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"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge." - Albert Einstein
Dear Parents and Students,
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your child to a brand new school year here at Greenwood Lakes Middle School!
In Civics, the students will be learning about the American and world political systems by analyzing historical documents, participating in class discussions, reading the information provided, taking notes, and through a number of other various activities throughout the year.
As a teacher, I pride myself on running a fun, efficient, positive, and orderly classroom. To achieve this, procedures, rules, and consequences have been put into place to ensure that all students are learning effectively. Every student has the responsibility to learn and follow the rules and procedures for both the school and each individual teacher's classroom. By adhering to the rules, students will have an organized, successful, and constructive learning environment.
Civics is a very rewarding, but rigorous course. It is very easy for a student who falls behind to have trouble catching back up. Therefore, I would highly advise that work be done a little each night as not to become overwhelmed with trying to accomplish everything the night before the test. We have four 9 weeks exams (counts as a double grade) and an End of Course Exam which counts for 30% of your child's overall total grade. Civics is a way for students to understand world affairs, other countries and governments, their country, their government, their rights, and their citizenship.
As a class, we will be discussing the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and some of the constitutional amendments. The Constitution does not mention religion and neither will we. I understand and respect that every family has their own religious views, however, I ask that if a student wants to debate or discuss a topic, that they do so with facts not opinion. This is to ensure that everyone can be heard and no one will be offended.
I also ask that discrimination (race, creed, color, sexuality, religion, physical/mental disability, national origin, and gender) and personal political views be kept out of my classroom. Your family's personal opinions and views are just that; personal. Not everyone is going to agree with each other and we want students to be objective and respectful of others thoughts, feelings, and viewpoints.
My eighth grade teacher, Mr. Driscoll, had a quote that he told my class on the first day of school that I still live by to this day. He said, "I am not here to teach you what to think, I am here to teach you to think for yourself." This is the philosophy of my classroom.
Each student will be bringing home a course syllabus (or you can print one off from the syllabus tab). Your child will need to bring the syllabus back to be placed in their notebooks to earn their first participation grade of 100%.
Please review the syllabus tab which contains the classroom & campus-wide rules, consequences, and procedures with your child so that they can have a productive and hassle-free year.
I have also added A LOT of helpful sites at the bottom of this web page that students should be made aware of.
I truly look forward to working with you and your child. Let's have a GREAT school year!!!
Sincerely,
Andrew Rappaport M.Ed.
7th Grade Civics
Greenwood Lakes Middle School
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your child to a brand new school year here at Greenwood Lakes Middle School!
In Civics, the students will be learning about the American and world political systems by analyzing historical documents, participating in class discussions, reading the information provided, taking notes, and through a number of other various activities throughout the year.
As a teacher, I pride myself on running a fun, efficient, positive, and orderly classroom. To achieve this, procedures, rules, and consequences have been put into place to ensure that all students are learning effectively. Every student has the responsibility to learn and follow the rules and procedures for both the school and each individual teacher's classroom. By adhering to the rules, students will have an organized, successful, and constructive learning environment.
Civics is a very rewarding, but rigorous course. It is very easy for a student who falls behind to have trouble catching back up. Therefore, I would highly advise that work be done a little each night as not to become overwhelmed with trying to accomplish everything the night before the test. We have four 9 weeks exams (counts as a double grade) and an End of Course Exam which counts for 30% of your child's overall total grade. Civics is a way for students to understand world affairs, other countries and governments, their country, their government, their rights, and their citizenship.
As a class, we will be discussing the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and some of the constitutional amendments. The Constitution does not mention religion and neither will we. I understand and respect that every family has their own religious views, however, I ask that if a student wants to debate or discuss a topic, that they do so with facts not opinion. This is to ensure that everyone can be heard and no one will be offended.
I also ask that discrimination (race, creed, color, sexuality, religion, physical/mental disability, national origin, and gender) and personal political views be kept out of my classroom. Your family's personal opinions and views are just that; personal. Not everyone is going to agree with each other and we want students to be objective and respectful of others thoughts, feelings, and viewpoints.
My eighth grade teacher, Mr. Driscoll, had a quote that he told my class on the first day of school that I still live by to this day. He said, "I am not here to teach you what to think, I am here to teach you to think for yourself." This is the philosophy of my classroom.
Each student will be bringing home a course syllabus (or you can print one off from the syllabus tab). Your child will need to bring the syllabus back to be placed in their notebooks to earn their first participation grade of 100%.
Please review the syllabus tab which contains the classroom & campus-wide rules, consequences, and procedures with your child so that they can have a productive and hassle-free year.
I have also added A LOT of helpful sites at the bottom of this web page that students should be made aware of.
I truly look forward to working with you and your child. Let's have a GREAT school year!!!
Sincerely,
Andrew Rappaport M.Ed.
7th Grade Civics
Greenwood Lakes Middle School
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Classroom Expectations When Working By Yourself and Others:
Focus Area 1
Whole Class Instruction New Information (Lecture, Video, or Reading) EXPECTATIONS |
Focus Area 2
Working with Teammates and Classmates EXPECTATIONS |
Focus Area 3
Solo Work and Think Time EXPECTATIONS |
Looks Like:
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Learning Scales:
Contact Information:
If you need to contact me for any reason, such as you are having trouble, notice anything misspelled or out of place, or would like to add something/comment, please email me at [email protected]
If you need to contact me for any reason, such as you are having trouble, notice anything misspelled or out of place, or would like to add something/comment, please email me at [email protected]
The mission of the Seminole County Public Schools is to ensure that all Early Childhood Program and Pre K-Grade 12 students acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be productive citizens in our great country and in the global economy.
References:
www.mrdowling.com
www.history.com
McGraw-Hill Networks Company
Lou Frey Institute
http://www.ecsd-fl.schoolloop.com/civics
www.floridacitizen.org
www.icivics.org
http://www.mrfurgione.com/
Dr. Spencer Kagan
www.kidsdiscover.com
www.flrea.org
www.mrdowling.com
www.history.com
McGraw-Hill Networks Company
Lou Frey Institute
http://www.ecsd-fl.schoolloop.com/civics
www.floridacitizen.org
www.icivics.org
http://www.mrfurgione.com/
Dr. Spencer Kagan
www.kidsdiscover.com
www.flrea.org