SEVENTH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES

Blue Team

2008 – 2009

http://www.mccsc.edu/~rcourtne/

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Okay - I’m going to let you in on a secret right off the bat - there is no such thing as “social studies”.

 

Huh? Isn’t this a social studies class? Didn’t you have social studies in elementary school for years?

True.

On the other hand, one does not major in social studies in college. There is no job known as a “social studier”. There are historians, cartographers, economists, sociologists, political scientists, and so on. So why do you have to take social studies? Well, for one thing, by having this class, you don’t need to attend school an extra three or four hours a day. Instead of separate classes in the various “social” disciplines such as history, geography, political science, sociology... we combine them into one easy to digest class. Second, the powers that be in curriculum development believe that you are now at the stage of mental and emotional development that you are ready to engage in serious discussion of issues that affect humanity. Finally, the state of Indiana requires it!

 

In this class we shall transverse the various disciplines of the social sciences and the humanities, reviewing and increasing basic skills while delving into issues that have a profound impact on ... Oops! I’m getting carried away.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 

Unlike math, which builds yearly on skills necessary to function at the higher levels, social studies tends to focus on different areas, regions, or topics each year. Most, if not all of you, have studied family, community, state, and nation. Last year you should have focused on Europe. In 7th grade, the primary focus of social studies is the non-western world. However, I feel that a straight area-study approach is not desirable for several reasons. We lack a textbook that can handle this approach adequately - they simply don’t write them. Also, while it is important that you begin to develop an interest and understanding of on-going world events, what you learn this year as seventh graders will soon become outdated.  Finally, at this stage of your development, process is far more important than substance. Understanding the hows and whys rather than the whos and whats will serve you better in the long run.

 

English, math, communication skills, practical arts... these classes help you hone skills necessary in today’s world. Science studies the physical aspects of the world, the geological, biological, and astronomical. Social studies focuses on the human aspect. Who we are, where we came from, where we are going, and how we use the earth and others to get there. To not understand social studies aspects of the world is to overlook its most important component -

its people.

 

The State of Indiana has determined there are four core standards areas (see attached) that 7th Grade Social Studies must address. They are : History; Civics and Government; Geography; and Economics. Within each of these areas lie specific core standards. There are five such standards for history and two each for the other three areas.  Thus you can see that almost 50% of what the Department of Education deems essential is history. That is fine with me, as history was my major in college and remains my favorite subject.

Perhaps there will be times when we cover topics that you have previously studied in elementary school. However, you are just now reaching the stage of mental and moral maturation necessary to handle higher level thinking skills. So even if you have covered a particular topic or region before, chances are you will now do so in a different fashion.

 

Topics to be covered this year (In addition to a focus on the election):

 

GEOGRAPHY  This unit will incorporate the concepts of geographic diversity, cultural characteristics, cultural diversity, and dependence/independence/interdependence in the non-western world. In addition, map skills will be stressed. Students are expected to master some basic skills in identification and location of countries, capitals, and geographic features.

 

BELIEFS  As a follow up to culture, this unit will focus on ethical beliefs held by humanity. Students will analyze and compare major world religions and examine the impact these religions had on history and continue to have on the world today.

 

WORLD HISTORY  This unit will focus on the progression of humanity through the ages. Facts will be used to help students understand trends, see cause and effect, and interpret historical accounts. Particular emphasis will be placed on non-western history. This is by far the longest unit and will most likely cover more than two grading periods. In order to facilitate the coverage of such an immense topic, this unit will be broken down into four sub-units:

1)    Ancient Civilizations – focusing on the river valley civilizations of

the Nile, Mesopotamia, the Huang Hi, and the Indus.

2)    Pre-European Period (650 c.e. to the 18th century) – the focus will

on the kingdoms of west Africa, the dynasties of China, the influence of the Mongols, and feudalism in Japan.

3)    Colonization and Imperialism – the impact of the Europeans on

Asia and Africa, including trade routes, voyages of discovery, and colonization will be examined.

