SYLLABUS 2010-2011

Middle School Social Studies Syllabus 2010-2011
7th grade The Americas
Teacher: Ms. Dunia Tomé
Email address: dtome@amschool.org
Socialstudiesmstome.blogspot.com


Dear parents,
It’s an honor to be teaching your children this year. My name is Dunia Tomé and I have a BA in History from the University of Arkansas, and an experience of sixteen years in teaching.
I strongly believe that in order to create knowledge social interaction is a must. Therefore, attendance will play a very important role since most of our work will be done in the classroom and that includes projects and daily class work. Technology will also be a big part of the class this year. I have created a Blog so you and your children have access to the assignments, rubrics and other class information. I have great expectations and I assure you success this year if we all work actively and collaboratively.

I. Classroom Rules and Expectations

1. RESPECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS
This means keep your hands, feet and objects to yourself.
2. BRING YOUR MATERIALS TO CLASS
This means bring pencils, notebooks, binders, and homework to class everyday.
3. NO SIDE CONVERSATIONS
This means you are not talking to your friend when you should be listening or working independently.
4. RAISE YOUR HAND TO ASK QUESTIONS OR COMMENT
This means you should ask questions and share ideas, however you need to raise your hand to do so.
5. NO WANDERING
This means you are not moving around the room without permission and that you are in your seat.
*All other Middle School rules apply here as well.

CLASS EXPECTATIONS

Entering/Exiting Class:
 Please arrive on time to class and stay for the entire class period. Late arrivals are disruptive.
 If despite your best effort you arrive late, please quietly take a seat at the back of the classroom.
 You will not be allowed to go to the restroom during a test. Try to use the restroom before coming to class.

Noise:
 When class begins, please stop your conversations.
 Wait until class is completely over before putting your materials away in your backpack, standing up, or talking to friends.

Electronic Devices:
 No taping, filming, or photography in class without my prior permission (whether by camera, cell phone, or other means). These activities are distracting and inhibiting to other students.
 Cell phones should be turned off. No talking on cell phones, text messaging, or emailing on laptops during class.
 No listening to iPods or other electronic recording devices during class.
 Failing to comply with this rule will result in the electronic device taken away and taken to the Principal’s office.

Email:
 In the case of a project, you will be asked to send every single piece of information to your e-mail, since USB,s are not allowed in the school computers anymore.
 It is extremely important that you remember your e-mail and password. Keep them in a safe place.

Participation:
 Keep on the topic at hand. If you have questions off the current topic, address these outside of class.
 Do not talk out of turn. Wait to be recognized before speaking and do not try to dominate a discussion with your questions or comments – give others a fair opportunity to participate.

Common Courtesy:
 Food and drink are discouraged in class. There may be times that you need a beverage or small snack during class. Avoid bringing in fast food meals.
 Show respect for me and fellow classmates. Do not interrupt another who is speaking. It is okay to disagree with an idea but not okay to ridicule or make fun of another person and his/her ideas. Raised voices, derogatory language, name-calling, and intimidating behavior WILL NOT be tolerated.
 Do not disturb others by engaging in disruptive behavior. Disruption interferes with the learning environment and impairs the ability of others to focus, participate, and engage.

II. CONTENT
• This year we will be studying Geography and Map Skills, The Americas: Early Civilizations, Geography, Society, Politics, Economy and Culture. The units are :
The Maya, Aztec and Inca Empires
Mexico
Central America and the Caribbean
South America
The United States
Canada.
To learn all these, many different resources will be used inside and outside the class, including readings, art, documentaries, movies and the internet.

III. GOALS
• My main goal for this school year is to make of the classroom a learning community that will focus on improving achievement, learning skills, and most important, to help students grow mentally.
• To encourage your children to use high- order thinking skills and relate classroom lessons to their lives and experiences.
• To incorporate technology in every possible task in order to motivate students and make the learning process much more interesting.

IV. HOMEWORK and GRADES
• Students will have homework assigned every other Monday to be turned in on Thursday that same week.
• Students are required to do their Social Studies homework in a small spiral notebook, which needs to be labeled with their name, class and section.
• Homework makes 10% of the total class grade.
• Late work may be handed in please refer to the School Handbook rules. However, they are expected to send the homework to school since it was given early in the week.


If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. I am looking forward to a successful year of learning!
Ms. Dunia Tomé