Welcome to 4th grade Social Studies. This is the year of states and regions. We will be exploring the history and current events of all the states and regions. Students will be required to do a written report on a state this year. They will also be making a poster and giving an oral presentation on their state. This is the student's chance to become an expert on their topic. They will be given the opportunity to present in front of the class and possibly to the entire student body of St. Michael School!! Attached to this post you will see an outline and expectations for this report. We will be choosing states in the first few weeks of school, but the reports are not due until January so you will have plenty of time to request information from the state travel agencies and to research your state. It will be a great year!!!
This year we progress from states and their regions to United States History. We will explore the history of the US from its very beginnings up to current events of the day. This year's research report will be focused on US Presidents. We will choose our presidents early so the students have plenty of time to become experts on their chosen president. Attached to this post is an outline of expectations. A written report, poster and oral presentation are again required for this year's research project. Don't hesitate to get started early. Reports are not due until Presidents Day in February, but don't wait to start!!!
We will continue with our map tests this year. Expect a map test the day after every chapter test. We will begin with the western half of the United States. Students will need to be able to locate the state and give its capital. Several attempts will be offered before the final grade is posted.
Welcome to 6th grade Social Studies!! This year is dedicated to the study of World History. We will explore early civilizations and try to find the connections our modern societies. We are waht we are today due to the innovations these early people contributed to their cultures. Geography is a big part of the curriculum for this grade level. WATER is a huge factor in studying early civilizations. The major rivers of the world have always dictated where cultures have developed and we will spend a lot of time taking about their influence on history.
Map tests will continue this year beginning with the western half of the US. Expect a map test the day after every chapter test.
Current event reports will also continue this year. One current event report will be expected to be in my email every Friday morning. sheilabrockman@gmail.com is the address for current events and any other questions you might have throughout the year. Do NOT hesitate to contact me with ANY questions!
This year's research report will be done on a person from history who contributed to humankind. I will help the students choose someone of interest. These reports are due in March, but don't wait to get started. I will have several "update" assignments throughout the school year to see if the students are progressing on these projects.
A big change!!! NO poster will be required with these reports. We need to take the big jump in to the 21st century and do just a powerpoint. I'm am so looking forward to what these students come up with in this newer realm of research reporting. Just another step in their education to make them the most confidant public speakers they can possibly be!! "Be all you can be," I think that should be our motto at St. Michael School!!
We will begin hearing the Famous Person oral reports on April 12th. I will draw names to determine the date of each student's presentation. Remember, each presenter will need to do a 3 - 5 minute oral presentation. They will also need a PowerPoint presentation to accompany their oral presentation. No written report is required for the sixth grade report. Students will need to provide a "Source Page," which needs to included all sources that they used to research their topic.
Attached is a worksheet for citing your sources and examples of what your cited sources should look like when you are finished.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me at sheilabrockan@gmail.com
A current event report is due every Friday with a few exceptions. Article links, summaries and opinions should be emailed to me at sheilabrockman@gmail.com or handwritten/typed and turned in to me.
Famous person oral reports, with Power Point presentations will be researched and presented in the Spring of 2011!
Please see the 8th grade Social Studies page for all your social studies needs.
This year we will explore, in depth, the early history of the United States. We will begin with the earliest settler to this great land and finish the year with the Civil War Era. This is my personal favorite period of history and I hope to make it interesting to the students.
The research project this year will focus on a person from this early US period that had a positive influence on our nation's history. I will assist the students in choosing an appropriate topic. A written, oral and PowerPoint presentation will be required for this project. Several "update" assignments will be given throughout the school year to make sure the students are on track with this project.
Map tests, beginning with the western half of the US and current event reports will continue this year. Doing well on the map tests and completing the current event assignements are easy ways to keep your grade up!! Current event reports must be in my gmail account every Friday morning! sheilabrockman@gmail.com
Let's have a great year everybody!!!
If you or your child has any questions about this project, please do not hesitate to contact me at sheilabrockman@gmail.com
Welcome to Literature 2011-2012!! We have brand new books. I can't wait to dig in and see what the new selections are like!!! We will start the year using the lit. books, but will also read a couple of novels along the way. Having strong reading skills will make all your subjects easier and increase your study skills in all areas!
For the first nine week grading period the 7th graders will need to submit one Book Adventure tests scoring 70% or higher and the 8th graders will need two of these Book Adventure tests, also at 70% or higher.
Two book reports will be required during this grading period from both 7th and 8th graders. The form they must follow is attached to this journal entry. Points are lost by not following the correct format.
Classroom Management Plan
Beginning in the final nine weeks, in order to begin to acclimate our 8th graders to the high school
environment, students will no longer get credit for late work. All assignments must be handed in when
due. However, teachers reserve the right to suspend this rule for an individual with special needs or
special circumstances.
I will follow the discipline plan put in place by St. Anthony School with one small exception. There may
be a rare situation where I will assign a student the task of writing an explanatory letter (letter of
explanation) or an apology letter to me or another staff member or student. This would replace a
detention, but if the assignment is not completed in an acceptable manner, the detention will return.
Again, this action will occur very rarely and only at my discretion.
I may write a missing assignment for any assignment at any time. No late assignment will ever receive
full credit! If the assignment is returned the next day to the office along with the missing assignment
slip signed by a parent, I will deduct only ten (10) points. If the assignment is returned two days late, a
50% reduction in the grade will occur. If the assignment is returned three days or later, a zero will be
the grade.
Differentiated Instruction
I will restate instruction as many times as needed for student comprehension to occur.
I will work independently with students while the rest of the class completes assignments.
I will modify requirements. (i.e. shorten writing assignments, reduce the number of questions.)
I will allow more time for completion of assignments.
I will assess for improvement rather than by set standards or rubrics, when possible.
I will conference with students and parents to devise a plan that will allow for students progress
and success when needed.