Dear Seventh Grade Parents,
Welcome to 7th grade History. I am sincerely excited to have this opportunity to work together with all of you once again. Instead of simply
learning and memorizing the facts surrounding historical events, we will be analyzing how these events affect our present lives. The present
world we live in has been formed by occurrences that have happened in the past. To fully appreciate the present we need to look to the past
The Middle School Social Studies curriculum emphasizes instruction in the Washington State and Common Core learning targets. Students integrate
language arts, literacy, and drama into the understanding and internalization of Social Studies. The teaching and learning strategies are studentcentered and activity based.
In seventh grade, students study Washington State History. Students learn about the people, events, and cultures that shaped our state’s history. This is
taught through a regional approach that considers geographic, political, historical, social, and economic issues as well as the customs, traditions, and
other unique characteristics of people within their cultures. Students continue to build and extend their skills by drawing and interpreting maps,
constructing timelines, reading primary and secondary sources, and interpreting cultural artifacts.
What does your child have to do to pass this class? First off, they must be present in class to learn. We will be engaged in numerous hands on
exercises and if you aren’t in class you will not be able to master the material. Being physically present in class is not enough. Everyone must
participate actively in class. This participation will be in the form of class discussions, group activities, debates, speeches, and presentations.
There will also be traditional quizzes and tests. Students must complete all “outside of class” assignments. Much of what we do in class is directly
related to what is assigned to do outside of class. That’s it!! So in summary, students need to show up, do all their assignments and homework, and
participate during class. Student’s grade will be determined by the effort they put into this class.
Time Period
First Trimester
7th Grade History Syllabus
Theme or Focus
Assessments
Washington Geography
(Chap.1-3 Text)
Timeline of WA. History
Native Americans in the Pacific N.W.
Displacement of the Natives
Settlement of the NW
Summative and Formative Assessments all Year
Nov.-Dec.
European Exploration & Early Settlement
European culture – fur, missionaries, gold miners
Geography – where coming from and why –
primary sources – maps, navigation, Lat & Long.
Territory to Statehood
Treaties – Political – Manifest Destiny – Gold
Rush – RR
Weekly review comprehension questions
Timeline
Bi-Weekly Quizzes/Check-In
Final Assessment
Project
Second Trimester
Territory to Statehood Continued:
Treaties – Political – Manifest Destiny – Gold
Rush – RR
Growth –
dams – hydroelectric & irrigation, WWII, Boeing,
Internment,
Government, labor movement –Unions, WWI,
Agriculture
Summative and Formative Assessments
Weekly review comprehension questions
Bi-Weekly Quizzes/Check-In
Vocabulary
Map drawing, test
Project/Internet Research
Final Assessment
March
New Technologies and Industries
Washington comes of Age
The Cold War
Civil Rights Movement
The Cost of Growth on the Environment
Summative and Formative Assessments
Comprehension questions
Timeline
Bi-Weekly Quizzes/Check-In
Vocabulary
Map test
Project/Internet Research
Third Trimester
Contemporary Washington/
Our State Economy
Our Government in Action
Letter to Representative
Final Review
Timeline
Weekly review comprehension questions
Vocabulary
Internet Research
Projects
Review and quizzes
Analytical debates
Comprehension questions,
Final Assessment
Sept-Nov.
Jan.-Feb.
April
May-June
Comprehension Questions
Vocabulary
Written summaries
Maps/Geography
Seventh Grade Literature
In Literature, students study a variety of genres including novels, short stories, poetry and nonfiction texts. Students discuss
and analyze these works collaboratively and individually. Clear communication skills are developed through book talks, literature
circles and speeches. Literary essays are produced in 7 th/8th grade LA/Writing classes. Emphasis is placed on mastering common
literary terms (plot, character, setting, conflict, climax), exploring themes and analyzing author’s purpose and writing style.
Independent reading assignments are designed to encourage recreational reading.
Month
Sept./Oct.
Books/ Reading Materials
Deep Water, novel, chapter 1
Good Master! Sweet Ladies!, Voices From a Medieval Village: Laure Amy
Schlitz, The Horrible, Miserable Middle Ages: The Disgusting Details About
Life During Medieval Times (Fact Finders: Disgusting History Series)
Oct./Nov.
Outsiders; S.E. Hinton, Freak, the Mighty: Rodman Philbrick,
Poetry: “We Wear the Mask” – Paul Laurence Dunbar
“Nothing Gold can Stay” –
And Road not Taken- Robert Frost
Nonfiction: Internet resources on Social Issues; Junior Scholastic
Anne Frank:
Night, Elie Wiesel,
Dear Miss Breed:
Oppenheim
Milkweed ?
Non-fiction:Informational text on the Holocaust
“The Watsons go to Birmingham---1963
Christopher Paul Curtis,
I know why a caged bird sings, Angelo
Crash, Jerry Spinelli
Freak, the Almighty, Rodman Philbrick, When Zachary Beaver came to Town,
Holt
Self-Selection, Small Book Clubs
Dec./Jan.
Jan. Feb.
March/April
May/ June
June
Themes
Short Stories
Review elements of literature
Compare and Contrast Characters, Reflections
on characters from literature and historical time
periods
Identity, Individualism, Peer Influence
Courage in Literature
Perseverance
Challenge, Diversity, Peer pressure, friendship,
bullying
Themes will vary, Teacher and students will
discussion and decide
Final Reading Assessment and Literature Final
Grading Criteria
Rubrics
50%
4: Above grade level expectations
3: Meets grade level expectations
2: Approaching grade level expectations
1: Needs additional assistance or resources to strengthen grade level skills
30%
20%

Assessments
Tests, quizzes, reviews, essays, summaries
Classwork
Projects
Late Work Policy
Assignments are expected to be turned in on or before the assigned due date. If an assignment is not turned on time the grade will drop one full letter grade for each
day it is late. The late work policy is consistent throughout the middle school.
Absences and Tardiness
It is the student’s responsibility to check with the teacher for make-up work. This includes being absent for an excused event, illness, or any unforeseen event.
Students will have one day to make up the work for each day absent. If a student misses a quiz or test the student will have two days to make up the quiz or test. If
the student chooses not to make up the work on time, he/she will not receive points for the work.
Please contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. It is going to be another great year. Thank you again for the opportunity to share in your child’s
academic, spiritual, and social development.
Sincerely,
Ms. Mary Clara (MC) Horrigan
mhorrigan@stcatherineschool.net