7th Grade WorldCultures Class Procedures and Policies
Introduction:
I would like to welcome you to seventh grade World Cultures. As we prepare to embark on this academic year, I would like to take this opportunity to explain the expectationsof this social studies class.
It is important that all students come to classprepared with the appropriate materials.
Materials or school supplies used in this courseinclude:
Three ring binder Ruler
Loose-leaf paper Scissors
Pencils, Pens (blackor blue only) Glue
Student Agenda Markers or Colored Pencils
In order to be prepared for class students must havetheir notebook set-up with the appropriate sections. In their three ring binder students must havea World Culture Section broken down into the following 4 sections:
-Homework -Classwork
-Quick-writes/Drills -Vocabulary
Outside of the successful completion of ALL assignments, students will be given the opportunity to secure exemplary grades.
Extra Credit- Extra credit is available, quarterly, to allstudents who have
completedall assignments for that quarter. Students are responsible for asking
extracredit. Other extra credit opportunitiesmay be offered
throughoutthe year.
When reviewing studentprogress reports, interim reports, or report cards, please note the followinggrading scale.
Explanation of Grades:
A=90%-100% D= 60%-69%
B=80%-89% E= 59% and below
C=70%-79%
In order to ensure thebest education for ALL students, it is imperative that ALL students follow therules and procedure of the classroom. The following expectations will consistently enforced and applied to allstudents.
- Students areexpected to arrive to class on time.
- Students areexpected to be prepared with all necessary materials.
- Students areexpected to be polite, and courteous.
- Students areexpected to be respectful of the classroom and all of the contents in theclassroom.
- No food, drinks,or gum are permitted in the classroom.
I look forward to theupcoming year. If you have any questionsor concerns, please contact me at (410) 887-1304 or [email protected]
Woodlawn Middle School
World Cultures, Grade 7
2012-2013
Coach Class: Thursday, 3:00pm-4:00pm
Department Chair: Mrs.Echols
Email Address: [email protected]
Textbook(s):
The primary textbooks used for this course are, World Cultures andGeography and World Cultures: AGlobal Mosaic. Othersecondary texts may also be used.
Course Overview:
We live in a world that is a global community. Technological improvements in transportationand communication, shared environmental concerns, and international political,social, and economic ties are just a few of the means by which nations andcultures interrelate. The consequencesof these interactions are pervasive, mandating programs of study that preparestudents for the opportunities and challenges of a changing nation andworld. An approach that integrates theconcepts of the social sciences and effective instruction promotes a rationalworld view, supported by principles of scholarship and appropriate for the vastarray of global interrelationships. Resultant understandings and appreciations, knowledge, anddecision-making and problem-solving skills prepare students for effective citizenshipin personal, national, and global settings. Students need to be provided with opportunities to developunderstandings and appreciations for this larger world community. They need tobe given the knowledge and skills that will help them develop into responsibledecision-making citizens.
The Middle School WorldCultures program is an interdisciplinary survey of cultures and nationsstudied in terms of their geography, history, social structure, economics, andpolitics. Its major purpose is to contributeto the students' perception of the world as a mosaic of diverse peoples,places, and cultures united by the basic commonality of mankind. In seventh grade, the cultural areas areAfrica, Middle East, Europe, and Central Eurasia. In each of these area studies, studentsexamine both historical and contemporary events from the perspectives ofdifferent cultural and national groups. It is important that students be provided the opportunity to learn abouteach of these cultural regions so as to encourage the development of a completeworld-view that equally values all cultures.
The grade 7 World Cultures program examines cultures andnations in terms of their geography, history, social structure, economics, andpolitics. The content contains:
- Introduction/ review: why and how we study culture
- Africa: how geography and history influenced its development and diversity
- Middle East: why it is defined as a cultural crossroads; its challenges
- Europe: why it can be called a cultural mosaic; how recent events promoted or discouraged cooperation among nations
- Central Eurasia: how geography and political traditions have affected its people, the factors that contributed to its political instability.
Grading Policy:
Classwork: 50%
Assessments: 25%
Homework: 15%
Participation: 10%
Homework/Make-upPolicy:
Your child will have homework five nights a week. Pleasenote that all work is due on the date assigned. Late work will not be accepted,unless a student is absent. If a student is absent on the day an assignment isdue, the student is responsible for turning in the assignment on the day he/shereturns.
Make-up work- Students who are absent will have three days to make-up work missed. All work will be available forstudents in the “make-up center” set up in the classroom.
Testing Dates:
MSA Readingand Math: March 11-20, 2013
MSA Science (Grade 8 only): April 8-26, 2013
HSA (Algebra 1 students only): May 20- June 6, 2013