MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES SYLLABUS
COURSE TITLE: 6th Grade Social Studies
INSTRUCTOR: Julie Breza
CONTACT INFORMATION:
· jbreza@solon.k12.ia.us
· 624-3401 ext. 1439 – best times 7:30-8 A.M., 10:45 - 11:20 A.M., and 2:30 - 3:30
LEARNING STANDARDS OF THIS COURSE:
Sixth grade Social Studies is focused on an inquiry-based model. The priority standards for 6th grade Social Studies are listed below:
(SS.6.3) Inquiry: Gather relevant information from primary and secondary sources using the origin and authority of the source to guide the selection.
(SS.6.5) Inquiry: With teacher direction, identify evidence that draws information from multiple perspectives and sources to support claims, noting evidentiary limitations.
(SS.6.13) Behavioral Sciences: Identify what makes up a culture and examine how people acquire their cultural beliefs and value systems.
(SS.6.14) Behavioral Sciences: Explain how groups, as well as the individuals within those groups, can influence each other.
(SS.6.16) Geography: Utilize and construct geographic representations to explain and analyze regional, environmental, and cultural characteristics.
(SS.6.17) Geography: Analyze and explain the cultural, physical, and environmental characteristics of places and regions and how this affects the lives of the people who live there.
(SS.6.19) Geography: Explain how regional changes in population distribution patterns affect changes in land use in those regions.
(SS.6.20) History: Analyze connections among historical events and developments in various geographic and cultural contexts.
(SS.6.23) History: Compare Iowa’s geography, natural resources and climate to other regions of the world.
These standards will be addressed as we cover World Regions and Cultures. In sixth grade, students will focus on geography, history, and culture in global regions. Students will analyze regional, physical, and cultural characteristics of places. The analysis will show how these factors influenced people who lived there and how the people and characteristics have changed over time.
TEACHING MATERIALS:
TCI History Alive! The Ancient World 2011
Evan-Moor Daily Geography Practice
Teacher developed and teacher-selected materials from various sources, often in the form of inquiry lessons.
DAILY GEOGRAPHY PRACTICE (Daily Geo) :
A Daily Geography section is due each day (unless otherwise instructed by the teacher). This is in addition to other possible assignments.
The Daily Geo must be completed PRIOR to the beginning of class each day. The student may work ahead by a week.
Students must read the “information page” which is found at the beginning of each week’s activities.
I will do a “mini-lesson” over the following week's skills on Wednesdays of most weeks. If students get stuck while working ahead they need to stop and wait for the mini-lesson to be taught or use an outside resource to help them.
STUDENT MATERIALS TO BRING TO CLASS DAILY :
Zippered Expandable File Folder: Daily Geo, other SS packets and/or handouts, and Social Studies notebook
Pencil Pouch: sharpened pencils, eraser, red pen, highlighter, scissors, glue stick, tape
Agenda and Free Read Novel
GRADING GUIDELINES:
Entries in the grade book that count towards the final grade will be limited to course or grade level standards
Extra credit will not be given at any time.
Students will be allowed multiple opportunities to demonstrate their understanding of classroom standards in various ways. Retakes and revisions will be allowed within 2 weeks of the test (or before the next assessment, whichever comes first) .
Student grade book entries will be determined by multiple points of data. The entries will be a reflection of the most recent performance.
Students will be provided multiple opportunities to practice standards independently through homework or other class work. Practice assignments and activities will be consistent with classroom standards for the purpose of providing feedback. Practice assignments will not be included as part of the final grade.
ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS:
Daily assignments are used to reinforce and practice standards, so completion by assigned date is vital for understanding. Class work time will usually be provided with the rest of the assignment to be finished out of class and due on the assigned date. These assignments will be checked in class or turned in to the teacher.
Late assignments – Coursework that is late and/or unfinished will ultimately affect the student’s understanding. It is best for the student to complete the assignment prior to an assessment and turn in even when it’s late.
PowerSchool - Student completion on daily assignments and performance on assessments will be communicated in PowerSchool and is available to students and parents.
Google Classroom - SS classes will have access to a Google Classroom where assignments and announcements will be posted. Students can access this through their school google account.
RE-ASSESSMENTS:
A student will have the opportunity to retake assessments in order to improve his/her understanding of the skills.
In order to reassess, the student must have completed all practice assignments leading up to the assessment. In addition, before any re-assessment can be taken, the student will be required to attend a practice session set up by the teacher and/or must provide documentation of additional work that is done to practice and learn the skill(s) that the student is not understanding.
The re-assessment must be completed within 2 weeks after the first assessment.
MAKE-UP WORK PROCEDURES:
Planned absence – In advance of a planned absence (doctor’s appointment, family event, vacation, etc.), a student needs to touch base with his/her teacher. If possible, the work should be turned in before the student leaves. If it is not turned in before the student leaves, it is due when the student returns to school.
Unexpected absence -When students are gone unexpectedly (illness, family emergency, etc.) students should go to Google Classroom and check the SS Daily Slides. It is up to the student to seek additional help for the assignments, if needed, and then hand in the assignment(s) within two days of returning to school.