Dear Students and Parents/Guardians,

                Welcome back to Van Nest Academy. As you begin seventh grade, it is important to understand the relevance & effects of history when forming your views and opinions. We are living in historic times, days that will be written about and discussed for many years to come. To make the most of our chapter in the book known as America, we must do our best to study the past & learn from it.

               This year, we will be studying American history, from its exploration to its birth as a new nation and its development socially, politically and economically. There is a lot to cover and only 10 months to learn and discuss it. As students, you must do your best to enter this class everyday with an open mind, an eager attitude, and an honest desire to study, read, write, & communicate about the roots of America.

 Grade Formula

70% Tests/Quizzes/Essays- Your comprehension, writing skills and knowledge will be assessed frequently with various tests, quizzes and essays. 

20% Classwork/Binders/Journals- You are expected to complete all classwork assignments and activities in a neat, accurate and timely manner every day. In this class, you will have A LOT of notes. It is important that you keep all of these notes neat and well-organized in a binder. You will be expected to write Social Studies-based journal entries in a notebook/journal at least 5 times a month. Participation in class discussions, work assigned in class & group activities will also be part of your grade. 

10% Homework- You will have homework EVERY NIGHT, and it will be graded daily based on its completion, neatness and accuracy.

            Please read this letter with your parents, discuss your goals, and return the bottom of this letter signed by them. Together, we can make this school year special.

 Thanks,

 Kurt Bascom

Teacher, Rm. 514

Email Addresses:KBascom2@498vannestacademy.org

Welcome to 7th Grade Social Studies- September 2019

Supplies needed for 7th Grade – September 2019

Please take the time over the summer to collect the following supplies for all subject areas. Your teachers will collect, and help organize everything you have purchased during the first few days of school.

Supplies for ELA, MATH, SOCIAL STUDIES & SCIENCE

1. 1 pack of highlighters (to be used in all classes)
2. 3 packs of Ticonderoga Pencils (to be used in all classes)
3. 1 pack of erasers (to be used in all classes)
4. 2 boxes of blue or black pens (to be used in all classes)
5. 1 pack of 12 colored Pencils (to be used in all classes)
6. 1 pack of colored dry erase markers (to be used in all classes)
7. 3 boxes of tissues (to be used in all classes)
8. 3 reams of photo copy paper (to be used in all classes)
9. 2 roll of paper towels (one to be left in homeroom, and one for the science lab)
10. Pack of post-it notes (to be used in all classes)
11. 3 packs of loose leaf paper (1 for Social Studies, 1 for Science, 1 to be used for all classes)
12. 2 packs of LINED 3x5 index cards (for ELA & Science)
13. 2 packs of LINES 4x6 index cards ( for ELA & Science)
14. 1 2-inch Binder (Social Studies)
15. 1 1.5- Inch Binder (Science)
16. 8 two-pocket folders: Math (1) ELA (1) Science (1) Music (1) Health (1) Social Studies (1) Extras (2)
17. 6 Composition/ Marble Notebooks: Math (2) ELA (2) Health (1) Music (1) THEY CAN BE ANY COLOR/DESIGN, BUT MUST BE COMPOSITION

Supplies for ART:

1. 1 pack of 12 (or more) Ticonderoga pencils
2. 1 pack of pink erasers

Supplies for SPANISH:

1. 1 notebook
2. headphones with a microphone and USB port

Welcome to 7th Grade Social Studies- September 2018

Dear Students and Parents/Guardians,

                Welcome back to Van Nest Academy. As you begin seventh grade, it is important to understand the relevance & effects of history when forming your views and opinions. We are living in historic times, days that will be written about and discussed for many years to come. To make the most of our chapter in the book known as America, we must do our best to study the past & learn from it.

               This year, we will be studying American history, from its exploration to its birth as a new nation and its development socially, politically and economically. There is a lot to cover and only 10 months to learn and discuss it. As students, you must do your best to enter this class everyday with an open mind, an eager attitude, and an honest desire to study, read, write, & communicate about the roots of America.

 Grade Formula

70% Tests/Quizzes/Essays- Your comprehension, writing skills and knowledge will be assessed frequently with various tests, quizzes and essays. 

20% Classwork/Binders/Journals- You are expected to complete all classwork assignments and activities in a neat, accurate and timely manner every day. In this class, you will have A LOT of notes. It is important that you keep all of these notes neat and well-organized in a binder. You will be expected to write Social Studies-based journal entries in a notebook/journal at least 5 times a month. Participation in class discussions, work assigned in class & group activities will also be part of your grade. 

10% Homework- You will have homework EVERY NIGHT, and it will be graded daily based on its completion, neatness and accuracy.

            Please read this letter with your parents, discuss your goals, and return the bottom of this letter signed by them. Together, we can make this school year special.

 Thanks,

 Kurt Bascom

Teacher, Rm. 514

Email Addresses:KBascom2@498vannestacademy.org,  SocialStudiesBascom@gmail.com

Your Family History Timeline
Create a family history timeline containing important dates (some examples: birth years, weddings, coming to America, graduations) for you and at least 2 relatives, as well as 5+ major events in our history. Under the timeline, write a brief composition (2 paragraphs is recommended) answering the following questions:
*How has the world changed since the first event listed on your timeline?
*Why is it important to record, remember and retell events of our history?
You will be graded on your timeline’s neatness/grammar, appearance and accuracy. Artistic qualities, including pictures, coloring and lettering is recommended. All work should have a title and heading.

Native American Tribe Brochure

Native American societies across North America had unique traits and traditions, many of which were based on their location, geography and climate. You will create a brochure that examines tribes in one of those culture areas. The areas for this assignment include:

·      Arctic

·      Subarctic

·      Northwest Coast

·      Plateau

·      Great Plains

·      Northeast

·      Great Basin

·      California

·      Southwest

·      Southeast

Your brochure can focus on one or more of the tribes found in the region assigned to you. The brochure should contain the following information:

·      Student Name and class

·      Name of Culture Area

·      Native American tribe name(s)

·      Memorable catchphrase that connects region/tribes to their strengths or culture

·      Details about tribe’s location/region- Climate, landforms, environment,

·      4+ details about their lifestyle and history. This can include:

o   Housing

o   Food

o   Jobs

o   Religion

o   Symbols

o   Accomplishments/History

·      2+ images associated with the Native American society

Use of computers is recommended, but not required. You will be graded on the brochure’s accuracy, organization, neatness/grammar & eye-catching quality. You may have the same tribe as another student in class, but every student must create their own original, self-made brochure.