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Welcome to Social Studies 7! 

Our course content begins with the study of the original inhabitants of the Americas, followed by the Age of Exploration and the "discovery" of our continent by European explorers.  The origins of our nation and government will be deeply explored.  The course ends with the conclusion of the Civil War.  (Current events will be covered throughout the year.)

  Students will be encouraged and guided to develop their skills in analyzing history, government, economics, civics/citizenship, and current events.

Welcome to Social Studies 7

This is the first year of a two-part sequence in US history.  Our course content begins with the study of the original inhabitants of the Americas, followed by the Age of Exploration and its impact on the native people.  Next, the origins of our nation and government will be deeply explored.  Finally, the course ends with the causes and effects of the American Civil War.

  Students will be guided and encouraged to develop their skills in analyzing history, government, economics, civics/citizenship, and current events throughout the year.

 I am available to work with students who need extra help during their lunch period with a pass.

 I look forward to working with you all to make this year a success, and to foster an appreciation for our great nation and its history.  If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me during schools hours via either:

phone: (845) 855 - 4653
email: schoenbergs@pcsdny.org 

 

Informative links for middle school parents:

http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/05/health/parents-reading-to-kids-study/index.html 
http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/27/health/middle-school-stress-mothers-research/index.html


And for when your children complain too much:  
http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/26/asia/china-terrifying-school-run-ladder/index.html 

The American's Creed

The American's Creed: "I believe in the United States of America as a Government of the people by the people, for the people, whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a Republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect Union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.

I therefore believe it is my duty to my Country to love it; to support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies."

Historical Notes: The American's Creed was a result of a nationwide contest for writing a National Creed, which would be a brief summary of the American political faith founded upon things fundamental in American history and tradition. The contest was the idea of Henry Sterling Chapin, Commissioner of Education of New York State. Over three thousand entries were received, and William Tyler Page was declared to be the winner. James H. Preston, the mayor of Baltimore, presented an award to Page in the House of Representatives Office Building on April 3, 1918. The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the commissioner of education of the state of New York accepted the Creed for the United States, and the proceedings relating to the award were printed in the Congressional Record of April 13, 1918. It was a time when patriotic sentiments were very much in vogue. The United States had been a participant in World War I only a little over a year at the time the Creed was adopted.

The author of the American's Creed, William Tyler Page, was a descendant of John Page, who had come to America in 1650 and had settled in Williamsburg, Virginia. Another ancestor, Carter Braxton , had signed the Declaration of Independence. Still another ancestor, John Tyler, was the tenth president of the United States. William Tyler Page had come to Washington at the age of thirteen to serve as a Capitol Page. Later he became an employee of the Capitol building and served in that capacity for almost sixty-one years. In 1919 he was elected clerk of the House. Thirteen years later, when the Democrats again became a majority party, they created for Page the office of minority clerk of the House of Representatives. He held this position for the remainder of his life.

Referring to the Creed, Page said: "It is the summary of the fundamental principles of the American political faith as set forth in its greatest documents, its worthiest traditions, and its greatest leaders." His wording of the Creed used passages and phrases from the Declaration of Independence, the Preamble to the Constitution, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, and Daniel Webster's reply to Robert Y. Hayne in the Senate in 1830.

 https://www.chamberofcommerce.org/usflag/american.creed.html

 (Thanks for this, Space Camp!)

Preamble

A MS Word document providing the text and translation for the Preamble to the US Constitution is attached. 

A - preamble.docx 

Textbook companion website

The companion website to our textbook provides summaries that are broken down by chapter and section.  There are also useful interactive tools that students should use to reinforce their knowledge.

http://www.phschool.com/webcodes10/index.cfm?wcprefix=lpk&wcsuffix=3400&area=view

Exam corrections

The attached MS Word documents provides the instructions and the template. 

Exam Correction Policy-SS7.docx  

exam corrections template.docx 

 

Quarterly local history assignments

The attached MS Word document provides information on the assignment.

 local history assignments.docx

 local history assignments en es.docx 

 

The History Channel

This is a great resource

for history enthusiasts!

Our Documents

Want to research some historical documents?

Library of Congress

This is a great resource for research into any form of media that's ever been created in the US.

The Oregon Trail

Read about the experience, then give the classic game a shot!

Christmas Truce of 1914

One of the most intriguing parts of WWI history is detailed here.

http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/revwartimeline.html

Homework Assignments

Assignments are posted on your class's Google Classroom page.

Class Guidelines

The Class Guidelines are attached below.

*This document must be signed and in the very front of your binder at all times. (If you lose yours, print out a new one, get it signed, and file it in your binder!)

 Class Guidelines-7th.docx  

 

Class Guidelines-7th en es.docx 

 

President Reagan references John Winthrop's "City Upon a Hill."