rounded individuals in society. Their knowledge and understanding of these concepts will be required for personal decision making, and participation in civic and cultural affairs.
  • intercultural - MYP humanities promotes an understanding of how cultural, societal and historical influences from a variety of cultures have influenced the progression of civilizations, and brought about its evolution. Students should be able to understand and discuss the ideals of a society as well as the social, political, and economic decisions of that society.
  • focused on communication - MYP humanities places considerable emphasis on literacy and requires students to use the language through a variety of media and technologies. The student will understand that technological innovations have consequences, both intended and unintended, for a society.

TEXTS AND RESOURCES:

World Cultures and Geography textbook. (Replacement cost: $45.99) Class sets will be utilized but can be issued upon parental request.

Student Agenda (Replacement Cost- $5.00)

CLASSROOM MATERIALS:

In order to be prepared DAILY, each student should have:

  • Any assignments that are due
  • School agenda
  • Pencils
  • Pencil sharpener with receptacle
  • Folder with pockets designated only for humanities within your 3-ring binder

UNITS OF STUDY: We will address MYP Humanities Objectives through the state standards.

Unit 1: The Geography of Europe / The focus of this unit is how the physical and cultural geography shapes the environment, nations, and people of Europe.
Unit 2: History of Europe / The focus of this unit is the historical developments in Europe up to the twenty-first century.
Unit 3: Political Systems of Europe / The focus of this unit is the major political developments that spread across Europe, as well as the development and expansion of the European Union.
Unit 4: Economic Systems of Europe / The focus of this unit is modern European economic systems. In addition, it will examine the influence of international trade on economic growth and development.
Unit 5: Canada / The focus of this unit is the development of Canada from colonization through independence, including Quebec.
Unit 6: Geography of Latin America and the Caribbean / The focus of this unit is how the physical and cultural geography shapes the environment, nations, and people of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Unit 7: History of Latin America / The focus of this unit is the development of Latin American and Caribbean colonies and their move to independence into the twenty-first century.
Unit 8: Political Systems of Latin America and the Caribbean / The focus of this unit is the major political developments that spread across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Unit 9: Economic Systems of Latin America and the Caribbean / The focus of this unit is modern Latin American economic systems. In addition, it will examine the influence of international trade on economic growth and development.
Unit 10: Origins and Development of Australia / The focus of this unit is the development of Australia from colonization through independence.
Unit 11: Personal Finance / The focus of this unit is making personal money management choices.

IB AIMS:

  • The aims of the teaching and study of humanities are to encourage and enable the student to develop:
  • An inquiring mind
  • The skills necessary for the effective study of humanities
  • A sense of time and place
  • A respect for and understanding of people, cultures, and events in a variety of places at different times
  • An understanding of the interactions and interdependence of individuals, societies, and their environments
  • An understanding of the causes and consequences of change through physical and human actions and processes
  • An understanding of contemporary humanities issues
  • A sense of internationalism and a desire to be proactive as a responsible global citizen
  • An awareness of the connections with other subjects
  • A lifelong interest in and enjoyment of humanities

AREAS OF INTERACTION:

During the course, we will use the areas of interaction to build connections between students’ knowledge and experience related to the real world. For example, students will develop approaches to learning that help them become problem solvers and critical thinkers. Students will seek ways to determine how humanities support community and service endeavors by participating in civic projects throughout the school year.

METHODOLOGY:

In the MYP, teachers work together to develop a variety of opportunities for learning focusing on the approaches to learning, especially critical thinking and reflection. Individual and collaborative active learning are at the heart of the classroom instruction. Real world connections and opportunities to investigate and solve problems will help students become world citizens who understand contemporary issues with a depth and wisdom drawn from experience and future trends.

METHODS OF ASSESSMENT:

A balance of formative and summative assessments will be used to assess student learning. Rubrics and checklists will provide students with assignment expectations.

IB MYP GRADING:

  • IB assessment will be based on the following:
  • Knowledge
  • Concepts
  • Skills
  • Organization and Presentation

At least two specific tasks (assignments) are assessed for each criterion each quarter. Reflecting on these assessments over time and with an eye toward growth over the course, the teacher and student will work together to make a final judgment for each criterion. The sum of these final levels of achievement, as determined by current MYP grade boundaries, establishes the student's final grade in the course: A-Knowledge, B-Concepts, C-Skills and D-Organization and presentation.

GRADING AND REPORTING:

  • Standards-Based Assignments (40%)
  • Quizzes/Tests/Projects (30%)
  • Homework (10%)
  • Performance Tasks (20%)

MAKE-UP WORK POLICY

Students will be given the same number of days absent to complete his/her make-up work. Students and parents are encouraged to use the homework hotline to check on work missed while absent. Students or parents may call the homework hotline after 6:00 p.m. each day to get homework assignments. Regardless of reason for absences, it is your student’s responsibility to make up missed work, and to make arrangements with the teacher to complete missed assignments. If a student wishes to turn in a late assignment for any reason other than being absent, a late penalty will apply. Students should visit the “Make-up Work Station” to obtain any handouts, etc. Make-up work should be turned in with a completed “Late Work” form attached.

Major tests and quizzes must be made up within one week of returning to school.

CONDUCT

Students must follow the CMS Scholarly Expectations Plan as outlined in the Student Agenda. The agenda must be with students at all times and will serve as their hall pass. In addition, students are expected to abide by ALL classroom procedures and expectations. Conduct grades will be determined using the number of classroom infractions earned by a student during the grading period. Additionally, the teacher’s assessment of the student’s overall behavior in his/her class will be considered in assigning conduct grades.

PARENT TIPS

Parents may register to receive access to Pinnacle Internet Viewer (PIV) (thefreeonline grade book), which can be used to keep up with student progress. Students will record assignments and homework in their agenda. Teachers will update their blogs on a weekly basis. Please feel free to email anytime. If you do not receive a response within 48 hours, your email may have been blocked. Therefore, please send a note in your student’s agenda. While at home, parents are encouraged to:

  • Set a regular time and routine for doing homework.
  • Establish a regular place which is well lit and quiet for completing homework.
  • Remove distractions during home study time. No television, phone calls, or text messaging.
  • Insist that homework assignments are completed daily

This plan can be changed to reflect the needs of the students.

Students and parents please sign and return. It will be kept in the front of the humanities section of the binder for reference.

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Humanities 6 Syllabus (IB MYP Level 1)
CAMPBELL MIDDLE SCHOOL
678-842-6873
2010-2011

Instructor: Shawnte Scott-Tompkins

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