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 a charged Chromebook and pencil*

Necessary

• Pencils (We will be using a pencil almost every day in class)

• Charged Chromebook (Students will be encouraged to check and charge Chromebooks during PAWS to prepare for the day)

Optional

• A Pocket Folder (This can be kept in backpack and used to bring home any school forms from classes)

• Set of Coloring Utensils and Highlighters (Used for posters, projects, and mapping)

• Paper to write on

• Planner or Notebook to keep track of assignments and school events 

• Wired Headphones

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 MDAs (Missing due to absence) 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). 

• Make-Up Work- Less than Three Days Absent

Upon returning to school, students absent fewer than three days are responsible for contacting each teacher to make up any work missed. School policy allows students five days after returning to school to make up work.

• Make-Up Work – Three or More Days Absent

The request for make-up work to be done while the student is absent from school should be made by the parent between 8:00AM and 9:00AM on the morning of the third day absent. Parents who have requested make-up work may pick it up after 3:30PM on the third day of the student’s absence.

Grading Policy

The State Board of Education requires all schools to follow a statewide uniform grading scale. Each Assignment, as per school policy, will be allowed to be turned in for 5 school days after the deadline for full credit. If the assignment is not turned in on the due date, the grade will be marked as a zero with the "missing" flag. If the assignment is not turned in within 5 days after the due date, the assignment CANNOT be turned in for credit. Each quarter will have: 3 major and 8 minor grades.

*Assignments will not be accepted after the 5 day grace period 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. Projects will be completed in class with multiple opportunities to have work reviewed and make necessary corrections before the due date. Any students that score below an 80 will be asked to complete test corrections.  It is the student’s responsibility to complete test corrections 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:

INC—Incomplete

MDA- Missing Due to Absence (absence policy will apply to turn-in date)

EX—Exempt (acts as if the grade were not there)

CO- Collected/Handed In (will be changed to the assignment grade once graded)

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