7th Grade Social Studies
Miss Liz Zeglin
Room 261
Period 2 Only
About Me
*Certified in social studies in PA since 2005
*Second year teaching social studies at GSMS
*Have taught language arts for eight years
here at GSMS
*Lived and traveled internationally for several years.
(Dhaka, Bangladesh & Cairo, Egypt)
*Taught all grade levels and multiple subjects (art,
drama, English)
Social Studies Program
*GSMS uses an innovative program called TCI:
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TCI “takes social studies online”
Increases student engagement
Differentiates instruction to all learners
Aligned to state standards
Is a collaborative curriculum
Website: http://www.teachtci.com/
FROM: http://www.teachtci.com/why-use-tci-interactive-socialstudies-textbooks.html
Textbooks
*In class, we use hard copies of the textbook.
*At home, students can log onto the online
textbook using the instructions.
*Please take a copy of the handout or check
my website for the online directions.
http://greensburgsalem.org/Page/3531
Using Class Website/Accessing
“Geography Alive” Text Online
Every Sunday, I will update our social studies website.
*To access:
1. Go to the GS Middle School website:
http://greensburgsalem.org/Page/943
2. Click on “Faculty”
3. Find “Zeglin, Mary”
http://greensburgsalem.org//Domain/230
4. Click on Social Studies 7 on the left section for weekly plans
5. TO Re-read text at home: Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Click
on
http://www.greensburgsalem.org/Page/2238
6. Then, find a social studies teacher and use their log-on name.
I do not have one. Then, click on:
Click Here to access Social Studies resources using the information below
7. Follow the directions. Click on the chapter to read the text.
Supply List
*Students will need an one inch binder for our interactive notebooks
*Students are also responsible for bringing a pencil and eraser to class
Each day. If your student uses a lead pencil, he or she will also
need a supply of lead
*Some students may wish to have their own binder 3-hole puncher,
page protectors, and a notebook to go inside the binder.
In addition, we do a lot of group projects and hands-on projects.
Students may wish to buy their own colored pencils, thin Sharpies or
markers, glue sticks and a pencil sharpener. I try to use Donor’s
Choose to help out or buy them myself but it adds up.
*Students will be responsible for bringing their binders to class
each day. Students will probably need enrichment class to finish their
geoterms which will be due each chapter. Also, students should take
home their binders to study their chapter guides/notes for tests.
Social Studies Procedures
1. Pledge of Allegiance/moment of silence
2. Attendance is taken and excuses need to be taken to the
office
3. Pass out binders and textbooks. Students may take their
binders home. However, they must bring them back to
complete the Interactive Student Notebook.
4. Geoterms must be completed fully. Each box is one point.
Students are encouraged to take their time and think. This
assignment will be graded for each chapter.
5. Extra credit will be offered from time to time.
6. For big activities, we conduct them with the other 7th grade
social studies class on the stage. For each unit, there is a
simulation activity that relates to the essential question of the
lesson.
7. TCI lesson procedures: Preview, reading text, geoterms,
reading notes, processing activity, exam
8. In addition to the chapters, students work on mapping labs.
Social Studies Curriculum
Social Studies Big Ideas:
1. How do continuity and changes in human history influence society
today?
2. How do the actions of citizens and governments affect each other?
3. How do economic considerations impact other aspects of society?
4.How does the geography of a place affect the human experience?
Every chapter has an Essential Question that focuses the lesson.
Students are challenged to use higher level thinking. The content
is not to be memorized as facts but to facilitate understanding of the
Big Ideas. For example, in Chapter 14, we learned about the European
Union. However, the point was for students to learn about the concept
of cooperation in international organizations. (Like the United Nations,
etc.) So students are learning
how to think and apply concepts to the world around them.
Topics of Study
*Supranational Cooperation in the European Union
*Population Dilemmas in Europe
*Invisible Borders: Transboundary Pollution in Europe
*Russia’s Varied Landscape: Physical Processes at Work
*New Nation-States from the Old Soviet Empire Will They Succeed?
*The Nile River: A Journey from Source to Mouth
*Life in the Sahara and the Sahel: Adapting to a Dessert Region
*Micro-entrepreneurs: Women’s Role in the Development of Africa
*Nigeria: A Country of Many Cultures
*Resources and Power in Post-apartheid South Africa
*Oil in Southwest Asia: How “Black Gold” Has Shaped a Region
*Istanbul: A Primate City Throughout History
*The Aral Sea: Central Asia’s Shrinking Water Source
*Waiting for the Rains: The Effects of Monsoons in South Asia
*Tech Workers and Time Zones: India’s Comparative Advantage
*Mount Everest: Climbing the World’s Tallest Physical Feature
Additional Topics of Study
*This year we will add on mapping labs of South and Central
America
*Students will complete the unit
*We will participate with other social studies classes
to complete large group activities. Sometimes we
will move classrooms or use the auditorium when we
need more space. TCI is very interactive so we will be
doing simulations, skits, re-enactments, and learning games
to meet our objectives.
Best Ways to Contact Me
The best way to contact me is through email or written note sent with
your student. *Email: mzeglin@wiu.k12.pa.us
However, if you would prefer to speak to me, call the main office. I
will get a message and call you back during my planning period.
Main Office: 724-832-2935
How pollution can spread preview activity for Chapter 16