Liberty Middle School
7th grade Social Studies Course Syllabus
2015-2016
Textbook:
No textbook will be issued, however, we will utilize
a class set of textbooks for reference.
Course Description: Students will use a curriculum designed to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a society which is culturally diverse, democratic, and globally interdependent. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of social studies and learn to apply the skills necessary for processing information. Students will demonstrate an awareness of and respect for cultural diversity and democratic principles. Finally, students will actively participate in civic processes and evaluate the nature of a global community.
The course will utilize the five themes of geography (location, human environment, interaction, movement, and regions) to explore select areas of the world. Emphasis is placed on historical context, economics, and the interactions/ relationships these areas have with the United States.
The Legacy community classrooms are designed to specifically meet the needs of each and all students. Activities may differ in scope, sequence, and pace. There are also increased opportunities for the use of higher level thinking skills, such as: analysis, interpretation, and evaluation.
Course Outline:
1st Semester
Middle East
Asia (South Asia)
2nd Semester
Asia (East Asia)
Africa
Personal Finance
Grading and Grading Scale (FCBOE): Grades are determined as follows:
Summative: 80% A= 100-90
Formative: 20% B=89-80
C= 79- 70
F= 69 and below
*By state rule, any grade below 70 is failing.
Homework: Brief written homework assignments are to be expected. However, it may not be on a regular basis, as students will be engaged in short-term and long-term projects. Student work will be graded based on completion and accuracy of the assignment. Students are expected to have their assignments the day they are due. In addition, student work must be legible and properly identified by assignment. Missing, incomplete or late assignments will be penalized. In addition to regular written assignments, students will need to study for upcoming tests and quizzes.
Special Projects: There will be several major and minor projects per semester. Each geographic region of study will culminate in a variety of projects designed to engage the student in analysis of information, interpretation and evaluation of data. The contents and scope of projects are at the discretion of the individual teacher. At times, projects may represent the assessment for a unit of study replacing a “traditional” unit test.
Provisions for Improving Grades: Opportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative grade will be allowed when all work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements. Teachers will determine when and how students with extenuating circumstances may improve their grades. Recovery work must be student initiated.
Extra Assistance: 12-hour notice must be given to teacher for any scheduled help session. Students must get a pass from the teacher on the day before the study session in order to come down the hall for a morning session.
Teacher/Parent Communication: Parents may contact the teacher at school by calling or e-mail. Messages are returned within 24 hours. In addition, face-to-face conferences may be requested to discuss a student’s progress or behavior. ItsLearning and Infinite Campus can be used for communication between parent and teacher as well.
Absence Make-up Policy: Upon returning to school following an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to utilize ItsLearning to make-up work. The student must complete make-up work within 5 days unless other arrangements are mutually agreed upon.
Classroom Management: Students are expected to act responsibly and respectfully at all times according to standards set forth in the Liberty Expectations. I expect my students to come to class prepared and ready to begin class at the bell. Each student is to use proper etiquette in listening to his/her teacher and fellow classmates. Consequences will follow the community level discipline cycle in accordance to the policies and procedures established by the Forsyth County Public School System.
Course Description: Students will use a curriculum designed to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a society which is culturally diverse, democratic, and globally interdependent. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of social studies and learn to apply the skills necessary for processing information. Students will demonstrate an awareness of and respect for cultural diversity and democratic principles. Finally, students will actively participate in civic processes and evaluate the nature of a global community.
The course will utilize the five themes of geography (location, human environment, interaction, movement, and regions) to explore select areas of the world. Emphasis is placed on historical context, economics, and the interactions/ relationships these areas have with the United States.
The Legacy community classrooms are designed to specifically meet the needs of each and all students. Activities may differ in scope, sequence, and pace. There are also increased opportunities for the use of higher level thinking skills, such as: analysis, interpretation, and evaluation.
Course Outline:
1st Semester
Middle East
Asia (South Asia)
2nd Semester
Asia (East Asia)
Africa
Personal Finance
Grading and Grading Scale (FCBOE): Grades are determined as follows:
Summative: 80% A= 100-90
Formative: 20% B=89-80
C= 79- 70
F= 69 and below
*By state rule, any grade below 70 is failing.
Homework: Brief written homework assignments are to be expected. However, it may not be on a regular basis, as students will be engaged in short-term and long-term projects. Student work will be graded based on completion and accuracy of the assignment. Students are expected to have their assignments the day they are due. In addition, student work must be legible and properly identified by assignment. Missing, incomplete or late assignments will be penalized. In addition to regular written assignments, students will need to study for upcoming tests and quizzes.
Special Projects: There will be several major and minor projects per semester. Each geographic region of study will culminate in a variety of projects designed to engage the student in analysis of information, interpretation and evaluation of data. The contents and scope of projects are at the discretion of the individual teacher. At times, projects may represent the assessment for a unit of study replacing a “traditional” unit test.
Provisions for Improving Grades: Opportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative grade will be allowed when all work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements. Teachers will determine when and how students with extenuating circumstances may improve their grades. Recovery work must be student initiated.
Extra Assistance: 12-hour notice must be given to teacher for any scheduled help session. Students must get a pass from the teacher on the day before the study session in order to come down the hall for a morning session.
Teacher/Parent Communication: Parents may contact the teacher at school by calling or e-mail. Messages are returned within 24 hours. In addition, face-to-face conferences may be requested to discuss a student’s progress or behavior. ItsLearning and Infinite Campus can be used for communication between parent and teacher as well.
Absence Make-up Policy: Upon returning to school following an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to utilize ItsLearning to make-up work. The student must complete make-up work within 5 days unless other arrangements are mutually agreed upon.
Classroom Management: Students are expected to act responsibly and respectfully at all times according to standards set forth in the Liberty Expectations. I expect my students to come to class prepared and ready to begin class at the bell. Each student is to use proper etiquette in listening to his/her teacher and fellow classmates. Consequences will follow the community level discipline cycle in accordance to the policies and procedures established by the Forsyth County Public School System.