CURRICULUM NIGHT 2016 WELCOME! IMS 6th Grade Social Studies

My Background Seattle area 20 years Certified Teacher: Middle Level Humanities & 9th-12th Grade English and German Issaquah School District--IMS

Why do I teach? I want to provide ALL students with the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to ensure a rich and fulfilling future. I want to inspire them to achieve their very best each day and to view learning as a lifelong endeavor. FORMULA FOR SUCCESS: Confidence + Hard Work + Perseverance “I can do this/I got this” attitude fostered by positive classroom environment. Being a hard worker can make up for weaknesses in other areas and will allow you to achieve success. Perseverance is a life skill—the greatest learning moments are the ones that include setbacks that you overcome and don’t give up on.

Classroom Community Students create “IMS Way” classroom matrix: Be Safe, Be Respectful & Kind, Be Responsible. Students will feel safe and cared about in my classroom. They will have a voice—their opinions and feelings matter! If they help create the “rules,” they take ownership of them on a daily basis.

Social Studies History Geography Civics Economics Critical Thinking Look at the ancient civilizations through these lenses. A focus will also be critical thinking.

Social Studies Historical Perspective Uses knowledge of the past to construct meaningful understanding of our history in order to enrich and enlighten our lives How can we use the past as a guide to help ensure a positive future for ourselves and others

Social Studies Geographic Perspective Uses knowledge of geographical concepts such as spatial patterns, and both human and natural systems, to understand processes that impact our world. Landforms glossary—completed—apply that information to all the civilizations—how did the geography affect the way the people lived, survived, downfall

Social Studies Civic Perspective Uses knowledge of government, law, and politics to make decisions about and take action on local, national, and international issues to further the public good Aided in a civilization’s survival or contributed to their downfall, connection to our government—city, state, U.S.

Social Studies Economic Perspective Uses knowledge of production, distribution, and consumption within economics to make decisions. Economies of the ancient civilizations, what good did they produce, how did they distribute these goods, how did it affect decisions that were made by these societies and their survival and downfall

Social Studies Critical Thinking Skills Used to investigate and analyze a variety of resources and issues and seek answers

Social Studies: TRIMESTER 1 Geography (landforms, maps) Early Humans (hunters/gatherers) Mesopotamia (agriculture) Landforms—applied to all civilizations—how do these affect the economy, politics, daily life in general of the people/ hunters and gatherers/ agriculture

Social Studies: TRIMESTER 2 Ancient Egypt Gift of the Nile Life in ancient Egypt Pyramid Builders The New Kingdom

Social Studies: TRIMESTER 2 Israelites Beginnings & Beliefs Kings Two Kingdoms

Trimester II (continued) Ancient Greece Beliefs and Customs City States and Democracy Sparta and Athens Golden Age Alexander the Great Legacies

Social Studies Trimester III Ancient Rome Republic Empire Daily Life Empire’s Decline Legacies

Trimester III (continued) The Rise of Christianity The Early Church A Christian Europe This leads them up to where they will begin their study of medieval Europe in 7th grade

Homework Average Amount = 10 to 15 minutes/night Reinforcing class learning or preparation for following day Posted on website

Classroom Website Daily Blog Files (Important Documents) Links Click on each date for complete information Files (Important Documents) Syllabus, Major Assignments Links

Having FUN!!! Movies and video clips to introduce and enhance learning Simulations/Dramatizations Integrating students’ interests into lessons Games Group Work

How can you help? Quiet place to study without interruptions (no cell phone, no TV) Be sure your child is recording homework and due dates in planner Check website for essay, project, and test dates—help student learn to organize/manage time (use student planner)

Contact Information and Extra Help CONTACT: Email: WinslowV@issaquah.wednet.edu Phone: Leave message on voice mail: 425-837-6838 EXTRA HELP: After school--Best to make appointment

Please complete the Parent Survey.

Thank you for coming! Write a short note to your child and I will leave it on their desk so that they see it when they come into class tomorrow