NMS 2017-2018: Team West 7th
NMS 2017-2018: Team West 7th Grade Social Studies Ms. Murphy, [email protected]g
Welcome back to school, to 7th grade, to Team West, and to social studies! I hope you have an amazing year! Please join us as our class participates in an innovative learning style that should better prepare you for high school, college, and your career(s). Through project management and upfront rubrics, you will have greater responsibility in a variety of self-directed activities that will help you solve realistic problems. Through these authentic problems, you will learn about the many noteworthy events and people that created our American nation, its role and people today, as well as the possibilities and challenges for its future. The following includes an outline of the coming year, a list of materials that will be needed, and a guideline for what will be expected of you. This important information also reviews our class procedures. Please read it carefully, share it with your parent(s)/guardian(s), then sign and return the acknowledgement section. I. Attendance: Your attendance to class is very important. You should be in class, on time, and prepared for class each day. II. Materials: You will need... ❏ Headphones ❏ Binder Index Dividers (8) ❏ 1 two-pocket folder ❏ Recommended- 3 ring, 3-inch binder / Minimum Requirement: 3 ring, 2-inch binder + additional folder Your binder will stay in the classroom and be available when needed. Your binder is a valuable resource for keeping your overall yearly material organized and will help you prepare for examinations and/or projects. If you chose a 3-inch binder, you will have enough room for all your materials this year. If you choose a 2-inch binder, you will have to clean it out mid-year in order to create more space. Your pocket folder will serve as your in-class working folder and as your HW folder. Additional materials may be needed depending on the project/assignment. Please let me know if you have any problems obtaining these materials. In this class we will use a variety of primary and secondary resources, including a selection of available technology. Each student will receive a copy of the textbook: American Nation. Please keep this book at home until the end of the school year. III. Grading: Your grade will consist of four components: A. Projects, Exams, Essays:..50% B. Quizzes:............................................20% C. Class Work:......................................20% D. Homework:.......................................10% A. Unit task problem rubrics are designed to guide you and help you achieve successful results. They are important tools (or roadmaps) that will be given out at the beginning of units
and will generally be used on a daily basis for you to self assess and set goals. Rubrics are divided into four levels with corresponding point values: Novice, Apprentice, Practitioner, and Expert. The Novice and Apprentice columns are steps along the way to help you achieve mastery results. The minimum needed to be successful is Practitioner, but students should always strive for Expert! B. Activities and scheduling are created to help you take the steps to become a Practitioner or an Expert. These assignments will have due dates. Thus, lateness may result in a reduction in your grade. Final dates will be given for all assignments after which work will not be accepted. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to obtain the previous activities/assignments and any related material; however, of course, we will offer you assistance. You may also review the information and material on our Class Web Page. We will also take quizzes since they are an important measure of your progress. Some will be announced and other quizzes will be a pop/surprise quiz. C. Class participation is essential to this course and creates a safe, interesting, and fun learning environment. You are all young ladies and gentlemen; proper respect for the entire classroom community is expected at all times. IV. Flexible Daily Routines and Consequences A. Daily Work Period Procedure: 1. Enter the room quickly, quietly, and collect your folder from the designated area. 2. Look on the board for specific class assignments/information. 3. Go to the Resource Table to get your activity list/schedule then sit in your assigned Home Group. 4. Schedule and complete your activities, noting Benchmark and Whole Class lesson times. 5. As needed, sign up for mini lessons or place your name on the Help Board. When appropriate, add information to the Oasis Board and sign up on the Expert Board. 6. Place your work-in progress on the left side, your completed work on the right side, then return your folder back to the designated area. You make take your folder and binder home as needed. 7. Keep voice levels appropriate for the variety of activities. 8. Home Group Captains will complete END OF DAY CHECKLIST 9. Teachers dismiss the students at the end of class. B. Bathroom Requests: If you have to go to the bathroom take the appropriate bathroom pass. Only one student can leave the room at a time. C. Windows: Students are not permitted to open or close the windows. Only the teacher has the authority to adjust them. D. Alternative Seating: Students may responsibly utilize any of the alternative seating options in
