Course Syllabus
• 7th Grade Social Studies covers several areas of history mandated by the
NJ State Department of Education in its Core Curriculum Content Standards.
From September through June, we will complete the American History
requirements outlined in the NJCCCS including an examination of the
American Civil War and Reconstruction Era as well as human/civil rights in
our country and in our world. In addition, at the end of the year, we will
analyze the Holocaust and Genocide, as mandated by the New Jersey
Commission on Holocaust Education.
• Throughout the year, we will create constant and meaningful connections to
the 21st Century to accurately show our students the relevancy of the eras
we will be studying.
Curricular Sequencing
American History
• Growth and Expansion
• The Jackson Era
• Manifest Destiny
• The North and the South
• The Spirit of Reform
• Toward Civil War
• The Civil War
• Reconstruction
Materials Needed Daily
• Interactive Notebook--- a 3 subject spiral
notebook that has dividers with pocketshouses all of your S.S. notes and
assignments (2 needed for the year)
• Tape
• Writing utensil
• Agenda book- keep track of test dates,
long-term assignments, and homework
Classroom Systems
• Agenda Board —tells what the “Do Now” is for that day,
the objective is for the lesson, and the activity that will be
done
• Absentee Files– folder system where handouts are
available, if necessary for the day’s lesson. This is where
you go to get what you missed. Class notes and
resource materials can be found online. If you are
absent, you should look for these online to keep up with
what is going on in class.
• Chrome Books- used to access the online textbook
series. Students will be assigned a chrome book to be
used IN CLASS, when necessary. Students will be
RESPONSIBLE for the CARE of the chrome book
assigned to them. More information to come.
Grading
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Grades reflect the demonstration of
knowledge and the understanding of
concepts.
Tests 50%
Quizzes/Concept Checks 5%
Projects 15%
Notebook 20%
Studytools 10%
Tests
• All tests are based on the text and information
located in the interactive notebook
• There are usually 2 or more tests per marking
period
• Tests are announced at least 2 weeks in advance
• Detailed studyguides will be provided as well as a
list of study options that you should use to prepare
for the test
• Every night, you should be reviewing and
preparing studytools for the test
Studytools
• Studytools are active methods of studying (such asflashcards, sequence cards, outlining, bulleted list,
practice tests, etc)
• A detailed list of studytools will be provided for you to
choose from
• Studytools will be checked and graded
• Your homework on a nightly basis is to create a
studytool for the information that was presented in class
that day
• CAUTION! DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE NIGHT BEFORE
THEY ARE DUE --• MAKING THE STUDYTOOL IS ONLY STEP 1, YOU
MUST USE THEM NIGHTLY TO EFFECTIVELY STUDY
Projects
• There will be at least one project per
marking period
• Projects are done in school
• All projects are graded individually
• There will be a menu of choices provided
for projects (song, script, political cartoon,
etc)
• Projects should show your understanding
of the objective
The Interactive Notebook
• Is your lifeline for this class
• All teacher provided notes will be taped or glued into the
right side page
• Any summary notes taken at the end of the lesson will
go on the right side pages
• Demonstration of your understanding of the concept is
done on the left side page using one of the left side
strategies
• A list of these strategies will be taped into your notebook
• The Interactive Notebook will be collected and graded
each marking period
Homework?
• There may be formal homework assigned
on occasion
• Every night you should be reviewing the
lesson from that day and making a
studytool for that information
• Every night you should be reviewing the
studyguide and looking through and
testing yourself with the studytools you
made from the beginning of the unit