Ancient Civilizations with Amy Beard-Gerdes
Contact Info:
206-252-7700
Website: http://aibeard.educatorpages.com
Available: 8:45-9:20 and before or after school
Welcome to 2nd semester! This semester we will be studying ancient China, Persia, Greece, Rome, and the South American civilizations; as well as current events that arise. We will continue to emphasize reading and writing skills by challenging students to aim high and set achievable goals. Every student has the right to learn and grow at Aki.
Essential Questions:
- Why do civilizations develop? What does a civilization need to survive? Why do they fall?
- How does the environment effect how civilizations develop? How do people impact the environment they live in?
- How has the desire for land, wealth abd power shaped history?
- How has culture been effected by the movement of ideas of, goods, and people?
- How is the present a reflection of the past?
- What legacy has the ancient civilizations left us?
Day to day students will be expected to work individually, participate in small groups, and represent themselves in whole class discussions. We spend about 3-5 weeks on each unit in which we do a pre-assessment, post assessment, current event comparison, and examine the 7 Parts of Civilization. We use various texts that highlight the culture and times ancient civilizations lived in.
In 6th grade social studies we occasionally give out homework, these take-home assignments are either to prepare students for a specific area of study or to complete work they did not finish in class. I offer extra reading assignments to students who wish to raise or maintain his/her grade. These assignments are in the classroom and can be picked up at anytime or emailed to you if you wish.
Daily learning goals and behavior consequences are posted in the classroom. Consequences for not following expectations may include detention, lowered participation grade (25% of overall grade), loss of privilege, referral, or contact home. We follow the Aki Big 5 and work on establishing SMART goals in the classroom both as individuals and as a whole. Ask your student to talk to you about their goals and behaviors in class; you may be surprised what they have learned already!
Grades will be posted about once a week online, families are encouraged to check their student’s progress and help them as needed. I also will answer emails on grade issues at my school email address. Students have between 2-5 assignments a week depending on what we are doing. Tests and projects are about every 2-3 weeks depending on the unit. Projects are used as a way for students to express themselves and show gained knowledge.
Grading Policy
A 93-100
A- 90-92
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
D+ 67-69
D 60-66
E below 60
Tests/quizzes/projects: 50%
Classwork: 25%
Participation:25%
Suggested supplies:
Pencils/pens
Lined notebook paper
Colored pencils/crayons/pens
Pencil sharpener
Glue stick
As well this semester we will be receiving new art and reading supplies from Donor’s Choose. Part of the Donor’s Choose program is thanking the donors for their support via classroom pictures and a note from some of the kids. In the parent signature box is an option to opt out if you do not wish your child to be in pictures or helping with thank you notes. I can assure you that the process we go through removes identities both personal and school wide so your student will be safe.
US History with Amy Beard-Gerdes
Contact Info:
206-252-7700
Website: http://aibeard.educatorpages.com
Available: 8:45-9:20 and before or after school
Welcome to 2nd semester! This semester we will be studying the Civil War, slavery, and westward expansion, and as well as current events that arise. At the end of the year students should be able to answer the essential question listed below thoroughly and with facts from their learning. We will continue to emphasize reading and writing skills by challenging students to aim high and set achievable goals. Every student has the right to learn and grow at Aki.
Essential Questions:
- How are regions defined by various characteristics (e.g.: physical, cultural, historic, religious, economic, and political)?
- What role have geography, economics, and politics played in the development of nation and regional cultures/identities?
- What tensions occur when the goals, beliefs, norms, and principles of two or more groups/institutions are in conflict? What are the causes and effects of such tensions?
We will be learning through different units this semester that will have a pre and post assessment to show student growth. We will be doing a constitutional issues writing or speech assignment on slavery, as well as a states project later in the spring. You can also expect your student to do another biography project. Day to day assignments will include: lecture, video clips, timeline and map work, and reading out of our new textbook A Young People’s History of the US. Homework will be given to prepare students for a more in depth discussions in class and to complete work not finished in class. Daily attendance and make-up work will be important for students to stay on top of their learning and growth.
In order to be successful this semester students need to be respectful, be here to learn with the supplies and work assigned to them, ask questions, and try his or her best. It is important that they show proper respect to teachers and adults in the classroom as well as other students. We have reviewed SMART goals and the Aki Big 5 numerous times this year and will continue to so students can assess themselves. Consequences for not following expectations may include detention, lowered participation grade (25% of overall grade), loss of privilege, or contact home.
Grades will be posted about once a week online, families are encouraged to check their student’s progress and help them as needed. I also will answer emails on grade issues at my school email address. Students have between 2-5 assignments a week depending on what we are doing. Tests and projects are about every 2-3 weeks depending on the unit. Projects are used as a way for students to express themselves and show gained knowledge.
Grading Policy
A 93-100
A- 90-92
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
D+ 67-69
D 60-66
E below 60
Tests/quizzes/projects: 50%
Classwork: 25%
Participation:25%
Suggested supplies:
Pencils/pens
Lined notebook paper
Colored pencils/crayons/pens
Pencil sharpener
Glue stick
As well this semester we will be receiving new art and reading supplies from Donor’s Choose. Part of the Donor’s Choose program is thanking the donors for their support via classroom pictures and a note from some of the kids. In the parent signature box is an option to opt out if you do not wish your child to be in pictures or helping with thank you notes. I can assure you that the process we go through removes identities both personal and school wide so your student will be safe.