Northwestern Middle School



Northwestern Middle School

Subject: Social Studies Syllabus 2019-2020

Grade: 6

Teachers: Diane Biesiadecki, Jacques Johnson, Rekha Mishra, Kimberley Reed, Leah Robinson, Allison Rowland

Course Description:

Sixth grade is the first year of a two-year World Area Studies course. Sixth grade students study Latin America and the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, and Australia. The goal of this two-year course is to acquaint middle school students with the world in which they live. The geography domain includes both physical and human geography. The intent of the geography domain is for students to begin to grasp the importance geography plays in their everyday lives. The government/civics domain focuses on selected types of government found in the various areas so that students begin to understand the variety of governments in the world. The economics domain builds on the K-5 economics standards; however, the focus shifts from the United States to how other countries answer the basic questions of economics. The history domain focuses on major events in each region during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

Course Outline:

|Semester One |Semester Two |

|Geography of Europe |Geography of the Caribbean and Latin America |

|Development of Europe |History of the Caribbean and Latin America |

|Political developments in Europe |Political developments in the Caribbean and Latin America |

|Economic Systems in Europe |Economic Systems in Latin America and the Caribbean |

|Development of Canada |Development of Australia |

| |Personal Finance |

Teacher/Parent Communication:

Want to contact a teacher? Email is the most efficient way to contact teachers.

Want to know what is going on in class? Each teacher will provide a platform in which communication will be sent out on a regular basis.

Want a conference? Conferences may be scheduled with a teacher based on each student’s needs.

When do Interim Report Cards/Progress Reports go home? – Every 4 ½ weeks

How do I see my child’s grades and attendance? Infinite Campus – please check frequently for your child’s progress. Please ensure you are also registered in Infinite Campus so you can view your child’s grades. Teachers will post grades within 2 weeks of test dates or project/assignment due dates. You can find Infinite Campus on Northwestern Middle’s website.

Mrs. Biesiadecki’s e-mail is biesiadecki@ and she will use weekly e-mails to inform parents of upcoming work and due dates. All student work will be on Google Classroom.

Mr. Johnson’s e-mail is JohnsonJT@ and he will use weekly e-mails to inform parents of upcoming work and due dates. All student work will be on Google Classroom.

Dr. Mishra’s e-mail is mishra@ and she will use weekly e-mails to inform parents of upcoming work and due dates. All student work will be on Google Classroom.

Mrs. Reed’s e-mail is reedk@ and she will use weekly e-mails to inform parents of upcoming work and due dates. All student work will be on Google Classroom.

Ms. Robinson’s e-mail is robinsonlc@ and she will use weekly e-mails to inform parents of upcoming work and due dates. All student work will be on Google Classroom.

Mrs. Rowland’s e-mail is rowlandA1@ and she will use weekly e-mails to inform parents of upcoming work and due dates. All student work will be on Google Classroom.

Grading:

*Northwest Learning Community decision

Summative Assessments (Tests, Major Projects, etc.): 60%

Formative Assessments (Quizzes, Class Assignments, etc.): 35%

Homework (Intended to help students prepare for quizzes, tests, and projects.): 5%

Fulton County Grading Scale:

A: 100-90

B: 89-80

C: 79-70

F: 69 and below

Recovery Policy:

All students are eligible for recovery for tests on which an 80% or less was received and student meets the following criteria:

• Student must initiate a request

• Student must make test corrections

• Student must complete recovery assignment

• Student must attend at least one help session

• Student will receive the recovery grade but no higher than 80% will be entered

Study Guides:

Students at Northwestern Middle School will be provided a study guide to use when studying for their assessments. This study guide will include key vocabulary and essential questions to be answered. The guide will be given at least a week prior to the test, and answers will be provided in class and online.

Late Work Policy:

o All work will be due on the due date.

o For major and minor work there will 2 points deducted from the students’ score each day it is late.

o Missing work must be turned in within 5 days of due date in order to be accepted. A late penalty will apply of up to 10 points off.

Help Sessions:

Students can come to school early to receive extra help. They do not have to report to their specific social studies teacher. They will be welcomed at any session.

|Teacher |Day |Time |Room |

|Johnson |Tuesday |8:05-8:25 |606 |

|Robinson |Wednesday |8:05-8:25 |605 |

|Reed |Thursday |8:05-8:25 |607 |

Absence Make-Up Procedures (FCBOE Policy JBD):

Upon returning to school following an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to contact the teachers to request make-up work. Make-up work must be completed by the student within the time specified by the teacher. At NMS, students will be given the same amount of time to make up the work as the student was absent unless other arrangements are mutually agreed upon. The student will receive the actual grade on the make-up work if the absence was “excused.” This information can also be found in the student agenda.

Academic Dishonesty:

Academic honesty is very important at Northwestern Middle School. If a student is caught cheating on a major assessment he or she will be referred to administration for further disciplinary action. In addition, plagiarism in any form is not accepted. Plagiarized work may receive a grade of zero and referral for academic dishonesty. It is the responsibility of both the student and the parent to be aware of what constitutes plagiarism and its consequences.

All plagiarizing will result in the following:

1. Parents will be notified

2. Students will re-do the assignment or an alternative assignment

3. Possible administrative referral

TAG/Advanced Academic Probation:

Students failing to meet the Continuation Criteria are automatically placed on probation.  Probation may last for as little as one grading period but no more than one school year.  Parents must be notified in writing when a student is placed on probation.  A written plan explaining how a student can be removed from probationary status will be included in notification to the parent and student.   In placing a student on probation it should be considered that unsatisfactory performance in a content area of service would be documented with a grade < 80.

Advanced/TAG Student Performance Standards:

Advanced students will develop more complex research methods and independent study skills, which allows for the in-depth learning of self-selected topics within the area of study.

Advanced students will develop and practice creative thinking and creative problem-solving skills with a variety of complex topics within the area of study, in order to be generators of ideas and products original to the students.

Advanced students will develop and practice higher-order and critical thinking skills in an area of study.

Advanced students will develop improved communication skills that incorporate new techniques, materials, and formats in the development of products and ideas that will be shared with adults and peers.

Please sign below indicating that you have read the syllabus and plagiarism policy and return to your social studies teacher by Friday September 6, 2019. Keep this syllabus for future reference. This syllabus can also be accessed online from the Northwestern Middle School website.

Social Studies Teacher Name: ___________________________________

I have read and understand the policies and procedures in my syllabus for 6th Grade Social Studies:

Student Name (Print): _________________________________________________

Student Signature: _____________________________________ Date: __________

Parent Signature: ______________________________________ Date: __________

Parent Email:_________________________________________________________

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