Welcome to the sixth grade Ancient Civilization!  I am Miss Myers, your Social Studies teacher for the 2005-2006 school year.  Since you are to be my student, I feel you should know a little about me.

I have lived in Colorado for a majority of my life.  My family has lived in Colorado a very long time.  I  am actually a 5^th generation Colorado native.  I graduated from the Colorado State University – Pueblo with a Baccalaureate degree in History, a Baccalaureate degree in Social Sciences with minors in Reading, Public Relations, and Education.  I am currently in the process of completing my Masters Degree in Education.  This is my second year at Skyview Middle School. 

 

Course Introduction:

            Sixth grade is an exciting year for students for many reasons.  It is full of new concepts and experiences.  The content of the course is aligned to the Colorado State Content Standards.  Course work is broken into unites and include the following: 

Geography (the 5 themes), Early Man, Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, ancient India, ancient China, ancient Greece, and ancient Rome. 

 We will be discovering the geography of many societies and how they interact with the environment.  Histories will be discussed and how people have impacted the societies of world.  The different forms of government and economics will be both familiar and strange from our own.  There will be comparisons to the various institutions that people have in common: such as education; art; government; and religion.  Various technologies for research will be introduced and will be encouraged.  As a student in 6^th Grade Social Studies you will have many opportunities throughout the year to read, write, and explore creatively.  I am confident we will have a successful and rewarding year. 

 

Grading Policy

 

Grades will be divided into the following: Tests/Quizzes, Class Participation, Assignments, and Projects.  All will be given a point total and a percentage for a letter grade.  The breakdown for grades is as follows:

A (90% to 100%)   B (80% to 89%)    C (70% to 79%)   D (60% to 69%)    F (59% and below)

 

Progress reports will be sent home according to the schedule, or for failing grades.  Grades will be posted periodically in the classroom by student number so students can verify their grades.  Grades are also available online thru In-Touch Online.

 

Homework/Testing Policy

 

All homework and assignments are due at the beginning of class, unless other arrangements have been made.  If you are not in class you are still responsible for the work.  There will be no surprises, you will know when assignments are due or if there will be a test.  Use of your planner is important!

 

Tests:  Students are expected to remain silent for the entirety of the test or quiz.  Students caught talking in any fashion can loose up to 10 points on their test/quiz.  Cheating in ANY fashion will result in an automatic zero for the test and following the procedures of the school a referral for dishonesty. 

 

Journal

 

You will need to bring a journal at the beginning of the year.  You will have assignments to complete in your journal.  At the start of every period, check the board for the opening activity.  Failure to attempt the journal activities can affect your grade.  All vocabulary will be put into your journal as we study our assigned topics.   Regular journal checks will happen throughout the year.

 

Absent Student Procedures

 

Regular attendance is vital to your success in the classroom.  If you are excused for missing class, it is your responsibility to get the missing work.  The calendar posted in the classroom will have your missing assignments on it.  If no assignments are posted, check with a buddy to make sure nothing is due.

 

Tardy Policy

 

Students will be marked tardy if they are not sitting in their seats at the time class is to start, unless a note is provided by a school official or teacher.

 

Behavior

 

Procedures are written in the team letter as well as posted in the classroom outlining the rules and consequences.  ALWAYS come prepared!  You will need a pencil or a pen (blue or black ink), come in the door and retrieve your journal.  Have a seat and be ready to go.  If there is a journal assignment on the board, begin to complete it!  If you are not ready to go you may receive conduct points.

  

From this point on-- you should all consider yourselves historians.  I encourage you to look at the world through the eyes of a historian.  Even if you don’t think that you understand history…try and participate anyway.  I expect you to work to the best of your ability in my classroom.  Remember, you will not know if you can do it unless you try!  I look forward to an exciting and creative year with you!