74 Discovery Social Studies~ Ms. Duginski-Hartjes
Eastern Hemisphere
Course Syllabus
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Introduction
This Year we will "travel the World" and explore the Eastern Hemisphere! We will visit and
appreciate the different continents and cultures around the world including Africa, Asia,
Australia and Europe! ​YOU will encounter many new cultures and will create projects to
demonstrate your learning. It is an interactive class utilizing elements of personalized
teaching especially in the area of “voice and choice”.
CONTACT INFORMATION​: email is the best way to contact me! Remember Duginski-Hartjes!
Telephone: 845-4153
E-mail: ​[email protected]
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7th Grade Syllabus: ​THE EASTERN HEMISPHERE
In grade seven, students study the Eastern Hemisphere (Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe), its geographic features,
political and economic framework, historical achievements, and cultural diversity.
❥We will also be using some Common Core Standards for the following areas: Writing for Informative/Explanatory
Text, Speaking and Listening Standards, and finally, Reading/Literacy Standards in Social Studies in the areas of key
ideas and details, craft and structure, and finally, integration of knowledge and ideas (eg. maps, graphs, charts,
pictures and videos).
❥ Elements of Personalized Learning will be utilized especially in the areas of Voice and Choice for projects.
❥​Throughout the year, we will discuss current events using Junior Scholastic and CNN Student News.
❥Students will also research and appropriately cite sources using primary and secondary sources for various
projects throughout the year.
❥Summative Assessments are ​recorded grades​ in Powerschool.
Quarter 1:
Unit 1:~ What is Culture and How do We Respectfully Explore Cultures Around the World~Primary
Focus will be on Asian Cultures. (6 weeks)
Mini-Unit~ Government
Unit 2: Begin Australia (6 Weeks)
(Student Skills~Cornell Note-taking, Summary Writing & Group Collaboration, Evidence Writing,
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas)
Culture Summative Assessment
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Culture Vocabulary Quiz
Cultural Universal Presentation~ individual or partner: Choose An Asian country
Surface and Deep culture Iceberg~ focus Asia (partner or individual)
Cultural Diffusion & Globalization Expository Essay
“Word Cloud” Assignment using cultural concepts/vocabulary
Mini-Government Unit
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Mini Units: Group​ ​Projects​ ​(Comparative Government)​~ Students research the different governments and
determine how they would like to present information.
Australia Summative Assessment
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2-3 General Assignments
Australia Quiz & Vocabulary~ Teacher & Student Generated Questions. (second quarter)
Inquiry Project: Students will create an artifact of learning and informational writing about Aboriginal Culture using
Bloom’s Taxonomy ​(2nd Quarter grade)
Movie Reflection: “Rabbit Proof Fence”~ Lost Generation of Aboriginal Culture~ Students reflect on the movie by
generating evidence from the movie to support their reflection. ​(2nd Quarter)
Quarter 2:
Unit Europe (Students Skills~ Summary Writing, Cause & Effect, Timelines​ - Events can be arranged
in order of occurrence using the conventions of B.C. and A.D. or B.C.E. and C.E., ​Explore Craft and Structure of
Text, Evidence Writing; Historical Area of Focus: Industrial Revolution and WW II (Primary Focus
Holocaust)
Europe Summative Assessment
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Compare & Contrast Semitic Religions~ ​Group Work
Europe Physical and Political map Quiz
Group​ Project: Student generated topics are explored about the Holocaust~ Students research and graphically
organize their information about the Holocaust.
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Movie Reflection: “The Book Thief”~ Students reflect on the movie by generating evidence from the movie to support
their reflection. (2nd. Quarter)
**Australia Aboriginal final project will be a part of Quarter 2 grades & “Rabbit Proof Fence” Movie
Reflection.**
Quarter 3: Unit of Study~ Africa (Utilizing Primary & Secondary Sources)
Africa Summative Assessment
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Students create an artifact of Learning and informational composition on one area of choice: Specific Ethnic Group,
Historical Event and/or Ancient Culture, Country, or student original idea with approval from teacher! Students
Present their project to large and/or small groups.
Political & Physical Map Quiz
African Mask Project: Students choose an ethnic group in Africa and research their tribal mask and create a model of
the mask (In-Class Project).
Africa Test~ Teacher & Student Generated Questions
Primary Source Labs: Slave Trade & Apartheid
Movie Reflection:​ “Nelson Mandela: Long Road to Freedom”~ Students reflect on movie by generating evidence from
movie to support their reflection.
Quarter 4: Asia~Primary focus SW Asia, South & East Asia (Compare &
Contrast, Speaking & Listening)
SW Asia Summative Assessment
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GRAPES Quiz on SW Asia
Movie Reflection: ​102 Minutes that Changed America~
South, Southeast and East Asia Summative Assessment
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Physical and Political Map Quiz of South and Southeast Asia
Physical and Political Map Quiz of East Asia
Compare and Contrast Buddhism, Hinduism, Shintoism, Taoism~ ​Group Work​~
Final Project
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Create an artifact of learning based on a Topic in the Eastern Hemisphere
Student Presentation of Final Project~ C
​ CSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.4: Present claims and findings,
emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, facts, details,
and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.5: Include multimedia components and visual displays in presentations to
clarify claims and findings and emphasize salient points. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.6: Adapt speech
to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or
appropriate.
➢ Please Note: ​Some Summative Assessments may not be used or may be replaced. New Summative
Assessments may also be added. Please check our Communication Board or my website located on the
Verona Homepage for a calendar of events and due dates; you will also find extra copies of important
rubrics and assignments on Google Classroom. We will be working hard and having fun this school
year!
