Middle Years Scholar Program

Middle Years Scholar Pr= ogram

7^th Grade So= cial Studies

2008-2009

Julie Chapin, Instructo= r

Rm. 143

Phone=

School: 523-9600/Classr= oom: 523-9643 / Cell 818-6995

Course Description<= /b>

This cours= e will focus on themes and issues in the social studies curriculum based on major instructional goals of Springfield Public Schools. This curriculum concentrates on a historical and geographical study of and the study of American history from= the age of exploration to 1900. The special needs of profoundly gifted students will be met through an assortment of methods, including acceleration of pac= e, depth of study, curriculum compacting, independent studies, and enrichment activities. Students will be encouraged to reach the highest levels of Bloom’s taxonomy of thinkin= g skills: evaluation, synthesis and analysis= .

Seminar cl= ass is a supplement to Social Studies concentrating on contemporary issues such as global events, politics, and current local concerns.

Course Objectives

MYSP Goals= will be the driving force for the design of this course. The course of study will integrate Springfield Public Schools Major Instructional Goals for Social Studies alo= ng with the Missouri Social Studies benchmarks for 7^th and 8^th= grade students. A copy of the= se goals and objectives are available on the SPS website.
= ;

Daily inst= ruction and activities will be designed based on student need and interest as it pertains to the topics at hand.

Methods of Approach will include the following:

Lecture, DVD excerpts, or powerp= oint presentations by students and Teacher

Guest Speakers

Large and small group discussion=

Research and writing assignments=

Student reflections <= /span>

Student Speaking assignments and presentations using technology

Independent study and projects=

Newspaper, magazine article an= d political cartoon analysis

Analysis of Junior Scholastic St= udent News Magazine

Student debates on current issue= s

Assessment

Students will be assessed according to the following:

Class participation and Quizzes    10%<= /o:p>

Student preparation, materials at hand, contributions to class discussion

Daily work          40%

Daily in-class assignments and homework assignments

Tests and projects   50%

,

Unit tests (OPEN NOTES in essay format), students may use student generated notes and teacher generated notes and handouts---NO TEXTBOOK), =

Group and individual projects,

Independent study—specifically History Day project in the Spr= ing

Presentations using technology—Powerpoint, Moviemaker, Picture maker

There are 2 FINAL EXAMS for this course comprehensive throughout that seme= ster only.

*Assessment will include teacher assessment, peer assessment, and a generous use of sco= ring guides. Remember, the quality of the product and especially the learning experience is most important. Completion only is not what we seek.

Student Expectations

Come to class on time a= nd ready to learn. Have= all necessary materials. These in= clude pencil/pen, notebook paper (fringe free please) and any other materials required for the day. I have scissors, some glue, and construction/printer paper in the classroom. (no notebook paper, however)

Attitude plays a large role in motivation, en= joyment, and ultimately, success in this class.

Use class time wisely a= nd responsibly. There will be a Learning Lab (study hall) the last half of 3^rd Block after Seminar most days. (10:30-11:06 A.M.) Expectations for utilizing this time are:   reading, writing, working on= So. Studies assignments, or working on other class assignments. There will be no visiting during t= his time. Students are not allowe= d to leave the classroom for any reason during L. Lab. (CHS rule) Occassionally, it may become necessary for me to use LL time for instruction, or a guest speaker, but th= ose instances will be kept to a minimum-- students will be notified beforehand. However, ultim= ately, LL time is at my discretion. P= lease, no soft drinks, (water only) sweet snacks, or candy durin= g this time. Should littering become a problem in the classroom, snacks will be omitted.

In order to maintain a learning atmosphere, this class will be an electronics/toys FREE zone during= class time. Please NO:

Cellphones, Video games, Ipods/MP3 pl= ayers, CD players, toys, Game cards, etc. or any other devices that might become a distraction in the classroom. Devices will be confiscated and re= turned to parents only (CHS policy)

The new cell phone poli= cy at Central is that stud= ents may use cell phones when it is NOT during academic instructional time---bef= ore and after school, between classes, and at lunch. Using a cell phone on the way to t= he bathroom with a pass is during academic instructional time and will constitute a cell phone policy violation.

