Mr. Ferrell
6th Grade Social Studies Syllabus
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Welcome to 6th grade Social Studies for the school year. I graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word with a Baccalaureate degree in History with a minor in Geology and a Masters degree in Education.
Course Introduction:
Sixth grade is an exciting year for students for many reasons. It is full of new concepts, experiences, and technologies. In Social Studies, you will be studying people, places, & contemporary issues from around the world. We will look at ancient & current issues and their effects on our lives. Students will be discovering the geography of many societies and how they interact with the environment. Histories and cultures will be discussed, with a discussion on how people have impacted the societies of world. The different forms of government, citizenship, and economics will also be discussed. There will be introductory comparisons made of the various institutions that people have in common; such as education, art, and world religions. Various new technologies for research will be introduced and will be encouraged. As a student in 6th Grade Social Studies, you will have many opportunities throughout the year to read, write, and explore creatively. I am confident we will have a successful & rewarding year.
Textbook: World Cultures & Geography (Class Set)
Online version:
Supplies required:
(MATERIALS WILL NEED TO BE REPLENISHED THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR.)
Students are required to be prepared for class with the necessary materials
Two boxes of map pencils (12 pack) One black pen Flash Drive (1- 8 gig)
One box colored markers (8 pack) One red pen One 12” ruler
Six #2 pencils with erasers One blue pen One green pen (if possible)
Mandatory: One Assignment Planner (available at the front office)
Homework/Class Work Policy: Homework/Class work & minor quizzes counts for 50% of the six-week grade and it is due at the beginning of class, the next day. Class work is due by the end of the class period. If a class work assignment cannot be completed by the end of the class period, it will either be finished in the next class period, or at the teacher’s discretion, assigned to be completed at home. Class work completed at home will remain full credit if turned in the next day. Late Work (1-2 days) late assignments will be given a grade up to an 90. Students are seriously urged to turn in any overdue work to avoid receiving a zero for that assignment.
I do not give “extra credit” work.
Test Policy: When tests/quizzes are given during class time, students will have sufficient time to complete the work. Tests/quizzes are given on the “honor” system. A retest may be given for a failing grade highest grade is a 90. Any test paper not returned to the teacher before leaving the classroom will result in an automatic “zero” for that paper. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS. Parents will be notified if a problem arises. Any student caught cheating, for example, using an “unauthorized” Personal Electronic Device, will be given a “zero” for that test/quiz. Ample notes and advanced notice will be given in class about upcoming tests/quizzes. Please use the required class assignment planner to organize your assignment/test dates. For additional help, references, rubrics, and notes please check my webpage on the school website: (see front page)
Project Policy: Projects will either be in assigned teams or as individual assignments. Projects will be explained in detail in the classroom and grading rubrics will be issued to each student. Each major assignment will be broken down into scheduled parts. Dates will be given for the completion of each of the segments of the project. The final due date will be given at the beginning of the project/assignment. All projects are to be completed by the required due date. Late work will be penalized 10 points off the final grade of the project/assignment. Projects will count 50% of the six-week grade, so being on time is very important.
Combined Grading Percentages: Grading System: Homework/class work = 50% 100 – 90 A
Tests and Projects = 50% 89 – 80 B
79 - 75 C 74 - 70 D
69 - 00 F
NOTES TO PARENTS:
Classroom Policy: Student behavior must meet or exceed school and district expectations. The student’s parent/guardian will be notified if behavior becomes problematic. Laptops, tablets, computers and other Personal Electronic Devices (PED's) to be used for study purposes are acceptable to use in the classroom setting at the teacher’s discretion. Gaming devices may not be used. It is totally the student’s responsibility for the care of their device and the school and/or teacher is not responsible for breakage, malfunctions, loss or theft of the item.
(District Internet/Computer Polices and rules will be enforced here). Personal Electronic Devices (PED’s) must be turned off and not visible during the school day unless they are in a school designated ‘electronic device zone’ or using the device for “teacher approved” instructional purposes. Students who violate this policy will be subject to escalating consequences which might include confiscation of the device and requires a parent to pick up the device. (VP office) Students should follow the guidelines for PED’s in Section B and Section E of the Student-Parent Handbook which includes the Acceptable Use of District Technology Resources. Specifically, students are not allowed to be taking photos/videos of staff or other students. They are not allowed to be texting. They are not allowed to make or receive phone calls unless under the direction of school staff.
Progress Reports: Reports will be given to every student either by E-mail and/or to take home after the third week of the six-week grading period for parent/ guardian review and signature. The signature section at the bottom of the progress report can only be signed by an adult legal guardian or parent. Any student failing a class must return a signed progress report from a parent or adult guardian to their teacher as conformation of parent awareness of grades.
Class Cancellation due to Epidemics: In the event that the school is forced to shut down due to an epidemic such as Swine Flu, class assignments will be posted on my school website to keep students current with their studies. Students will be required to complete the posted work and turn it in when the school re-opens.