Rose Tree Media School District
Springton Lake Middle School
7th Grade-Pioneers
Mr. BrianReilly
Voicemail Extension – 1-610-627-6705
Homework – Check calendar on website
E-Mail- breilly@rtmsd.org
Textbook –
History Alive – The United States Through Industrialism
Creating America – Beginnings –World War I
Materials- Textbook, Social Studies section in binder, Social Studies Journal
(spiral notebook), pen/pencil, notes(typed), bound together
Course Summary- This course is in direct alignment with the Pennsylvania State
Standards, focusing on the time frame of 1787-1914.
7th Grade Social Studies will encompass the following themes:
1. Overview of the political/physical geography of the
United States of America
2. The formation of the Constitution of the United States
3. Analysis of The Constitution of the United StatesSpecial Focus on the United States Government and the rights as
well as responsibilities of citizens
4. The expansion and growth of the United States
5. The development of the United States into a world power
Assessment of Student Learning1. Tests- students will receive chapter tests throughout the year.
Each test will be worth 100 points
2. Quizzes- objective in nature. Each Quiz will be
worth 20 points
3. Journal – completed journal entries based upon historic fiction,
student reactions, creative writing assignments, writing prompts
to start a lesson
4. Projects- Several Projects will be given throughout the school
year. Research time will be given in school. The projects will
offer students the opportunity to choose from a variety of modes
to present their work. Every assignment will be accompanied by
a rubric/checklist to establish clear expectations for the students.
5. Homework/Current Events- assignments will be posted and
expected to be completed on the specified due date. Current
Events will be assigned biweekly.
6. Class work – Participation in both individual and cooperative
assignments throughout the year
*Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns during the year. I am
looking forward to working closely with you this year. Let’s have some fun!
Citizenship Test
1. How many Amendments are there to the Constitution? ____________
2. How many Supreme Court Justices are there? _____________
3. What branch of the United States Government makes the laws?______________
4. What are the first three words of the Constitution?_________________________
5. Who has the power to declare war?_______________________
6. How many Senators are there in Congress?______________
7. The Bill of Rights make up the first _________ Amendments to the Constitution
8. What year was the Constitution written? _________________
9. Name the three branches of government ________________________
10. Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?__________________
Primary Sources- 7th Grade Social Studies
 Declaration of Independence – “When in the Course of human events”
 Constitutional Convention/Ben Franklin “For the last Four months I have been
looking at the sun on the back of Washington’s chair, and wondering if it was a
rising sun or a setting sun. I know now it is a rising sun.”
 Constitution- “We The People”
 George Washington Farwell Address- “Let me now warn you of the evil spirit
of political parties
 Thomas Jefferson Letter to Lewis and Clark – “The Object of your mission is
to explore the Missouri River and such principal stream of it as by its course and
communication with the waters of the Pacific Ocean”
 Lewis and Clark Journals- “ We Set out at 4pm under a gentle breeze in the
presence of many of the neighboring inhabitants”
 Manifest Destiny “I reached down and picked it up – it made my heart thump for
I was certain it was gold.”

Native American Perspective- Chief Seathle - "The President in
Washington sends word that he wishes to buy our land. But how can
you buy or sell the sky? the land? The idea is strange to us. If we do
not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water, how
can you buy them?
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Civil War- Emancipation Proclamation "That on the first day of January, in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held
as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall
then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and
forever free;
Gettysburg Address- "Four Score and Seven Years ago…
Reconstruction Era/ President Lincoln – We will rebuild this Nation with
malice to none, charity to all.”
Immigration/Statue of Liberty- “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled
masses yearning to breath free.”
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