Welcome to Pleasant Hill Middle School and a new school year. This will be my twentieth year of teaching; I taught 7th grade social studies at Lexington Middle before transferring here to Pleasant Hill last year. I have my degree in Middle Grades Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with concentrations in social studies and language arts. I also have National Certification in Social Studies-History and am endorsed in Gifted and Talented Education. I love traveling, reading, and teaching about the many world events we study in class. I have a wonderful husband, five children ages 13-4, and lots of pets--two cats, two gerbils, a snake, and some koi fish. I am looking forward to an exciting and productive year.

Course Objectives and Timeline: Throughout this course, you will be exposed to a wide variety of sources, texts, and other materials that will allow them to gain a deep understanding of world history. Major units of study include:

1st 9 Weeks
7.1: European Colonial Expansion to 1700
7.2: Absolute Monarchies and the Expansion of Constitutional Government
2nd 9 Weeks
7.3: Independence Movements from 1770-1900
3rd 9 Weeks
7.4: A World in Conflict: The Early 20th Century
4th 9 Weeks
7.5: Post World War II and the Cold War
7.6: Major Advancements of the 20th and 21st Centuries

Course Evaluation: Students will receive a grade based on the statewide grading scale. The numerical grade for each grading period will be determined using the following system:

Celebrations of Knowledge and Projects (60%): Celebrations of Knowledge (unit tests) are given on a regular basis and may include several different types of questions (true/ false, essay, short answer, multiple choice, etc.). These will fall at the end of each unit of study. Projects will also be a major part of this course. All projects will be accompanied by a scoring rubric and should be turned in on the date that they are due. You will find out more about these as they are assigned. Some projects will be designed to be completed in our social studies class while others will be out of class projects.

The Interactive Notebook and Other Assignments (40%): Students are required to keep an organized interactive notebook for this course. They will be hearing more about this in the days to come. This is a fantastic strategy that allows students to stay focused and organized while also allowing me to differentiate instruction to meet the various needs of my students. All other in-class assignments fall under this category. Class work, homework, in-class mini-projects, notebook quizzes, group work/ group discussions, and daily starter activities also fall under this category.

Materials Needed: Students should have the following supplies for this social studies course:
•Glue sticks (at least 3 per nine weeks), blue or black ink pens, #2 pencils, markers/ colored pencils, highlighters
•One inch three ring binder containing loose leaf paper
•Two durable 100-page spiral notebooks (70 page notebooks are ok as well, but you may need 3 or 4 of these)
•Hand sanitizer and/or a box of tissue would be greatly appreciated by our class 

Mrs. Gavin’s Class Expectations:
YOUR RIGHTS: In Our Classroom, You have the Right to:
FAIR AND EQUAL TREATMENT - SAFETY - HEAR AND BE HEARD - RESPECT AND BE RESPECTED - LEARN
If at any time during the course of the year you feel that your peers are infringing on your rights, please tell me, and I will gladly listen and take whatever measures are necessary.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES: In Our Classroom, Here are Your Responsibilities
-BE POLITE: Treat others with consideration, realizing that each person is unique and has a unique perspective.
-BE SAFE:Make this classroom safe by following the classroom and school rules as stated in the PHMS and Lexington School District 1 Handbook (see student agenda) and not causing injury to others or damaging/using someone else’s or the school’s property without their permission.
-PARTICIPATE in the activities appropriately by listening, speaking, or writing.
-RESPECT others, adults and students, and uphold their rights.
-LEARN. You will be PREPARED daily for social studies, be on time, pay attention, complete work, and not distract yourself or others.
-PUSH yourself, keep trying! Ask questions if you don't understand.

REWARDS for positive behavior, participation, and good citizenship:
-Praise!
-Positive Notes Home/ Emails
-Homework Pass
-Student of the Week
-Various other “positive perks”

CONSEQUENCES: If you choose not to follow the rules above…
First Time – Student will come for 5 minutes at lunch
Second Time – Lunch Detention; Parents Contacted
Third Time – Administrative Referral; Parents Contacted
Fourth Time – Student sent to In-School Suspension for the remainder of the class period; Administrative Referral; Phone call home.

FOR STUDENTS: I expect QUALITY from you!
Quality means giving your best effort and doing your own work. Be sure your information is correct and complete. Try new ideas!
Use the computers, iPods, scanner, digital cameras, projector and other equipment in the studio with the utmost care. Using expensive technology is a privilege, not a right.
Always use complete sentences when you write answers. Write (or type) neatly. Write your heading on your paper. You will not get credit for the assignment if I do not know whose paper it is!
Listen to your classmates and respect them.
If you have a question, do not hesitate to ask.
Take your materials to class every day (notebook, iPad, etc.) and turn in work on time.
YOU are responsible for your BEHAVIOR and GRADES. It’s all about what you are willing to try and the effort you put in. If you set goals for yourself and try hard, it will pay off in the end!

Additional Information:
Parents, please take the time to check the class Edmodo page regularly. Please discuss with your child any assignment that may be due.
All students are encouraged to take advantage of extra help when needed. My extra help times are Friday mornings at 7:40, and other times as needed. Students who come for the tutoring are expected to have questions ready so that our time may be utilized the best way possible. I believe that communication with the parents/ guardians is a key part of any successful classroom, so feel free to contact me by phone at Pleasant Hill Middle [(803)-821-2750] or email me at lgavin@lexington1.net if you have any questions or concerns throughout the duration of the course.