7th Grade Social Studies
Medieval and Early Modern Times
Pack your bags because we are going around the world and through time in 180 days, Welcome to 7th Grade History! History is what defines us, tries to explain us, and hopefully teaches us what we don’t want to repeat. History is the story of mankind, the people who were successful, and some who were not.
This year we will be focusing on how studying the past helps us understand the present by exploring the social, cultural, and technological changes that occurred in Europe, Africa, and Asia during the medieval and early modern times. As we explore the individual civilizations our focus will be in how each has played a significant part in making the world what it is today.
Using our 7th Grade Social Studies curriculum we will create a non-fiction literacy class which will integrate standards from 6th Grade Language Arts and Common Core literacy standards. In addition to focusing on literacy,there will also be a focus on project-based learning and will require critical analysis of the civilizations and their impact socially, politically and economically. Geography and current events will also be integrated throughout the year’s study when pertinent.
This class will incorporate a great deal of dialogue, discussion, and personal viewpoints. Absolute respect of everyone’s opinion is essential and disrespect in any form will not be tolerated.
Organization and a respectful classroom environmentis essential for success. We will review these procedures in class in order to use our instruction time wisely and efficiently.
Materials needed for this class on a daily basis: Any of these materials can be found at Target, Walmart, Office Depot, or the Dollar Store.
- A blue or black pen
- Pencils
- Colored pen for corrections: red, green, or purple
- Highlighter pack: Pink, yellow, green and blue(Must have these four colors)
- College ruled paper
- Small Binder or section of a binder dedicated to Social Studies
- 2 dividers labeled: Social Studies Notes, and Social Studies Work
- Most importantly an enthusiastic and cooperative attitude!
Classroom Procedures:
Entering the Classroom – Students will quietly line up at the door and be prompted on what they need to begin class. Go directly to your assigned seat, write down the daily agenda as well as your homework in your Jagenda. It is posted daily on the white board and should be the first thing you do every day. There will be checks to confirm it is being done correctly. If students repeatedly do not complete this task, a parent signature may be required. Students should come to class prepared to work, learn and follow student determined norms while acting on C or D behavior.
Binder – Students need either a small 1” binder or a section in a larger binder used for other classes dedicated to Social Studies. You will need to have the 2above mentioned sections clearly labeled and divided. DO NOT STUFF OR CRAM PAPERS INTO YOUR BINDER HAPHAZARDLY. Most work will not be returned to students after it is graded, but will be kept in their portfolio in the classroom, but can be sent home and then returned to me upon request.
Movies- Films will periodically be shown to enhance learning in our class. Films are all rated G, PG, or PG13 (typically because of violence in the time of war). In the weekly agenda on the website you will see the films and if there are any concerns feel free to contact me. By signing this, it will act as a permission slip to see such educational films.
Tardy Policy –You must be in your assigned seat when class begins. Class begins when I close the door after meeting the students. If you are not in your seatat that time you are tardy. Habitual tardy consequences include:
1st Tardy = Warning 2nd Tardy = Call home, detention 3rd Tardy = Call home, detention, referral
Class Dismissal–When the class is over, wait for me to excuse you. Please clean up everything that was taken out that day if you want to be excused on time (that means trash or items left under/around your desk, materials, and books)
Questions and Responses – Respect of both the teacher and fellow students is required at all times. This means that when someone else is speaking you are using active listening, and will ask questions or respond at the appropriate time.
Turning in Work – When papers get turned in, graded and we have gone over them as a class they will go in student portfolios that will remain in the classroom. Students will keep a running record to track progress in the class and will be in binders.
Headings on paper: All papers must have proper MLA heading in the top left hand corner as follows:
-Name (First, last)
-Teacher
-Class title (History Per. __)
-Date
Late Work/Absences: Late work is a hassle and will only be accepted in cases of emergencies or absences that are verified by a parent. If you are absent you have that number of days to make up for the work missed. When you return, it is your responsibility to get any and everything you missed while you were out and for you to schedule a time to come in and make up missed quizzes or tests, before school, after school or during lunch. Quizzes and tests must be scheduled in the number of missed days as well (this means if you miss two days of school, by the second day you are back you must have either made up the quiz or test OR scheduled a time with me when you will be coming in to make it up). If assignment was given prior to your absence, and due date falls while you are gone or the day you return, your assignment is due the day you return.
Assessments:Assessments are the basis for the grading in our class and thus are extremely important. All classwork, homework, and notes are designed to prepare you to be as successful as possible on assessments. I routinely have assessments scored and posted at least 3-5 days after the assessment was given. The opportunity to reassess is sometimes available; given you have shown efforts in improving your understanding and better preparing (a form must be completed and signed by a parent prior to a scheduled reassessment). Writing assessments may be edited for a better score if notes are followed. Projects cannot be re-done for any reason. My goal is to have all students succeed and I will do all I can to help, however, I will only put in extra efforts if you do the same. Remember, it is always easier to do it right the first time.
