Gallia Academy Middle School
Course Syllabus for PO Social Studies
Teacher: Mr. Hall
1st Quarter of 2011-2012
Contact Information:
Gallia Academy: 446-3214
Email: nathaniel.hall@gc.k12.oh.us
Education Connection: 446-4320 # 1601
Course Description:
This course is the study of ancient world civilizations. The course will begin with ancient Greece and
conclude with the First Global Age. Students will examine the geography, culture, history, and enduring
impacts of the civilizations studied as well as other aspects. This course will allow students to work
independently and collaboratively to achieve their learning goals and prepare for future social studies
classes. The class will be designed to assist students individual needs.
Materials:
 1½’’ three ring binder for class notebook (can keep them in the classroom)
 Dividers (one set, they are cheap)
 Loose leaf paper
 Pencils
 Texts provided
Grading:
 All assignments will be graded as points earned out of points possible
 This class will follow the grading scale as defined by the student handbook.
 Bell ringers will be given every day and will be worth 5 points every week.
 Tests and quizzes will be given throughout the nine weeks grading period.
 During every 9 weeks students will be required to do a small project. Information regarding this
will be provided as the time gets closer.
 Notebooks will be examined during every interim. It will count as a test grade.
Homework
Students will be required to submit three current event articles throughout the nine weeks and tell the class
about their article.
Attendance/Missed Assignments:
 It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements to make up missed assignments after any
excused absences as defined in the student handbook.
 This class will follow the attendance policy defined in the student handbook that each student
signs for on the first day of school.
 Students can call the Education Connection for daily/weekly assignments.
 Assignments will be placed in the letter trays labeled for each day. If a student is absent it is his or
her responsibility get the work. I will place the previous day’s work in the letter tray of that day.
Classroom Procedures:
 At the beginning of class an assigned student is to go to the shelf and pick up the class folders to
distribute to the rest of the class.
 Students must be in their seat working on the bell ringer when the bell rings.
 Students will receive 3 bathroom passes per month. They can be used at anytime except during
testing. Unused passes will NOT roll over to the next month. Students will have the opportunity
to win passes throughout the 9 weeks.

Students are to come to class prepared, however, everyone forgets sometimes so students will be
given pencil and paper if they forget up to 3 times in a 9 weeks period after that there may be
consequences.
Classroom Expectations:
 You are to be on time
 Be respectful
 Come to class ready to learn (always give your best)
 Stay awake 
Primary Textbook
 World History Journey Across Time: The Early Ages
 America’s Story The Complete Edition
 Other texts to be determined.
Ohio Content Standards
Describe the enduring impact of early civilizations in Egypt, Greece, and India after 1000 B.C. including:
a. The development of concepts of government and citizenship;
b. Scientific and cultural advancements;
c. The spread of religions;
d. Slavery and systems of labor
Compare the endowment of productive resources in world regions and explain how this endowment
contributed to specialization, trade, and interdependence in ancient times.
Compare direct and representative democracy using examples of ancient Athens, the Roman republic and
the United States today.
Describe the essential characteristics of the systems of government found in city-states, kingdoms and
empires from ancient times through the Middle Ages.
Explain how the participation of citizens differs under monarchy, direct democracy and representative
democracy.
Describe historical events and issues from the perspectives of people living at the time in order to avoid
evaluating the past in terms of today’s norms and values.
Establish guidelines, rules and time lines for group work.
Reflect on the performance of a classroom group in which one has participated including the contribution
of each member in reaching group goals.
Analyze the relationships among cultural practices, products and perspectives of early civilizations.
Describe the scientific and cultural legacies of African and Greek civilizations.
For each of the societies studied, identify the location of significant physical and human characteristics on a
map of the relevant region.
On a map, identify places related to the historical events being studied and explain their significance.
Describe the geographic features and processes that contribute to and impede the diffusion of people,
products and ideas from place to place including:
a. physical features;
b. culture;
c. war;
d. trade;
Tentative Course Schedule: Second Quarter:
 Expectations: This will be done during the first day. Students will be given the expectations
required by the district, school, and myself. They will also be encouraged to be the best that they
can be because they can all be destined for great things if they set their mind to it.
 How Do I Study and Organize?: This will be another mini unit done throughout the first week of
school. We will be covering how to effectively take notes, review notes, organize materials, study
for tests, take tests and use the book.
 Geography: We will be covering basic geography during the first couple of days of school. We
will be going over the 7 continents, 4 oceans, major rivers and mountain ranges in North America
as well as navigation, types of land forms and modern uses of geography
 Brief Review of The First Civilizations, Ancient Egypt, and the Ancient Israelites: This
introductory unit will review concepts that were covered in 6 th grade curriculum. Not much time
will be spent, just reviewing concepts previously covered.
 The Ancient Greeks: Will focus on Greek civilization that began almost 4,000 years ago, and will
relate how Greek ideas about government, science, and the arts are still important today. Will
emphasize; the early Greeks, Sparta and Athens, Persia attacks the Greeks, and the Age of Pericles
 Greek Civilization: Will focus on Greek study of science, philosophy, mathematics, and the arts.
Will discuss Alexander the Great and how he conquered the Persian Empire and spread Greek
culture. Will emphasize; the culture of ancient Greece, Greek philosophy and history, Alexander
the Great, and the spread of Greek culture.
 Early Indian: Will relate with Greece in that the early history of India a land of warriors existed
along with thinkers and scientists. Will emphasize; India’s first civilization, Hinduism and
Buddhism, and India’s first empires.
 Early China: Will discuss ancient China and how they were similar to the Egyptians in regards to
establishing long-ruling dynasties. Will also discuss the three great philosophies: Confucianism,
Daoism, and Legalism. Will emphasize; China’s First Civilizations, Life in Ancient China, and
the Qin and Han Dynasties,
Support Services:
 www.studyisland.com
 www.kidscollege.com
 R.O.C.K.S. after-school program (beginning in October)
 Education Connection