7th grade Social Studies: Eastern Hemisphere Geography



WELCOME to Mrs. Miller’s Social Studies Class!

e-mail: michelle.miller@ website: mmillerclass.

|UNITS and TOPIC OF STUDIES |

We have two units of study:

1. Ancient World History and Geography (Mesopotamia, Egypt & Nubia, India, China, Greece, Rome, and a few others)

2. Asia and the Pacific Region Geography and Culture (China, India, South East Asia, Australia)

Focus Skills are worked on weekly. This incudes determining longitude/latitude and reading maps, as well as interpreting and creating timelines, charts and graphs. We will also work on different strategies for note-taking, reading and writing.

|ASSIGNMENTS / HAND-OUTS (40% of your grade) |

• Work in this class is NOT optional. If you choose not to complete your work (or don’t meet the expectations of the assignment), then you will be required to attend ZAP, our AFTERSCHOOL intervention program.

• Most things are started in class, and whatever is not finished in class is required to be finished for homework (a majority of it can be finished if you use your time wisely. ALWAYS assume unfinished work is homework, whether I outright state it or not).

• Work needs to be turned in on time, every time – this means it is due at the moment it is collected. Late assignments will receive 50% credit. (This applies to work given both in AND outside of class. If you do not have it because you forgot it in your locker or at home – even if it is completed – it will receive late credit).

• If work is not completed according to directions or is not quality work, I will not accept it and you will be required to REDO it. In most cases, this will be considered late work and you will be “ZAPped.” There may be times I require you to make corrections on wrong answers – based on the quality of work I will determine whether or not full credit will be received and/or attendance to ZAP is necessary.

For each unit / lesson set you will receive:

• Big Idea sheet – this explains our current content and maps of study, focus skills (known as FS), and important vocabulary and key terms (known as VKT). It will also list anticipated assignments and assessments.

• In-class notes (in a notebook specific to social studies)

• Worksheets (known as WS or KQs) and projects

• Study guides for most formative and all summative assessments

|ASSESSMENTS (60% of your grade) |

You can’t pass any class without passing your assessments (if you don’t test well, then this is something you will need to work really, really hard on!).

Frequent assessments include (but not limited to):

• Friday Quizzes (approximately 10 questions, no study guide given)

• Map / Skill assessments (including identification of physical features & places; written application of vocab/key terms; geography / academic skills focused on in class)

• Big Idea Focus Question (a key concept from the chapter requiring a more lengthy written response)

• Formative/Summative assessment (common 7th grade assessment by chapter and/or unit)

|SUPPLIES |

In-class social studies folder – It is a place to put reference material, checked assignments and assessments, in-class assignments, etc. I will provide it to you and strongly recommend you leave in your assigned bin on my counter. If you choose to take it home, be sure to bring it back. You are completely responsible for it both in and out of the classroom.

YOU need to get yourself and bring to class DAILY:

• Pencils and pens (dark blue or black ink only (otherwise it will not be accepted). Pencils are preferred because they erase and you will be doing A LOT of labeling.)

• crayons or colored pencils (small box of your basic colors)

• a zip-up pouch (like a make-up bag) for your writing utensils (pencil boxes are not appropriate – too bulky, hard to carry with your books and iPad - when dropped spill everywhere)

• a notebook (used ONLY for social studies)

• book cover (you will have to pay for any damages, so this is a good idea!)

Donations of Kleenex and hand sanitizer would be greatly appreciated.

|Miscellaneous |

• NO bags or purses (leave them in your locker!). NO hats or hoods. NO iPods or cell phones.

• Bring ONLY social studies materials to this class (no math, science, etc. You will need to return to your locker between classes.)

• ALWAYS bring your iPad and follow the acceptable use policy. iPad use is a privilege, not a right.

• Use your passes wisely – you only have 4 per class. Once they are all used, you may not use them from other classes and you will NOT be given new ones until the next quarter. There is no exception, so plan your drink and restroom breaks accordingly!!!!

• CHECK WEBSITES DAILY. (mmillerclass.) I, of course, expect your parent to e-mail me with questions or concerns. I expect YOU to do so as well – better to ask than not! If you don’t tell me, I won’t know. (michelle.miller@)

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