7th Grade: Social Studies

Contact Information
Teacher: Mrs. Taelman ABT: (313) 382- 3422 EXT: 111 Email: Katherine.Taelman@Leonagroup.com Class Website: http://mrstaelman.weebly.com This course meets at 7th hour (2:56-3:58)

Mrs. Taelmans

Course Description

This class will cover the major world religions, cultures, histories of the Eastern Hemisphere. We will look at major forces of conflict and cooperation among nations, as well as economic systems and governments. It will also develop an understanding of historical and geographic analysis by looking at primary and secondary sources, maps, and themes.

Units of Study:

Basics of Historical Understanding & Analysis Introduction to World History World Religions Basic Geography & Human Environment Interaction Government & Economics Cooperation and Conflict within the world

Grading
Your grade will be calculated on the following: 50% Assessment 20 % Quizzes 20% Class Work/homework 10% Participation

Participation
Being an active participant is essential in this classroom. The more you participate, the more you will get out of it and the more fun we will all have. It is incredibly important you come every day, on time and prepared Participation in Class Discussion Class participation is a very important part of the learning process in this course and your grade. You will be evaluated on the QUALITY of your contributions and insights. Quality comments possess one or more of the following characteristics: Offers a different and unique, but relevant, perspective Contributes to moving the discussion and analysis forward

Builds on other comments

CHECK IT: http://mrstaelman.weebly.com

Katherine.taelman@leonagroup.com

Course Work
There will be a variety of work in this class. Some of it will be done in class, some at home. At times, you will be allowed to take work home to finish it. Due dates for all assignments and projects will be given and posted in class. . Writing Assignments & Research Writing is a critical skill that you will use throughout your life. You will write at least two papers per semester and many more short writing assignments. To ensure that you are able to communicate information in a variety of ways, the styles of writing with vary with each piece of writing. Oral Presentations, Discussions and Presentations Speaking to the class, in a variety of ways, is required in this course. Being prepared, effectively communicating your ideas and actively participating in class discussions will be graded. Additionally, showing respect to speakers as well as respect in how you deliver your information is required. Colony Project This project showcases the geography skills you will have learned and mastered in this class. In it, you will create a colony, using a key, in a given specific geographic features. In creating this colony, you will also create a society based on an economic system and form of government. This project is multi-facetted, with many pieces. Class time will be given to complete this project, though it is wise to take it home if you require additional time. This project will take place during the Spring, usually in March. Additionally, at the end of the project, the student with the most points will be deemed to have the Best Colony. Other winning categories include (but are not limited to): Best Constitution, Best Advertisement, Best Presentation, Travelocity Award. More information will be given as we get closer to the date.

Late work

If you do not turn homework/projects in at the beginning of class, it is considered late. All late work will lose 25% off the grade you would have earned. You have until the unit test to turn in all late and/or makeup work. After that, it will not be accepted. For example, the last day to turn in an assignment about Ancient Greece is when we take the Introduction to World History test.

Assessments
Assessments are conducted throughout the unit, as well as at the end. Expect 2-3 quizzes per week on content, as well as one map quiz a week. At the end of each unit is a unit test that measures your mastery of the unit. All major tests will be announced ahead of time so you will have plenty of time to study and ask questions. Occasionally, there will be approved materials that you will be allowed to use on the test. Any material used that was not approved will be considered cheating, which will result in a zero. It is also considered cheating if you are talking to a peer during tests and quizzes. There will also be frequent quizzes, many unannounced throughout each unit. NOTE: If you are late on a test day, you will lose points from your total score. If you are late on quiz days, you will receive a zero. Final & Midterm Exam Exemption Students who meet the follow criteria are not required to take the Midterm or Final: 1) Student must have at 95% in the class (as calculated in PowerTeacher) 2) Student must have 95% attendance for that semester 3) Student must not have any ISS or OSS 4) Student must not have any discipline referrals that pertain to cheating/plagiarism

CHECK IT: http://mrstaelman.weebly.com

Katherine.taelman@leonagroup.com

Academic Honesty & Integrity

Academic honesty is extremely important in this course, as well as the rest of your life. Maintaining your academic honesty means that you made every effort to do all the work in your own words and give credit to the sources you used. It is important to your learning, your reputation, your ability to demonstrate your intelligence, and your belief about yourself. Academic dishonesty is plagiarizing, cheating, copying and will not be tolerated. Copying and allowing others to copy will result in a zero for all students involved. Cheating on work, quizzes and tests will also result in a zero. Plagiarism is defined by Webster Dictionary as, the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own. This includes copying from a student, book and website. Plagiarism is a serious offense and will be taken seriously. Besides a zero, the student will also face the disciplinary actions found in the ABT Student Code of Conduct.

Attendance
If you are absent, your work will be in the absent crate. The work will be under the day of the week you missed. It is your responsibility to get the work as well as copy the notes from a friend. For every day you are absent, you have that many to turn the work in. You will receive a zero on in class activities unless your absence is excused. You will not be able to make them up. It is your responsibility to be prepared when you come back. Being absent is not an excuse. If you come back on test day, you will be expected to take the test that day.

Class Website
This class has a website that updates approx. 3 times a week (as needed). It has work due dates, video clips, links, quiz materials, documents, and other information as needed. The site is: http://mrstaelman.weebly.com .

Movies & Documentaries

Throughout the year, I will be showing a variety of movies, video clips and documentaries. One movie is rated PG13, information about the movie and state standards is below. If you have any questions or concerns about the movie, please feel free to contact me!

Hotel Rwanda (PG13)

Michigan State Standard(s):
7 G4.4.1 Identify and explain factors that contribute to conflict and cooperation between and among cultural groups. 7 H1.2.6 Identify the role of the individual in history and the significance of one persons ideas. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0395169/ http://www.unitedartists.com/hotelrwanda/intro.html

Movie Information:

Geography on the Web:

http://glencoe.mcgrawhill.com/sites/0078745780/student_view0 This is the website for your textbook. It has online activities and online quizzes. http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/ Click on People & Places and explore different cultures of the world https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/ This site offers a large amount of information about the countries of the world.

CHECK IT: http://mrstaelman.weebly.com

Katherine.taelman@leonagroup.com