Social Studies Syllabus

Mrs. O’Brien

Room: 162

Course: 6th Grade Social Studies

Year: 2020-2021

Contact Information: cobrien@my.atafordpas.org

Phone: (313) 625-4700

Best Available Time: 10:25am-10:50am & 11:25am-11:55a

Class web-site: https://sites.google.com/a/my.atafordpas.org/msmcgahan/


COURSE DESCRIPTION:

SOCIAL STUDIES:

Sixth grade social studies is a geography-based course that introduces students to the physical and human geography of the world. Throughout the course, students will use different spatial scales (local, regional, interregional, and global), to study human patterns and global issues. In doing so, students deepen their understanding of the disciplines of history, geography, economics and political science, as well as broaden their understanding to other fields within social studies such as anthropology, sociology, and archeology. Students explore how all of these social studies fields are both complementary and interdependent. Grounded in research on students’ thinking and learning in geography and other social science disciplines, the curriculum emphasizes how evidence from a myriad of social studies fields collectively provides a broad and detailed picture of our world.


CAREER EXPLORATIONS

Career Exploration prepares 6th grade students to make informed decisions about their future academic and occupational goals. Through direct instruction, interactive skills, demonstrations, and practice assignments, students learn how to assess their own skills and interests, explore industry clusters and pathways, and develop plans for career and academic development. This course is designed to provide flexibility for students. Inquiry Based Lessons and Project Based Learning will drive the course so that students have the ability to plan and choose the career that is best for them, based on their own unique personality and interests. Students will begin to develop the necessary leadership and technology skills that allows them to compete in an ever changing workplace.


Classroom Rules, Procedures, and Policies

In order to promote a healthy and engaging learning environment, we need to follow classroom procedures and policies. Below I have outlined my expectations for our class. I reserve the right to adjust any policies or procedures as I see necessary in order to promote a safe and stimulating classroom community.

Classroom Rules

Failure to follow these rules will result in disciplinary action.

  1. Follow the REACH Values in all daily interactions

  2. Comply with the Student Handbook at all times

  3. Give everyone the RESPECT you would like to be treated with

  4. Do NOT talk while the teacher is talking

  5. Raise your hand to be heard

  6. Respect all classroom materials

  7. NO PURSES allowed in classroom (must be stored in lockers, or left home)

  8. Must ALWAYS have student ID on

  9. Food, including but not limited to, candy, gum, and beverages are NOT permitted in the classroom

  10. ALL Electronic devices, excluding CHROMEBOOKS, are NOT permitted in the classroom.

*NOTE: Parents and students have a responsibility to know the contents of the ATA Handbook.

Disciplinary Actions

When a student breaks one of the above rules, or conducts themselves in inappropriate behavior, the following consequences may result.

1st occurance: Warning and discussion with teacher

2nd occurance: Phone call home and/or lunch detention

3rd occurance: Write-up and phone call home

*A student may be sent directly to the office if they conduct themselves in any seriously inappropriate behavior, determined by the teacher.


Classroom Procedures

1. Entering the classroom:

  • STUDENTS MAY NOT ENTER A ROOM UNTIL THE TEACHER IS IN THE ROOM. (Students will need to line up along the lockers, outside of the room, until the teacher arrives.)

  • Go directly to your seat

  • Copy today’s objective in your planner

  • Begin the opening activity

  • Wait quietly for teacher instruction

2. Dismissal at the end of the period:

  • Clean up your work area

  • Even if you hear a bell, stay in your seat until you are dismissed by the teacher.

  • Make sure your chair is pushed in.

  • Upon teacher instruction, line up in the designated area quickly and quietly.

3. Getting students attention:

When the teacher begins to count backward starting from 5 or says “Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention please?” students will:

  • Immediately stop what they are doing and look at the teacher

  • Stop talking

  • Silently wait for teacher instruction.

  • Continue working when instructed

4. Walking in the Hallways

Students are required to walk through the hallways in a respectful manner that is both safe and efficient. Students will:

  • Line up in a single-file line at the classroom door as directed by the teacher.

  • Face forward in line

  • Walk silently on the right side of the hallway to the destination

  • Keep hands and feet to themselves

  • Secure all books and/or supplies in hands in front or on sides

5. Finding work after being absent:

Look at the online weekly calendar, on the class website, and find the day (s) you were absent

  • Write the assignment in your planner and collect any necessary work from Mrs. O’Brien at an appropriate time.

  • You have one day for every absence to finish the work.

  • After completing, submit work through Google Classroom or return the work to the appropriate class basket

6. Talking Procedure:

It is okay to talk:

1. If I raise my hand and the teacher calls on me

2. If talking is necessary to complete my activity

Students should not talk when:

1. The teacher is talking

2. Another student is talking

3. Students have been instructed not to talk

Grading Scale

There is no curve. Grades will be determined based on a weighted scale and the total number of points earned. The weighted scale is as follows:

Categories----Percentages

Summative----60% (Tests, final projects, final papers, etc.)

Formative---- 40% (Daily class work, homework, bell work, journals, progress checks, etc.)

