Triangle Math and Science Academy

Mrs. Dawson
7th Grade Social Studies
2020-2021

Welcome to Seventh Grade Social Studies!

Contact Information
Email: rdawson@tmsacademy.org Phone: 919-388-0077
Zoom Class ID: 734 448 8368 Website: https://rdawsontmsa.weebly.com/

Focus: World History: Great Global Convergence (1400-1800) to the Present Day

Course Study
Students in seventh grade will continue to expand upon the knowledge, skills and understandings acquired in
their sixth grade examination of early civilizations. Seventh graders study the world from the Age of
Exploration to contemporary times in order to understand the implications of increased global interactions. The
course will focus on geography by using the themes of location, place, movement, human-environmental
interaction, and region to understand modern societies and regions. It will guide students through patterns of
change and continuity with a focus on conflict and cooperation, economic development, population shifts,
political thought and organization, cultural values and beliefs, and the impact of the environment over time. It
will also investigate the factors that shaped the development of societies in the modern world and global
interactions.
Course Format
In order to accomplish the goals listed above, classes will consist of a combination of lectures, discussions,
partner and group work, activities, and projects. Understanding will be assessed through a combination of unit
tests, projects, quizzes, current events connections, and home/classwork.
Course Outline
Unit 1: Social Studies 101
Unit 2: Renaissance and Reformation
Unit 3: Age of Exploration and Global Exchange
Unit 4: Enlightenment and Revolution
Unit 5: Industrial Revolution and Society’s Response
Unit 6: Age of Imperialism and WWI
Unit 7: Boom, Bust, Bang
Unit 8: Cold War
Unit 9: New World Order
Unit 10: Financial Literacy and Cumulative Project
Above is a general timeline of topics we will cover throughout the year. *PLEASE NOTE: Mrs. Dawson
reserves the right to rearrange or alter the course timeline as needed.*
 Triangle Math and Science Academy
Mrs. Dawson
7th Grade Social Studies
2020-2021
Methods of Evaluation
Major Assessments (Tests and Projects)- 50%
Minor Assessments (Quizzes and Current Events)- 30%
Homework/Classwork- 20%

Grading Scale
90-100 A
89-80 B
79-70 C
69-60 D
59 below F

*Mrs. Dawson will adhere to all documented IEPs*

Class Requirements/Materials
Students will be required to bring a binder/folder, looseleaf, and pen/pencil to class every day, along with the
soft-cover textbook students that were used last year. If you are new to the school, here is a link to the book.
These items, along with a positive attitude, will be essential to success in the classroom, so it is imperative to
be prepared for every class period!
Current Events Assignments
Current events assignments, along with quizzes, will comprise 30% of students’ total grades each quarter. In
order to increase each student’s awareness of the world around them, students will be required to complete 5
current events assignments each quarter. Additional information will be provided to students in class and will
also remain available on Mrs. Dawson’s website throughout the school year.
Teacher/Parent Communication
● PowerSchool and Schoology
● Mrs. Dawson’s Website (https://rdawsontmsa.weebly.com/)
● Student Planners
● Email/Phone
● Pre-Scheduled Conferences

Open and frequent communication is crucial to building a positive classroom atmosphere, so please do not
hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have!

Late Work
● Major Assignments/Projects- Students will lose 10% for each day these assignments are late. It is
imperative that major assignments are completed on time, as they have a major impact on students’
overall grades.
● Current Events- These assignments are worth 20 points each and 5 are assigned each quarter. If current
events are 1 day late: 15/20 is the maximum grade students can achieve. If current events are 2 or more
days late: 10/20 is maximum grade students can achieve.
 Triangle Math and Science Academy
Mrs. Dawson
7th Grade Social Studies
2020-2021
● Homework Assignments- 1 day late: Students will automatically lose 25% of the possible points. 2 or
more days late: Students will automatically lose 50% of the possible points. Late homework assignments
will only be accepted until the end of the unit in which they were assigned.

Make-Up Work
In the event that a student is absent for class, it is the student’s responsibility to collect any materials or notes
that were missed. Procedures for obtaining this work will be discussed during the first week of class. Students
should turn in any missed assignments as soon as possible. They will not be accepted any later than two weeks
after the original due date. If students need additional help, Mrs. Dawson can discuss extra help options.
Re-Testing Policy
Test corrections will be offered for those that score below 60%. Students who score below an 60% on a major
test will have the opportunity to earn ½ credit back.
Standards & Expectations
Classroom Rules:

Rule 1: Be respectful.
Rule 2: Be responsible.
Rule 3: Be prepared.

Consequences:
● Mrs. Dawson will follow TMSA’s behavioral plan as outlined in the student handbook.
a. Students are expected to make positive choices in the classroom.
b. Warning for 1st small offenses in the classroom.
c. Continued offenses will result in disciplinary write-up and parent notification.
● Please Note: Some behaviors may result in the immediate removal of the student from the classroom.
● Cheating and plagiarism, defined in the student handbook and reviewed in class, will not be
tolerated and will result in strict consequences.