the classroom. E. Missed Material: If students are absent they can collect the material they missed in the bins labeled, “Absent Bin.” These bins can be found next to the Resource Table. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure he or she gathers all missed assignments and turns them in. F. Rules and Consequences: 1. Classroom rules and procedures will be made clear to students on the first day of school. They must be agreed upon and understood by everyone in the class. It should also be understood that when the rules are broken, consequences will be applied consistently and fairly. 2. We will teach, rehearse, and reinforce the classroom procedures until they become a student habit or routine. 3. For behavior consequences follow the Nyack Middle School’s policy. The following is the anticipated unit schedule: 1) Native Americans 2) Age of Exploration 3) Colonial Developments 4) American Independence 5) The Constitution 6) Westward Expansion 7) Reform Movements 8) A Nation Divided V. Curriculum: We study the past to predict and shape the future. This course is a way for us to gain an understanding of United States and New York State history from the settling of Americans to the Civil War by reviewing the political, economic, social, geographical, and cultural aspects during this time period. We will also review and develop social studies, reading, and writing skills. Units are developed under guidance of the Common Core standards. Extra Help: I am happy to provide any student will extra help daily during lunch and occasionally during 9th period. It is necessary for students to inform me when they will be staying after school or during lunch. Please let me know if something needs further clarification; the earlier the better! VI. Parent(s)/Guardians: Please feel free to contact us via email with any questions. We look forward to a successful year with your child! Si ou bezwen enfomasyon tradui an kreyol, rele: Jocelyne Abraham nan 845-353-7044 Si le hace falta informacion traducida en espanol, lamme a: Yesinia Polanco al 845-353-7247
Team 7 West: Social Studies 2017-2018: Ms. Murphy
Period: _____ We understand the guidelines:
Student Name: __________________Student Signature: ____________________ Parent/Guardian Name: ____________________Signature: ___________________ Relationship to Student: __________________________ Contact #: __________________________ Email: ______________________________ Parent/Guardian Comments or Questions: _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Note: Please attach any noteworthy information about your child. Health issues or medications are of particular interest.
Welcome back to school, to 7th grade, to Team West, and to social studies! I hope you have an amazing year! Please join us as our class participates in an innovative learning style that should better prepare you for high school, college, and your career(s). Through project management and upfront rubrics, you will have greater responsibility in a variety of self-directed activities that will help you solve realistic problems. Through these authentic problems, you will learn about the many noteworthy events and people that created our American nation, its role and people today, as well as the possibilities and challenges for its future. The following includes an outline of the coming year, a list of materials that will be needed, and a guideline for what will be expected of you. This important information also reviews our class procedures. Please read it carefully, share it with your parent(s)/guardian(s), then sign and return the acknowledgement section. I. Attendance: Your attendance to class is very important. You should be in class, on time, and prepared for class each day. II. Materials: You will need... ❏ Headphones ❏ Binder Index Dividers (8) ❏ 1 two-pocket folder ❏ Recommended- 3 ring, 3-inch binder / Minimum Requirement: 3 ring, 2-inch binder + additional folder Your binder will stay in the classroom and be available when needed. Your binder is a valuable resource for keeping your overall yearly material organized and will help you prepare for examinations and/or projects. If you chose a 3-inch binder, you will have enough room for all your materials this year. If you choose a 2-inch binder, you will have to clean it out mid-year in order to create more space. Your pocket folder will serve as your in-class working folder and as your HW folder. Additional materials may be needed depending on the project/assignment. Please let me know if you have any problems obtaining these materials. In this class we will use a variety of primary and secondary resources, including a selection of available technology. Each student will receive a copy of the textbook: American Nation. Please keep this book at home until the end of the school year. III. Grading: Your grade will consist of four components: A. Projects, Exams, Essays:..50% B. Quizzes:............................................20% C. Class Work:......................................20% D. Homework:.......................................10% A. Unit task problem rubrics are designed to guide you and help you achieve successful results. They are important tools (or roadmaps) that will be given out at the beginning of units
