Welcome back to KMS if you are a returning student or welcome to KMS if you are a new student. It is an exciting time of year and it's great to be back to school.
Our first order of business this year is to get to know one another, then get to know our school and our procedures. Below you will find the syllabus for this class for the entire year. We'll cover this in detail in class.
I look forward to teaching all of you and getting to know each and every one of you. Let's have a great year.
7th Social Studies
SYLLABUS 2022-2023
Mr. Thomas D. Kelner
kelnert@sd5.k12.mt.us
office phone (406) 751-3800 ext. 3817
Room 302
Prep periods = 1st (personal) & 7th (Team meeting)
OVERVIEW – 7th Social Studies is a class designed to give students a broad understanding of the first inhabitants of the North American continent, subsequent European exploration, the founding of the United States of America, US history through the Civil War and Reconstruction to 1900. The historical time period we will cover over the course of the year is “Beginnings to 1900”. There will also be an emphasis on the acquisition of skills necessary for a successful transition to the 8th grade and beyond.
CONTENT - This syllabus is intended to serve as a guide to the basic information we’ll be learning, with many additions and changes. The following are some areas we will cover:
ASSIGNMENTS – We will be referencing and utilizing the new curriculum in the HMH textbook United States History, however we will also learn relevant, up-to-date issues, doing individual, group and team work. The objectives will be reached through:
Current Events
Classroom discussion/lectures
Reading
Written assignments
Group assignments
Projects and Portfolio creation
Quizzes/Tests
ORGANIZATION – Students will need an organized system where they can take and store notes, handouts, current events, etc. Please design a system that suits your needs so that you can always access important information. You will need a pen/pencil, planner and notebook or binder daily.
ASSESSMENT – Assessment of students will be based on two categories – Product and Process.
Product points are assigned for homework, quizzes, tests, projects and anything else a student hands in for evaluation.
Process points or Work Ethic points are assigned for how students do something, such as following directions, handing in assignments on time, working well in groups, staying on task, helping others, participating in class, having a great attitude or being motivated to learn. I reserve the right to assign/award these points at any time, but look for them to be given on a weekly basis.
Grading The academic year is broken down into three trimester grading
periods. Trimester grades will be issued at the end of each
trimester. It is highly recommended that students and parents check grades weekly via PowerSchool online grading app.
The following Standards Based Grade scale will apply to grades
4 – Advanced
3 – Proficient
2 – Nearing Proficient
1 – Novice
0 – No Evidence
ATTENDANCE
Social Studies is largely participatory, therefore excessive absences will affect your grade, as you will not be receiving your process points. If you are school excused or pre-arranged for an absence, you need to talk to me prior to your absence to arrange make-up work. It is your responsibility to come and talk to me if you are absent for ANY reason. I will not track you down for missing or late assignments – you need to assume responsibility and seek me out.
EXPECTATIONS
Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be Safe
Absolutely NO cell phones.
FOR PARENTS – Following is a contract for both the students and parent to review and discuss. Please contact me immediately if there are any questions. This syllabus will be viewed as a teacher/student contract for the year.
