6Th Grade Social Studies

Orange Team/Mrs. Grimard-Levis

; 717.566.5342

Course description:4 major units comprise 6th grade social studies:

  1. Economics (Junior Achievement’s BizTown curriculum)
  2. Government
  3. North America (Canada, Mexico, and Central America)
  4. South America

Textbook:World Explorer: Western Hemisphere

Prentice Hall, copyright 1999

Supplemental materials:Junior Achievement’s JA BizTown Curriculum

A variety of internet resources…Quizlet, EdPuzzle, and iCivics.org

Major objectives:

  • Develop effective study and questioning skills
  • Expand knowledge of geographic, economic, and governmental vocabulary and concepts
  • Increase awareness of current events related to areas and issues studied
  • Develop research skills using a variety of sources
  • Analyze and synthesize information

Course requirements:

Come to class ready to work with pencil, notebook/folder/binder, textbook/Citizen Guide, computer, headphones, and planner

Keep an organized notebook/folder/binder complete with class handouts and social studies journal

Complete required projects, quizzes, and tests

Participate in personal and electronic class discussions

Accept responsibilities for your actions

Always do your best

Feedback*:Regular, timely feedback will be provided through

  • in-class activities (Tickets in the door; current events)
  • written assignments including responses to lesson essential questions (LEQs) in social studies journals
  • small group review
  • homework
  • projects, quizzes, and tests

Homework*:

  • Homework is to be attempted and neatly completed.
  • Questions are encouraged during class, lunch, 11th period, or homeroom
  • For absences due to lessons, early dismissals, and illnesses, work must be made up in a timely manner.

Assessment*:

  • Quizzes and tests
  • Can be corrected for full credit using the proper format when all missing work has been completed
  • Common assessments
  • Economics, Government, and North and South America

Grading system*:Marking period grades are determined using total points. (Total points earned/total points possible x 100 = %)

98-100A+78-79C+

93-97A73-77C

90-92A-70-72C-

88-89B+68-69D+

83-87B63-67D

80-82B-60-62D-

59 and below F

*LDMS staff will continue to discuss appropriate grading practices based on current educational research during the 2016-2017 school year. Therefore, these policies are subject to change. Parents and students will be notified prior to any changes made regarding feedback, homework, assessment, and grading.

References used to compile feedback, homework, assessment, and grading changes include A Repair Kit for Grading and Grading Smarter, Not Harder.

What is Customization?

Customized instruction is geared to your child. Your student’s individual strengths, interests, and goals play a role inhowthey receive instruction andlearn. Students benefit from a customized approach because it increases learning, maximizes the results from their work, and provides them with an opportunity to have input in their learning process. It strengthens their connection to school and their teachers, and helps them understand who they are as a learner. For more information on customization, please refer to Orange Team’s webpage. –taken from Orange Team’s webpage, 2015

Students will use traditional paper and pencil while also using various forms of technology and online resources.

In addition to whole group instruction, students may work in small groups, individually, or with teacher guidance as they learn required social studies concepts.

Technology Resources

The main resources used to access technology links will be CANVAS and my personal district webpage.

Canvas is an online platform where students can access lesson materials and assignments during class and at home. Username and password is found on the back, inside cover of your child’s planner (on PINK paper).

Visit my personal webpage, – lower dauphin middle school – faculty – Mrs. Levis) for homework and links to other resources.

Technology Policy

  • Students will be using touch screen laptops during class and will be accessing the internet to complete assignments and access resources.
  • Students are responsible for handling all technology assigned to them during class with care.
  • Students are only permitted to visit the online resources presented in an assignment.
  • Students must also abide by all other aspects of the technology policy presented in the student handbook, found in the front of the student planner.
  • Failure to comply with these rules may result in a loss of technology privileges.

Other helpful suggestions:

Students are given graphic organizers, study guides, maps, and other handouts for each unit of study. They may use them any way they wish to prepare for quizzes and tests.

Encourage your adolescents to establish a buddy system. When questions develop, they can FB, Instagram, Tweet, or phone a friend.

Use the Internet as a resource.

Homework is posted DAILY within the CANVAS platform.

If you want to know how your child is doing in this course, please remember to check his/her grades on-line using Power School, send me an email, or call me.

Contact information:

Call 566.5342 between the hours of 8:45 – 9:30 am.

If calling after 9:30 am, ask for my voice mail to leave a message, and I will return your call as soon as possible.