6 Grade Social Studies

Ms. Martinet Room: B1 2013-2014 School Year Email: [email protected]

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Welcome to Ms. Martinets 6th Grade Social Studies class! In this class you will be learning about the early man, the ancient world, and hundreds of skills you will need and use throughout school and your life!! We will work through history exploring each civilization and the impact it made on the world we know today. Some of the civilizations we will study are the Egyptians, the Romans, the Greeks, and many others.

My Expectations:
Papers, Projects, tests, and other assignments: : This is a history class so there will be a significant amount
of writing. Each given unit will have an assessment at the end that will be assigned by Ms. Martinet Rules and Regulations: Students must follow all of the rules and regulations as set forth by Endeavour Academy Student Handbook for the 2013-2014 Academic School year. Students must follow dress code, attendance policies, as well as behavior guidelines at all times during this course. Respect: Students MUST show respect at all times, both to the instructor and to their fellow classmates. There is no room for negotiation! In this class you will be required to think, react, respond, and engage in discussion and do so in a respectful manner. Food, Gum, or Drinks: Food, gum, and drinks are not allowed in class except for water. Electronic Devices: The use of any type of electronic device in class is prohibited unless the instructor gives consent. Language and Profanity: the use of profanity is strictly prohibited. You are in an academic setting therefore you need to use academic language! Restrooms: Students may ask to go to the restroom before or at the end of class. A student may only use the restroom with consent of the instructor. During lecture or a class assignment is not an acceptable time to ask. Extra Credit: Extra credit will be given sporadically throughout the semester and will be given to the entire class. No Extra credit will be given to an individual student Late Work: Full credit on assignments is only accepted with an excused absence. If a student turns in assignments the grade will be reduced. For homework or late class work half credit will be given. For projects, each day the assignment is not turned in the maximum grade will be lowered, one grade per day. When students are absent it is their responsibility to obtain lecture notes, assignments, or other work that the student may have missed.

Supplies: Students will be provided with a numbered textbook during class only . It is the students responsibility to bring following materials to class every day. Please gather the following supplies for this class: 1. A one-inch, 3-ring binder which will be used only for this class 2. One set of index dividers (optional) 3. College ruled notebook paper 4. Sharpened pencils and pens 5. Colored markers and/or pencils (if possible) Grading Scale: Grading is based on a compilation of daily participation, homework, quizzes, chapter tests, projects, and the final. A = 100-93 A- = 92-90 B = 89-83 B- = 82-80 C = 79-73 C- =72-70 D= 69-63 D- = 62-60 F = 59 and below

Thank you for your support and commitment to history and education! If you ever have questions you can reach me at my email and I would be happy to discuss anything with you. I am super excited for the upcoming school year!

Ms. Martinet!

Topic: Although there are a few exceptions, the most common sixth grade topic in public schools is the Ancient World or Cradle of Civilizations, a year-long study of the roots of Western and non-Western civilizations. If your school follows this course of study, expect to start with geography, climate, and major landmarks of the globe, and then to focus on specific peoples. Expect to hear about ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia; Ancient Hebrews; Greece and Rome; and, frequently, India and China. These subjects lend themselves to hands-on learning and discovery; in a good teachers hands, they are riveting for kids. Thinking Skills: Given these scholarly topics, you may be tempted to expect your child to come home reciting stacks of encyclopedic facts. Beware! While its great for kids to know important names, dates, and places, its even more important that they practice linking, sequencing, and interpreting them. You

can provide excellent help just by talking: what are primary and secondary sources; how do we know that something is historically true? What caused democracy to thrive in Athens? How do ancient leaders and money systems compare and contrast with ours today? Prepare to be impressed by what kids may say ... and do be concerned if they cant talk about these issues at all. Check with their teacher; just because its middle school doesnt mean you should stop being in touch. Study Skills: As their curriculum becomes both broader and deeper, teachers understand that good study skills can make all the difference. Go ahead and ask to see your childs planner and as signment pages. Social studies homework commonly means reading and writing, periodic projects, and studying for tests. Dont expect that your child will naturally know how to read a middle school textbook, let alone manage the multiple stages of a project deadline. If your kid asks for help, take it as a compliment, and offer to walk through the assignment in a supportive, nonjudgmental way. Research shows that in the first semester of sixth grade, students grades often take a dipbut they recover by the second half of the year, as kids hit their stride. You can expect that the whole journey will be happier if kids trust that youre behind them all the way.