and will generally be used on a daily basis for you to self assess and set goals. Rubrics are divided into four levels with corresponding point values: Novice, Apprentice, Practitioner, and Expert. The Novice and Apprentice columns are steps along the way to help you achieve mastery results. The minimum needed to be successful is Practitioner, but students should always strive for Expert! B. Activities and scheduling are created to help you take the steps to become a Practitioner or an Expert. These assignments will have due dates. Thus, lateness may result in a reduction in your grade. Final dates will be given for all assignments after which work will not be accepted. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to obtain the previous activities/assignments and any related material; however, of course, we will offer you assistance. You may also review the information and material on our Class Web Page. We will also take quizzes since they are an important measure of your progress. Some will be announced and other quizzes will be a pop/surprise quiz. C. Class participation is essential to this course and creates a safe, interesting, and fun learning environment. You are all young ladies and gentlemen; proper respect for the entire classroom community is expected at all times. IV. Flexible Daily Routines and Consequences A. Daily Work Period Procedure: 1. Enter the room quickly, quietly, and collect your folder from the designated area. 2. Look on the board for specific class assignments/information. 3. Go to the Resource Table to get your activity list/schedule then sit in your assigned Home Group. 4. Schedule and complete your activities, noting Benchmark and Whole Class lesson times. 5. As needed, sign up for mini lessons or place your name on the Help Board. When appropriate, add information to the Oasis Board and sign up on the Expert Board. 6. Place your work-in progress on the left side, your completed work on the right side, then return your folder back to the designated area. You make take your folder and binder home as needed. 7. Keep voice levels appropriate for the variety of activities. 8. Home Group Captains will complete END OF DAY CHECKLIST 9. Teachers dismiss the students at the end of class. B. Bathroom Requests: If you have to go to the bathroom take the appropriate bathroom pass. Only one student can leave the room at a time. C. Windows: Students are not permitted to open or close the windows. Only the teacher has the authority to adjust them. D. Alternative Seating: Students may responsibly utilize any of the alternative seating options in
the classroom. E. Missed Material: If students are absent they can collect the material they missed in the bins labeled, “Absent Bin.” These bins can be found next to the Resource Table. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure he or she gathers all missed assignments and turns them in. F. Rules and Consequences: 1. Classroom rules and procedures will be made clear to students on the first day of school. They must be agreed upon and understood by everyone in the class. It should also be understood that when the rules are broken, consequences will be applied consistently and fairly. 2. We will teach, rehearse, and reinforce the classroom procedures until they become a student habit or routine. 3. For behavior consequences follow the Nyack Middle School’s policy. The following is the anticipated unit schedule: 1) Native Americans 2) Age of Exploration 3) Colonial Developments 4) American Independence 5) The Constitution 6) Westward Expansion 7) Reform Movements 8) A Nation Divided V. Curriculum: We study the past to predict and shape the future. This course is a way for us to gain an understanding of United States and New York State history from the settling of Americans to the Civil War by reviewing the political, economic, social, geographical, and cultural aspects during this time period. We will also review and develop social studies, reading, and writing skills. Units are developed under guidance of the Common Core standards. Extra Help: I am happy to provide any student will extra help daily during lunch and occasionally during 9th period. It is necessary for students to inform me when they will be staying after school or during lunch. Please let me know if something needs further clarification; the earlier the better! VI. Parent(s)/Guardians: Please feel free to contact us via email with any questions. We look forward to a successful year with your child! Si ou bezwen enfomasyon tradui an kreyol, rele: Jocelyne Abraham nan 845-353-7044 Si le hace falta informacion traducida en espanol, lamme a: Yesinia Polanco al 845-353-7247
Team 7 West: Social Studies 2017-2018: Ms. Murphy
Period: _____ We understand the guidelines:
Student Name: __________________Student Signature: ____________________ Parent/Guardian Name: ____________________Signature: ___________________ Relationship to Student: __________________________ Contact #: __________________________ Email: ______________________________ Parent/Guardian Comments or Questions: _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Note: Please attach any noteworthy information about your child. Health issues or medications are of particular interest.
