Trimester One Syllabus

7th Grade – United States Studies

Ms. Lindsey Pugh

Room 142

763-777-8942 ext. 8843

Instructional Goals:

Grade 7 features U.S. History (1800’s to Present) as the lead discipline with a strong secondary emphasis on citizenship and government. The interdisciplinary studies approach is further enhanced with important economics and geography content that round out the study of United States history.

During trimester one, we will be focusing on three units beginning with the period of time just after the Revolutionary War.

Unit 2: A New Nation

  • Chapter 6: Citizenship and the Constitution
  • Chapter 7: Launching the Nation

Unit 3: The New Republic

  • Chapter 8: The Jefferson Era
  • Chapter 9: A New National Identity
  • Chapter 10: The Age of Jackson
  • Chapter 11: Expanding West

Unit 4: The Nation Expands

  • Chapter 12: The North
  • Chapter 13: The South
  • Chapter 14: New Movements in America
  • Chapter 15: A Divided Nation

Textbook:

Athlos Leadership Academy has adopted theHolt McDougal: U.S. History curriculum to meet the Grade 7 Minnesota Social Studies Standards. Students will not be allowed to take textbooks home. To support students in their homework and studying needs outside of school, students will be provided with the login information for the online version of the textbook, in class notes, and study guides.

Daily Required Materials:

Please insure that you bring the following items to class daily:

  • Athlos planner
  • Pencils
  • Pens
  • Highlighters
  • Social Studies Interactive Notebook
  • Social Studies Folder
  • Paper
  • Tape/Glue Stick
  • Backpack

The following items do NOT need to be brought to class every day, but you will need them in Social Studies throughout the year:

  • Markers/Crayons/Colored Pencils
  • Scissors
  • Glue/Glue stick
  • Ruler
  • Notecards

Assignments and Assessments:

Assignments / Formative or
Summative / Point Value / How many per trimester / Total
Journals / Formative / 30 / 2 / 60
Quizzes / Formative / 20 / 2 / 40
In class discussions / Formative / 10 / 5 / 50
Supplemental Activities / Formative / 25 / 5 / 125
FORMATIVE TOTAL: 275
Tests / Summative / 30 / 2 / 60
Projects / Summative / 100 / -ABC’s of the Constitution
-Oregon Trail Project
-Bias Project / 300
SUMMATIVE TOTAL: 360
  • Assignments, point values, and the frequency of assignments are subject to change throughout the trimester. If there is a change, I will communicate it to the students in class and through my webpage. Students will also write any changes in their Athlos planner.
  • All due dates will be communicated to students and parents through the school planner and my webpage.

Viewing upcoming assignments

Upcoming assignments will be posted on our classroom webpage. We encourage all families to subscribe to the classroom webpages of their child’s teachers. This will send you a notification each time an update is made on the webpage so that you can stay informed about upcoming assignments. Our 4th through 8th graders are also expected to use their Athlos planners on a daily basis. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the planner for each content area in order to be organized in their daily work. You may check your student’s planner each night to see what is due the following day.

Gradebook

The gradebook can be viewed through ParentVUE at any time. We ask every parent/guardian to create a ParentVUE login. If your family does not have internet access at home, on a smartphone, at work, or at your local library, we will work with you to arrange alternative means of communication. As soon as grades are entered, students and families can view the results in ParentVUE. Parents can view a student’s grades at any time of the day in ParentVUE. We encourage parents to log in at least weekly to stay updated. If your family needs help setting up your ParentVUE account, please contact our front office staff at 763.777.8942.

Middle School Grading Scale

A 93-100%

A- 90-92%

B+ 87-89%

B 83-86%

B- 80-82%

C+ 77-79%

C 73-76%

C- 70-72%

D+ 67-69%

D 60-66%

F 0-59%

Retake Policy Grades 6-8

In grades 6-8, students are expected to be prepared for all assignments and assessments that are graded. Retakes will only be approved for tests. A student may only request a retake opportunity if the student has completed and submitted all of the homework from the unit prior to the retake date. Retake tests may not be identical to the initial test. Students will not receive time at school to study for retake tests. This must take place at home. Retakes will be administered during an appropriate time of the day in an appropriate setting.

Report Cards PK-8

Progress reports will go home three times per year. Reports will be printed and sent home approximately one week after the end of the trimester for trimesters 1 and 2. For 3rd trimester, all assignments and make- up tests will be due by at least one week before the last day of school to allow time for grades to be entered and posted by the last day of school. Report cards will go home with students on the last day of school. Structured learning, though, will continue up through the last day of school.

Athlos Leadership Academy School Rules

All students are expected to adhere to Athlos Leadership Academy’s school rules at all times.

  • Work hard and do your very best to succeed.
  • Care for others and treat others with respect.
  • Care for yourself and treat yourself with respect.
  • Care for the school.
  • Be responsible in your schoolwork and in your actions.

General Classroom Rules

  • Class participation is expected.
  • Try hard and do your best. Ask questions.
  • Keep up on your homework.
  • If you are struggling to understand the material, ask for help.
  • No food or drink in the room unless it is an approved snack and at the designated snack time. (Water is okay if it is in a non-spill container.)
  • Athlos planners must be used daily.
  • If you are absent, check in on the following day to pick up any missed work. Make-up assessments will be scheduled within a week of the absence.
  • Class notes, assigned texts, and study guides must be taken home daily for studying.