The grading scale is as follows:

A = 93% -100%

C = 73% -76%

A- = 90% -92%

C- = 70% -72%

B+ = 87% -89%

D+ = 67% -69%

B = 83% -86%

D = 63% -66%

B- = 80% -82%

D- = 60% -62%

C+ = 77% -79%

F = 0% - 59%

Tardy Policy

Students are expected to be in class and seated when the bell rings, otherwise they are considered tardy. When the bell rings, students should have all materials out and ready to work.

Absent Policy

  • Students have one day for each absence to turn work in. For example, if a student is absent on Tuesday and returns on Wednesday, Tuesday’s work is due on Thursday. If a student misses Tuesday and Wednesday, then work for both of those days is due on the following Monday.

  • If a student is absent on the day the assignment or project is due, the assignment is due the first day the student returns. If the student is absent on test day, he/she is responsible for taking the test the day that he/she returns. It is the student’s responsibility to see the teacher about taking the test.

  • Not all work can be made up. Sometimes we watch videos in class, conduct lab investigations, have class discussions and students are given credit for these activities. If a student misses class, they may not be able to make up the assignment. It is imperative for students to be in class every day. It is the responsibility of the student to collect all missed work.


Academic Integrity

Cheating is not tolerated at ATA. Students who choose to cheat may expect a variety of consequences, including, but not limited to, loss of grade, suspension, or loss of privilege. Consequences will be at the discretion of the instructor involved and will be discussed with the student, parent(s), and administrators.









6th Grade Team Supply List



Please make sure your child has access to the following materials for 6th grade learning:


  • Chromebooks

  • Internet Connection

  • Loose Leaf Paper and/or Spiral Notebooks for each class

  • Zippered Three Ring Binder

  • Six 2 Pocket Folders to Organize Papers

  • Pack of Pencils/Pens

  • Coloring Supplies (Colored Pencils/ Crayons/ Markers)

  • Handheld Pencil Sharpener with shaving holder

  • Headphones/earpieces

  • Kleenex

  • Lysol or Clorox Wipes

  • Hand Sanitizer

  • Scissors


Thank you in advance!

6th Grade Teachers

Course Responsibility Contract

All parties agree that academic success is the product of a cooperative effort. To ensure that ___________________________(student name) will benefit from this effort, each party has the following responsibilities:


As a student, I will:

1. Practice the Amistad values: REACH: Respect, Enthusiasm, Achievement, Citizenship, Hard Work

2. Put my best effort into my school work.

3. Obey all classroom rules and procedures.

4. Come prepared to school with assignments and materials.

5. Read syllabus thoroughly.


As a parent, I will:

1. Monitor my child's school work and extracurricular activities.

2. Support classroom discipline policy.

3. Contact Mrs. O’Brien as needed and attend parent-teacher conferences.

4. Ensure my child is on time and attends school regularly.

5. Read syllabus thoroughly.


As an instructor, I will:

1. Provide a safe, comfortable environment for all students.

2. Enforce school and classroom rules consistently.

3. Provide students with clear and concise expectations.

4. Work to make learning an enjoyable experience.

5. Provide a syllabus to each student.

Please sign and return by Thursday, Sept. 2nd, 2021

Student Signature

_______________________

Date:

Parent Signature

__________________

Date:

Teacher Signature

Mrs. O’Brien________

Date: 9/2/2021

Appropriate Computer Use Policy:

Parents and Students: Please read together, sign and return the document to Mrs. O’Brien.

Statement of Purpose

It is my belief that all students should have access to technology when they act in a responsible, efficient, courteous and legal manner. Internet access and other online services, available to students and teachers, offer a multitude of global resources. My goal in implementing these services is to enhance the educational development of my students. Appropriate uses of technology are devoted to activities that support teaching and learning. The following are our agreements about the use of technology:

Terms of Agreement

Using the Chromebook correctly and responsibly is very important. I promise to follow these rules:

  1. I promise to use all computer equipment carefully and not damage, change or tamper with the hardware, software, settings or the network.

  2. I promise never to use any form of electronic communication to harass, frighten, or bully anyone.

  3. I promise to use the computer and the Internet for schoolwork only. I will use the programs and websites that my teacher has approved.

  4. I promise not to share my or any other passwords.

  5. I will not view, send or display inappropriate messages or pictures.

  6. I promise to tell an adult if I read or see something on the computer that is inappropriate.

  7. I promise to obey copyright laws.

  8. I will not use my email account or any personal electronic devices at school except with the permission of a staff member.

  9. I promise to print only when my teacher tells me to.

  10. I promise to only use my own file or my own folder on the school server.

  11. I understand that if I break any of my promises, I might not be able to use the computers.

  12. I promise to tell my teacher and parent if I see or hear anything that makes me feel uncomfortable.

Use of New Web Tools

As part of 21st century learning, teachers and students will be using new Web tools such as blogs, wikis, podcasts, and videocasts. These technologies improve student communication and collaboration skills, provide a real audience, and extend learning beyond the classroom walls while building digital citizenship skills. Photographs and/or videos of students working collaboratively may be posted using any of these tools.

I will sign my name to show that I will follow these rules.

Student Name (Print) ______________________________________

Student Signature _________________________________________

Teacher Signature ____Mrs. O’Brien_____

I have read this Acceptable Use Agreement and have discussed it with my child:

Parent/Guardian Name (Print) ________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature ___________________________________

Date Signed _____________________________