7TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIESNathan B. Gilson

Southwest Middle School 2014-2015

ABOUT ME

• Undergraduate degree: Grove City College (B.A. Major: History Minor: Religious Studies)

• Teaching Certificate: Wheeling Jesuit University

• Work History: Counselor/Caseworker in Social Services for 4 years

• Taught 7th Grade Social Studies at SWMS since 2011

• Hobbies: Saltwater Aquariums, Golf, Disc Golf, Pittsburgh Sports, Literature, woodworking

• Family: Married 9 years, and any day will be adding foster children

CONTACT

• Best way to contact me is by email: nathanb.gilson@cms.k12.nc.us

• All course content is uploaded to teacher wiki address:

• http://mrgilson.cmswiki.wikispaces.net

MASTERY VS. EXPOSURE

• Goal of education is for students to be able to understand and apply concepts discussed in class.

• Traditional Education is a teacher-paced education whereby the teacher sets the pace of learning for each learner, and grades are given for assignments and then the next concept is taught.

• If a student has not understood the concept, they have simply been exposed to the content, rather than actually mastering the concept.

• Classroom focus needs to shift from a teacher directed pace to a student directed pace.

CLASSROOM POLICIES: GRADING

• Keeping mastery in mind, we cannot teach with a traditional grading scale (30-50 assignments, each one with it’s own grade).

• Unit-Based Instruction

• Students complete units in order to earn credit for assignments. They do not complete the unit until each assignment (including tests and projects) have been completed at or above grade level.

Q1 Units and weight breakdown Percentage of Q1 Grade

Renaissance & Protestant Reformation 22%

Age of Exploration 22%

Scientific Revolution 22%

Enlightenment 22%

Pop Quizzes & Classroom Assignments (Friday Activities)

11%

WHAT DOES A UNIT LOOK LIKE?

• Every unit will have it’s own rubric. The rubric will give a total score (out of 100). That grade is then entered into the gradebook.

• A grade of 50/100 is automatically entered for each unit. A passing score (71%) requires two units to be successfully completed AND an 80% or greater on all classroom quizzes and assignments.

Assignment 1-Unsatisfactory 2—Below Standard 3-At Standard 4-Above Standard

Vocabulary       All unit vocabulary words are defined by the student in the vocabulary section of their

notebook

Vocabulary Exercises       Vocabulary exercises have been completed for all vocabulary words assigned for this

unit.

Worksheets

1.1 When Plague Strikes

    Both questions were answered thoroughly. Nursery Rhyme contains all required elements, but does not rhyme and is not creative.

Both questions answered thoroughly. Nursery Rhyme contains all required elements, rhymes, and is creatively executed.

1.2 Renaissance     Comprehension questions are correctly answered. Write about it prompt is answered, but does not reflect serious thought about the topic assigned.

Comprehension questions are correctly answered. Write about it prompt is answered, and reflects serious thought about the topic assigned and what the world would really be like.

1.3 Protestant Reformation

    Comprehension questions are correctly answered. Write about it prompt is answered, but does not reflect serious thought about the topic assigned.

Comprehension questions are correctly answered. Write about it prompt is answered, and reflects serious thought about the topic assigned and what the world would really be like.

Parent Interview Assignment is not completed

    Assignment is completed.

Graph Assignment The graph is unable to be used to represent the assigned data.

Two or more of the following errors are present:Graph scale incorrect, graph not in color, improper labels, Improper title, no key/legend.

One of the following errors are present:Graph scale incorrect, graph not in color, improper labels, Improper title, no key/legend.

The graph contains no errors and clearly demonstrates the data assigned.

Digging Deeper—Extension Activities

Computer-based assignment—Artwork study

       

Stations Activity—Religion 101

Graphic organizer incomplete

    Graphic organizer completed correctly.

Writing Prompt #1—Why can’t we all just get along?

The student’s response is only several sentences long, or does not answer the question at all.

The student’s response starts to answer the questions asked, but is based totally of opinion without any supporting details from the information provided by the teacher.

