7 th Grade Social Studies Miss Liz Zeglin Room 261 Period 2 Only.

7th Grade Social Studies

Miss Liz Zeglin

Room 261

Period 2 Only

About Me*Certified in social studies in PA since 2005

*Second year teaching social studies at GSMS

*Have taught language arts for eight years here at GSMS

*Lived and traveled internationally for several years.(Dhaka, Bangladesh & Cairo, Egypt)

*Taught all grade levels and multiple subjects (art, drama, English)

Social Studies Program

*GSMS uses an innovative program called TCI:

• TCI “takes social studies online”• Increases student engagement• Differentiates instruction to all learners• Aligned to state standards• Is a collaborative curriculum

Website: http://www.teachtci.com/

FROM: http://www.teachtci.com/why-use-tci-interactive-social-studies-textbooks.html

Textbooks

*In class, we use hard copies of the textbook.

*At home, students can log onto the onlinetextbook using the instructions.

*Please take a copy of the handout or check my website for the online directions. http://greensburgsalem.org/Page/3531

Using Class Website/Accessing “Geography Alive” Text Online

Every Sunday, I will update our social studies website.*To access: 1. Go to the GS Middle School website:http://greensburgsalem.org/Page/9432. Click on “Faculty”3. Find “Zeglin, Mary”http://greensburgsalem.org//Domain/2304. Click on Social Studies 7 on the left section for weekly plans5. TO Re-read text at home: Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Click on http://www.greensburgsalem.org/Page/22386. Then, find a social studies teacher and use their log-on name.I do not have one. Then, click on:Click Here to access Social Studies resources using the information below7. Follow the directions. Click on the chapter to read the text.

Supply List *Students will need an one inch binder for our interactive notebooks*Students are also responsible for bringing a pencil and eraser to classEach day. If your student uses a lead pencil, he or she will also need a supply of lead

*Some students may wish to have their own binder 3-hole puncher, page protectors, and a notebook to go inside the binder.In addition, we do a lot of group projects and hands-on projects.Students may wish to buy their own colored pencils, thin Sharpies or markers, glue sticks and a pencil sharpener. I try to use Donor’s Choose to help out or buy them myself but it adds up.

*Students will be responsible for bringing their binders to classeach day. Students will probably need enrichment class to finish their geoterms which will be due each chapter. Also, students should take home their binders to study their chapter guides/notes for tests.

Social Studies Procedures1. Pledge of Allegiance/moment of silence2. Attendance is taken and excuses need to be taken to the office3. Pass out binders and textbooks. Students may take their

binders home. However, they must bring them back to complete the Interactive Student Notebook.

4. Geoterms must be completed fully. Each box is one point. Students are encouraged to take their time and think. This assignment will be graded for each chapter.

5. Extra credit will be offered from time to time. 6. For big activities, we conduct them with the other 7th grade

social studies class on the stage. For each unit, there is a simulation activity that relates to the essential question of the lesson.

7. TCI lesson procedures: Preview, reading text, geoterms, reading notes, processing activity, exam

8. In addition to the chapters, students work on mapping labs.

Social Studies CurriculumSocial Studies Big Ideas:1. How do continuity and changes in human history influence society today?2. How do the actions of citizens and governments affect each other?3. How do economic considerations impact other aspects of society?4.How does the geography of a place affect the human experience?

Every chapter has an Essential Question that focuses the lesson. Students are challenged to use higher level thinking. The contentis not to be memorized as facts but to facilitate understanding of theBig Ideas. For example, in Chapter 14, we learned about the EuropeanUnion. However, the point was for students to learn about the concept of cooperation in international organizations. (Like the United Nations, etc.) So students are learning how to think and apply concepts to the world around them.

Topics of Study*Supranational Cooperation in the European Union*Population Dilemmas in Europe*Invisible Borders: Transboundary Pollution in Europe*Russia’s Varied Landscape: Physical Processes at Work*New Nation-States from the Old Soviet Empire Will They Succeed?*The Nile River: A Journey from Source to Mouth*Life in the Sahara and the Sahel: Adapting to a Dessert Region*Micro-entrepreneurs: Women’s Role in the Development of Africa*Nigeria: A Country of Many Cultures*Resources and Power in Post-apartheid South Africa*Oil in Southwest Asia: How “Black Gold” Has Shaped a Region*Istanbul: A Primate City Throughout History*The Aral Sea: Central Asia’s Shrinking Water Source*Waiting for the Rains: The Effects of Monsoons in South Asia*Tech Workers and Time Zones: India’s Comparative Advantage*Mount Everest: Climbing the World’s Tallest Physical Feature

Additional Topics of Study

*This year we will add on mapping labs of South and CentralAmerica *Students will complete the unit

*We will participate with other social studies classesto complete large group activities. Sometimes we will move classrooms or use the auditorium when we need more space. TCI is very interactive so we will bedoing simulations, skits, re-enactments, and learning gamesto meet our objectives.

Best Ways to Contact Me  The best way to contact me is through email or written note sent with your student. *Email:  [email protected]

However, if you would prefer to speak to me, call the main office. I will get a message and call you back during my planning period.  Main Office:  724-832-2935

How pollution can spread preview activity for Chapter 16