• Rules and Expectations for Social Studies

     

    Dear Students and Parents:

    In order to have a successful year, I have outlined my classroom procedures below.  Please read through them.  The students heard them in class on the first day of school.

     

    Grading Policies:

    1. 40% of your grade is based on class work, homework, and classroom procedures.

    Homework will be given on a regular basis, possibly virtually and in class, and is expected to be turned in on time.  Poorly done or incomplete homework will affect your grade.  Most virtual work will fall into this category.

    1. 60% of your grade is based on tests and quizzes.  Notice will be given before each test to allow you time to prepare and study.  Almost every quiz will be announced.  Unannounced quizzes will sometimes come after an assigned reading or homework if there begins to be a lack in quality or effort.  Students will know exactly what is on a test and will have enough time to study.  Vocabulary terms will be on Quizlet and/or in Google Classroom.

    • Projects and longer assignments may fall into either category or even both categories.  

    • End of the year average is calculated using 90% for the 4 quarters average and 10% - for the final exam.  This is the same as ELA, Match and Science.

     

    Virtual Expectations:

    This is the first year that the students that I teach have their own chromebooks.  The school, the White team, and the teachers will lay out the expectations for these during the year.  This includes how they will be used in class, how much they will be used for homework, how to study for tests, and how often students will need to check Google Classroom.  It might result in slight changes with other procedures but we will take care of all of that in class.

     

    General Expectations:

    1. Homework is expected to be completed and turned in by the assigned date.  

    2.  I have used a notebook in the past.  You should bring that to class.  I will also maintain a virtual notebook.

    3. Appropriate materials, like a pencil and Chromebook, should be brought to class.  

    4. You are expected to follow the code of conduct as stated in the CCMS Handbook.  If the school does not allow it, I obviously do not allow it either.

    5. You are to show respect to the teachers and the other students.  That means not talking while I am or when another student has been recognized to speak.  This also means not purposely damaging material that is not your own or making fun of classmates for any reason.

    6. You are always expected to try your best and take pride in your work.  Have a positive attitude and be honest with yourself and me.  Effort counts in my class.

    7. Students are also expected to respect the classroom.  That includes touching things in other students’ desks, writing on walls, or destroying classroom property.

     

    During the year, if there are any questions, I greatly prefer email to phone calls.  I check my email almost every day multiple times and if needed, you should get a reply within 1-2 days.  My email address is rbaxter@cornwallschools.com.  Thanks so much and I look forward to a great year.



    Mr. Baxter




    6th Grade Social Studies Syllabus of Topics

     

    Prehistory - Archaeology, Hunting/Gathering, Farming, Civilization, Climate, Timelines

     

    Mesopotamia - Geography, Tigris and Euphrates, City-states, Sumer, Babylonia, Assyria, Persia, Hammurabi’s Code, Writing, Phoenicia, Israelites, Judaism

     

    Egypt - Geography, Nile, Old, Middle, New Kingdoms, Hatshepsut, King Tut, Ramses II, Religion, Pyramids, mummies, Daily Life, slaves, hieroglyphs, Papyrus, Nubia

     

    Indus River Valley - Geography, Monsoons, Mohenjo-Daro, Aryans, Caste System, Hinduism, Buddhism, Maurya Empire, Chandragupta, Ashoka

     

    China - Climate, Huang River, Dynasties, Families, Confucius, Shi Huangdi, Qin Dynasty, Han Dynasty, Silk Road, Han Technology

     

    Ancient Greece - Geography, Minoan, Mycenaeans, Trojan War, Dark Ages, Democracy, Golden Age, Religion, Philosophy, Daily Life, Athens, Sparta, War, Alexander the Great, Hellenistic World

     

    Rome - Geography, Roman Republic, Caesar, Roman Empire, Augustus, Emperors, Architecture and Technology, Daily Life, Gladiators, Families, Christianity, Fall of Rome

     

    Byzantine/Muslim World - Constantinople, Justinian, Schism, Islam, Muhammad, Spread of Islam, Golden Age

     

    Africa - Geography, Bantu Migration, Ghana, Mali, Songhai, Trade, Rain Forest Kingdoms, Ethiopia, Kilwa, Great Zimbabwe

     

    Middle Ages - Charlemagne, Vikings, Feudalism, Church in Middle Ages, Trade, Towns, Cities, Crusades, Kings, Nations, War, Magna Carta

     

    Extra Topics:  Explorers, Mongols, India, China, and Japan in the Middle Ages