The student’s response is thoughtful, utilizes texts provided, and attempts to propose solutions.

The student’s response is thoughtful, utilizes texts provided and other sources (either teacher provided or researched independently) and gives thoughtful solutions to the problems proposed.

Trial of Martin Luther See Mr. Gilson for role assignment and group/teams once all above assignments are completed. Once all groups are finished, you will present to the class.

See assignment rubric for details. 3—Group was prepared to present the topic4—Group was well prepared during presentation to class.

CLASSROOM POLICIES: DAILY ACTIVITY

• Monday-Thursday: Students come in to class and work on self-directed activities. The teacher is available as a resource, as well as to ensure all work is completed in a satisfactory manner. This work is a combination of stations activities, collaborative and individual assignments, technology-based and research-based assignments, and worksheets.

• Friday: Powerpoints to explain concepts, educational activities and videos to help enhance understanding of concepts being learned about during each Unit.

CLASSROOM POLICIES: HOMEWORK & TECHNOLOGY

• There is no homework…..but there is.

• About 1/3 to ½ of all assignments can be completed outside of the classroom. In order to stay on track to earn an “A average,” students will have to complete work outside of classroom.

• Due to being student-paced, there is also no due date for assignments.

• Exception: Team-based projects

• Technology

• Use of personal laptops, tablets, and smartphones is encouraged, so long as these devices are used for educational purposes ONLY during class time.

• Students found using these devices for purposes other than educational purposes will lose technology privileges temporarily (infrequent offenses) or permanently (frequent offense)

TEST & QUIZ POLICY

• Students will take tests until they have mastered the test content as per each unit rubric. Retests will take place during class time, and students will not be permitted to move on to other units until they master each test.

• Quizzes will be given almost every Friday, will always been open notes, and will involve the content discussed that day. Students who earn lower than an 80% can retake any quiz during that quarter, as long as they take it before or after school hours on tutoring days. These quizzes will count for 11% of a student’s overall grade.

DISCIPLINE POLICY

• Discipline is corrective not punative

• The goal of all classroom discipline is to correct an inappropriate behavior, and replace it with a desired behavior.

• Discipline is progressive

• Students will not receive the same consequence for multiple infractions. Measures may need to be increased if the student does not learn from prior interventions.

PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE

Occurrence of Infraction* Natural Consequence

1st occurrence (or for very minor infractions)

Verbal Warning

2nd occurrence Written Reflection

3rd occurrence More Intensive Reflection & Parent contact

4th occurrence Essay reflection completed during Detention & Parent contact

5th+ occurrence Parent contact & office referral

*Discipline will automatically reset to 0 infractions at the beginning of each quarter

THE ONLY CLASSROOM RULE: BE RESPECTFUL

• Be respectful of everyone’s opportunity to learn (stay in seat during teacher instruction and do not cause classroom distractions by talking without being called on)

• Be respectful of peers (Do not make rude comments or put others down)

• Be respectful of the teacher’s authority (Speak to the teacher as an adult, follow directions, do not talk back)

• Be respectful of others’ beliefs (Do not refer to different ideas or belief systems as “dumb”, “stupid,” or put down other’s ideas, whether or not you agree with them.)

• Respect yourself—This is your opportunity to grow. Take every advantage that you have during class time to grow academically. (Be on-task)

CLASSROOM POLICIES: MATERIALS

• Necessary Materials: Students need a pencil (#2) and a 3 ring binder, with at least 6 dividers.

• There other other materials provided by the classroom (markers, scissors, construction paper, glue, tissues, etc.) In order to utilize these resources, students must contribute to the classroom the materials designated on the introduction sheet.

PARENT PARTICIPATION

• It is my job to present to your student the world’s history from 1450 to the modern issues confronting our world, however, it is never a public employee or teacher’s job to teach students about values, this is the family unit’s responsibility therefore…

• Please engage your student in conversations about current events.

• Please take parent-interview assignments seriously

• Please communicate any specific concerns you have with me

• Examples:

• Global Warming

• Religions

• Political systems