Course Syllabus
• 6th Grade Social Studies covers several areas of history mandated by the
NJ State Department of Education in its Core Curriculum Content Standards.
From September through June, we will complete the American History
requirements outlined in the NJCCCS including an examination of the
beginnings of our country. We will begin with the first Americans, go through
the Revolutionary War, and end with the War of 1812.
• Throughout the year, we will create constant and meaningful connections to
the 21st Century to accurately show our students the relevancy of the eras
we will be studying.
Curricular Sequencing
American History
• First Americans
• Exploring the Americas
• Colonial America
• Life in the American Colonies
• The Spirit of Independence
• The American Revolution
• A More Perfect Union
• The Constitution
• The Federalist Era
Materials Needed Daily
• Interactive Notebook--- a composition
which houses all of your S.S. notes and
assignments (5 needed for the year)
• Pencil pouch - pens, pencils
• Agenda book- keep track of test dates,
long-term assignments, and homework
Classroom Systems
• Agenda Board —tells what the “Do Now” is for that day,
the objective is for the lesson, and the activity that will be
done
• Absentee Files– System where handouts are available, if
necessary for the day’s lesson. This is where you go to
get what you missed. Class notes and resource
materials can be found online. If you are absent, you
should look for these online to keep up with what is going
on in class.
• Chrome Books- used to access the online textbook
series. Students will be assigned a chrome book to be
used IN CLASS. Students will be RESPONSIBLE for the
CARE of the chrome book assigned to them. More
information to come.
Classroom Systems
• Bathroom Signout– you must sign-out and
sign-in at the door
• Fire Drill, Code Blue, Code Red—we will
follow the exit plans on located on the
walls. These are very serious drills and it
is important that we follow these
procedures for your safety
Daily Procedures
• Do Now—can vary from day to day, but is usually writing
down any homework, setting up your notebook, copying
the table of contents
• Lesson
• Activity—Left-side activity where you will process the
information presented and/or show your understanding
• Sharing—Sharing of thoughts and understandings with the
class or a partner
Grading
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Grades reflect the demonstration of
knowledge and the understanding of
concepts.
Tests 30%
Quizzes/Concept Checks 25%
Graded Work 15%
Notebook 20%
Homework 10%
Tests
• All tests are based on the text and information
located in your interactive notebook
• There are usually 2 or more tests per marking
period
• Tests are announced at least 2 weeks in advance
• Tests are designed to show application of
knowledge. Examples are essays, open ended
questions, primary source analysis, map analysis,
etc.
Studytools
• Studytools are active methods of studying (such asflashcards, sequence cards, outlining, bulleted list,
practice tests, etc)
• A detailed list of studytools will be provided for you to
choose from
• Studytools will be checked and graded as homework and
are due on the day of quizzes
• Your homework on a nightly basis is to create a
studytool for the information that was presented in class
that day
• CAUTION! DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE NIGHT BEFORE
THEY ARE DUE --• MAKING THE STUDYTOOL IS ONLY STEP 1, YOU
MUST USE THEM NIGHTLY TO EFFECTIVELY STUDY
Stations/Graded Work
• Stations are assigned after the lesson has been
taught
• Stations are designed to extend and enforce your
knowledge of a topic and are creative in nature
• Stations are done both as group work and
independently
• Stations are due the day of the quiz
• Stations should show your understanding of the
objective(s)
• Graded work consists of other various
assignments/activities in addition to Achieve
throughout the year
The Interactive Notebook
• Is your lifeline for this class
• All teacher provided notes will be taped or glued into the
right side page
• Any summary notes taken at the end of the lesson will go
on the right side pages
• Demonstration of your understanding of the concept is
done on the left side page using one of the left side
strategies
• A list of these strategies will be taped into your notebook
• The Interactive Notebook will be “spot-checked” weekly
on the day of the quiz in addition to periodic checks
throughout the marking period.
Homework
• Reading will be assigned weekly - generally providing
students with multiple days for completion
• Reading is “active” in nature and will require you to
reflect, write, summarize, answer questions, etc.
• Reading homework will be scored on a scale of 1-10
based on completion and thoughtfulness of responses
• Every night you should be reviewing the lesson from
that day and making a studytool for that information
• Every night you should be reviewing the studyguide and
looking through and testing yourself with the studytools
you made from the beginning of the lesson