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Mrs. Janine Hanley
Middle School Social Studies
[email protected]
Welcome to Middle School Social Studies/History! I am so excited to be with all my students again teaching social studies in the Middle School!
We are blessed to begin using a new social studies curriculum - Catholic Textbook Project - published by RCL Benziger this year!
Originally published in 2017 and updated in 2022.
Here's what Catholic Textbook Project is all about:
"Our team of passionate Catholic educators launched Catholic Textbook Project in 2000 to create textbooks proceeding from the insight that mankind and history are transformed irrevocably by Christ and his Church.This allows us to focus on the facts of history without prejudice or bias, helping students uncover the full story."
Below is an overview of all the curriculum for Grades 5-8. Grading policy and other important information is further below!
Grade 5 - From Sea to Shining Sea (The Story of America)
In 5th Grade, we will learn about the new world, the conquests and Spanish conquistadors, France and England explorations in the new world, the battle for North America, the Revolutionary War (all events leading up to and after the war), the Constitution of the United States of America, the early days of the new nation, and Catholics in the early United States.
Grade 6 - All Ye Lands (Origins of World Cultures)
In 6th Grade, we will be introduced to geography, learn about prehistory and the beginning of man's story, the mission of Israel, the marvelous Greeks, Eternal Rome, and the Christian Church - a true gift of God! We will also learn about the Byzantine Empire, Europe and the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, reformation and the modern world, China, Japan, India, Africa, Russia, North America (the land of opportunity), and the many cultures of Latin America.
Grade 7 - The American Venture (The History of the United States - Part I)
In 7th Grade, we will learn about the early explorers and fortune seekers, English settlements and the spirit of rebellion. We will learn about the new nation and delve deeper into the Constitution of the United States of America. We will learn about the first presidents, the Bill of Rights, the making of the United States, and its Republic!
Grade 8 - The American Venture (The History of the United States - Part II)
In 8th Grade, we will pick up from where we left off in Grade 7 and learn about Manifest Destiny and the push to the west. We will consider America - old and new - and study the last days of the Union. We will study the Civil War, the battle over slavery, and all the events leading up to our divided nation, as well as post-war America. Grade 8 will continue to learn about the Indian Wars, Industrial America and a nation of immigrants, progressivism, the war for democracy, the wild decade and how machines changed the world. Lastly, Grade 8 studies the Great Depression, New Deals, and War, once again.
Grading
Middle School Social Studies grades include tests, projects, essays, quizzes, classwork, and participation. Test grades are 60% of each students' grade and include chapter tests, projects, and essays. Quiz grades are 40% of each students' grade and include quizzes, classwork, weekly participation, and homework.- Tests are administered after each chapter is completed. Test dates are posted in the classroom and on my Teacher Page in advance of the test days. We will complete various projects and essay writing throughout the year as well, and both are test grades.
- Quizzes include quizzes, classwork assignments, participation and preparation (see below for more information), and homework.
Homework must be completed for the next day. Homework can consist of any of the following: written assignments, chapter activities, study, preparation for tests
Homework is posted on my Teacher Page (dropdown menu) every day.
Participation and Preparation for Class
Students are expected to participate during social studies class and to be prepared for class each day. Good preparation for class includes:- materials needed for classroom lessons - pencils, other writing tools (highlighters, markers, pens) textbook, workbook, notebook, accordion file folder for worksheets and handouts
- full attention and regular participation in classroom discussions about the relevant topics
- in case of absence, it is the student's responsibility to:
- discuss the missed work from me the day they return, and complete it for the following day
- pass in the missed classwork and/or make arrangements to make up a test or quiz during their special (gym or art) the week they return