Welcome to 7th Grade Social Studies Mrs. Bellman 2015-2016 Syllabus

What to expect this year: Different teaching styles and teachers Studying for tests Not waiting until the last min Being more independent Preparing for your future and your academic career Adjusting to change For the most part, your homework will be to study and make sure your notebook is complete and in order! It’s always due on the day of the test!

What to expect in my class: Working hard Thinking outside the box Being organized Managing time Keeping up with assignments Studying prior to the night before Writing essays and papers Working in teams Cooperative groups Respect will get you far/ disrespect will get you nowhere

Grades: 50% Daily Work 50% Test Scores Notebooks, group activities, assignments, homework, cooperative group grade 8 to 12 daily grades per 9 weeks 50% Test Scores Tests, papers, projects, cooperative group grade 3-5 test grades per 9 weeks

What will we learn this year? 1st Semester: Civics-the study of the rights and duties of American Citizens 2nd Semester: Geography-The study of the earth in all its variety World Day Project Advisory (Project Wisdom)

Tentative Course Schedule 1st Semester: Civics 7th grade content standards will be divided into units that trace the historical, political, economic, and geographic components of citizenship in the United States Each unit has a central question. This is the big overall theme/question of the entire unit that students should be able to answer by the end of the unit. Each unit lasts approximately 2 ½ to 3 weeks. At the end of each unit students will be tested.

2nd Semester: Geography 7th grade content standards are divided into unit in which students will study the earth in all of its variety, including both physical and human geography Each unit has a central question similar to the Civics course.

Testing Days Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday English Math Science Social Studies

Semester Exam First Semester Exams: December 14-16 Second Semester Exams: May 18-20

Supplies for Class Paper Pencils Notecards (pack of 100) Pens Colored Pencils Crayons Markers 1 dry erase marker 1 pack of square sticky notes (post-its) Glue stick Pack of white copy paper Binder (or you can have one binder for all of your classes with dividers for each class) 1 pack of small poster boards (they usually come in packs of 5) Clorox wipes Paper towels Colored copy paper

School Rules 1. Be Respectful 2. Be Responsible 3. Be Safe Respond to teacher requests the first time! Be friendly and kind to teachers and students! Raise hands before speaking out or leaving seats! 2. Be Responsible Do all assigned work! Bring necessary materials to class! Put forth maximum effort in work! 3. Be Safe Keep hands and feet to yourself

School Procedures Lockers and locker breaks Dress code Hallway Lunchroom Snack break 2nd load

Team Rules 1. Be respectful 2. Be Prepared 3. Work quietly in groups 4. Don’t move desks 5. Don’t touch teacher’s desk 6. Keep hands and feet to yourself 7. respond to teachers’ requests the first time 8. Raise your hand before speaking out loud or getting out of your seat 9. Do your own work 10. put forth maximum work effort

Consequences to Breaking a Rule “the look” Verbal warning Mark (cooperative group grade mark) Steps or office referral Your Planner will be marked, as well Parent will be contacted if step 2 or higher

Rewards - Team Player of the Week - PBS parties - Reward Tickets

Classroom Procedures continued Entering and leaving the classroom Warm up Notebooks Testing days & getting papers back Changing classes Bathroom Locker Breaks Missed assignments and homework Bring Your Own Device- you can use your devices only when your teachers allow you to

Classroom Procedures Continued How to turn in work How to give an answer What to do if you need a pencil or paper Colored Cards Cooperative Groups and Social Contracts Fire drills, tornado drills, intruder drills What to do during announcements Saying “please” and “thank you,” “excuse me”, and “I’m sorry” When to throw away your trash

Ignite Club This is our Christian Club at the School Informational meeting will be announced soon if you are interested in joining this club. Mrs. Bellman is the head of this club. We meet at different times not during school hours. If you are interested please see Ms. Bellman. We will meet on Tuesdays at 5.

TNT (Tuesday Nights Together) On Tuesdays after school anybody who needs extra help or wants to stay to study, do homework, make-up work, or work on a computer I will be available after school until 5. At 5:00 we start Ignite club. You are welcome to stay for that, as well, but you do not have to. You don’t have to stay until 5 either if you need to leave earlier! You may work on any subject during TNT. It doesn’t just have to be my subject. We usually meet in my room right after second load and eat a snack. T Parents can pick up their kids any time during TNT.

Communication If a parent wants to contact me please feel free to use the following email: kim.bellman@elmoreco.com INow home should show homework and grades School Website Mrs. Bellman’s green mailbox in her classroom for student communication Instagram: MrsBellman101 Remind101: send the text @macsclas to 202-225-0666 Facebook: search Kim Bellman and send me a request. the only people I will accept are current students and their parents and the only status’s that I will write will be about school announcements or information. You can also send me messages or write on my wall… Be appropriate and use the internet wisely! Be smart about what you put on facebook!

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