7th GRADE HUMANITIES SYLLABUS
“It is today that we must create the world of the future.”
~Eleanor Roosevelt ~
Description
Seventh Grade Humanities is a combination of English Language Arts and Social Studies. It is our goal to integrate these subjects to make learning more authentic. The first unit, Myth to Marvel: The Hero’s Journey. We will be focusing on ideas that changed the world. We will be studying stories, vocabulary, the birth of democracy and some of the greatest concepts that are rooted in Ancient Greece. Our next unit is a new unit we are launching this year, Electric Lit: The Evolution of Storytelling, where we will explore the evolution of audio narratives through radio dramas of the twentieth century and the rise of podcasts today. Students will be reading, listening, analyzing and creating audio narratives. The following unit, Inspirations examines culture, geography and experiences young people in Africa, through literature and research. We ask students to contemplate our role in understanding global issues that impact people's lives. After this unit, we will then be preparing for SBAC testing. The SBAC testing is scheduled for the spring. The final unit of the year A Community of Stories, examines one’s responsibilities to his/her community. Students will be reading Seedfolks, a book that highlights the importance of being connected to one’s community. Making connections to our place in the local and global community will be facilitated through the study of economic and political factors that contribute to human migration, and through the hands on experience of preparing and planting the Twinfield garden. Students will focus on the question, What can I do to positively change the world?
Classroom Expectations
Twinfield Habits of Mind: engagement, responsibility, perseverance, and citizenship. Students will be supported to obtain high achievements in all areas.
Seventh Grade Humanities is a combination of English Language Arts and Social Studies. It is our goal to integrate these subjects to make learning more authentic. The first unit, Myth to Marvel: The Hero’s Journey. We will be focusing on ideas that changed the world. We will be studying stories, vocabulary, the birth of democracy and some of the greatest concepts that are rooted in Ancient Greece. Our next unit is a new unit we are launching this year, Electric Lit: The Evolution of Storytelling, where we will explore the evolution of audio narratives through radio dramas of the twentieth century and the rise of podcasts today. Students will be reading, listening, analyzing and creating audio narratives. The following unit, Inspirations examines culture, geography and experiences young people in Africa, through literature and research. We ask students to contemplate our role in understanding global issues that impact people's lives. After this unit, we will then be preparing for SBAC testing. The SBAC testing is scheduled for the spring. The final unit of the year A Community of Stories, examines one’s responsibilities to his/her community. Students will be reading Seedfolks, a book that highlights the importance of being connected to one’s community. Making connections to our place in the local and global community will be facilitated through the study of economic and political factors that contribute to human migration, and through the hands on experience of preparing and planting the Twinfield garden. Students will focus on the question, What can I do to positively change the world?
Classroom Expectations
Twinfield Habits of Mind: engagement, responsibility, perseverance, and citizenship. Students will be supported to obtain high achievements in all areas.
- Late Work Policy: You are responsible for all assignments/homework. You must contact us before class to discuss any barriers to completing assigned work. Due dates are important and should be seen as a goal to meet. Please see us before class or contact us at home: Mrs. McNaughton (426-3018) or Mrs. Cecchinelli (479-3109) if you need any help or need to discuss any barriers to completing assigned work.
- No food in classroom other than healthy snacks (ex. fruit). If eating any type of food disturbs the class or a mess is made this opportunity will be reevaluated.
- Water only in class, no juice or soda.
- RESPECT is the most important classroom expectation. For oneself, for others, for school property and for the earth.
- Twinfield Guiding Expectations
Evaluation
The goal of assessment is to inform student, teacher and parents of achievements and challenges in student learning goals. Assessment will be based upon mastery of standards identified by the Common Core State Standards and the Vermont Proficiency-Based Graduation Standards.
Students will be assessed in three areas:
● Skill Acquisition
● Content Knowledge
● Habits of Mind
Proficiency -Based Assessment
The assessment is an indicator of a student’s mastery of grade-level proficiencies. Students demonstrate when they know, understand, and can do as measured through multiple assessments and observations.
The goal of assessment is to inform student, teacher and parents of achievements and challenges in student learning goals. Assessment will be based upon mastery of standards identified by the Common Core State Standards and the Vermont Proficiency-Based Graduation Standards.
Students will be assessed in three areas:
● Skill Acquisition
● Content Knowledge
● Habits of Mind
Proficiency -Based Assessment
The assessment is an indicator of a student’s mastery of grade-level proficiencies. Students demonstrate when they know, understand, and can do as measured through multiple assessments and observations.
7th Grade Humanities Overview
Month |
Unit |
Required Reading |
August - November
|
Myth to Marvel: The Hero’s Journey
|
Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths
D’Aulaires Book of Greek Myths The Trojan War-play A Message of Ancient Days (textbook) |
November - February
|
Electric Lit: The Evolution of Storytelling
|
The Outsiders
|
February - April
|
Inspirations
|
Literature Circle:
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind I Will Always Write Back A Girl Named Disaster The Bitter Side of Sweet Now is the Time for Running The Red Pencil |
April
|
SBAC Practice and Testing
|
April - June
|
A Community of Stories
|
Seedfolks
|