Lovinggood Middle School s1

1st Semester Syllabus for Social Studies 6th Grade ~ 2015-2016

Welcome to 6th Grade Social Studies! This year our studies will take us to Europe, Canada, Latin COURSE America, and Australia. We will study Geography, History, Government and Economics of each of DESCRIPTION these regions. The other regions of our world we be explored next year in 7th grade. This survey course allows us to glimpse life in these regions and we will be guided by the state Social Studies Standards along the journey. Those standards can be found on the “State SS Standards” link on my blog. We will be incorporating some 6th grade reading standards into our course as well.

My World Studies; Pearson publishing 2012 Students will not be issued a textbook to take home; class Textbook textbooks will be used at school. (Students will have on line access to the class textbook)

Student learning will be assessed through a variety of methods. Assignments will be graded with consideration given to neatness, accurate mechanics, usage, grammar, and spelling. Students are expected to use their Agenda as a planning, communication, and organizational tool. Students will be assessed using Standards Based Grading. This will allow for better mastery of content and analysis of student progress. Categories and weights used for assessment will change with each quarter, as do our standards. The weights for the first nine weeks are below:  SS6G8,9,10,11 Physical and Cultural Geography of Europe ~ 25%  SS6H6,7 Historical Developments in Europe up to the 21st century ~ 20%  SS6CG4, 5 Governmental Systems of Europe ~ 15%  SS6E5-7, Economic Systems of Europe ~ 15% Grading System  SS6G5-7, H4,5,CG3,E1-2 Canada Unit~ 15%  SS6RC1 Literacy in Content Area~5%  Mid-Term Exam ~ 5%  Non-graded Assignments/Tasks~ 0% *During instructional time and/or after assessments, targeted and meaningful opportunities will be provided for students to improve and demonstrate their mastery of state standards.

School Wide Late Work Policy: Please see the document below that outlines the LMS School Wide late work policy. This policy is designed to make kids accountable and teach responsibility. It works in concert with the Cobb Schools policy regarding late work due to absence. This policy is also available on the LMS website as well as my blog under Late Work Policy. 6th Grades SS Teachers: Mrs. Derry Mr. Hague Mrs. Moore Mrs. Slaton

*Email Address: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

[email protected] Contact Information

*preferred method of contact; quickest response

Blog Address: http://www.cobbk12.org/lovinggood/faculty.aspx (once on this page, click on your teacher’s name)

This Syllabus is subject to change based on student instructional needs. Lovinggood’s Late Work Policy:

“Oops Opportunity”

This policy applies to “Missed” deadlines only. This is when a student is PRESENT and does not have his/her assignment.

Level I: Involves the use of the “Oops” card

If a student misses a deadline:

 The student will be allowed to use his/her school-wide “Oops” Card to obtain a 1 day extension for the missed assignment – THE CARD DOES NOT REPLACE THE ASSIGNMENT – THE ASSIGNMENT MUST BE COMPLETED.

 Students will be given 5 cards every semester (18 weeks).

 A student may use no more than 2 cards per content area class.

 This policy does not apply to long term assignments. Long term assignments can be defined as any assignment that allows for at least a one week (or longer) turn around due date. Those assignments are due on the date the teacher gives as the due date.

 Please refer to the Cobb County policy if the child is absent. The county policy and this Lovinggood “Oops” Policy are in no way tied to each other.

Students will receive cards from homeroom teachers once per semester. We are asking that students keep these cards secured in lockers to avoid them losing or forgetting the cards when needed. There will be no grace for lost or forgotten “Oops” Cards.

Level II: Involves attending “Fix It Friday”

If a student has used the two “Oops” cards in any given class, and has repeated the practice of having “Missed” assignments, the student can choose to attend the administration’s “Fix It Friday” Session OR ACCEPT THE ZERO.  This is a Friday after school detainment that the student will attend in order to complete all missed work AND/ reflect on needed strategies in an effort to modify the behavior. We would hope for improvement of the practice of meeting deadlines. Repeat in- stances can be defined as anything needed beyond the 2 Oops Card Opportunities.

 Students need to work diligently during this time, only COMPLETED work will be assigned credit

 There are only 2 “Fix It Friday” opportunities in a 12 week period. Late work after this will not be accepted.

 If a child does not attend, he/she will accept the zero for the missed assignments.