In Social Studies this year, you will study American History.  You will learn about the beginnings of America and study through the Civil War and Reconstruction.  The topics include:

• Settlement and Colonization
• The Road to Revolution - The Declaration of Independence
• Washington's Presidency and the Jefferson Era
• The Industrial Revolution
• The Age of Jackson
• Manifest Destiny - Westward Expansion
• Abolition and Women's Rights
• The Civil War and Reconstruction

You will need colored pencils (map pencils) because we will be doing a lot of map work.  You will also need a spiral  notebook for the fall semester and one for the spring semester for your class notes, handouts and homework.

In Language Arts you will be reading books in many genres:  historical fiction, mysteries, adventure books, non fiction, etc.  You will be writing and researching topics that we hope will be challenging and exploratory for every student. 

You are expected to read at home every night for at least 30 minutes (this is in addition to the time you read in class).

You will need a spirial notebook - one divided into two sections would be great.  This will be your Writing/Reading Journal and will be kept in the classroom.

We will also be going to the school library to check out books every two weeks.  You will do your SSR reading (Sustained Silent Reading) in your math class (just like last year) and be responsible for completing a daily Reading Log every 4 weeks that lets me know what book(s) you are reading, and your comments about that book.

The Reading Log is weighted as a quiz grade so it's very important that you keep up with this daily.  No late logs will be accepted.

• ·         Understand and analyze the language, content, structure, meaning and significance of both familiar and previously unseen oral, written and visual texts
• ·         Understand and apply language A terminology in context
• ·         Analyze the effects of the author’s choices on an audience
• ·         Compose pieces that apply appropriate literary and/or non-literary features to serve the context and intention
• ·         Compare and contrast works, and connect themes across and within genres
• ·         Express an informed and independent response to literary and non-literary texts

• ·         Create work that employs organizational structures and language-specific conventions throughout a variety of text types
• ·         Organize ideas and arguments in a sustained, coherent and logical manner
• ·         Employ appropriate critical apparatus

• ·         Use language to narrate, describe, analyze, explain, argue, persuade, inform, entertain and express feelings
• ·         Use language accurately
• ·         Use appropriate and varied register, vocabulary and idiom
• ·         Use correct grammar and syntax
• ·         Use appropriate and varied sentence structure
• ·         Use correct spelling

• ·         Show an excellent command of a wide range of terminology, and use it appropriately
• ·         Show knowledge and understanding through a wide variety of tasks that involve factual recall or description, and explanation. These tasks may include tests, examinations, written assignments, oral interviews and presentations, extended writing, projects and exhibits.

• ·         Explain concepts and ideas that have relevance within and across the MYP, and explore and re-explore these in order to develop understanding.
• ·         Demonstrate and apply the full extent of their understanding of the concepts specified within, or across, disciplines
• ·         Show understanding of concepts through a variety of assessments including extended writing, oral presentations, research projects, case studies, essays and tests.

• ·         Develop technical, analytical, decision-making and investigative skills that will be invaluable in transferring these skills to other subject groups in the MYP, and for lifelong learning.
• ·         Develop skills for fieldwork, data analysis, map analysis, evaluation of sources and/or evidence, a research paper or similar piece of extended writing, case studies, and oral presentation/interviews.

• ·         Demonstrate their grasp of humanities knowledge, concepts and skills
• ·         Work on extended pieces of work
• ·         Document sources

1. What is IB-MYP?

2. List the 5 Areas of Interaction.

3. What does the MYP curriculum do for you?

4. Which Area of Interaction allows students to explore in multiple ways the processes and products of human creativity, and to consider their impact on society and the mind?

5. How many subjects are there in MYP?

6. What is the Learner Profile?

7. Identify and describe the 10 characteristics of the learner profile. (Note: IB learners strive to be…)

8. Watch the video and answer the following questions:
   1. What does the students say is the most challenging this about MYP?
   2. What skills do you need for the personal project?
   3. What is the personal project?
   4. Name some of the projects the students chose.
   5. What skills does MYP help you develop?
   6. What is the best thing about MYP?

9. Why is technology important in the MYP program?

10. When did universities begin to recognize/accept the IB program?

11. What year did IB add the MYP program? What does IB seek to provide in the MYP program?

12. Where and When was IB created?

13. Watch the following video and answer the following questions:
    1. What was Ms. Plechaty’s class doing?
    2. What was Ms. Shadd’s class doing?
    3. What was Ms. Vazquez’s class doing? What does she say that she tries to incorporate in her classes?
    4. List and describe at least 5 of the personal projects that some of the students did and explain why/how did they choose their projects.
    5. What is the benefit of going into the IB Diploma program?

Tutoring:  I am available for tutoring after school on Tuesdays, from 3:05 to 4:00PM for anyone who needs extra help or who has been absent and needs to make up work.