Mr.+Simms

Mr.simmis in offical AIAN P.E uniform

Below you will find the quarter two planners for grades six, seven and eight. If you would like to download a class syllabus, please do so here:


 * = [[file:GRADE6.doc]] ||= Grade Six Syllabus ||
 * = [[file:GRADE7.doc]] ||= Grade Seven Syllabus ||
 * = [[file:GRADE8.doc]] ||= Grade Eight Syllabus ||

Assessment in Middle School Social Studies:

In middle school social studies, students will submit a majority of daily work (reading response questions and web activities) online via the class wikispace. All students have created usernames and passwords to be able to access the secure site. Other assessments will include regular writing assignments, note checks, peer review of work, multimedia productions, group and individual assignments as well as quizzes and unit tests. Students are expected to be proactive in class, and will regularly be assessed on class participation. Accommodation for ELL students will be provided throughout the year and will include alternative assignments or assignments with modified activities.

Writing in Middle School Social Studies:

Writing is an integral part of any social studies class. In middle school social studies students will be enhancing their writing skills through a variety of activities. Every four or five classes, students will receive a writing assignment. Each of these writing assignments will be multi-step experiences and will consist of drafts, self evaluation or peer evaluation as well as a reflection. Students will evaluate their own work, and their work will be graded by the teacher, using the 6+1 Traits of Writing. Students should recognize that improving student writing is a major school goal.

Grade 6 Social Studies

Near the end of the first quarter, grade six started their third unit, Central and South America. This unit will continue into the second quarter. The unit started off with a major project to coincide with the Day of the Dead in early November. Then, after discussing the physical geography and climate of this region, students will learn more about the history and culture of Central and South America. Mayan, Incan and Aztec cultures, European conquest and independence movements will be covered. Cultural features, especially the mixture of local and European influences, In addition, the unit will cover some major environmental issues, especially the deforestation of the Amazon basin. Later in the quarter, grade six will start their fourth unit, Russia. Like other units, we will start off with an introduction to the physical geography and climate of this region. Students will learn about the history and traditions of Russia. Particular emphasis will be placed on 20th century Russian history as well as Russia's place in current world affairs. The unit will end with a Russian film and a project.

Grade 7 Social Studies

Students in grade seven completed a video project on ancient Egypt to start off the second quarter and have shared them with the class. In our next unit, ancient Israel, students will be introduced to some of the traditions of stories central to Judaism and important for the study of Christianity and Islam (which will be covered a the beginning of grade 8). Near midterm, grade seven students will start their fourth unit, ancient Greece. After an introduction to the physical geography and early history of the eastern Mediterranean, students will learn about the different types of government that existed in various Greek city-states as well as the Persian Empire and discuss their merits in a major writing assignment. Students will also analyze primary source readings and discuss some of the major accomplishments of the Hellenistic world. The unit will end with a chapter on Alexander the Great, his legacy and the influence of the Greeks on the Mediterranean world.

Grade 8 Social Studies Students in grade eight completed a video project on various Islamic Empires at the beginning of the second quarter. They will share their videos with the class. After these presentations, we will begin our next unit, China during the Middle Ages. In addition to learning about the major leaders and turning points of Chinese history from 500 to 1400, students will analyze poetry and art from the major artists of the Tang and Song Dynasties and discuss the major technological and social accomplishments that took place in the Chinese Empire. In addition, significant class time will be spent learning about the origins, course and influence of Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire. Towards the end of the second quarter, grade eight students will start their fourth unit, Japan during the Middle Ages. Early courses in this unit will discuss the influence of Japan's physical geography on its history and culture. This unit will carry over into the third quarter.