WELCOME TO 7 TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES

1. WELCOME TO 7TH GRADESOCIAL STUDIES ROOM 31 – Ms. Holmes Please take a seat anywhere

2. Introduction • Ms. Holmes – 7th Grade Social Studies • Review schedule for tonight • Forms to pick up (if your child did not give you these forms, please pick up and sign before you leave) • Movie permission slip • DIG Parent Letter • Technology Survey • Syllabus (this is glued into your child’s notebook and on my wiki page, but please take one if you would like another copy)

3. Asked to buy 12 composition notebooks 3 will be dedicated to this class Need 1 to start each trimester Others can be left at home Purpose of the Interactive Notebook Taking notes Doing assigned work (Classwork & Homework) Supplemental activities A collection of most of the work required Show me that your child is working to the best of his/her ability Designed and pre-planned so each student ends up with a similar product Graded periodically throughout the year with a corresponding rubric Amounts to 25% of total grade Very important that students make up whatever assignments/notes they may miss due to absence Interactive Notebooks

4. Homework • Throughout each chapter • Assigned periodically • Maintained/Done within the interactive notebook • Account for 20% of grade • Expected to be done on time & when it is assigned • Will be checked day after, but only graded periodically (when notebooks are due) • Graded using a corresponding rubric you will find in the interactive notebook • Added to Aeries after notebooks are turned in and graded

5. Assessments • Throughout the year, as we progress through our Social Studies textbook: • Various types of assessments to be given regarding the topic of study • Students will be aware of an upcoming Chapter / Unit Test or Chapter Quiz • (Pop) quizzes may be given without warning • Assessments will account for 40% of total grade

6. A fun part of social studies for most students Creative format Various projects throughout the year Expect at least one project for each unit we cover Will account for 15% of total grade Some examples of the projects we will be doing this year are below: DIG Byzantine Mosaic Art Islamic Pillars Practice African Mask Making Calligraphy Art Medieval Shields Character Extended Projects Note: I can and will provide supplies and/or time after school to complete projects if there a need. Please schedule with me via email at dholmes@sjcoe.net

7. Aeries • If you have not already signed up for the Parent Portal (Aeries): • I highly suggest that you do • All communication of your child’s progress in this class can be easily obtained through viewing the Parent Portal • To get signed onto Aeries, parents need to pick up your paperwork at the main office • Aeries will be updated regularly, but will not change every day • Daily assignments will be checked in the classroom regularly, but a rubric grade will be entered into Aeries after Interactive Notebooks are collected and graded by the end of a given chapter/unit

8. Social Studies Textbook – On-line Textbook • The 7th grade Social Studies textbook; Medieval to Early Modern Times is on-line and available for student use. • Please be sure to utilize this link to: • re-read the chapter • get help with vocabulary • listen to audio versions of the text • do study activities, etc. • It is a great resource to have! • Log on by going to http://my.hrw.com/index.jsp • Username: Cap6s1 Password: x5j8a

9. WIKI Page I have started using a website with important information • The wiki has information and links to sites that I will want your child to see or use • They should visit the wiki page often, especially for homework reminders or project details • You can access the page by going to http://msholmes31.wikispaces.com

10. Field Trip (San Francisco) Chinatown Chaperones welcome and needed Please encourage students to fundraise A big portion of the funds raised go toward our fieldtrip and other assemblies We will have 4 parties this year to celebrate the year’s holidays/breaks Halloween Party Winter Holiday Party Valentine’s Day Party End-of-the-Year Renaissance Festival Major Activities for 7th Grade Donations: We are asking for $5.00 contribution towards our party planning. If you would rather help with supplies or your time, please let me know via email. I will be in charge of scheduling and hosting the parties during and around the Social Studies classes.

11. Got Questions?

12. Media Studies – 4th and 7th Periods Let’s start with a little about me, my background, and my plans for the class • Elective for both 7th and 8th graders • Meant as an introduction to mass communication to better prepare your child for similar classes in both high school and college • Use and follow the textbooks: Media/Impact an introduction to mass media • Pass/No Pass grading • Projects – 1 per trimester • No Homework – or added pressure intended

13. Spanish – 5th Period ...Let’s start with a little about me, my background, and my plans for the class • Elective for both 7th and 8th graders • Meant as an introduction to High School Spanish to better prepare your child for the stresses of a language class • Use and follow the textbooks: ¿Cómoteva? • Pass/No Pass grading • Projects – 1 per trimester • No Homework – or added pressure intended