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Grading Policy
This is a weighted system that is why it is in a money system~EVERYONE understands
money:)!
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GRADED ITEMS- Sample
WEIGHT
Binder Checks
(Checks will be at done once a
quarter.)
$1.00
All Binder activities, Student work and
notes done in class should be in your
binder!
Class Assignments
$1.00 to $3.00
Examples are:
Reflections, Essays
Class Projects
$3.00 to $8.00
Individual & Group Projects
Quizzes
$3.00 to $8.00
Smaller than a test
Tests or Final Unit Project
$5.00 to $10.00
When workings in teams, all members are expected to contribute. If a team member cannot
adequately and appropriately work with other members of a group, the following interventions will be
used:
1. Group meeting will be mandated to discuss behaviors and an action plan.
2. Parent(s) will be notified about behaviors and action plan if necessary
3. If behavior is not corrected, student must complete group work by themselves being all
assigned roles.
➢ We are under a four point scale in Powerschool, so please do not look at percentages on
Powerschool. The percentage grade will not make sense.
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GRADES
​Projects
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or Class Assignments
Rubrics​ will be given to all students for successful completion of long-term assignments, projects
and essays.
Late work/projects​ may be ​penalized​ and ​may affect the individual and/or groups’ grade. It will
depend on situation and will be assessed by teacher. Teacher will talk to student(s) directly.
For projects, there are many ​“mini” assignments​ attached; therefore, if the student is unable to
complete a project on time, the student has actually missed many mini assignments. It is important
for the student to ​see ME so we can create solutions. I am flexible.
The grading scale is as follows:
A = 3.75 to 4.00
C = 2.00 to 2.49
A- = 3.50 to 3.74
C- = 1.75 to 1.99
B+ = 3.25 to 3.49
D+ = 1.50 to 1.74
B = 3.00 to 3.24
D = 1.25 to 1.49
B- = 2.75 to 2.99
D- = 1.00 to 1.24
C+ = 2.50 to 2.74
F = 0.00 to 0.99
Remember we are under a 4 point scale for grading and not a percentage system. So do
not look at Powerschool and the percentage for your grade. It will never match what
you think it should.
Extension Activities: VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION
**In order to earn an “A”, students must adequately complete ​ONE​ extension
activity (Extend Your Learning) ​per​ ​quarter even though the student’s current
grade is an “A” at the end of the quarter​. If the student does not extend the
learning by completing one activity per quarter, and has an “A” by the end of the
quarter, the grade will drop to a B+. All Extension activities are offered during
“Laundry day” which is offered weekly (there may be exceptions due to testing or
other activities during the week like a field trip) and are due ​ONE WEEK BEFORE ​the
quarter ends.**
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REASSESSMENT
❖ Reassessment (retakes and redos~Not Yet’s) are offered for D’s and F’s at my discretion and on
Laundry Day ​(a day given almost weekly). Some students may find they have no choice but to
do a reassessment.
❖ They are available for students who have worked hard and taken responsibility for learning the
material but need a little more time to develop complete understanding. ​Working hard means
completing class activities and assignments, and being on task especially during WOW days or
OWN IT dat.
❖ Reassessment and “Not Yet’s” are never to be used as a substitute for hard work and
responsibility. It is expected that students ask questions in class, SEE me in seminar (small
group learning opportunities), or make an appointment to see me during my prep and/or stay
after school.
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I reserve the right to refuse reassessment or “Not Yet’s” if the problem is one of responsibility
rather than academic difficulty.
❖ Retakes are usually held during ​LAUNDRY DAY​~​ a DAY given almost weekly for students to work
on retakes (or redos), extension of learning, or seminars (small group instruction). Retakes are
testing situations and must be taken seriously. If students are not taking the opportunity
seriously, the student may be asked to​ ​hand back the quiz and/or test and not be allowed for
the retake. Students will often be given an alternative version of the assessment. The previous
score will be replaced with the most recent score. ​ If a student is asking for reassessments
frequently, I will likely ask for a conference with the student and parents/guardian to figure out
the difficulties the student is having with the curriculum.
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MATERIALS NEEDED for Class:
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Pencils/Pens/highlighters/colored pencils
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One-inch, three-ring binder
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iPad
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Students are responsible for collecting all notes and assignments from the missed class. An “absent
sheet” will be provided for students and placed in the absence tray. If the “absent sheet” is not there,
the student will need to talk to me.
If the student is absent on the day an assignment or assessment (project, test or quiz) was due, ​the
student is responsible for turning in the project/assignment when they return and/or scheduling a
time to complete the assessment.
Absences
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Home-School Communication
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Student and your parents can see all assignments as posted on PowerSchool website and MY
website located on our Verona Homepage→ Staff Directory→ DUGINSKI-HARTJES→ Look at Web
Calendar
Students are encouraged to check Powerschool weekly. Grades are updated regularly.
Other home-school communication may occur via notes, phone calls, emails and conferences. My
prefer method of home communication is by email.
Discovery​ ​House communication​ will occur by ​weekly​ ​emails​.
Please check Calendar on Ms. Hartjes’s website (Look for Duginski-Hartjes) to see the
following:
1. Current unit the class is exploring,
2. Due dates for assignments and projects,
3. Upcoming quizzes and tests,
4. Field trips and special class events,
5. Hard copies of assignments and rubrics are also accessible on ​the Calendar on
Ms. Duginski-Hartjes’s website.
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