AWESOME A TEAM
Welcome to Ms. Williams's Social Studies Homepage
Current Info section updated 1/22/08 (see below)
This year in Social Studies we will cover a fairly wide range of topics including historical people and events, current happenings in our world and skills that will assist the students in geographical literacy.
The following will provide you with a brief overview of our goals for this year:
Primary Textbooks:
World History: Ancient Civilizations (McDougall Littell)
World History: Medieval and Early Modern Times (McDougall Littell)
Supplementary Textbooks:
Stories in History Series:
-Ancient Greece -The Ancient World
-The Ancient World -Ancient Rome
-The Ancient Americas -The Renaissance
General Skills:
Geography skills (Introduced and reinforced each quarter)
---Five Themes of Geography
---Map Skills: Reading and Identification of Different Types of Maps
Some of the more specific areas of study that will be covered during this second semester are:
Hebrew Origins Ancient Greece
Ancient Rome Ancient Greek/Roman Research
Middle Ages
The curriculum will also include Current Events. This is one means of encouraging students to keep abreast of local, national and international events. At various times students will be required to identify and locate various types of news articles that will be shared in class. Students will also engage in News Team Reporting where they will present the news much like a television news team.
News Quiz is another means by which students are encouraged to keep up with daily news events. This is a quiz game we play class where students are responsible for answering questions from the previous week’s news. The questions are based on information from the three major news magazines.
Throughout the year we will highlight cultural groups as well as individuals who have greatly contributed to society. In addition, I strongly encourage students to share their cultural celebrations with the class. As parents, you are also welcome to come in and share information that will enhance our Social Studies curriculum. Your contributions are appreciated!
SOCIAL STUDIES LINKS:
CNN Student News National Geographic for Kids
Bitesize Revision Fun Social Studies
CURRENT INFO: We have now moved into the study of the Ancient Greeks and Romans. Most of you are now aware that our research has begun. This unit of study will provide a basic foundation for the reports that the students are now beginning.
Important Research Dates
school library visits: 1/23, 1/25, 1/29 (library research tools, bibliography format, identification of reputable websites, etc.)
research folders due: 1/24
research topics chosen: 1/24
choices for visuals: 1/30
Final due date: 2/21
Parents: Please be sure to read each hand-out with your child.
I have already emphasized to students that it is very important that they make trips to the public library in order to assure that their chosen areas of study are well-researched. Our school library is very limited. Also, use of the public library will provide experiences and research skills that will help them with future projects and assignments. I consider the Tempe Public Library to be a great resource (located at Rural and Southern). There are other libraries that I'm sure also make a great resource.
Continue reminding students to have their agenda with them EVERY single day. Student should also be sure to write down what is being accomplished in class each day rather than simply writing N/A for no assignment. This will hopefully be a help to those of you who would like to see more details in your child's planner. I have noticed that the students are being much more diligent about making sure the planners are completed each week. Way to go, Awesome A students!!!!
Congratulations to each of the students who represented our team in the geography bee on January 15th: Alyssa Pike, Elizabeth Hoang, Meghna Vij and Patric Cao
I would like students to remember that in addition to class work, quizzes (some are pop) and tests, that participation in discussions as well as group participation counts as a portion of the grade each quarter.
Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments you may have.
Thank you for your continuous support.
Signing off for now...Ms. Williams