Jean Childs Young Middle School

Jean Childs Young Middle School 7th Grade Social Studies Course Syllabus Ms. Joy Thomas Teacher

Course Description:

Africa, Southwest Asia (Middle East), Southern and Eastern Asia Seventh grade is the second year of a two year World Area Studies course. Seventh grade students study Africa and Asia. The goal of this two year course is to acquaint middle school students with the world in which they live. The geography domain includes both physical and human geography. The intent of the geography domain is for students to begin to grasp the importance geography plays in their everyday lives. The government/civics domain focuses on selected types of government found in the various areas in order to help students begin to understand the variety of governments in the world. The economics domain builds on the K-5 economics; however, the focus shifts from the United States to how other countries answer the basic questions of economics. The history domain focuses primarily on significant events in each region from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

Social Studies Teachers Expectations : 1 1. Bridge essential understanding about the past to contemporary events. 2 2. Assist students in understanding the nature of historical inquiry and the role of primary and secondary sources. 3 3. Encourage the consideration of multiple perspectives on events. 4 4. Engage students in speculation about the known and unknown motives and actions of historic figures. 5 5. Integrate the strands of Social Studies. Through the use of a varied assessment program, students should be provided with periodic opportunities to engage in inquiry-oriented projects related to social studies. A varied assessment program with multiple types of both formative and summative assessments provides the teacher, the student, and the parent with an understanding of the student’s progress and mastery of the Georgia Performance Standards for Social Studies.

Academic Expectations:  Follow directions first time given, and ask for clarification when needed.  Be punctual everyday prepared to learn.  Complete all assigned projects neatly and accurately.  Maintain quality work.  Submit assignments in a timely fashion.  Bring all necessary supplies daily.  Adhere to class, team, and school wide expectations.

Behavioral Expectations:  Be Prompt  Be Prepared  Be Positive  Be Productive  Obey THE BIG FOUR Textbook: My World Studies Pearson (Publisher) $65.00 (replacement cost)

Grading / Conduct Scale:

A 110-90 S Satisfactory B 89-80 N Needs Improvement C 79-70 U Unsatisfactory F 69- 0

Tutorial/Conferences  Tutorial is offered on Wednesdays from 4:00p.m– 5:00p.m . Tutorial students must arrive promptly in order to maintain a serious learning environment and to address student needs. All students must have a written permission note from parents/guardian in order to stay for tutorial. (** Tutorial permission slips are available per teacher**). Individual teachers may offer additional days for tutorial.  Conferences are held upon request. Please call 404-802-5900 (J.C. Young Middle School) in order to schedule a conference.

Course Requirements Textbook, supplies/materials, homework, class work, assessments, research project, special projects, attendance and active class participation.

Mission/Goal Raise the academic achievement of all students! “Every Child is a Gifted Child”

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