4)    The 19th Century to the Present – Routes to independence,

     Japanese Imperialism, the impact of industrialization,

      urbanization, and globalization, as well as recent conflicts and

      political issues are the focus.

POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS  This unit will examine various economic systems existent today and their relationship to political systems. Students will compare and contrast various political and economic theories and evaluate their effectiveness in real life situations.

 

 

 

THE FUTURE   Students will examine the non-western world as it is today in order to make predictions about the future. Included will be an examination of the growing influence of Islam; the emerging importance of the developing world; population and resource distribution; and the state of human rights around the world.

 

 

 

CLASS OPERATIONS

 

ASSIGNMENTS

 

There are various types of assignments in this class. Homework will be assigned on the average of three times a week, but work time will usually be given in class to at least begin, if not complete, many of these. There may be some units during which you will have an assignment almost every night while during other units you may go a week or more without a homework assignment. In addition, there will be in-class assignments, some of which may be completed at home, others will be due before the end of class.

 

Group work is a component of this class and often you will be working on assignments with others in your group. Some of these assignments will be for the entire group and receive a group grade while other assignments will be for each individual but will require group cooperation to complete effectively. Group assignments will usually be due by the end of class, but in some cases, such as projects, several days of class time may be required.

 

There will normally be a test each unit.  Most social studies tests are open note, so it behooves you to take good notes in class. We shall spend time discussing this skill. The tests usually include several essay questions which ask you to use information, not simply repeat it. Without accurate notes, the tests are quite difficult. Be sure to have a folder in which to keep your notes and assignments as they may be used as resources on the tests.

 

Finally, each unit will include a project of some sort. This project itself and the general topic are assigned, but the student is allowed to pick a specific area of interest as the topic and, at times, the actual product of the project. Projects include both group assignments ( in the Religion unit) and individual assignments (as in the History unit).

 

Please note: missing assignments are average killers! A zero is much more harmful than a failing grade to your overall average. Please be sure to always hand in your work, even if it is incomplete. If there is a problem, such as a family crisis or simply that you do not understand the assignment, be sure to talk with me about it.

 

Grading

 

This class uses a 12 point scale. Tests and projects are weighted more heavily than homework and in class assignments. Grades are calculated using Gradebook Pro electronic gradebook. Webgrades will be available in order that you (and your parents) can check your progress weekly. Often there will be differentiation in the assignments. Not all students will necessarily be doing the same work. At times this will be determined by the student, at other times, by the teacher. Cheating will not be tolerated. If a student is found copying another student’s assignment, s/he will receive a zero for that assignment. If it is found that the student whose work was being copied was complicit in the act, that student will also receive a zero. Do not allow others to copy your work!

 

LATE ASSIGNMENTS AND MAKE-UP WORK

 

All assignments are due at the time they are collected in class. Any assignment turned in after that point is late and will have a letter grade deducted. If assignments are not handed in by the time the assignment is returned to others in the class, no more than 50% credit will be given for the late assignment.

 

Obviously, if you are absent the day an assignment is collected, you may hand it in upon your return to class with no penalty. Further, if you are absent when the assignment is given, you will have the same number of days to complete the assignment that others had. Many students have assignments sent home when they are ill, or call homework hotline to find what the assignment is. This is an excellent idea as it keeps you from falling behind the rest of the class or being burdened with a mountain of make-up work when you return to school. However, when a student is very ill, they do not feel up to doing school work. Even assignments sent home during an illness are not due the day of your return. If you are absent for several days, talk with your teachers about receiving an extension for make-up work. Most teachers will be more than willing to work out a schedule with you, but it is up to you to ask them.

 

MATERIALS

 

Each student will need the following supplies for this class:

 

A three ring binder– this should have paper for notes and assignments, and a pocket folder for keeping worksheets and handouts. A three hole punch is available for your use.

 

pencils or pen - you will write every day; always bring something to write with as I may not have extras to loan.

 

DISCIPLINE PLAN

 

We shall follow the Blue Team plan as stated in the introductory letter.