Alabama Course of Study         

     Seventh grade social studies is a two semester course consisting of citizenship and world geography.  At Coppinville Junior High School we have chosen to study citizenship the first semester and world geography the second semester.

    For the citizenship course we chose Civics-Responsibilities and Citizenship, published by Glencoe publishing. During one semester we study the background of our democracy and both the rights and responsibilities expected of an American citizen. 

    Geography-The World and Its People, also published by Glencoe publishing was our choice for the other semester.  In this course, we emphasize the knowledge and skills necessary to develop a geographic perspective. 

                                                                                                                                          
Classroom Grading System

    I will always attempt to return all graded papers in a prompt manner to the students. It is their responsibility to keep up with those grades  and share them with their parents. I will publish their grades, in written form, at least every two weeks. All students will receive a mid-term progress report.

    The classroom grade will consist of the following:

• Tests/Projects - 40% - This will include all chapter tests and any special projects assigned.    There will usually be 3-5 of these grades per nine-week grading period.

• Notebook - 40% - This will include all other written work including homework and class work.  There will usually be between 20 and 30 of these grades per nine week grading period.

• News - 20% - Almost every Friday we will have a test on Channel One News.  The students will watch this news program every morning during homeroom. They are required by me to take notes. They may then use their notes during the test. In addition I give the students a 10 point bonus for having news notes, so that each week they may earn as much as 110 out of 100 on the news test. If students have no news notes they receive an automatic 10 point deduction, meaning they may only make a 90 out of a 100 that week. 

         
Advanced Social Studies

Qualification for Advanced Social Studies - Yearly average of "A" in sixth grade social studies, sixth grade teacher recommendation and should have scored 85% or better on either Reading or Social Studies on the fifth grade SAT.

     Students who have been in the ABC program in elementary school are encouraged, but not required to take advanced social studies. Students who are particularly interested in social studies and not shy about participating in a more demanding program are also encouraged to enroll in the advanced class.  Seventh grade advanced social studies is a graded program. The students will be expected to fulfill all of the obligations of the regular course plus a  lot more. In the seventh grade,  research, organization, composition  and communication skills, and the development of higher-level and abstract thinking will be emphasized. Advanced students will be expected to perform at more than a seventh grade level in all areas of performance. More independent study skills are also expected from this group. Although more than half of the students in these classes usually receive an A - it is not a give-away grade. Students will be expected  to do more than sit in class and "repeat after me" at test time!

Forward to About My Students                                Back to Abercrombie Home Page

Jump to About Ms. Abercrombie