About the Course
7th Grade Social Studies

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Global Perspectives and Global Understanding

What are we about?

7th Grade Social Studies

Dear Parents:

 

Welcome to the 2003-2004 school year.  This year in Social Studies, the seventh graders will be investigating the geography and cultures of the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, and India. 

 

We will begin the year laying the foundation for our journey by learning scores of geographic terms and the multiple functions of an atlas.  Our study of cultures will begin with the Middle East, its various countries, lifestyles, and beliefs, and the geographic and historical origins of each of the aforementioned cultural attributes.  As with our investigations of Sub-Saharan Africa and India, our study of the Middle East will include current events and their historical contexts. 

 

Our readings will be a compilation of articles and texts, and we will also be using the Goodes World Atlas extensively to facilitate our journey to the limits of the earth.  The students will be asked to use their accumulated factual knowledge to determine cause and effect relationships in history and current events.  Also, they will be challenged gain an understanding of what it means to be part of a community locally, nationally, and globally, while experiencing the diverse cultural practices of the world. 

 

There will be a variety of cultural activities and simulations, as well as examinations, in an attempt to utilize each students learning strength and enhance each students understanding of the world in which they live.  The course also includes several activities and assignments aimed to aid the development of note taking skills, study habits, and test taking strategies.  In order to evaluate the progress of the students, throughout the year, they will be assessed on the following:

 

Homework: 33%

Classwork:  33%

Test and Project Average:  33%

 

I look forward to exploring the world with you and your children.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Jonathan Koshiba

Middle School Social Studies

Email:  jkoshiba@punahou.edu

Philosophy

The mission of seventh grade Social Studies is not merely to inundate students with the facts and details of a culture's history.  Rather it is to provide them with opportunities to investigate and experience the cultures of the Middle East Africa, and India while continuously engaging them in conversations to increase their understanding of the world in which they live.  Throughout our journey around the globe, students will be challanged to develop personal study skills as well as gain an awareness of what it means to be part of communities beyond the boundaries of the school.

Jonathan Koshiba
jkoshiba@punahou.edu