Welcome back to another great school year. This year we will be concentrating on Texas History and how it relates to American and World history. We will be using a variety of ways this year to delve into the history, geography, government, and people that have made this state what it is.
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Materials (Due by August 22)
BLUE or BLACK pens or pencils
Composition Book (P/AP only)
Thin Black Sharpie
1 inch 3 Ring Binder
Colored pencils and small sharpener
4 section dividers for binder (Daily, Homework, Tests, Notes )
II. Rules and Procedures
In Preparation for Class:
1) Students should be in their seats by the bell. A backpack in the room does not mean you are on time. Those not ready at the bell will be tardy.
2) Students should come to class prepared with all materials, in-class binder and any assigned homework.
3) Students should copy the agenda and complete any other instructions left on the board, including gathering of in-class materials and completing warm ups.
Instruction:
- Students should be actively working in class, whether listening to a lecture, participating in a discussion, or completing an activity. Binders will remain in the classroom unless students are using it for test review or project.
- Students should be able to work respectfully and cooperatively in groups or pairs. Many of the activities will be group or pairs related. If a student cannot work in these situations, parents will be notified.
**All rules and procedures apply to other areas of the school.
**Cheating is NOT tolerated. Any homework, warm up, quiz, or test cheated on or copied will receive a ZERO and is a level 2 offense. These will be noted to the principal.
III. Consequences – Grade 7 follows an Incident system as explained in the Code of Conduct and Team 7 Manual
Parents will be contacted when a student has received an OFI (Opportunity For Improvement) during the school day. Upon receiving 5 OFI’s cumulatively, a student will meet with administration for further action. See Team 7 packet for OFI’s that are automatic.
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Grading – Progress Reports are sent out automatically through Homeroom every third week.
Tests/Projects/Quizzes – 40%
- 3 or 4 tests/projects/quizzes per nine weeks. Test dates are announced several days in advance and the review is the day before. Make up tests are for EXCUSED absences.
- Projects will be assigned intermittently during the nine weeks. Directions will be emailed to parents as well as given in detail to students.
Warm ups, daily assignments – 30%
- Warm Up’s are kept for two weeks and turned in on Fridays.
- All students will keep an Interactive notebook in the room and a binder for graded assignments, notes, activities, and working warm ups.
- Daily Grades will be on work done solely in the classroom unless students do not finish in the allotted time.
Homework – 30% (LATE WORK/DETENTION policy is governed by Team 7 rules / Pre-AP rules)
- Homework will typically be two to four days a week.
- Homework will be taken up when class begins.
- Parents will be notified of missing assignments.
- Tutoring
Tutoring for class will be available from 8:00 until 8:20 Monday and Wednesday mornings and Tuesday afternoons until 4:30.
- Textbooks
This year students will be given access to their history book via the internet. Each student will have a login where they can have personal access to their own book as well as complete assignments online. There will be a few class books to use while at school, but students will not be issued Texas History books this year. Therefore, please allow your child use of internet at home and school if possible.
I am looking forward to an exciting year! Many other items, such as assignments or class details will be covered on the website. You can find me by going to www.fshisd.net and then finding the 7th grade teachers through the directory or team page. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact me either through email or by phone.
Mary Scibetta
[email protected]
368-8730 ext 7412
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P/AP Texas History Addendum
Pre-AP is based on the following two important premises. The first is the expectation that all students can perform well at rigorous academic levels. This expectation should be reflected in curriculum and instruction throughout the school such that students are consistently being challenged to expand their knowledge and skills to the next level. The second important premise of Pre-AP is the belief that we can prepare every student for higher intellectual engagement by starting the development of skills and acquisition of knowledge as early as possible. Students who experience success in Pre-AP courses typically exhibit the following personal and academic characteristics.
Personal Characteristics:
- Reading on or above grade level
- Strong study skills and self-motivation
- Proficient oral and written communications skills
- Self-discipline to plan, organize, and carry out tasks to completion
Academic Characteristics:
- Grade of 75 or higher in a Pre-AP class
- Successful performance in related content area courses (Example: math and science or English and social studies)
- Teacher recommendation
In my P/AP class, the above characteristics and expectations will apply. Although many of the assignments will be the same as the regular classes, there will be several other assignments that separate the rigor in P/AP from the regular classes. These will include more in depth reading, writing, and research assignments. Some of the following are listed below:
Current Event Article and Opinions
5 Paragraph Persuasive/Expository Essays
Reading Primary Source Books or Pieces
Outside of Class Projects
If at any time your child is struggling, tutoring is always available. If at the end of the nine weeks, your child is below a 75, I will recommend that he/she be removed from P/AP history.
