Seventh Grade Social Studies
2009-2010
Mr. Whitbeck
Welcome to seventh grade Social Studies!
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Course Goals and Objectives
We will concentrate on four areas of study in Seventh Grade Social Studies.
These areas and their related skills will be explored and detailed in
comprehensive thematic units. Our goal is to provide a wealth of opportunity
for you to grow as an historian, a perceptive reader, a critical thinker, and
a competent writer.
I. Study Skills
A. To use a planner
B. To read actively
C. To study efficiently
II. Writing
A. To strengthen sentence and paragraph structure
B. To master the paragraph as an effective response to short-answer
examination questions
C. To advance the five-paragraph essay: a strong, articulate thesis
statement; three paragraphs containing supporting examples, direct quotations
and analysis connected to the thesis; and a concluding paragraph
D. To incorporate direct and indirect quotations with accurate
documentation of the source
E. To develop persuasive / argumentative essays incorporating various
forms of supporting research
III. Historical Methodology
A. To identify the social, political, economic, and cultural components
of historic groups
B. To identify cause and effect
C. To evaluate events for historical significance
D. To discern between truth and fallacy
IV. Current Events
A. To gain a broader understanding of how our community works
B. To identify major political structures at a local and national level
C. To understand the functions of the three branches of government
D. To comprehend the major social and political debates in contemporary
society
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Course Content
There are four units of study in Seventh Grade Social Studies: the Southwest,
Colonial America, 20th century America, and Media Literacy.
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Fission and Fusion: The Southwest Experience
Unit Goals:
• Explore the origins of life in North America
• Compare cultural diversity in values and beliefs between and among
Native Americans of the Southwest, Hispanics, and Anglos
• Explore the collision of cultures
• Examine the relationship between the environment and society in the
historic Southwest
Readings*:
• Select chapters from The American Journey
• Serafina’s Stories by Rudolfo Anaya
• Primary source documents
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Colonial America
Unit Goals:
• To examine the roles of inheritance and experience in cultural
formation in Colonial America
• To compare the colonial styles of the French, British, and Spanish
• To identify the origins of American democracy
• To examine the institution of slavery and its legacy
• To identify the causes of the American Revolution
Readings:
• Select chapters from The American Journey
• “A Summary View of the Rights of British America,” by Thomas Jefferson
• Selections from Democracy in America, by Alexis de Tocqueville
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20th Century America
Unit Goals:
• To explore the immigration experience
• To examine the influence of technology on American culture
• To examine the expanding role of America in the world
Readings:
• Select chapters from The American Journey
• Primary Sources
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Media Literacy
Unit Goals:
• To critically interpret and constructively create media messages
• To experiment with various media technologies
• To examine the way that advertisers target children
• To examine the influence of advertising on youth culture
.
Grading and Assessment
You will be graded on all daily assignments, quizzes, tests, essays, and
major projects. In addition, your effort and participation will be
assessed. Effort is measured by my observation of your willingness to do
your very best work. Participation is measured by my observation of your
enthusiasm toward and meaningful contribution to classroom discussion and
activities.
• All final writings and projects will be assessed as follows:
o Content and Style
o Organization and Clarity
o Grammar and Writing Mechanics
• Homework is due at the beginning of class. It is my policy that work
submitted late but within a week of its due date will receive late credit.
This policy also applies to work returned with a request that the assignment
be redone and resubmitted for credit. If there are mitigating circumstances
interfering with homework completion, bring a note from a parent in order to
receive an extension and full credit for the assignment. Of course, this
should be a rare occurrence.
• I expect that final drafts of essays and original writings be typed.
If this presents a difficulty for you, please see me.
Supplies:
In order to be a full and active participant in class, it is important that
you bring the following supplies with you on a daily basis.
• A college ruled notebook
• A sketchbook
• Pens or pencils for daily work
• Small set of colored pencils
