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

Introduction Ms. Holmes – 7 th 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)

Interactive Notebooks 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

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

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

Projects  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 Note: I can and will provide supplies and/or time after school to complete projects if there a need. Please schedule with me via at

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

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 Username: Cap6s1Password: x5j8a

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

Major Activities for 7 th Grade 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 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 . I will be in charge of scheduling and hosting the parties during and around the Social Studies classes.

Got Questions?

Media Studies – 4 th and 7 th Periods Let’s start with a little about me, my background, and my plans for the class  Elective for both 7 th and 8 th graders  Meant as an introduction to mass communication to better prepare your child for similar classes in both high school and college Media/Impact an introduction to mass media  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

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