SOCIAL SCIENCES COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE – 7th grade Social Sciences
YEAR – 2017-2018
TEACHER–Mrs. Sandra Stacey Team 7-2
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The Social Sciences curriculum provides students with an understanding of their role in the community, state, country and world. It also helps them to understand the role of our history and the history of others in making the world what it is today. In Douglas County Schools we want to prepare students to be active citizens in our democratic society, to teach students “HOW” to think, not “WHAT” to think, to empower students through geography to understand the world and to realize we are globally interdependent, and to promote awareness and acceptance of others, both nationally and internationally.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: The seventh grade curriculum standards are based on the Georgia Standards of Excellence written by the Georgia Department of Education. For a detailed analysis of these standards, refer to the Department of Education website, GA Standards of Excellence. We also will use Common Core Standards for Social Studies with literacy being the focal point.
Areas of study: Geography, Economics, History, and Government of the following regions:
Southwest Asia (The Middle East)
Southern and Eastern Asia
Africa
Also included in our studies are:
Citizenship
· DCSS and CHMS procedures and expectations
· Duties and responsibilities of a citizen
Second Step
· This program, presented by the 7th grade counselor, Ms. Martin, focuses on students making wise decisions in everyday situations they face in Middle School.
TEXTBOOK: World Cultures and Geography, McDougal Littell Publishing Company.
The textbook is a supplemental material resource and will be used occasionally. We also will use many supplemental materials such as, Engrade, a Learning Management System online, maps, documents, Discovery Learning, and other sources. IMPORTANT!! Please sign the “Internet Permission” note in your student’s agenda in order for students to access online content during class.
GRADING POLICY: Grades are based on class participation, effort to complete assignments, and mastery of the Georgia Standards of Excellence and will be weighted as follows:
Advanced Content Classes
Classwork 35%
Tests/Major Assessments (cumulative) 30%
Projects 20%
Quizzes (formative) 5%
Participation (CATS) HW, etc. 10%
Total 100%
General Education Classes
Classwork 40%
Tests/Common District Assessments (cumulative) 25%
Projects 20%
Quizzes (formative) 5%
Participation (CATS) HW, etc. 10%
Total 100%
IMPORTANT!!!! Makeup work is reserved for those students with EXCUSED ABSENCES. Students are then allowed to complete the missing assignments with no penalty following the DCSS policy. If a student chooses not to do/complete an assignment, or fails to turn an assignment as directed, it is considered “missing work,” not “makeup work.
Students are expected to meet all deadlines as posted. When assignments are graded and posted, missing work may be coded as a “0” in Infinite Campus. If you have been absent from class with an EXCUSED ABSENCE and miss a deadline, you have three days to make up your assignments. It is the student’s responsibility to retrieve your assignments in the “What Did I Miss?” binder located on the student information counter. If you have any questions about the assignment, you may see me after class or ask another student. If you prefer to speak with me, you may see me during HR (pass needed), stay after class, or stop by on the way to connections. After hours, you may use email to communicate. On occasion, some assignments may be resubmitted for partial credit. In order to receive partial credit for a missing assignment, students must communicate with me, in person, to determine if the assignment will be accepted for partial credit. Partial credit will be determined by the type of assignment, deadline, and with teacher discretion.
The teacher has the discretion to accept any missing assignment. Please note any assignment allowed to be submitted or “MISSING WORK” will receive partial credit rather than full credit.
Each student will be given one copy of a printable resource. It is your responsibility to print additional copies of posted documents. If you ask for another copy, you may be deducted 10 points on the assignment. When posting discussion posts online, remember to use “netiquette” and be mindful that online communication in our platform is an extension of the classroom. It is very important that you complete the assignments during the “window” of operation as you will be locked out after the deadline. Resources are constantly updated and removed on a unit of study basis.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE: Conferences are scheduled as needed with students and parents. The agenda book is used daily for assignments and notes to parents. Parents are encouraged to write notes to the teachers as well. Children benefit tremendously when parents and teachers have open lines of communication and work together. Please view and sign your student’s agenda each school night for assignments, homework, and notes. NOTE: If a parent/guardian writes a note to the teacher it is the student’s responsibility to inform the teacher of the note.
BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS: Students are required to maintain self-control and to follow class and school wide procedures that are discussed in the opening unit on “Citizenship” as we go over our district and school procedures. These will be reinforced throughout the school year. Guidelines are outlined in the CHMS Student Handbook about behavior and discipline procedures. Please follow the chain of command according to Douglas County School System with grievances or concerns that you have. I appreciate the opportunity to speak with parents.
NOTE TO PARENT/GUARDIAN: Please go over the CHMS Student Handbook with your student and sign/return the form in the back of the handbook.
Best wishes as you begin your 7th grade year. With organization, effort, honesty, and a positive attitude you will be very successful.
I look forward to working with you. Please feel free to contact me with questions, comments, dialogue, etc.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Sandra Stacey