Welcome to Social StudiesWelcome to Social Studies

Mrs. LareauMrs. Lareau

Bronze TeamBronze Team

So I thought she was an English teacher…Or…My crazy life as a middle school English and social studies teacher: Spring of 1994: long-term social studies sub, 8th grade 1994-1995: 8th grade social studies and sixth grade language arts1995-1996: 6th grade social studies and language arts1996-1997: 7th grade social studies1997-1998: 7th grade social studies1998-1999: 8th grade EnglishFall of 1999: 8th grade English (then maternity leave)2000-2001: 7th grade English2001-2002: 8th grade English2002-2003: 7th grade English2003-2004: 7th and 8th grade English2004-2005: 7th and 8th grade English2005-2006: 8th grade English2006-2007: 8th grade social studies2007-2008: 6th grade LA I2008-2009: 6th grade LA I2009-2010: 6th grade English A2010-2011: 6th grade English A2011-2012: 6th grade English A2012-2013: 6th grade social studies

Contact InformationContact Informationalareau@darienps.orgalareau@darienps.org

Email is the best way to contact meEmail is the best way to contact me. .

If you need to speak by phone, let me know If you need to speak by phone, let me know via email a good number and time to call. If via email a good number and time to call. If there is truly an urgent message, call the there is truly an urgent message, call the office or your childoffice or your child’’s guidance counselor. s guidance counselor.

The The goal is to reach all learnersgoal is to reach all learners to make them aware of the to make them aware of the different cultures of Eastern hemisphere, and how the past, different cultures of Eastern hemisphere, and how the past,

present, and future in those regions impact and affect them as present, and future in those regions impact and affect them as residents and citizens of the United States and the world.residents and citizens of the United States and the world.

Reading: Reading: textbook, non-fiction, fiction, current textbook, non-fiction, fiction, current eventsevents

Writing: Writing: critically reflect on presented topics, critically reflect on presented topics, find a voice on an issue, research and report, find a voice on an issue, research and report, locate main ideas and supporting details from locate main ideas and supporting details from readingreading

Whole Class InstructionWhole Class Instruction: analysis and reflection : analysis and reflection of readings in discussion, video and audio of readings in discussion, video and audio clips for discussion, group work and sharing to clips for discussion, group work and sharing to show different perspectives show different perspectives

Social Studies – Grading PolicySocial Studies – Grading Policy

Grading Guidelines: Grades are determined by a total points system with the following types of assessments, and each category will be worth about the same each quarter.

Homework: Preparedness, Participation, and Preparation

Classwork: small group projects or in-class work

Formal writing pieces and projects (with pacing and rubrics provided)

Quizzes, quests, and tests

Aspen

Grades will be posted mid-quarter and end of quarter.

Report cards will be mailed home quarterly with letter grades,but comments are only available on Aspen.

Most grades will be posted when assignments are returned to students. Some assignments may require longer post time.

Check my website handouts section and announcements section for important updates, directions, or information.E-blasts will keep you informed of when to look and other instructions.

Play around with your account – you can’t mess it up – only we can, so email if something looks wrong.

StudentStudent’’s Roles Role Check my website daily. Check my website daily. http://www.darienps.org/middlesex/

Come to class prepared with folder, binder section, pens, pencils, Come to class prepared with folder, binder section, pens, pencils, independent reading book, and journal.independent reading book, and journal.

Be prepared to write and read daily. Read directions carefully for all Be prepared to write and read daily. Read directions carefully for all assignments.assignments.

Show effort to gain understanding of the concepts presented.Show effort to gain understanding of the concepts presented.

Increase skills to write and speak critically about presented topics.Increase skills to write and speak critically about presented topics.

Accept responsibility for completing pieces and other assignments and ask Accept responsibility for completing pieces and other assignments and ask for help if needed.for help if needed.

Be willing to try new techniques, methods and strategies to improve Be willing to try new techniques, methods and strategies to improve discussion, writing, and reading.discussion, writing, and reading.

Be willing to work with peers and teacher.Be willing to work with peers and teacher.

Take pride in work produced and reflect for further understanding.Take pride in work produced and reflect for further understanding.

TeacherTeacher’’s Roles Role

Provide a safe and productive environment for learning and discussion Provide a safe and productive environment for learning and discussion of the curriculum.of the curriculum.

Guide students in their learning through multiple techniques.Guide students in their learning through multiple techniques.

Facilitate adjustment to the Library/Media Center. Facilitate adjustment to the Library/Media Center.

Provide opportunities to strengthen research and organization skills.Provide opportunities to strengthen research and organization skills.

Encourage students to read and write about as well as discuss the Encourage students to read and write about as well as discuss the worldworld’’s events.s events.

Applaud efforts and offer encouragement.Applaud efforts and offer encouragement.

ParentParent’’s Roles Role

Discuss events of the world at home Discuss events of the world at home and ask your child questions and their and ask your child questions and their viewpoints on the events.viewpoints on the events.

Encourage your children to move Encourage your children to move through the steps of the learning through the steps of the learning process whether it is an overnight or process whether it is an overnight or long term assignment.long term assignment.

Encourage your child to complete all Encourage your child to complete all assignments and show interest in their assignments and show interest in their work.work.