Teacher Website: I will regularly update my website with weekly plans, handouts, notes, study guides and important information. PLEASE make it a habit to look on the site regularly.
Discipline without Stress: Students will be taught the discipline without stress model in which we will follow in our class daily. (See attached document for further information)
Classroom Discipline Policy: We will be following a four-step progressive discipline policy adopted by the school. This allows students to fix their behavior prior to any major discipline action occurs.
Open Door Policy – When I am in my classroom you may be in my classroom. If I am not in my room you may not be in my room. If you need extra time to work on areas where you feel you need extra help please let me know and I will make the time to help you. Given I am only on campus part time, an appointment is essential to meet with me.
Communication is essential for a student, parents, and teachers to be successful. Feel free to contact me anytime with questions or concerns.
Kara Lofthouse
Norms, Expectations, Mutual Agreements
Our class is a positive learning environment and YOU are responsible for keeping it that way. Disrespect will NOT be tolerated.
BE ON TIME!
-In YOUR seat and ready to learn when class starts.
-Any work to be turned in, should be out, in a pile in the middle of your group.
-Sit down and SILENTLY write down the daily agenda and homework.
-There is NO talking while starting class, this gives me an opportunity to take care of everything I need to.
BE POSITIVE!
-Appropriate, enthusiastic, polite, and positive behavior is expected at all times.
-Leave ALL drama out the door.
-Behave and dress appropriately for a positive learning environment.
-Encourage others to be successful.
-Be an ally. There will be no derogatory comments made to anyone else in the classroom, EVER.
BE PREPARED!
-Must have supplies every day.
-Take care of personal business between classes.
-NO releases first or last ten minutes of class.
-Bring work the day it is due.
BE PROACTIVE!
-Check makeup folder for missed assignments if absent and any papers to pick up.
-Prepare ahead of time if you know you will be gone.
-Schedule a time to make up a missed quiz or test with me immediately upon returning to class after an absence.
-I will not always remember to remind you to check makeup work, so PLEASE take responsibility and do this when you are absent.
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!
-School is your job, teaching is time… You must be responsible for your learning. I will take care of the rest!
-Exceed expectations. Yours and Mine!
-You control your destiny in this class. Make the best of it!
-I will hold you accountable for your actions.
-Do not waste my time, and I will not waste yours!
-HAVE FUN!
Your First Assignment!
Here is your first extra credit opportunity!
The following is a list of supplies that we are going to need over the course of the semester. You can find any of these items at a dollar store, Target, or Wal Mart! You can bring in up to five items as a contribution for classroom use, in any combination you choose for a total of 25 extra credit points!
- Colored Copy paper
- Colored Pencils
- Crayons (limit 2)
- Colored Markers
- Highlighters (Pink, Yellow, Green, Blue)
- Glue Sticks/Elmer’s White Glue pack of 3 (limit 2)
- EXPO dry erase markers
- Age appropriate books of any kind (limit 2)
- Clorox wipes
- Ream of Copy Paper
- Poster paint
- Construction Paper
- Student Scissors
- Stapler/staples
- Tape
- Binder Paper (limit 2)
- Kleenex
- Sheet protectors
- Manilla folders
- Hanging File folders
Please read below, detach and return to me TOMORROW
……………………………………………………………………………
I (student’s name) ______, have read and understand all the classroom procedures listed above. I understand that these guidelines are set forth to aid me to be successful not only in Social Studies but in 6th Grade. By signing this document you and your parents agree to all classroom procedures and classroom policies.
Parent(s)/Guardian Names: ______
Signature: ______Date ______
Student Name: ______
Signature ______Period ______
Contact Information: (Please print)
Primary Phone: ______Secondary Phone: ______
Email Address (please print very clearly) ______
Alternative Email address (only include if you want information sent to both emails):______
A test email will be sent once all syllabi have been collected
7thGrade Social Studies- Ancient Civilizations
Objective: Create a non fiction literacy class that integrates 7th grade Language Arts standards with 7th Grade Social Studies standards
Areas of Study (Based on CA State Standards)
-World Geography
-Roman Civilizations
-Medieval Africa
-China in the Middle Ages
-Medieval Japan
-Islam and the Arabian Peninsula
-Medieval Europe
-The Renaissance
-The Reformation
-The Americas
-Age of Exploration
-Age of Enlightenment
Essential Questions
7th grade Essential Question: HOW DOES STUDYING THE PAST HELP US UNDERSTAND THE PRESENT?
