Hillcrest Middle School

2021 - 2022

Hillcrest Middle School

7th Grade Social Studies Syllabus & Expectations

Ms. Clara Valdes

Phone: (623) 376-3325 Room #403

Email: Clara.Valdes@dvusd.org

Hello! My name is Clara Valdes, and I am excited to be your student’s Social Studies teacher for the 2021-2022 school year. I know this will be a positive year for all students as we continue to build our skills and embark on our new discoveries in middle school.

Suggested Supplies per individual student

1. School Issued Chromebook CHARGED EACH DAY 
2. A book to read in class every day
3. Pencils, pens, colored pencils, highlighters
4. Two-Pocket Folder

*Classroom Requests: Tissues, Hand Sanitizer, Clorox Wipes

Arizona law requires that public schools provide supplies required for academic success. This list represents optional, supplementary items, which you may supply, at your discretion. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school.

Course Objectives from the Arizona State Standards:

The 7th grade Social Studies program focuses on Integrated Global Studies (Scientific Revolution & Enlightenment to present).

Arizona State Standards can be referenced at https://www.azed.gov/standards-practices/k-12standards/standards-social-studies

In Social Studies, we support the Arizona English Language Arts Standards by focusing on the analysis of primary source documents and supporting analysis with text-dependent written answers.

Grading Scale and Percentage Weights of Assignments

Assignments:  40% To fully succeed in class, each student must be an active participant. This requires that they utilize class time efficiently and to the best of their academic ability. Time in class is expected to be used appropriately.  

Assessments: 60% Assessments include quizzes, unit or chapter tests, projects, and district assessments. Projects consist of any assignment that progresses over a period of 3 or more days and is made up of multiple components. Students will be notified if projects will have an assessment component grade.

Grading Scale: 100-90%=A     89-80%=B    79-70%=C    69-60%=D     Below 60%=F

Canvas 

ALL lessons and content will be accessed through our online learning program-Canvas/DV Online Learning Program. 

Each Unit of Study is set up in MODULES. 

Assignments are open for 3 weeks, however, due dates are usually within the same week. This allows for students who have been absent or need more time to show mastery of the standards within the unit to complete an assignment.

Parents/guardians-please become a Canvas “Observer” by following the directions located on my website https://www.dvusd.org/Domain/10180 

PowerSchool

Students’ grades are updated weekly on PowerSchool(ps.dvusd.org) and are synced daily through Canvas.       Parents may contact the registrar clerk if a parent log-in is needed. 

SS Classroom Behavior Expectations: 

All students are expected to be good citizens, respectful and caring of each other, staff, and materials.  Students are also expected to put forth their very best efforts by being responsible. Students should also feel free to express their ideas within socially acceptable norms. Our combined goal is to prepare students for a successful school experience.

MTSS BEHAVIOR Program (The HMS School-Wide Prevention Program)

Our progressive discipline is based on the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) 

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a proper manner at all times. Specific guidelines are outlined in the DVUSD Student Rights and Responsibility (SR & R) Handbook. The school rules apply coming to school, going home from school, and at all school-sponsored events. General misbehavior is handled by the classroom teacher in the following manner:

 PROGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS (teacher keeps a record of minors)

Step 1: Universal Interventions (Warning/Redirection)

Step 2: 1st Minor Incident Report with Interventions

Step 3: 2nd Minor Incident Report with Interventions and Parent Email

Step 4: 3rd Minor Incident Report with Interventions and Parent Phone Call

Step 5: Major Behavior Referral

Consequences for inappropriate behavior will be given according to the DVUSD discipline guidelines as outlined in the Student Rights and Responsibility (SR & R) Handbook.

Communication:

• The best way to contact me is through email. My email address is Clara.Valdes@dvusd.org. I am looking forward to communicating with you regarding the success of your child. Please allow a 24 hour response time. 
• I will communicate with parents via email and will communicate with students through Canvas Messenger and Canvas Announcements.

Dear Parents/Guardians: PRINT STUDENT NAME____________________________

Often, video can be an excellent way to augment our student’s education, helping to reinforce curricular ideas as well as create excellent discussions about how contemporary society views our subject matter. Most often, we show clips from videos allowing students to see a visual representation of a significant event rather than showing a full-length film. We have found that students often increase their understanding of history through films which leads to better comprehension of the time period. In Social Studies, we will be viewing the listed videos attached to the back of this form.

Should you prefer that your student participate in an alternative assignment, contact us via phone or email; please highlight the video/s that you object to so that we can plan accordingly. 

Please sign the permission slip on the bottom half of this sheet for your child to

return to us tomorrow. Further, if you have any questions regarding this list, please feel free to call or e-mail us. It is important that you feel comfortable with what your child views in our class. Thank you for your support with your child’s educational endeavors.

Sincerely,

Hillcrest Middle School Social Studies Department

VIDEO PROCEDURES AND CLEARANCE FORM GRADE 7

Videos, films and other taped materials rated PG (parental guidance) may be viewed at school,but they must be:

• an integral part of the class curriculum.
• approved by your administrator prior to viewing.
• approved by parent/guardian.
• each student must have a signed “Student Video Parent/Guardian Permission Form” on file,

noting permission for each PG video.

Student’s Name____________________________has my permission to view see attached list for names and ratings, during the 2021-2022 academic year 

__________________________________________ ______________

Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature Date

VIDEO LIST for 7th Grade (Title, Rating, Subject, Type)

Mr. Peabody and Sherman PG       French Rev Movie

Iron Giant PG Cold War Movie

Valiant             PG WWI Movie

SGT Stubby PG WWI Movie

An American Tail G Immigration Movie

Anastasia G Russian Revolution Movie

An American Girl Tale G  Great Depression Series

The Revolution NR Revolution Series

10 Days That Changed America NR Varied Series

Sons of Liberty NR Revolution Series

The Century NR Varied Series

The Presidents NR Varied Series

WWII: The War in Europe NR WWII Series

The World Wars NR WWII Series

America:The Story Of Us NR Varied Series

SchoolHouse Rock NR Varied Series

Hamilton’s America NR Revolution Documentary

Hamilton NR Revolution Musical

Cartoons Go To War NR WWII Documentary

Hiroshima NR WWII Documentary

The Bomb NR WWII Documentary

Korean War Stories NR Korean War Documentary

Butter Battle Book NR Cold War Documentary

Vietnam: America’s Conflict NR Vietnam War Documentary

Last Days In Vietnam NR Vietnam War Documentary

The Fall of Communism NR Cold War Documentary

The Candy Bomber NR Cold War Documentary

The Lost Battalion NR WW I Documentary

Metro-Paris NR French Revolution Documentary