7th grade U.S. History

We study early American History from colonization to the Antebellum period, with an emphasis on the social, economic and political development of the United States. The course is fully aligned with the Common Core and NY State learning standards.

Classroom Rules & Procedures

• Be prepared and on time – unprepared counts as a late.

• Be polite and respectful to all.

• Do not disrupt the learning of others.

• No food or drink in class, including candy and gum.

Supplies for 7th grade:

• Black or blue pens (or pencils) to write with.

• You need a 3 ring binder (1″ or 1.5″), with 10 dividers.

• A small supply of loose leaf paper. 25 sheets should get you through the year.

• The binder will be organized in my format.

• You only get one copy of the sheets that I give you, so do not lose them.

• Your binder will be checked for a grade quarterly, take good care of it.

Homework Grading Policy

100%

75%

50% These are the possible grades on your homework assignments.

25%

0%

Your homework grades are mostly based on the quality of the information you are giving in your answers:

100%: If your homework is generally done well, with apparent effort, it can have a few small mistakes on it (an answer here or there that is weak or wrong) and you can still get a 100% for it.

75% – 0%: Once your work starts having too many problems with wrong answers, weak answers, partial answers, answers that don’t make sense, etc., your grade for the work will drop below 100%.

There are other factors that will cause you to lose points off your homework, regardless of how good the quality is: I refer to these as "landmines." Try to avoid them:

-25% = For each answer left blank. Do not leave blanks. Try an answer. Start with a question mark at the start of your answer to signal to me that you had trouble with that answer.

-25% = Each time you do not get a full glossary definition (FGD) for vocab words (words that I put in bold italic on the homework sheets and that the book puts in bold blue in the reading. I also put the code "FGD" after the word) or a full main idea (FMI) from the start of the reading when asked.

-25% = If you have 3 or more answers that do not start with a capital letter.

-25% = If you have 3 or more answers that do not end with proper punctuation (a period).

-25% = Frequent misspellings of words from the reading that you are using for your answers.

Codes/Notations You May See On Your Graded Homework

• C = (at the top of your paper) You didn’t capitalize 3 or more of your answers.

• P = (at the top of your paper) You didn’t use punctuation for 3 or more of your answers.

• X = Wrong answer.

• FGD = You didn’t write a full glossary definition.

• FMI = You didn’t write the full Main Idea (as given at the start of the reading).

• DNAQ = Does not answer question (your answer might be true, but it’s not what I asked!).

• DNMS = Does not make sense (your answer makes no sense as written!).

• ? = Similar to DNMS, I’m confused by what you’ve written, or can’t make out a word or words.

• … , and… , more… = All mean that you need more, you stopped to soon.

• Sp = spelling!

Late Policy

Homework will only be accepted 1 class day late with a penalty of 50%.

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CAP Economics & Government:

First semester = EC0- 102: Principles of Macroeconomics.

Second semester = PSC-100: Government and Politics in America.

Materials Needed:

You will receive most of the materials you need from me. Papers will be 3-hole punched, so I recommend having a binder in which to keep them. It will be your choice how to organize and keep your materials. Please show up with the following:

-Something to write with.

-A tiny supply of loose leaf paper for the rare occasion when it is needed.

-Calculator (Economics only).

-Focus and work ethic.

Message to Prospective Students:

The material is challenging and copious, especially Economics. Then, during the the second semester, you might start wrestling with "senioritis." If you qualified for these classes, you are capable of being successful in them. Make that decision before you come in. Success for many of you will will most likely require academically upping your game and "stretching" yourself on a consistent basis. It is a good investment in your skills and abilities, and good preparation for future success in college.