-How does geography play a role in how civilizations develop and decline? (Geography)
-Why is it important for different societies to interact with one another? (Rome)
-Why is it important for social, economic and political classes to exist in a society? (Africa)
-How do we depend on leadership and systems of order (government and law) to survive in stable societies? (China)
-What can we discover about values of a time or place by its art? (Japan)
-What is the reason for spreading religion? (Islam)
-Does conflict always bring negative consequences? (Medieval Europe)
-What influences change? (Renaissance)
-How does religion influence how civilizations develop and how culture spreads? (Reformation)
-What impact on land do people have? (Americas)
-How does the exchange of ideas shape the world? (Exploration)
-How does studying the past help us understand the present? (Enlightenment)
Assessments
Students are assessed in the following formats, teacher will use Step-Up-to-Writing Resources to teach format
-Expository Summary
-Factual descriptive essay
-Cause and Effect Essay
-Persuasive Essay
-Project Based Assessments
-Research based assessments
Classroom Instruction
Identified nine categories of instructional strategies proven to improve student achievement (Marzano, 2001); we incorporate these strategies into our classroom instruction:
1)Identifying similarities and differences
2)Summarizing and note taking
3)Homework and practice
4)Representing knowledge
5)Learning groups
6)Setting objectives and providing feedback
7)Cues, questions and advance organizers
Focusing on big ideas, concepts and essential questions based on CA state History standards and Common Core Literacy Standards.
Discipline without Stress
Our classroom is a small community where teamwork and good relationships are expected. Since 6th grade brings new experiences in middle school, we will spend a lot of time learning class procedures/routines and practicing them. Middle school is a time for adolescents to make choices—but also to rely on the guidance and counsel of adults who are important in their lives. Each student is expected to act within the standards of behavior.
We will be using the Discipline without Stressapproach which encourages children to become self-disciplined through reflection and self-evaluation, rather than rewards and punishment. I will stress personal evaluation of behavior using the four levels of behavior identified and discussed by Dr. Marvin Marshall in his books, “Discipline with Stress” (for teachers) and “Parenting without Stress.” The levels are identified on the attached list.
Levels C or D are always acceptable and encouraged in the classroom. Behaviors at Levels A or B are always unacceptable and are usually the child’s way of saying they need help from the teacher in controlling behavior. The child is asked to identify the level of their own behavior. “Can you tell me the level of that behavior?” followed up with further conversation and perhaps, “What kind of teacher will I have to be if you continue to act on this level?”
This questioning helps the child reflect and recognize that he/she has chosen to behave unacceptably. If unacceptable behavior continues, the child and I will work together to come up with suitable consequences. This questioning process sometimes takes more time than saying, “Pull your card…” but the result will be longer lasting and more productive for all the children and for our classroom community. In this way, children develop positive attitudes and behavioral skills that are so necessary for successful lives. We want our classroom to be encouraging and conducive to learning at all times for all students.
Students have a big responsibility in learning to be upstanding citizens in this world. My hope is that in the short time in the grand scheme of things I can help them in the right direction.
Academic Dishonesty Policy
Academic Dishonesty falls into two main categories: Cheating and Plagiarism
Cheating: the unauthorized use of assistance or information in any academic task. It includes, but is not limited to:
-Copying someone else’s work;
-Allowing someone else to copy your work;
-Submitting someone else’s work as your own;
-Sharing questions and answers to quizzes or tests between classes;
-Acquiring, or attempting to acquire test/quiz/assignment information in advance for the purposes of dishonestly improving your score;
-Altering test/quiz/assignment answers after grading, and attempting to return the work for a higher grade.
Plagiarism: attempting to receive credit for the unauthorized use of another person’s intellectual property- words, sentences, or paragraphs- without appropriate acknowledgement or credit. It includes, but is not limited to:
-Copying a source directly, word for word, without proper citation;
-Copying a source directly, and then changing a few words to “make it your own,” without proper citation;
-Paraphrasing or summarizing another person’s work, without proper citation.
In short plagiarism is presenting someone else’s work, as your own—whether you do it on purpose or not. If you “forget” to cite your source, you are still guilty of plagiarism—as unsympathetic as that may sound. In this class, you will have instruction on how to both write information in your own words and how to cite your sources (and opportunities to “remember” to do so), so there is no excuse for not doing it. If you wait until the last minute to do your work, you are more likely to “forget”, so consider this another good reason not to procrastinate!
Penalties: The penalty for Academic Dishonesty is an Automatic F (ZERO points)on the assignment, test, quiz, project, essay, etc. and a phone call home. Repeat offenses will also result in disciplinary action.
Academic Dishonesty is Dishonorable: DON’T RISK IT!!
Please sign and KEEP in your binder.
Student name: ______Signature: ______
Parent Name: ______Signature: ______