WELCOME Emily Swanson Social Studies A little about

WELCOME! Emily Swanson Social Studies

A little about me… l l l Originally from Illinois Have been teaching for 13 years (language arts and social studies for 11) Language arts has been my passion, but now I’m teaching ONLY social studies 23 -month old son, Nico I love to TRAVEL!

Classroom Routines l l l The Golden Apple SSR Time – LA focus (Tues/Thurs) Notes or Formative Assessment/Activity Agenda Planning – Mondays only Media Center Circulation – every other Tuesday

Integrated Language Arts and Social Studies l l One of the main advantages of PLCs is that content can be integrated easily. We are able to design lessons that integrate both Social Studies and Language Arts, making connections between both subjects and increasing student understanding.

Units of Study l l l l Geography South America Ancient Times Middle Ages Renaissance/Reformation Europe Russia

SSR l l l Silent Sustained Reading 20 minutes 4 times per week (Science & Social Studies) Kids read WHATEVER they want Must stay with the same text for the entire 20 minutes No one is allowed to leave the room during this time (unless it’s an emergency, of course)

Shared Lesson Planning l l l SMS teachers are planning together. Students, regardless of team, are getting the same instruction and are working on the same assignments. This commonality allows us to capitalize on our strengths and ensures that all children are getting the best education.

Shared Assessments l l All teachers will be giving students the same assessments. Most of the homework assignments, quizzes and tests will be common across teams. This again ensures that all students, regardless of team, are being held to the same standards and exposed to the same content.

Grading Policy l l l All assignments are designed to measure a student’s mastery of specific objectives. Therefore, we are calling all tasks “assessments, ” and are weighting them equally. (Summative) Small assignments may not be “graded. ” Instead, feedback will be provided that is intended to help a child master content before an assessment. (Formative)

Grade Scale & Quality Work l l l 6 = Exceptional 5 = Commendable 4 = Adequate 3 = Below Average 2 = Unacceptable 1 = Undone/No evidence l l l A = 93% - 100% B = 85% - 92% C = 77% - 84% D = 70% - 76% F = 0% - 69%

Communication l l l l Weekly Grade Checks on SPAN Grade Sheets Weekly Emails Pride Record Agenda Blackboard Weebly No Phone Home Policy

Must Do Assignments l l l All assignments for a given week will be listed on the Weebly and in the agenda. All assignments MUST be completed. If there is a task to complete, it will be reviewed in class and may count as a grade. Must Do assignments represent the basic tasks a student must complete to master sixth grade content.

Can Do Assignments l l l The tasks listed in the Can Do menu tab are not required. They are designed to extend a child’s learning on topics that we are studying in class. Can Do assignments allow a parent to support his/her child’s education and to have some control over the amount of “homework” that their children have.

Want to help? l l Volunteers to read with students Extra books, magazines, or newspapers at home?

Contact Info l eswanson@wcpss. net l SMS Phone: 363 -1870