Grade Seven Social Studies World Geography

Mr. Jim d’Entremont Room:  M144 Email: dentremontj@franklin.k12.ma.us                         Voicemail:  508-541-6230 ext. 2825 Homepage:http://franklin.ma.us/auto/schools/horace/grade7/dente/default.htm

 

 

Course Objectives:  Students will learn concepts, skills, and facts associated with world geography.  The significance of geography as well as enhancing writing and study skills will be emphasized.  To learn geography, students must look at the world through geographic lenses which the five themes of geography help to focus.  Students need to know not only WHERE but also WHY THERE and SO WHAT/WHAT IMPACT.

 

 

Course Content: 

Regarding the continents (except North America & Antarctica) students will learn the following:

· Locations of continents and significant landforms.

· Locate countries and major cities.

· Different types of economic systems

· How location, climate, physical characteristics, natural resources, and population influence settlement and the economies of regions and countries.

· When and how countries became independent nations.

 

 

Unit Overview:

ECONOMIC SYSTEMS 

Which economic system is the best?

 

RESEARCH PROJECT

How have triumphs and tragedies impacted history?

 

PEOPLE & GEOGRAPHY

How important are the relationships between people and places?

 

GOVERNMENT

How well do governments protect and provide for their people?

 

GAINING INDEPENDENCE

When should people go against or “break away” from the ruling government?

 

 

Evaluation: 

The following items will be used to assess students’ knowledge, skills, and work habits:  quizzes, tests, writing assignments, and projects (in class, outside of class, individual, group).  Each item will be assigned a certain point value (ie: 20).  Students will receive a score relative to the point value (ie: 15/20).  To determine the grade for the quarter, total points earned are divided by total points possible (150/200 = .75 = 75% = a C grade).  Students are encouraged to keep track of their grades.

 

Each student will maintain a portfolio in the classroom.  The goal of the collection of work (COW) is to demonstrate what the student has learned, to show how the student has progressed in regards to content and skills, and to allow student reflection of work.  The teacher and student will choose some pieces of work, both graded and un-graded, for inclusion in the portfolio.  The items in the portfolio will meet the following criteria:

 

1.     demonstrate the student’s mastery level of the content and skills.

2.     demonstrate the student’s understanding of the essential question for each unit.

3.     demonstrate the student’s understanding of strengths and weaknesses as learner through goal setting and reflections.

 

Homework Assignments:  Students should expect formal homework assignments two or three times per week.  Regular homework assignments are usually worth one point.  A late or unsatisfactory assignment is worth half.  Missing homework is worth zero.

 

When no formal homework is assigned, the students are expected to work on long term projects, review the day’s class goal, organize their binders, review their social studies goals, prepare studying aids, read past readings over again, etc.  Students should spend 20 to 30 minutes a day.  HOMEWORK IS POSTED ON MR. D’ENTREMONT’S HOMEPAGE. (See the top of previous page.)

 

Grade Reports: will be distributed to students EVERY TWO WEEKS on Fridays, starting on September 8.  A schedule of when students and parents can expect Grade Reports will be posted on my class website (see the top of previous page).  Grade reports are different from mid-term progress reports.

 

Extra Help:  I am available for after school help until at least 2:20 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.  Students can ask if I can stay longer on any of those days.  Students will be notified when I have a conflicting meeting.