Download 7th Grade Social Studies Syllabus

7th Grade Social Studies Syllabus
I.
Grading Scale
Tests, Quizzes, and Projects
Homework
Class work
50%
25%
25%
* Homework and grades will be posted weekly on SchoolMax.
II.
Homework Policy
Students will receive their homework assignments for the week on Monday and it is due
Thursday. Between the assignments, studying for quizzes, and doing projects students
will have work to do at home most nights from Monday through Thursday.
III.
Projects
Detailed description of each project along with the guidelines and rubrics for scoring
projects will be provided for each assignment. Students are allowed to use the school
library and classroom computers to work on their projects; however, students will always
need to do some of the work outside of normal school hours.
IV. Tests and Quizzes
A quiz will be given each Friday throughout the year. The quiz will always include a
substantial vocabulary section, with the words being provided to students on the previous
Monday. The quiz will also include assessment questions about the work done in class
over the previous week. Tests will occur several times per quarter and ask students to
demonstrate their mastery of the larger units of study in the class.
V. Units – The Eastern Hemisphere Cultures and Geography
Ø Unit One: Introduction to World Cultures
o An Introduction to Your Textbook and Reading Informational Text
o All About Maps
o Five Themes of Geography
o What is Culture?
o Beginnings of Civilizations
Ø Unit Two: Southwest and Central Asia
o The Physical Geography of Southwest and Central Asia
Ancient/Medieval History
o Mesopotamia
o Literature: The Epic of Gilgamesh – Mythology
Contemporary History
o Three Major Religions
o Formation of Israel – Arab-Israeli Conflict
Unit Three: Africa
o The Physical Geography of Africa
Ancient/Medieval History
o The Geography of the Nile River
o Ancient Egypt
o Nubian Kingdoms
o Kingdoms of West Africa
Contemporary History
o European Conquest of Africa
o Issues of Africa Today: Economics
o Kenya and Tanzania: Moving the Maasai
o South Africa and Apartheid
o Genocide in Africa: United Nation’s Response
Ø Unit Four: Southeast and East Asia
o The Physical Geography of Southeast Asia
Ancient/Medieval History
o The Indus and Ganges River Valleys
o Two Major Religions: Hinduism and Buddhism
o The Geography of China’s River Valley
o Confucius and His Teachings
o Strong Rulers Unite Warring Kingdoms
o The Silk Road and Chinese Achievements
o Feudalism in Japan
Contemporary History
o India: In the Midst of Change (Economics)
o The Tsunami Destruction: The Role of the International Red Cross
Ø Unit Five: Europe and Russia
o The Physical Geography of Europe and Russia
Ancient/Medieval History
o The Rise of the Greek Civilization and City-States
o Ancient Greece
o Ancient Rome
o The Fall of Rome
o Feudalism: A System for Living
o The Rise of Cities
o The Crusades
Contemporary History
o Imperial Russia to the Soviet Union
o The European Union
o Germany: A Unified Nation
o United Kingdom: Democracy and Monarchy
Ø Unit Six: Australia
o The Physical Geography of Australia
Early History
o The Arrival of the Europeans and Effects on the Aborigines