Course Syllabus 7th Grade Social Studies covers several areas of history mandated by the NJ State Department of Education in its Core Curriculum Content Standards. From September through November, we will complete the American History requirements outlined in the NJCCCS with an examination of the American Civil War and Reconstruction era. In December, we will begin to tackle the World History requirements outlined in the NJCCCS with an examination of the Prehistoric Age. We will then move onto the ancient civilizations of India, China, Egypt and Mesopotamia. While covering these areas, we will study the origins/beliefs of Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism. Connected to our study of Judaism will be an analysis of the Holocaust and Genocide, as mandated by the New Jersey Commission on Holocaust Education. Throughout the year, we will create constant and meaningful connections to the 21st Century to accurately show our students the relevancy of the eras we will be studying.

Sept – Nov: American Civil War & Reconstruction Dec – April: Prehistory & Ancient Civilizations May – June: Holocaust and Genocide Studies Curricular Sequencing

Materials Needed Daily Interactive Notebook--- a 3 subject spiral notebook that has dividers with pockets- houses all of your S.S. notes and assignments Tape Writing utensil Agenda book- keep track of test dates, long-term assignments, and homework

Classroom Systems Agenda Board —tells what the “Do Now” is for that day, the objective is for the lesson, and the activity that will be done Absentee Files– folder system where all hard copies of notes and handouts go for each day of the week. This is where you go to get what you missed. Class notes will also be posted on my webpage at/upon the completion of the lesson. If you are absent, you should look for these online to keep up with what is going on in class. Minilesson/Projector Area —houses the projector, document camera, and main computer where all multimedia presentations and lessons will occur.

Classroom Systems Bathroom Signout– a teacher in the room will have to sign your agenda book and you must also signout at the door Fire Drill, Code Blue, Code Red—we will follow the exit plans on located on the walls. These are very serious drills and it is important that we follow these procedures for your safety

Daily Procedures Do Now—can vary from day to day, but is usually writing down any homework, setting up your notebook, copying the table of contents Lesson— –Part 1 is usually a multimedia presentation in which you will take notes on powerpoint slides –Part 2 is right side notes in your interactive notebook, these are somewhat of a summary of main ideas from the lesson Activity—Left-side activity where you will process the information presented and/or show your understanding Sharing—Sharing of thoughts and understandings with the class or a partner

Grading Grades reflect the demonstration of knowledge and the understanding of concepts. Tests 50% Quizzes/Concept Checks 5% Projects 15% Notebook 20% Studytools 10%

Tests All tests are based on our class notes that are located in your interactive notebook There are usually 2 tests per marking period Tests are announced at least 2 weeks in advance Detailed studyguides will be provided as well as a list of study options that you will use to prepare for the test Every night, you should be reviewing and preparing studytools for the test

Studytools Studytools are active methods of studying (such as- flashcards, sequence cards, outlining, bulleted list, practice tests, etc) A detailed list of studytools will be provided for you to choose from Studytools will be checked and graded Your homework on a nightly basis is to create a studytool for the information that was presented in class that day CAUTION! DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE NIGHT BEFORE THEY ARE DUE --- MAKING THE STUDYTOOL IS ONLY STEP 1, YOU MUST USE THEM NIGHTLY TO EFFECTIVELY STUDY

Projects There will at least one project per marking period Projects are done in school All projects are graded individually There will be a menu of choices provided for projects (song, script, political cartoon, etc) Projects should show your understanding of the objective

The Interactive Notebook Is your lifeline for this class All teacher provided notes will be taped or glued into the right side page Any summary notes taken at the end of the lesson will go on the right side pages Demonstration of your understanding of the concept is done on the left side page using one of the left side strategies A list of these strategies will be taped into your notebook The Interactive Notebook will be collected and graded each marking period

Homework? There may be formal homework assigned on occasion Every night you should be reviewing the lesson from that day and making a studytool for that information Every night you should be looking through and testing yourself with the studytools you made from the beginning of the unit