Mr. Jamgochian\’s Humanities 7 Blog

Humanities

Humanities is the study of human society and the physical environment in which we live. This involves the systematic and critical study of the changing physical and social environments, human experiences and behavior and historical periods that have shaped the present. A main focus is the development of the students’ awareness of the environment, their appreciation of differences, and ability to show empathy for living conditions in other parts of the world as well as in the past. Emphasis is placed on data handling, research skills, the use of information technology and the critical and effective use of sources.
Grade 7
In grade 7, the course is divided into two distinct disciplines, Geography and History, which will be taught through the year.

The Course Outline

Trimester 1
Students in Grade 7 begin their coursework with geography and a study of global development. Case studies from a number of world regions will help them understand issues of development which they will analyze using a variety of indicators. Besides ‘measuring’ development, students will investigate the causes of poverty in less economically developed countries and explore strategies for overcoming poverty. The geographical skills introduced n the 6th grade will be reinforced. Students will practice how to analyse data, draw graphs, maps and draw conclusions from information.

Trimester 2
The unit develops the students’ understanding of the development of Western civilization that marked the transition from medieval to modern times. 7th graders will study of the voyages of exploration and the spread of new ideas in the Renaissance as well as the causes and impact of the Reformation. Approaches to learning will highlight map work, note taking, general research skills and the development of essay writing.

Trimester 3
Students explore the European Union and the environmental, social, economic and political structures which make the region where they live unique. The students’ approaches to learning will combine research and note taking with map reading and essay writing. The depth study focuses on the Netherlands – the destination of our field trip in May which will help students to relate the issues and topics studied to the real world.

Assessment
7th grade students will complete three summative assignments per term and the bulk of their grade will be based upon these assignments. The first assignment will be a case study on a developing country; the second a persuasive essay on Cortes’ conquest of Mexico; and the third a persuasive essay on an aspect of life in the Netherlands.

These will be graded using the MYP criteria designed for the task. These will be given to students as they begin the task so that they can check their own work.
The assessment criteria will check your child’s:
• Knowledge and understanding. /7
Grasp of the factual detail and understanding of the key facts studied.
• Application of the concepts /7 Main ideas introduced through the course
• Application of the skills /7
Skills introduced in the class such as map work or graph sills
• Presentation and organisation /7
Their work should show they can organize their ideas in a coherent way.

Along with the summative assessment items regular quizzes and tests and smaller research tasks or written responses may be set through the course to check the acquisition of knowledge and skills.

Homework
Students will complete on average one hour of homework per week which is usually set and collected on a set day. A student who is unable to meet the deadline will receive a 0 for the assignment.

Equipment required for humanities include;
Pen Colored pencils
Pencil Section in binder marked humanities
30 cm ruler Lined paper / Heft / exercise book

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact
Mr. Jamgochian (Nevdon_Jamgochian@fis.edu)