SOCIAL STUDIES

Gallopade: Western Hemisphere. Students access the Gallopade online text using their @alstudent.org Google account through the CLEVER portal.

Understanding the Social Studies Classroom:

Social Studies is more than a textbook of non fiction reading. It is an understanding of early civilizations, historical events, and cultural traditions that have shaped the societies of the world, and particularly in 5th grade, the Western Hemisphere. Through reading, interactive lessons, discussions, and role-playing, students are offered a blended learning experience. These classroom experiences increase a student's global perspective and may ultimately increase empathy and understanding for all. 

  Course Overview: students will work to develop basic Social Studies skills and grade level standards including:

• Daily Geography Practice (D.G.P.) Daily map examinations and answering map questions. 

• Reading and interpreting non fiction text 

• Regions and countries within the Western Hemisphere can be determined using geographic boundaries, landforms, climate, cultural, and economic characteristics

• Political, environmental, social, and economic factors cause people, products, and ideas to move resulting in diversity

• Government systems: Democracy, Monarchy, and Dictatorship. The role of citizens within the government system is examined.

• Interpreting data from circle graphs, images, charts, and tables

• Economics: Decision making has both present and future consequences. 

• Researching and recording information without plagiarizing; using both online and non-digital resources

Textbook: Gallopade 5th Grade: Regions and People of the Western Hemisphere. Students access the Gallopade online Western Hemisphere digital text through their @alstudent.org Google account. Each student also has a Gallopade consumable workbook. Supplemental materials including additional practice activities will be organized within their team binder. 

   Units          Chapters 

History 1-3

Geography 4-10

Government 12

Economics 13-18

Students may be given one larger project per quarter in addition to classwork. ​

Additional Online Supplemental Materials: Readworks passages, Quizlet (flashcard review of concepts), Blooket (review game), Edulastic (digital assessment platform), and EdPuzzle (videos with questions embedded) are interactive educational sites students may be using throughout the year. These assignments are accessible through the Google Classroom.

Assessments: Gallopade provides vocabulary building activities, interactive galleries, review opportunities, study guides, quizzes, and formative assessments throughout each unit. 

PowerSchool Grading System: Student's grades are posted weekly. It is recommended for students and parents to check bimonthly or at the families' discretion. Ownership of grades earned and advocating for support are two skills middle school students are developing. Parental knowledge and navigation of PowerSchool are involvements we encourage. Symbols are also indicated within your child's Powerschool grade box. Missing, Incomplete, Late, and Comments are indicated or explained when you click on the assignment and grade box. Below are 5th Grade Social Studies weighted grade categories:

 Category           Percentage Weight

Tests 45%

Quizzes 35%

Classwork/Project 15%

Homework 5%

If a student is absent they should log-in to Google Classroom to keep up on daily assignments (within reason) and email the teacher if clarification is needed.  Extra time is given for completion of classwork and homework when a student has an extended absence. *Google assignments are accessible at all times and we recommend “bookmarking” your child’s Google account and Google Classroom in order for parents to access easily.