7TH GRADE U.S. HISTORY/STUDY SKILLS COURSE SYLLABUS
2007-2008
Ms. Crawford

Class website (access homework and other information by the second week of September): http://www.geocities.com/covenantschoolhistory - click on U.S. History/Study Skills 7

Introduction:  Welcome to 7th grade and The Upper School!  This year holds a lot of exciting new things for every one of you.  Work hard and have fun this year!

Course Purpose and Description:
•	Purpose: 
o	Study Skills: 7th grade Study Skills will introduce you to the techniques and habits necessary to be a successful student.  We are changing the way things are done with Study Skills this year.  It is now a class within the U.S. History class.  Skills will be taught throughout the year and will be applied in our study of U.S. History.
o	U.S. History: As a student of history, you have the opportunity to see God’s hand in the events of this world to fulfill His purposes for each individual and the earth.  Isaiah 47:9 & 10 will be the theme verses for the year to remind us of why we study history: 
“Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established.  And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’ . . .”
Our focus in 7th grade U.S. History is to learn about the roots of America, its development as a new country, the Westward Movement, and pre-Civil War America.
•	Description:  
o	Study Skills: Various skills will be introduced at different points throughout the year and will be applied in our study of U.S. History.  The grades for Study Skills assignments will be separate from U.S. History grades and count for 20% of the overall trimester grade.  A large Study Skills grade will be designated in December for student completion of their study guides for their other academic classes.  This is different from the past – study guides are no longer worth the December Exam grade.  The following are the approximate times during the year that we will cover specific skills (these are subject to change as needed in the academic year):  
-	Time Management & Organizational Skills: September and October, and applied throughout the year.
-	Note Taking Skills (with focus on outlining and Cornell Methods): September and January with application throughout the year.
-	Study Habits (including concentration, reading, and memory skills and use of mind maps and other graphic organizers): Beginning in late September, discussed and applied before each test.
-	Test Taking Strategies: Focus in late November and early December and May (before exams).
-	 Library/Technology Use and Research Skills: Orientation to the library (August), discussed and applied before projects in October and March.
-	Learning Styles and the 7 Intelligences: November and April.
-	“Love Languages” (a short unit for students to better learn how to serve and care for others around them): February.
o	U.S. History: The major focus of 7th grade U.S. History is on early American development and expansion.  Topics will include late Colonial America, the Revolutionary War, the Constitutional Convention, early U.S. Government, expansion of national boundaries, the War of 1812, the Industrial Revolution, the Age of Jackson, Immigration, Westward Movement, the Mexican-American War, the California Gold Rush, and early sectional conflicts.  

Class Procedures:
o	Students must be prepared for class.  You will need to bring:
•	Homework
•	Binder (with fresh paper)
•	Textbook
•	Pencil or pen
•	Assignment book
•	Any other items assigned for you to bring that day.
o	Students must come to class on time.  This means students will be in their seat with their materials for class ready to go.  Students who are late A period will be sent to the front desk for a pass and will receive a demerit.  Four unexcused tardies results in an automatic one-point deduction in your grade for the trimester.
o	Bathroom/materials left in the locker policy:  Students have 3 passes each trimester to use the bathroom or retrieve materials from their locker during class.  Students must ask Ms. Crawford at an appropriate time during class to use the pass.  They need to log their time in and out on the sheet by the door.  

Assignments: There will be various projects, activities and homework assignments.  80% of your trimester grade will be designated for U.S. History, 20% will be designated for Study Skills.  Study Skills will be graded on a total point scale, while U.S. History will be graded on a weighted category scale.  The following are the categories and percentage of your grade each category is worth for U.S. History ONLY:
 
Assignments:	Percentage of Grade:	
Participation/Class work	20	
Homework	30	
Papers/Projects	20	
Quizzes/Tests	30	
*** Homework should take you on average no more than 20 minutes per night and one night a week you will have “off”.

Other Policies:
•	Food/Drink/Gum: There is to be no food, drink (except water bottles with a cap), or gum in the classroom.  
•	Homework and other assignments: Turn in all your assignments on time!  Your grade will be docked 10% per day late on all assignments.  After three days late on an assignment, it will no longer be accepted (except under special circumstances).  
o	Game days:  If you leave early for a game, your homework due that day MUST be turned into Ms. Crawford before you leave or it is considered late.  If you are going to miss a test, you must see Ms. Crawford the day before the absence to discuss when you can make it up.  It is your responsibility to keep track of classes you will miss due to games.
o	Absence due to illness:  Homework is posted on the board Monday and remains there all week.  If you are absent, there is a class website where you can access your homework: http://www.geocities.com/covenantschoolhistory/.  The website should be completed and accessible by the second week of September.  If you have an excused absence, you have the number of days you were absent plus one day to make up the work/tests you missed.  See Ms. Crawford as soon as you return so we can establish a plan for making up missed work.
•	Cheating/Plagiarism: Cheating and plagiarism are NOT tolerated.  Cheating includes copying homework from a classmate, copying quiz or test answers from a neighbor, or using someone else’s work and passing it on as your own (especially in writing).  This is an honor offense!  If you are caught cheating, a meeting will be arranged with you, your parents, Mr. Burton, and myself.

I know we will have a great year together!  I’m excited to see what the Lord does in each one of your lives this year!  It is my prayer that you will grow to know Him more through this class.

A note to parents: Feel free to contact me with any questions you have.  I can be reached at the school by e-mail (the most effective way to get a hold of me) at ccrawford@covenantschool.org or call and leave a message for me at school – 220-7350, mailbox number 4184.

__________________________________________________________________________________
(Please detach this page and return to Miss Crawford no later than Wednesday, August 29.)

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