Classroom Syllabus
Hillcrest Middle School
Caring. Committed. Connected.
7th Grade Social Studies
Communication
Instructor: Sarah Jane Boeschenstein
Email: sboeschenstein@greenville.k12.sc.us
Classroom Phone: 864-355-6172
Supplies
*Students should come to every class prepared with their charged Chromebook, writing utensil, and paper*
A Pocket Folder for important papers (kept in classroom)
Paper to write on
Pencils
Set of Coloring Utensils and Highlighters (Used for posters, projects, and mapping)
Classroom Expectations
All students are expected to maintain acceptable behavior in and out of school. At HMS we expect that all Wildcats demonstrate positive character and behavior. Any behaviors that oppose a positive learning environment will be subject to the HMS discipline policy. Please see the student handbook for additional information. Classroom expectations will also be available on students' Google Classroom page.
Absences
Students do get sick and will most likely miss some days. While out, the student should check my Google Classroom to see what we are doing in class. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain and make up missing work. The student is responsible for getting notes or information from either the teacher or another student in class. Failing to make up work will result in NHIs in the grade book. If a student has any questions or concerns they can ask them during the appropriate time of class or through email (preferred method). Students are welcomed and encouraged to make an appointment with me for before or after school for additional help.
3 days or less: 7 days to make up work without penalty from the date of return. After 7 days, work will not be accepted for a grade. NHI will be documented as final grade.
4-7 days: 10 school days to make up work without penalty from the date of return. After 10 days, work will not be accepted for a grade. NHI will be documented as final grade.
+7 days: Students with documented extended illness will be handled on a case by case basis with guidance from administration.
Grading Policy
The State Board of Education requires all schools to follow a statewide uniform grading scale. Middle school course averages have a floor of 50 for each grading period for each course. Each Assignment, as per school policy, will be allowed to be turned in for 7 school days after the deadline for full credit. After 7 days the NHI will be recorded in the gradebook as a 50 and CANNOT be turned in for credit. Each quarter will have: 3 major and 8 minor grades.
*Assignments will not be accepted after the NHI deadline has passed, with exception for students absent on the assignment due date*
Grading Scale: A (90-100) B (80-89) C (70-79) D (60-69) F (50 or less)
Major Assessments: 50% Minor Assessments: 50%
Hillcrest Re-Take Policy
All students have the opportunity to correct major tests (not projects) for mastery of content. It is the student’s responsibility to request this opportunity from the teacher according to the following guidelines:
● All students are eligible for the redo policy; all corrections must be completed within 5 days of the return of test date.
Teachers can offer either test corrections or a condensed assessment retake of the standard requiring remediation.
● Corrections must be completed during PAWS: 8:00 AM - 8:25 AM, working lunch, or a scheduled time with the teacher the week following the test.
Grading Terms to be Familiar With:
NHI—Not Handed In
INC—Incomplete
GFA—Grading Floor Applied
ABS—Absent
EX—Exempt (acts as if the grade were not there)
CO- Collected/Handed In
World Geography Course Overview:
Course Description:
Seventh grade students will study Earth from a regional perspective, focusing on the continents. Students will study contemporary places and regions to identify how the experiences of people are rooted in places and organized into geographic regions. This course focuses on human systems and the sum of human activities and characteristics across the Earth's surface. Instruction should utilize the geographic thinking skills and themes developed in the 2019 South Carolina Social Studies College and Career Ready Standards. These standards are aligned with the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate in order to promote world-class skills and knowledge. Instruction should include inquiry-based learning in which students apply geography literacy and skills to current world issues.
Units:
*Unit descriptions can be found on the Unit Overview tab with unit resources*
Unit 0: Essentials of Geography
Unit 1: North America
Unit 2: Central America and the Caribbean
Unit 3: South America
Unit 4: Europe
Unit 5: Russia and Eurasia
Unit 6: Sub-Saharan Africa
Unit 7: Southwest Asia & North Africa
Unit 8: South Asia
Unit 9: East Asia
Unit 10: Southeast Asia
Unit 11: Australia, Pacific Realm, and Antarctica