Syllabus

7^th Grade Social Studies

Ms. Dunn (sandy.dunn@fayette.kyschools.us)

Textbook:  History Alive: The Ancient World,

         Replacement cost, if lost - $49

Course Description:  This course is intended to present an overview of world history from prehistoric times through the late Middle Ages and the Age of Explorers.  The History Alive program is an interactive approach that allows students to learn about history through discovery learning simulations, and other fun activities.  Students will participate in a variety of creative projects, activities and simulations, as well as study vocabulary, read maps, outline material, take notes, and research topics studied during the year.  Students will also research a topic and write a research paper.

Course Outline:

1.   Early Humans and the Rise of  Civilization     

            2.   Ancient Egypt and the Near East

            3.   Ancient India

            4.   Ancient China

            5.   Ancient Greece

            6.   Ancient Rome

            7.   Europe during Medieval Times

Writing to Learn:  Students will participate in a variety of writing activities/projects during 7^th grade.  We will write open response questions, reflections on topics from class, article summaries, and create acrostic poems to reflect what was learned about a topic.   In addition, we will teach students to research a topic, using both the internet and the library of printed materials.  Summarizing articles in their own words will be emphasized and practiced, so that they will be proficient in this skill by the time they complete their research paper during the second quarter. Students will learn to cite their sources used for researching their topic.

Grading:  Students’ grades will be based on points given for class activities, tests, quizzes, homework, notebooks, and projects.  Late work is accepted according to school policy as follows:  Work turned in one day late will receive 75% of its grade; work turned in later than that will receive 50% of its grade and student will be assigned to after school homework detention.  Absent work will be due as follows:  If the student was absent one day, the work is due one day after he/she returns to school, two days = two days after he/she returns to school, etc.

Differentiation for the advanced class:  Independent internet assignments, current event article summaries, independent reading assignments, in-depth class discussions over material read at home, note taking.  The advanced class demonstrates learning through a large variety of performance tasks, as well as through in depth written assessments.