1. Welcome to 6 th Grade Social Studies!! Ms. Rebecca Musa rebecca.musa@cms.k12.nc.us http://rebeccamusa.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/ Please write your full name and student’s name on the index card provided. Thanks!

2. Dear parents, I am delighted that your son/daughter is in my social studies class this school year. With your encouragement, your child will participate in and enjoy many exciting and rewarding experiences throughout the year.

3. About Ms. Musa 19 th year teaching 5 years in South Carolina 13 years here at Robinson Bachelors in Education University of South Carolina Masters in Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities Francis Marion University I have the sweetest/cutest puppy EVER! Teaching is my passion!

4. General Course Outline The sixth grade social studies curriculum will cover global human history from the beginning of time, roughly to the year 1500. We will go over geography and social structures, world religions, politics and economies. Our textbook will be in the form of an online techbook through Discovery Education. Access to the internet will be imperative, whether it is used at home, at school or at a public library. All online assignments will be given ample time to complete and if there is any trouble with internet access, please do not hesitate to contact me so I can supply your student with the information in a most timely fashion. Students will complete an interactive notebook for all class notes and class assignments, which will compliment online assignments and homework packets.

5. But why??  Every child in America needs to be ready for today’s and tomorrow’s world. A profound gap exists between the knowledge and skills most students learn in school and the knowledge and skills they need for success in their communities and workplaces. To successfully face rigorous higher education coursework, career challenges and a globally competitive workforce, U.S. schools must align classroom environments with real world environments.

6. Middle School Social Studies Historical Concept Questions 1. Exploration & Settlement Patterns: What are the causes of exploration and the impact made by settlement patterns? 2. Conflict: Explain the causes and effects of the specific conflict. 3. Cooperation: Identify how cooperation was used in/during ___________. 4. Government/Politics: Analyze the form of government studied and compare it to the government of modern day United States. 5. Innovation: Synthesize the impact of technology on civilization and how it has changed the way we live today. 6. Geography: How has geography influenced historical events? 7. Equality/Freedom: Describe how equality and freedom have been used, or not used efficiently in/during _______.

7. Social Studies Concept Chart Exploration / Settlement Patterns ConflictCooperationGovernment/PoliticsInnovationGeographyEquality / Freedom

8. Success for your child…  Teacher’s role  Parents’ role  Student’s role

9. Teacher’s Role: Support your child at school Provide a safe and comfortable learning environment Tutor (Wednesday mornings from 7:15AM-7:45AM) Implement Lessons Check for understanding Test and Quizzes Daily Assessment Projects Assign appropriate and meaningful reading & writing assignments Keep parents and students informed both in the classroom and online Prepare students for Middle and High School on to become life long learners

10. Parents’ Role: Provide support at home Provide appropriate materials (and encourage students to bring them to class- This includes agendas!) Stay informed! Check assignments in agenda Sign up for Remind Check website Email Check Parent Assist Help students with school work, but do not do it for them! It is okay if it’s not perfect! Be positive about assignments! Ask what they are learning in class.

11. Student’s Role: Write down homework Complete assignments on time and to the best of his/her ability Participate in class Prepare for tests and quizzes ASK FOR HELP

12. Grading Metrics Classwork/Informal Assessments/HomeworkFormal Assessments 35% of Quarter Grade Classwork must include a variety of assignments such as warm-ups, notebook checks, quizzes, group work, in-class tasks, class participation, etc. Class participation rubrics must be approved by the principal/designee 65% of Quarter Grade Formal assessments must include a variety of assignments such as tests, comprehensive writing assignments, projects, etc. Project rubrics must be approved by the principal/designee. Classes that meet daily should have a minimum of 12 grades per quarter Classes that meet on an A/B Day schedule should have a minimum of 6 grades per quarter A minimum of 4 formal assessments shall be included in the final grade. Grades are assigned based on a ten-point grading scale, as dictated by the State of North Carolina board of education: A = 90-100 B = 80-89 C = 70-79 D = 60-69 F = 59 and below Percentage Breakdown

13. Mastery Learning  If a student earns below a 79% on an assessment, the student may have the opportunity to make test corrections within two weeks of the original assessment administration date (or due date). The test correction grade will replace the original grade up to 79%.  An assessment is any assignment included in the “formal assessment” section of the grade book for the course. This may include large projects or presentations, formal lab reports, and performance tasks, in addition to traditional “tests”.

14. Tutoring Wednesday mornings, 7:15 – 7:45 AM Students need to come prepared with questions and something to work on!

15. Homework Expectations – Just Do It!  *HOMEWORK will be assigned each time class is in session and the length of assignments will vary. I am flexible, but it is up to the student to submit or bring to my attention any late work. Assignments should be written in planners, it will be posted on my wiki and notifications sent through REMIND.

16. Wish List Throughout the year, we always need the following: Tissues Baby wipes (unsented) Plain and colored copy paper Pencils

17. Remind  A-Day  Text @adayss to 81010  Email, send an email to adayss@mail.remind.com adayss@mail.remind.com  B-Day  Text @bdayss to 81010  Email, send an email to bdayss@mail.remind.com bdayss@mail.remind.com

18. Contact me! Write a note in the agenda Email: rebecca.musa@smc.k12.nc.us My websites: http://rebeccamusa.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/ http://rebeccamusa.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/ (also accessible through the CMS/Robinson website) Contact Mrs. Jenouri (Guidance Counselor) to set up a team conference

19. Thank you for attending! If you would like a copy of this PowerPoint presentation, please email me and I will be glad to send it to you! Have a great evening!