Embedded Files
Purpose
The outcome for this year-long course is for you to acquire awareness, knowledge, and appreciation for the history and development of the United States of America. We will examine the men, women, and groups who have made significant contributions to the political, economic, social, and cultural development of our country. This course is designed to help you relate current happenings to past experiences and therefore better understand how we arrived at where we are today. Being able to apply what we have learned in class is our top priority so we will regularly analyze both national and international events and discuss possible outcomes and solutions.
By the end of this course you will be able to:
- Describe and analyze what causes our government to change and/or evolve
- Identify the impact the United States has on global events through our foreign policy choices
- Identify the impact and importance of cultural diversity, civil rights and liberties
- Analyze how the modern world changes our nation's responsibilities and the meaning of citizenship
- Write from a historical perspective
Four main "lenses" will drive our studies this year. Through these lenses, we will analyze the unique role that the United States plays in the world by BOTH driving and adapting to change. Lenses we will used to study our world are:
Lense #1- Civics
Lense #2- Economics
Lense #3- Geography
Lense #4- History
How is Social Studies taught?
Social Studies is more than memorizing names and dates in a textbook. This subject is full of incredible stories that make us who we are today. Reading, writing, study skills, and creative problem solving are all part of our class. The students have opportunities to work in cooperative learning groups as well as studying independently.
Class discussions, lectures and video clips provide opportunities to practice note-taking skills. Over the course of the year, we will continue to develop and support executive functioning and student skills. By the end of the year, your child should be able to identify what method works best for him/her. From time to time, we will analyze primary sources and connect our history through the writings of people who witnessed some of the world's most important developments.
Lastly, reading comprehension and writing is one of the most important aspects of Social Studies. Students will be interpreting and writing summaries of both primary and secondary sources, completing research papers, and developing their argumentative writing skills. These writing samples will be used to assess communication skills and understanding of the content.
Homework
I do not assign homework on a daily basis. I only assign homework when A) it is important to enrich or reinforce a particular lesson, or B) to prepare for an upcoming activity or test. Due to the fact that I don’t regularly assign homework, it is the student’s responsibility to keep track of their assignments. Late assignments can be turned in for FULL credit IF the student is responsible and discusses it with me. Late credit is always available, so everyone has a chance for success!!!
Behavior
I am responsible for creating a pleasant classroom environment that allows all students an opportunity to be successful. All Northwood students are expected to follow the PBIS behavior matrix (BARK).
- Be Prepared
- Act Responsibly
- Respect Self and Others
- Keep Safe
This includes respecting others’ right to their opinions and also raising your hand before commenting and not interrupting others.
Grading
Grades will be updated frequently to support parent communication, progress monitoring, and student growth. Final grades are comprised of three weighted categories:
- Assessments / Performance Tasks
- Current Events
- Assignments/In-class activities
***NOTE: If you cannot access the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, please contact the Main Office for assistance.
On a personal note: Don't Worry!!!
I promise we will have fun in this class. My job is to help you through this transition from elementary to middle school and from middle school to high school. I have taught at both the high school and middle school levels so I know exactly what your future teachers will expect of you and I will make absolutely sure you master those skills. You may not realize it yet, but you will truly enjoy history due to the fact that it is the only class you will ever take in your educational career that resembles a democracy. We will treat this class as a learning community and gain a deeper understanding of our country and our history together. One aspect of this class you will enjoy is that during discussions, there are NO WRONG ANSWERS. If you have an opinion, and can support your opinion, then you are exploring a real possibility, and that is all I ask of you. If you have an opinion, voice it. Let yourself be heard. Just be yourself, ask the questions you have always wanted answers to, and let yourself be interested. I am very pleased to have all of you in class and I am looking forward to an exciting and productive year.
Communication and Student Support
For extra help, students can see me everyday before or after school. The most effective means of communication is emailing me at ealbrecht@nssd112.org. I will return emails or phone calls within 24 hours.
Report abuse