7th

Grade (Year 2) Class Syllabus

Teacher & Class Information Class: Individuals and Societies (Social Studies) Teacher: Scott Opfermann Phone: (313) 833-1100 ext. 1257 E-mail: sopfermann@detroitedisonpsa.org Class Description: Seventh grade “Individuals and Societies” introduces students to the history and geography, as well as the political systems and economic policies, of regions in the Eastern Hemisphere. This class will encourage students to think like geographers, and enhance their understanding by participating in inquiry-based and project-based learning. In addition to academic content, students will develop an awareness and appreciation for other cultures and better understand their role as a global citizen. Students will learn content in social studies by answering critical thinking questions, interpreting primary and secondary sources, drafting argumentative writing pieces, and through service-learning activities. In addition, this course will enhance skills related to the state Social Studies MEAP test administered to eighth grade students. Course Topics:

Five themes of geography Middle East/Southwest Asia Map Literacy Skills Southeast Asia Europe Oceania Africa

Class Goals As an educator, I strive to:

1. Help students develop an appreciation and an understanding of the cyclical nature of history and how it impacts our lives today

2. Create higher level thinkers that question, research, and analyze historical facts in order to evaluate their veracity

3. Cultivate the skills necessary to enable students to make informed decisions as citizens in our democracy

4. Effectively prepare students with the skills needed to be successful in high school, college, and the professional workplace

5. Accommodate for all learning styles and abilities

Class Expectations In addition to serving as an example myself, each student is expected to:

Be respectful in all situations Come to class prepared, mentally and physically Follow directions the first time they are given, and Give their personal best

mailto:sopfermann@detroitedisonpsa.org

Class Rules All students, as well as the teacher, will adhere to the rules and policies listed in the DEPSA Legacy Handbook’s Code of Conduct. Grade Composition Grades will be calculated according to the following breakdown:

Journals/Notebooks 10% Classwork/Projects 15% Homework 15 % Formative Assessments (Quizzes, Tests) 30% Quarterly 30%

Grading scale:

90-100% A- to A 80-89% B- to B+ 70-79% C- to C+ 60-69% D- to D+ 59% or below F

Homework Schedule: Homework will be given on a regular and is due the following day (unless otherwise specified). Copies of homework assignments, as well as the day they were assigned, are available at the “Catch-Up” station in the classroom. Late Work: All late/missing assignments will be accepted until the last week of the marking period. Any late/missing assignment turned in will automatically receive a 10% reduction in credit. A list of the assignments given during class can be found on the class website; hard copies of the assignments can be found at the “Catch-Up” station within the classroom. Absent Work: Students with excused absences will be given a one day extension for each day they were absent. In order to qualify for an excused absence, students must bring a signed note from a parent/guardian upon their return or contact the Junior Academy Office at the time they are absent. Anyone absent on the due date of a presentation or project must turn it in the next time the class meets. Any student absent during a test or quiz must arrange a time to make it up either at lunch or after school. Unexcused absences (i.e. no note or phone call) will not receive extensions nor credit for the missing work. Humanities Binders: In addition to paper and pencils, students will be required to bring a 1.5 or 2” three ring binder with five tab dividers, per the academy supply list that were distributed before the beginning of the school year.* We will use the binders extensively for proper note-taking, vocabulary development, and documenting student work. These binders will be instrumental in developing effective organizational skills and will be checked periodically (and often randomly) for proper maintenance as a grade.

*Please contact me if you should encounter difficulty acquiring the items above. I have a limited supply of items available for student use upon request.

Class Website: The classroom website will be updated during the school week. Students and parents/guardians can find useful links related to classroom resources (see attached letter). If a student is absent the fastest way to find what we did in class is through the website.

Behavior Progression Plan Students in violation of our classroom expectations or the Student Code of Conduct will follow the progression below:

1. Teacher reminder of expectation not met 2. Teacher intervention (move seat, cool down corner, reflection, etc.) 3. Phone call home 4. Reflection center 5. Detention assignment 6. Office referral

21st Century Scholar Academy (Sections 6.4, 7.4, 8.4) The 21st Century Scholar Academy (21CSA) is an “Academy within Academy” which places students on an accelerated and rigorous academic track. For social studies, this will take the form of service learning. After exploring the traditional grade level content expectations, students will engage in service activities that tie directly into the curriculum. 21CSA social studies students will plan, design, and implement meaningful service projects that address both the societal issues present in our local/global community as well as the academic content they have learned in class.

International Baccalaureate (IB) 1 The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Learner Profiles1 The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help create a better and more peaceful world as individuals who are:

Inquirers Thinkers Communicators Risk Takers Knowledgeable Principled Caring Open-minded Balanced Reflective

1 (2009). International Baccalaureate Language A Guide. Cardiff Wales United Kingdom: International Baccalaureate

Organization.

September 1, 2015

CLASSROOM WEBSITE ANNOUNCEMENT

Dear Parents/Guardians of Mr. Opfermann’s Individuals & Societies Classes, I am excited to announce that we have a classroom website up and running for Year 1 (6th Grade), Year 2 (7th grade) and Year 3 (8th grade) students and families. The purpose of the website is to keep parents/guardians informed about what is happening during class and to optimize student success! The website can be found by accessing www.sopfermann.weebly.com Once you access the site, you will be able to:

Access a list of the homework that was assigned

View a calendar that lists homework deadlines and other important class announcements

Utilize select textbook and reading supplements

Read about our classroom expectations and procedures

Visit links to helpful and interactive study resources

It is important that students and parents/guardians know how to use the website. Students will be expected to use the class website if they are absent from class. Upon their return to school, students should access the website, find the names of the assignments they missed, retrieve hard copies from the “Catch-Up” station in the room, and turn in a completed copy the following day. Please note that homework deadlines will only be extended for excused absences (i.e. students with a signed note or correspondence with the Junior Academy Office). If a computer or printer is not available, DEPSA’s media center has both internet and printing access and is open to students during and after school. Alternatively, students and families can arrange times with me to use my personal computer. It is my hope that you will utilize this resource with your student to help support their success in the classroom and stay up to date with the most recent developments in our learning environment. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding our class website. Sincerely, Lead Teacher/Social Studies Instructor 313-833-1100 ext. 1258 sopfermann@detroitedisonpsa.org

http://www.sopfermann.weebly.com/

Signed Acknowledgement

By signing below I affirm that I have read through both the class syllabus and the website letter and understand what is expected.

Student Name: _________________________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________________ Date: ___________

Parent/Guardian Name: __________________________________________________________

Signature: __________________________________________________________ Date: ___________

*Please return only this signed page to Mr. Opfermann. Keep the remaining documents for your

personal records*