Mrs. Lovern
Timbercrest Junior High 2015-2016
ALovern@nsd.org
425-408-6970
Introduction:
Welcome to 7th Challenge Social Studies! I am very excited to be a part of your academic
journey in Social Studies this year. My expectations are that students come to class with
a willingness to learn and actively engage in class discussions and lessons, and always
prepared with basic materials for class. I have high expectations of my students, and will
provide a very structured and supported learning environment for my students.
“Man’s mind once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.”
–Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
Course Overview:
This year, students will learn about the history, culture, government, sociology, and
economy of Washington State (Exploration to World War II) & World Geography.
7th Grade Washington State History is now a high school graduation requirement.
Students must achieve 60% or higher in one or both semesters of their 7th grade social
studies class.
Textbooks and Materials
We will be using two textbooks this year, Geography Alive! and Washington State
Journey.
-A class set of textbooks is kept in the classroom for daily in-class learning.
-Students will not have text books assigned to them to keep at home all year.
-Students who are absent and need to make up a section from the textbook may check out
a text book from the library for one night or use a photocopied packet.
-The Interactive Student Notebook (AKA ‘workbook’) includes most of the assignments
throughout the year. Students will be supplied with this workbook at no charge. If the
workbook is lost, there is a $5 replacement fee.
-During the National History Day Lite project, students will need to supply their own
display board and are encouraged to get a King County Library card to aid in their
research. Students will be supplied with a National History Day folder.
ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS
In-class Academic Expectations:
-Participate to the best of your ability.
-Complete all class work to the best of your ability.
-Ask for help if you don’t understand something.
-Use your time wisely.
-Come to class prepared with workbook, notebook paper, assignments, pencils, a red
correcting pen, colored pencils, and a silent reading book.
Grade Book Setup:
Summative-60% Summative assignments include all tests and projects.
Formative-30% Formative assignments include all ISN work, Daily Social Studies
Quizzes, daily work and homework.
Skill Building-10% Skill Building is points dedicated to responsibility, if a student turns
in a Summative assignment on time, the student will receive full points in the skill
building category, which is 10% of a student’s total grade.
In order to ensure that all students are successful, students who fall behind on course
work will still be able to succeed, if assignments are completed and turned in. Students
may turn in late work up until three weeks before the end of the semester. But, late
work will receive zero points in the Skill Building category, which is 10% of a student’s
total grade. If a student receives a 0/5 in Skill Building for a Summative assignment on
the day it is due, either it is not turned in, or it was turned in late.
Expectations for Assignments:
-You are expected to turn in work on time, physical copy or electronic, students who do
not turn in assignments on the due date will not receive skill building points, which
means it is not possible to obtain a 90%-100% if all assignments are turned in late.
-Occasionally there will be assignments that will NOT be accepted after the due date.
You will know in advance which assignments fit this category.
-You are responsible for keeping track of your assignments’ due dates. Write down
assignments in a planner or calendar. All assignments/homework will be displayed on the
board, posted online under Class Calendar.
-You are responsible for maintaining your ISN that will be graded at the end of each unit,
and worth 30% of your total grade.
-Assignments on ripped, wrinkled, or torn paper, those that have been ripped out of spiral
notebooks, or are illegible will not be accepted.
EXTRA CREDIT
-Extra Credit for competing in the National History Day contest may also be earned.
Attendance/Makeup Assignments:
 You have one day for each day you have an excused absence to make up missed
work. For example, if your absence is on Tuesday, your work is due on Thursday.
When you are absent on a due date, the assignment is still due on that day: email
or submit it online through Google docs.
 When available, I place digital copies on the website for every document I hand
out in class. There is a binder containing daily agendas and handouts available. I
also post the agenda on the Classroom Calendar on my Class Website. You may
also check with a reliable classmate.
 I will not pursue you about missing work; this is your responsibility.

If you know you will be absent for any reason, please come to me ahead of time
so I can give you assignments you are going to miss.
HOW IS CHALLENGE DIFFERENT THAN REGULAR?
-We will be moving at a quicker pace.
-We will be using primary documents at a higher reading level.
- Role playing and mock trials and/or debates will take place.
-In general, the level of most classwork and homework will be of higher difficulty and
complexity.
-More essays and written analysis will take place.
-Completion of an NHD Lite project is required for this class, but participating in
the competition is optional.
Timbercrest Grade Scale:
100-93 = A
92-90 = A89-87 = B+
86-83 = B
82-80 = B79-77 = C+
76-73 = C
72-70 = C-
69-67 = D+
66-60 = D
Online grades and progress reports:
I post grades online and update frequently. Make it a habit to check grades weekly.
Electronics Policy – In compliance with TJH’s cell phone policy, no cell phones can be
visible from 8:05 am to 2:40 pm unless given specific permission for an academic use
from a teacher.
Cheating/Plagiarism:
As per the Timbercrest Student Handbook, students caught cheating/plagiarizing will lose
credit for that assignment or test, as well as be subject to further consequences as
described by the teacher’s class, school and/or district guidelines.
Discipline Policy:
You are expected to follow teacher directives and any rules and regulations listed in the
TJH handbook. You will receive verbal warnings. If the behavior persists, you may be
issued an infraction slip and/or asked to leave the room. You may be referred to the office
when necessary. Contact with a parent can and will be used as necessary to improve
classroom behavior.
Student Signature: ____________________________________________
Parent Signature: _____________________________________________