US HISTORY​ / G

​ RADE 7 
Miss Catanzarite 
misscatclass.weebly.com 
 
Syracuse Academy of  
Science Middle School 
2018-2019 

Rationale:
Grade 7 Social Studies is arranged chronologically and incorporates geography as well as
economic, social, and political trends. Beginning this year, you will study a 2-year course
on United States History. In 7​th​ grade we will be studying the following units and in 8​th
grade you will pick up where we left off.

Units for the year:

1. Social Sciences & Geography
2. Native American Cultures 6. Constitution & Early Republic
3. Exploration & Colonization 7. Manifest Destiny & The Age of Jackson
4. The Road to Revolution 8. Industrial Revolution & Reform Movements
5. The Revolutionary War 9. The Civil War

Expectations:
1. Respect yourself and others.
2. Be courteous and listen (do not talk) while others are talking.
3. Follow directions, raise your hand and participate.
4. Come to class on time, prepared and ready to work.
5. Complete all assignments on time.
6. Work cooperatively with peers, teachers and the school community.
7. Keep your hands, feet and objects to yourself.
8. Use appropriate language.
9. Do your best and ask for help!
10. THINK before you speak!

Rules and Consequences:

Be respectful, courteous, prepared and work hard! Consequences will meet actions. Major infractions in the student Code
of Conduct will not receive a warning. Minor infractions are as follows:
1. Warning
2. Demerit (possible communication with parent/guardian, detention, etc. if the behavior persists)
3. Visit to Admin/Referral (communication with parent/guardian, detention, etc.)

Grading Policy:
● Tests 30%
● Classwork & Homework 30%
● Quizzes, Projects & Unit Packets 25%
● Participation 15%

Assignment Expectations:
1. Tests/Quizzes: ​Tests will be given at the end of each unit. Quizzes will be given throughout the units. Students will
be provided with a review sheet to complete and hand in for each test/quiz as a grade.
 2. Homework:​ Homework will be assigned once or twice per week. Students who do not hand in homework at the
beginning of the class period will receive a grade of​ zero​.​ ​Late assignments will be accepted for two days after the
due date and will start at 70% (SAS Handbook).
a. Your name, number, section, and the date should be found at the top of all assignments that are handed in.
Work handed in without a name will not receive credit.
b. All work should be neat and legible. Miss Catanzarite reserves the right to ask for assignments that are not
legible to be re-done.
c. Work should always be in complete sentences, unless otherwise noted.

3. Classwork (Unit Packets): ​All students are required to have a binder for social studies class. This binder will hold all
classwork.
a. Expectations:
i. Each student is expected to have a binder in which to put all of their classwork.
ii. Materials should be organized according to the binder table of contents – which will be updated
and maintained in class.
iii. Your social studies binder should be stored in our classroom on your class’ assigned shelf. You do
not need to carry it with you daily.
b. Student Responsibility:
i. Students are responsible to maintain their binder and have it in class every day.
ii. Students are responsible for keeping their table of contents updated at all times.
iii. Students are responsible for completing classwork in class, during class.
c. Grade:
i. At the end of each unit, students will turn in their table of contents with all of their classwork (in
order) for a grade. Students are responsible for completing each unit packet.

4. Projects:​ All students are required to complete assigned projects in class throughout the school year. Students may
be assigned to groups or pairs and are responsible for completing the project for a grade.

5. Participation: ​All students will receive a participation grade weekly for class. It is their responsibility to meet the
following expectations for this grade.
a. Be on time
b. Be prepared
c. Participate
d. Complete the assigned task
e. Follow the teacher’s directions

Absence and Late Work Policy:

1. Absences:​ All students have ​two school days ​from the day they provide a legal excuse of absence from school to
complete any work for full credit. There will be a deduction for assignments due to unexcused absences. After 2
days late, no credit will be given.
**This includes missed classwork assignments that will be graded as a packet at the end of each unit.

2. Make Up Work:​ Students are responsible to find out what they’ve missed if absent from class. Students will need to
make appropriate arrangements with Miss Catanzarite upon returning to school to make up tests, quizzes and
assignments in a timely fashion.
**Make up assignments will be provided at the end of each marking period for missing work (grades with a zero).
Do not rely on these assignments to boost your grade.

3. Extra Credit:​ You may choose a historical fiction work or biography to read and report on. The novel must concern a
topic we will study this school year. You may not select a novel you will read or have read for any other class. Before
you begin I must approve the book! Your task will be to read the book and write about what you learned. Specific
assignment requirements are available to you in Miss Catanzarite’s classroom.
 
Miss Catanzarite’s Classroom Contract 
 
*Homework Assignment - Please have your student return this by: 8/31/2018 

Name of Student ____________________________________________________________________________

By signing this contract, I am aware of the rules, procedures and consequences in Miss Catanzarite’s classroom. I
have also reviewed Miss Catanzarite’s policies on absences and late work.

Parent signature _______________________________________________________________________

Student signature ______________________________________________________________________

In the space provided below, please fill out the easiest way for me to contact you. Please provide the phone
number(s) and email(s) I can contact you with and the time preferred.

Contact Name (s) __________________________________________

Relation _________________________________________________
Phone # _________________________________________________
Email ___________________________________________________
Time Preferred ___________________________________________

Contact Name (s) __________________________________________

Relation _________________________________________________
Phone # _________________________________________________
Email ___________________________________________________
Time Preferred ___________________________________________

If there are any other issues or concerns you would like to provide me with, please write them in the space
below: