Welcome to Rufus McGaugh's Home Page!

SOCIAL STUDIES WITH RUFUS

TRAVEL THE WORLD TO SEE

• Russia and Eastern Europe

• Africa

• Middle East

• Orient

 

CLASS TOPICS Current Events Geography Map Skills Cultures Economics Political science History

CLASS REPORTS Africa I Africa II Asia I Asia II

SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO DO WELL AND EARN A HIGH GRADE:

• Take good notes

• Listen well during lectures and slide presentations

• Review notes each night

• Complete all Reading Sheets in class or at home

• Study each Thursday evening for the Friday Map Quiz and the Current Events/Unit Test

• Complete and do a good job on reports and turn in on time

Contact me at: donald.mcgaugh@gpschools.org

            WELCOME TO 7^TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES WITH RUFUS

This year of social studies should be an exciting year for your youngster. This year we will study Russia and Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia (the Middle East and the Orient).

Throughout the years most students have found this class to be an interesting and fun class whereby they learn a lot, yet the work load is not that difficult.

Due to the fact that I have traveled extensively your child will be able to view the world—including some of the most exotic and inaccessible countries and regions of the world—from their classroom seat.

Perhaps the high point for any kid in my class is—there is no book!

We will learn about the world including current events with slides, lectures, notes, and Reading Sheets. Reading Sheets are articles from newspapers, journals, and magazines with the most updated information and news available. If needed, Reading Sheets may be signed out.

Parent-Teacher Communication

Please be checking Pinnacle where grades are posted, usually within 24 hours of a test or quiz.

Any questions, concerns, or comments for me can be emailed to:

donald.mcgaugh@gpschools.org  This is probably the best, easiest, and fastest way to reach me and for me to address any problem or concern you have quickly.

You may also call me at 432-3982 which is my voice mail.

My website is: http://staff.gpschools.org/mcgaugd  

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR CLASS

• Notebook or folder for taking notes and for keeping notes and  handouts
• Writing utensils
• Assignment book

*It is very important for students to come to class prepared especially since we are not using the traditional book. Students who do not bring their master map or notes will receive a U or 0 for the day.

CLASS SCHEDULE AND REQUIREMENTS

 For most of the year there will be a map quiz and a test on current events and whatever unit we have studied that week on Friday.

Map Quizzes are Pass/Fail. If a student somehow fails a map quiz, it is a requirement to come in a few minutes early before the next school day to take the quiz until they pass it. The U is replaced by an A. It’s a great deal!

FAILURE TO COMPLETE ANY OF THE FINAL MAP QUIZZES WILL RESULT IN A U OR 0 FOR THAT PARTICULAR QUARTER. THE FINAL MAP QUIZZES ARE NOT OPTIONAL NO MATTER HOW HIGH OR HOW LOW A STUDENT’S GRADE IS.

There are no retakes on tests. Students are given ample time and plenty of help and instruction prior to each test.

Both tests and reports drop one full grade for each day they are late.

WHEN ABSENT

When absent a student should get appropriate notes or work from a classmate, buddy or pal.

When the student does return to school they should immediately see the teacher for any work, notes, or materials that were taught while they were absent.

 The student should make up the work by the next scheduled class meeting.

If a student is absent the day of the test they should take the test the next school day and arrive 45 minutes before school begins. If a student misses more than one day of class, the student may take tests per Brownell policy

Note: If a student knows that he or she will be absent from class ahead of time (due to special programs, field trips, etc) the student is responsible for getting assignments ahead of time.

HOMEWORK TIPS AND HOW TO DO WELL IN THIS CLASS

• One should stay attentive during lecture and slide presentations
• One should complete any Reading Sheets that are read in class that day. If the student does not finish, then he or she should sign them out and return them to the tray on my desk where all work and assignments are placed before the start of school the next day.
• One should study for the Test approximately:

 5 or 10 minutes Monday night

 10 or 15 minutes Tuesday night

10 or 15 minutes Wednesday night

20 minutes to an hour Thursday night

• Turn in all Reports on time

REPORTS

There are 4 reports to be completed by students this year. They are Africa Report I, Africa Report II, Asia Report I, and Asia Report II.

I hand out an instruction form and talk about how to do the reports and to do well with a good grade. The Reports involve more research, reading, and thinking, than writing. (Each category of the Reports is answered in one single sentence!) The work comes in doing the analytical thinking that will be needed to write a one sentence answer to a broad and in-depth subject.

Reports drop one full grade for each day they are late.

FAILURE TO COMPLETE ANY OF THE REPORTS WILL RESULT IN A U OR 0 FOR THAT PARTICULAR QUARTER. THE REPORTS ARE NOT OPTIONAL NO MATTER HOW HIGH OR HOW LOW A STUDENT’S GRADE IS.

As a reward system for hardworking students and gifted students there is a bonus program. Each test, each week has a number of bonus questions based on higher order thinking questions from lecture or reading. Students receive one bonus point for each bonus question answered correctly. (Most bonus questions are more difficult than the test questions themselves.) 100 bonus points allows a student to opt out of doing a Report and receive an A+ as a grade for it.

Bonus points can be earned on any given test by first earning a B- or higher. There is a reason for this.  A student is expected to learn the core curriculum before moving on and earning bonus points in a variety of esoteric areas of study. (The best analogy I can make is that bonus is like overtime pay. You have to earn your 40 hours before overtime pay.) The bonus points can then be used in two ways.

100 bonus points can be used to opt out of any Report.

25 bonus points can move a report card grade up by one value (e.g. B- to a B).

So students are often thinking about how they want to use their bonus points. Of course many hardworking students (especially those using their listening skills in class) can do both!

They can opt out of Reports and see their report card grade go up!

INFORMATION SHEET

Student Information

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START (Advisory): _________________________

Counselor: _________________________________

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Parent/Guardian Contact Information

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Comments (Optional): _________________________

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