SCITUATE MIDDLE SCHOOL-GRYPHON TEAM

SOCIAL STUDIES Grade 7-Mr. Abrams

 

E-MAIL:           mrabrams@aol.com
Web Page:         Gryphonteam.googlepages.com

I. CURRICULUM: Grade 7 Social Studies students study World Geography. Our focus is on geographic skills and literacy.  We begin the year studying geographic themes and basic concepts. We move on to study a different culture area of the world each quarter.  First quarter, our focus will be on the Americas.  This year, we will pay close attention to the 2008 Presidential Election.  We then study Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania over the course of the year.

 

II.   LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

We begin most classes investigating the “Country/State of the Day.”  Other learning activities include readings from the textbook and other sources, map skills activities, weekly writing prompts, teacher led presentation and discussion, research projects, brochure and poster projects, audio-visual presentations, and computer research and presentation. Students will use computer resources such as Google Earth frequently.

III.  STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Materials: School agenda, covered textbook, notebook (single subject or binder), pocket folder (or pocket in binder), pen or pencil.  Students should also bring a reading book to all team classes. NOTE: CD-ROM Textbook Available.
• Homework: Nightly, 20-30 minutes.  Many assignments will include short readings, vocabulary and essay questions from the textbook or other sources.  Students will also work on long term projects at home.
• Classroom Expectations: Students are expected to maintain high standards of respect in the classroom.  All school rules apply.  Refer to Gryphon Team expectations for more details.
• Department Night: Monday.
• Make up work: Refer to Gryphon Team policy. 
• Textbook: World Geography – Replacement cost $65.00.

IV.  GRADES:

The approximate breakdown of a student's quarterly grade is

SCITUATE MIDDLE SCHOOL-GRYPHON TEAM

SOCIAL STUDIES 8-Mr. Abrams

 

E-MAIL:              mrabrams@aol.com

Web Page:           http://www.mrabrams.com

 

I.  CURRICULUM OVERVIEW:

 

·        U.S. Government (Civics)

Topics include the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Presidency, Congress, the Supreme Court, 2008 Elections, the Civil Rights Movement, Current Events, and R.I. state government.

·        American History (Prehistory – 1789)

Topics include Native American migration and culture, European Exploration of the             Americas, politics, life and culture in the English Colonies, and the Revolutionary War.

 

II.   LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

 

·        Learning activities include readings from the textbook and other sources, weekly writing prompts, teacher led lecture and discussion, research projects, guest speakers, posterboard presentation, and computer research and presentation. Interdisciplinary units on topics such as the 2008 Elections, Careers, and the Holocaust will also be developed. 

 

III.  STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

·        Materials: Agenda, covered textbook, notebook (single subject or binder), pocket folder (or pocket in binder), pen or pencil. Students should also bring a reading book to all team classes.

·        Homework: Usually assigned nightly, 20-30 minutes.  Most assignments will include short readings from the textbook.  Please note the online textbook information below.

·        Classroom Expectations: Students are expected to maintain high standards of respect in the classroom.  All school rules apply.  Refer to Gryphon Team expectations for details.

·        Department Night: Monday

·        Make up work: Refer to Gryphon Team policy. 

·        Textbooks: Replacement cost - America's Story: $48.00; Civics: $59.98.

 

IV.  GRADES:

The approximate breakdown of a student's quarterly grade is as follows: