Social Studies: Kelsey Sprague
spraguek@issaquah.wednet.edu
(425) 837-7775
http://connect.issaquah.wednet.edu/high/skyline/staff/
ms_spragues_site/default.aspx
or http://tinyurl.com/lyfvofv
Office: 2410A
Office Hours: M,T,Th,F: 2:16-2:46 pm
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Teacher Introduction
General Syllabi Review
Textbook
Grading Scales and Categories
Website
Family Access
Core vs. Honors
Student-Parent-Teacher Teamwork
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Washington State University (2001-2005)
◦ Cum laude Honors College graduate
◦ B.A. Social Studies Education
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8th Year of Teaching
◦ Previously taught high school in Lacey and junior high in
Puyallup
◦ Courses taught include US History, World Studies, Pacific
Northwest History, Language Arts, Leadership, Drama
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Background
◦ I grew up in Port Orchard and attended South Kitsap High
School.
◦ I love to dance (studio, swing, ballroom, etc.), garden,
read, craft, and travel.
◦ I am incredibly empathetic but believe in helping students
understand consequence of choice.
◦ I run my classroom on mutual honor and mutual effort.
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How does European literature reflect the political, economic, religious, social,
artistic, and intellectual changes of Western civilization?
What is the relationship and responsibility of a government to its people?
What does it mean to be human? What determines our humanity?
What defines a hero according to different eras in history and
literature? What defines a villain?
What is the relationship in society between freedom and protection?
To what extent are we in control of our choices/destinies?
How do literature and art reflect the culture and values of their time?
How is language related to power?
How does power affect society?
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Laura Matheny, LA
Blended curriculum
Joint expectations
Joint success
Joint cumulative/writing
assignments/seminars
History:
Textbook
Western Civilization, 2006
Primary
Various sources by: Niccolo Machiavelli, Martin Luther, Bartolome
De Las Casas, Elizabeth I, Frederick the Great, John Locke,
Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Winston
Churchill, Adolf Hitler, etc.
Secondary
Excerpts of modern scholarship (last 20 years) from reputable,
varied historians
1st Semester
2nd Semester
1. Early Modern Europe
2. The Reformation
3. Absolutism & Religious
Conflict
4. The Enlightenment,
French Revolution &
Napoleon
5. “Isms:” Industrialism,
Imperialism, Nationalism
6. World War I & Russian
Revolution
7. Rise of Dictators
8. World War II
9.Cold War & Modern Europe
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Thesis writing
Critical reading
Historical Analysis
Document analysis
Causation
Research and thesis-driven research papers
Sourcing
Historical Bias
Historical Interpretation
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Thesis-Driven Multi-Paragraph Essays
• Religion and society research paper
(1st semester)
• Sophomore Research Project (2nd semester)
Persuasive pieces
Essay Tests: Timed-writing strategies
Document-based questions
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Note-taking strategies for lecture and discussion
Writing Assessment
◦ Growing beyond the 5-paragraph essay
◦ Student-developed essay topics and unique
thesis statements
◦ Integrating specific quotes and supporting
evidence with artful transitions
◦ Developing commentary / analysis to explain
support
Reading and using rubrics to guide progress
SHS Standard
Grading Scale
93 - 100% A
90 - 92% A87 - 89% B+
83 - 86% B
80 - 82% B77 - 79% C+
73 - 76% C
70 - 72% C67 - 69% D+
63 - 66% D
60 - 62% D59 – below F
Grading Categories
Social Studies
40
Language Arts
Culminating
40
Assessments and
Projects
Culminating Writing 15
(Sophomore Project,
Semester Essays,
Major Rubric and
teacher scored
writing)
Culminating Assessments and
Projects
25
Process (Homework, 15
some Quizzes, some
classwork)
10
Process (Homework, some
Quizzes)
Vocabulary Acquisition
10
In-Class
Participation
(Socratic Seminars,
In-class work and
discussion)
10
In-Class Participation (Socratic
Seminars, In-class work and
discussion)
10
Final Exam
10
Final Exam
15
Culminating Writing
(Sophomore Project, Semester
Essays, Major Rubric and
teacher scored writing)
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http://connect.issaquah.wednet.edu/high/skyline/
staff/ms_spragues_site/default.aspx
Or use http://tinyurl.com/lyfvofv
Family Access
◦ Updated regularly so students can track their progress.
Any discrepancies in grade book should be brought to
my attention within 7 days or no change will be made.
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Please allow your student to contact us about a concern
before you contact us.
◦ Help your student compose an email asking for an
appointment during office hours
◦ Help your student brainstorm possible solutions to the
issue to discuss with teachers
Goal: Open communication between teacher, parent,
and student
◦ Please copy both Sprague and Matheny on all emails
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I’m so thankful you came to support your
student. I apologize for not accommodating
conversations about a specific student need
at this time, but please consider completing
the survey at:
◦ http://tinyurl.com/m543qzs
◦ You can also email me at
spraguek@issaquah.wednet.edu
◦ Because I move classrooms throughout the
day, email is the best way to contact me.