Maywood Middle School

7^th Grade Humanities Course Syllabus and Classroom Procedures

Lang, Lindeberg, McGrath, Moore, Simmons,

Sorensen, Swan

2007-2008

Course Description:

This class integrates Language Arts and Social Studies by incorporating a mixture of reading, writing, speaking, and publishing into various activities.  Curriculum focuses on Medieval History from 500-1600 centering on Europe, the Middle East, and Asia and Washington State history, geography, and economy. Assignments and projects will involve individual research, independent study, and cooperative exercises.  All students will be provided with challenging and enriching opportunities.

 Overall Course Objectives:

Course Content

·         Medieval geography, history, and culture

·         Washington State history, geography, and economics

·         Six Traits of Writing

·         Jane Schaffer Writing Model

·         Grammar

·         The Writing Process

·         Basic Writing Skills

·         Writing Forms:  Persuasive, Expository, Autobiography

·         Elements of Literature

·         Reading Comprehension Strategies

·         Oral Communication

Year at a Glance – Language Arts

·         Daily Sponge Activity and/or Journal Entries

·         Six Trait Writing Assessment

·         Guided Writing Assignments (Persuasive and Expository)

·         All School Write

·         Vocabulary

·         Parts of Speech

·         Catherine, Called Birdy

·         The Beduin’s Gazelle

·         Kite Rider

·         Samurai’s Tale

·         Ghost Canoe

Year at a Glance – Social Studies

·         European and Asian Geography

·         Medieval Europe

·         The Crusades

·         The Rise of Islam

·         Asian Philosophies

·         China and Silk Road

·         Middle East, Asia, and Europe

·         Samurai Culture

Textbooks/Resources

·         History Alive! The Medieval World and Beyond

·         Washington in the Pacific Northwest

·         Catherine, Called Birdy

·         Beduin’s Gazelle

·         Kite Rider

·         Samurai’s Tale

·          Ghost Canoe

·         China: Understanding Its Past

·         Rand McNally Class Atlas

·         Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes

·         Classroom Folders

·         Classical Roots

·         Literature: A Reading Anthology

·         China

·         Japan

Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs):

In READING the student will:

·         Use different skills and strategies to read and understand the meaning of what is read.

·         Read different materials for a variety of purposes.

·         Set goals and evaluate progress to improve reading.

In WRITING the student will:

·         Write clearly and effectively, and in a variety of forms for different audiences and purposes.

·         Understand and use the steps of the writing process.

·         Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of written work.

In COMMUNICATION the student will:

·         Use listening and observation skills to gain understanding.

·         Communicate ideas clearly and effectively.

·         Use communication strategies and skills to work effectively with others.

·         Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of oral and informal communication.

In SOCIAL STUDIES and HISTORY the student will:

·         Examine and understand major ideas, eras, themes, developments, turning points, chronology, and cause-and-effect relationships in the medieval world.

·         Apply the methods of social science investigation to investigate, compare and contrast interpretations of historical events.

·         Understand the origin and impact of ideas and technological developments on history and social change.

In SOCIAL STUDIES and GEOGRAPHY the student will:

·         Use maps, charts, and other geographic tools to understand the spatial arrangement of people, places, resources, and environments on Earth’s surface.

·         Understand the complex physical and human characteristics of places and regions.

·         Observe and analyze the interaction between people, the environment, and culture.

In SOCIAL STUDIES and ECONOMICS the student will:

·         Understand basic economic concepts and analyze the effect of economic systems on individuals, groups, and society.

 Expectations and Classroom Guidelines

Student Attendance:

·         Students must be on time.  A tardy will be earned when a student is not in his/her assigned seat at the sound of the bell. 

Þ      Excused tardies must accompany a parent-signed note. 

Þ      Students with three unexcused tardies will receive a written disciplinary referral. 

·         Regular attendance is necessary for continuity of presentations, discussions, and participation in classroom projects. Except for large projects, most work will be completed during class time.  Therefore, your attendance is crucial.

Behavior Expectations:

·         RESPECT……yourself, others, property, materials, and everything else.  RESPECT is the basic rule of behavior that is expected of all students at all times.

·         Students must learn and demonstrate self-discipline.  This entails monitoring their own behavior and acting in a respectful manner at all times.  When necessary, disciplinary action will be taken by a teacher, counselor, and/or administrator.

·         All students are to be quietly seated and prepared for class at the sound of the bell. 

·         Students will be dismissed from class at the teacher’s discretion; not necessarily when the bell rings.  Students are to remain seated or actively engaged until they are dismissed.

Work Evaluation:

·         Each assignment, activity, project, or test will be evaluated for specific criteria.

·         The criteria will be given a point value based on size and importance.

·         Not all assignments and activities will be graded or credited.

·         NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS OR PROJECTS WILL BE ACCEPTED!

·         It is the student’s responsibility to find out what work was missed in their absence, when the work is due, and to obtain any necessary materials to complete it.

·         Assignments that are due during a pre-planned absence (field trips, meetings, school event, family matters) must be cleared with the teacher.

·         Hand written assignments should be legibly written or they will be returned to the student.

·         Typed assignments should be in 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font and double-spaced.  The heading should be single-spaced for efficiency.  Proofread work prior to submitting it for credit.

·         Grade Book updates will be available online to parents and students every 3 weeks. Paper copies of progress reports will be sent home at midterm.

·         Final class grades are based on the following percentage scale:

                93-100     A            80-82.99 B-             67-69.99 D+

                90-92.99  A-           77-79.99 C+            60-66.99 D

                87-89.99  B+           73-76.99 C              59.99 & below F

                83-86.99  B             70-72.99 C-                            

Assignment Tracking Expectations:

·         Students are responsible for keeping a daily record of classroom activities and assignments given in their Student Planners.

·         Students are responsible for keeping their Student Planners updated and with them at all times.

·         Student Planners will be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure student awareness, responsibility, and accountability.

·         Parent signatures will be required for the weekly planner check.

·         If there is a question regarding an assignment, teachers can be reached through their email or by telephone.

Submission of Student Work:

·         All completed work, whether handwritten or typed, will be headed in the following manner:

Student First and Last Name                              Jim Jones

Class Period and Name                                      1-2 Humanities

Assignment Title                                               Map Observation

Month Date and Year                                          9-12-05

·         All completed assignments being submitted for credit should be placed in the designated turn in area (basket or drawer) for each respective class period.

·         Assignments that are turned in late due to an absence should be placed in the “absent” basket or designated area and appropriately labeled.

·         Students are responsible to schedule make-up tests if they are absent for a test.

·          Copies of handouts will be kept in a file that is accessible to students upon their return from an absence.  It is the student’s responsibility to obtain necessary assignments, handouts, and/or materials that they missed during their absence.