There are 3 alpha smart word processors for student use in the classroom as well = as 2 student desk tops and a laptop. Here at Central we are currently discussing the use of student-owned laptops in the classroom. My own feeling is that students may bring their o= wn laptops as long as they are for classroom use only and do not become a distraction to others. If the laptop becomes a distraction to the student o= r to others, the violator will be asked to remove the laptop and not to return i= t to the classroom. Students must = be responsible for the care and storage of their laptops while on school prope= rty.

Complete all assignment= s by deadline and partici= pate in class activities and discussions. Any late assignments will be given half credit the next class meeting. Any late assignments beyond that is recorded as a “0̶= 1;. Students are responsible for acqui= ring homework assignments in case of absences.&= nbsp; There is an absence folder in which assignments and handouts will be placed for this purpose. Stud= ent presentations using technology must be COMPLETED by the deadli= ne date. This includes printing to hard copy or saving to disk before class. Assignments = are not considered complete unless I have a hard copy of the assignment when it= is due.

5 pt. Extra Credit opportunities are provided in the form of returned forms with parent/guardian signature, timely return= ed Parent-signed grade reports (report period) or a box of Kleenex, or bottle of = Germ X for the classroom. (1 per semester). CHS provides opportunities for ext= ra credit in the form of Bulldog Cards, LL bonus points, and MAP Test bonus points.

Cheating on assignments= or assessments will not be tolerated. The proper school authorities will be notified and consequences will be sev= ere according to the policies of Springfield Public Schools. Parents will also = be notified. <= /p>

A parent/student signed= copy of the MYSP Plagiarism Policy will be required to be kept on file in the MYSP office. Students received a copy of this policy in their registration packet. Please return to me ASAP. Violators of this policy will be d= ealt with according the SPS Policy.

Technology at School is provided in computer labs, the lib= rary and in my classroom. Violatio= ns of SPS technology use policy could cause restricted use or complete banishment from any technology for the remainder of the year according to S= PS and Central policy.

Be respectful and responsible. Use listening skills. Keep hands, feet and objects to yo= urself. Limit aside conversations while others are speaking. Stay seated during class and follow directions the first time they are given.

Assignments will be pos= ted each day on the boar= d and in the same place---directly under the today’s date. Students are required to<= /i> write these assignments in their planner. . Deadline dates are always posted in the same place.

*Students must be in their seats and ready to work by the class bell.&nb= sp; There is a tardy policy at Central. This policy will= be explained and a letter will be sent home to parents the first week.

Supplies

Student IDs (distributed after the first couple weeks)   Passes are required at all times for release from class for any reason.

Folder or notebook for daily work (with pockets and brads) * my suggestion for this class is a file folder notebook with specific file pockets for saving notes, handouts, etc.

Pens (blue or black ink)

Notebook paper

Highlighter

*Flash drive or “removable disk” is helpful in saving projects and assignments, but not required.

Textbooks for this class will be the district adopted Social Studies curriculum for 7^th and 8^th gra= de, from McDougal Littell and excerpts from books, DVDs and periodicals and from various other reliable sources.

Grade Reports

Grade Reports will be printed from the STI grading system and sent home from the office on required dates. The= re were some difficulties last year with payment of fees. Students who owe any fee—libr= ary, lunch charges, athletic, etc. will not be given grades until the fee is pai= d in the financial office on the first floor next to the office.<= /i>

Parent Communication

It is easiest for me to communicate w= ith parents via email. I will be sending newsletters via email weekly with impo= rtant dates, assignments, announcements, activities, etc. throughout the school year.

You will hear from me if your student is not completing assignments. However, DO NOT assume that “no news is good news”.&n= bsp; I encourage parents to email me with questions or concerns. My email address is:jchapin@spsmail.org

If you don’t have email, I can = print a hard copy or telephone you.   I will be scheduling Parent Conferences at Open House in Sept. (more info later).

*PLEASE KEEP THIS SYLLABUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

**PLEASE DETACH AND RETURN THIS PAGE --for a 5 point bonus! the next class meeting with:

PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATU= RE: _________________________

( indicating that the syllabus has been read and discussed at home) <= o:p>

*********************************************************= *******

Student Record      Chapin Room 143

Student Name___________________________________

So. St. Block __________&nbs= p;

Parent/Guardian Name (s)___________________________

Address________________________________________

Home phone: _____________   Ce= ll: __________________

Work phone: _____________

(please print clearly, use cap sensitive if necessary):=

Parent email address: ____________________________________

Student email address: (if different) _________________________