Social Studies: Kelsey Spraguespraguek@issaquah.wednet.edu

(425) 837-7775http://connect.issaquah.wednet.edu/high/skyline/staff/

ms_spragues_site/default.aspxor http://tinyurl.com/lyfvofv

Office: 2410AOffice Hours: M,T,Th,F: 2:16-2:46 pm

Teacher Introduction General Syllabi Review Textbook Grading Scales and Categories Website Family Access Core vs. Honors Student-Parent-Teacher Teamwork

Washington State University (2001-2005) ◦ Cum laude Honors College graduate◦ B.A. Social Studies Education

8th Year of Teaching◦ Previously taught high school in Lacey and junior high

in Puyallup◦ Courses taught include US History, World Studies,

Pacific Northwest History, Language Arts, Leadership, Drama

Background◦ I grew up in Port Orchard and attended South Kitsap

High School.◦ I love to dance (studio, swing, ballroom, etc.), garden,

read, craft, and travel.◦ I am incredibly empathetic but believe in helping

students understand consequence of choice.◦ I run my classroom on mutual honor and mutual

effort.

How does European literature reflect the political, economic, religious, social, artistic, and intellectual changes of Western civilization? 

What is the relationship and responsibility of a government to its people?

What does it mean to be human?  What determines our humanity? What defines a hero according to different eras in history and

literature?  What defines a villain? What is the relationship in society between freedom and protection? To what extent are we in control of our choices/destinies? How do literature and art reflect the culture and values of their time? How is language related to power? How does power affect society?

Laura Matheny, LA Blended curriculum Joint expectations Joint success Joint cumulative/writing

assignments/seminars

History:TextbookWestern Civilization, 2006

Primary Various sources by: Niccolo Machiavelli, Martin Luther, Bartolome De Las Casas, Elizabeth I, Frederick the Great, John Locke, Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Winston Churchill, Adolf Hitler, etc.

SecondaryExcerpts of modern scholarship (last 20 years) from reputable, varied historians

1st Semester 2nd Semester

1. Early Modern Europe2. The Reformation 3. Absolutism & Religious

Conflict 4. The Enlightenment,

French Revolution & Napoleon

5. “Isms:” Industrialism, Imperialism, Nationalism6. World War I & Russian Revolution7. Rise of Dictators8. World War II9.Cold War & Modern Europe

• Thesis writing• Critical reading• Historical Analysis• Document analysis• Causation• Research and thesis-driven research papers• Sourcing• Historical Bias• Historical Interpretation

• Thesis-Driven Multi-Paragraph Essays• Religion and society research paper

(1st semester)• Sophomore Research Project (2nd

semester)• Persuasive pieces• Essay Tests: Timed-writing strategies• Document-based questions

Note-taking strategies for lecture and discussion

Writing Assessment◦ Growing beyond the 5-paragraph essay◦ Student-developed essay topics and

unique thesis statements◦ Integrating specific quotes and supporting

evidence with artful transitions◦ Developing commentary / analysis to

explain support Reading and using rubrics to guide progress

SHS Standard Grading Scale Grading Categories

93 - 100% A90 - 92% A-87 - 89% B+83 - 86% B80 - 82% B-77 - 79% C+73 - 76% C70 - 72% C-67 - 69% D+63 - 66% D60 - 62% D-59 – below F

Social Studies Language Arts40 Culminating

Assessments and Projects

40 Culminating Assessments and Projects

15 Culminating Writing (Sophomore Project, Semester Essays, Major Rubric and teacher scored writing)

15 Culminating Writing (Sophomore Project, Semester Essays, Major Rubric and teacher scored writing)

25 Process (Homework, some Quizzes, some classwork)

15 Process (Homework, some Quizzes)

10 Vocabulary Acquisition

10 In-Class Participation (Socratic Seminars, In-class work and discussion)

10 In-Class Participation (Socratic Seminars, In-class work and discussion)

10 Final Exam 10 Final Exam

http://connect.issaquah.wednet.edu/high/skyline/staff/ms_spragues_site/default.aspx

Or use http://tinyurl.com/lyfvofv Family Access

◦ Updated regularly so students can track their progress. Any discrepancies in grade book should be brought to my attention within 7 days or no change will be made.

Please allow your student to contact us about a concern before you contact us. ◦ Help your student compose an email asking for

an appointment during office hours◦ Help your student brainstorm possible solutions

to the issue to discuss with teachers Goal: Open communication between

teacher, parent, and student◦ Please copy both Sprague and Matheny on all

emails

I’m so thankful you came to support your student. I apologize for not accommodating conversations about a specific student need at this time, but please consider completing the survey at:

◦http://tinyurl.com/m543qzs◦You can also email me at

spraguek@issaquah.wednet.edu◦Because I move classrooms throughout the

day, email is the best way to contact me.