Welcome to Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School
  • Home
  • Library
    • BRAMS Summer Reading
    • Barnes & Noble Reading Challenge
    • NHPS Summer Reading
  • Video
  • BRAMS PTSO Home Page
    • PTSO Upcoming Meetings
    • BRAMS PTSO Spirit Wear Fundraiser
    • PTSO Job Description
    • PTSO Treasurers' Reports
  • Meet Our Staff
  • PBIS
  • Information
    • Forms
    • Supplies Lists
    • 8th Grade Information
  • Contact Us
    • Leave Us a Comment
  • Mandated Reporter Training
  • EOY_Activities

Miss Cipriano
7th Grade Geography & World Cultures

"Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit."
- Jawaharlal Nehru

I am so happy to be a BRAMS Social Studies teacher!  I am a true believer that with hard work, determination, and support every single student can learn.  In my classroom, while developing and improving your Social Studies skills, you will also be improving and developing habits and characteristics needed to be a productive member of society.  I not only teach RISE (respect, integrity, safety, and excellence), but I model and live it. I am here to help guide you on your road to success, will lead by example, and will never stop pushing you or believing in you.

E-mail me here.
MISSION STATEMENT
created by the 2013 class
(adapted from the Planet Fitness Mission Statement)

We in Miss Cipriano's class are here to provide an educational and growing environment in which everyone, and we mean everyone, can become comfortable- a diverse judgement free class where a positive attitude can be built. Our class is a team, not just a group of separate individuals, but a team in which everyone is an equal member. In the end, it's all about us.  As we evolve and educate ourselves, we will seek to perfect a safe learning environment where everyone feels accepted and respected.  We are not here to give each other the answers, only to guide each other towards a way to find them.  We need each other, because face it, our class wouldn't be the same without each and every one of us... we belong!
  





7-12 CT CURRICULUM UPDATE
The NHPS History & Social Studies curriculum is in the process of being revised to reflect C3 Framework, CT SS Framework, and Core Standards of Literacy.  Middle school curriculum facilitators are presently modifying and developing new performance tasks to reflect these frameworks.These higher standards encourage and support the development of an active, informed and responsible local, national, and global citizenry.  Students will improve their historical thinking by improving their inquiry skills through focusing on analysis of sources and historical interpretation.  Our study of social studies will touch upon government and citizenship, economics, geography, and culture.   The knowledge and skills developed will help guide our students through decision-making processes that they will encounter in our continually challenging and changing world, as well as help students develop an understanding and appreciation of  diversity.




ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:  
What is culture?  
How do geography and climate influence culture?  




Quarter 1

EXPECTED PERFORMANCES 
Geography 

  • identify, locate, and label the world's continents and oceans
  • identify the Cardinal and Ordinal directions & and label the compass rose with each
  • identify, locate, and label the world's major parallels, meridians, poles, and hemispheres
  • apply basic map/atlas skills (such as calculating and locating latitudes and longitudes, identifying and locating landforms and bodies of water, navigating direction, etc.)
  • defining and applying/using geography vocabulary in cooperative activities and discussions


Latin America

  • locate major countries within the region of Latin America & the Caribbean
  • locate major landforms and bodies of water of the region
  • identify, describe, compare, and discuss characteristics and cultures of the ancient Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations, including religion, art, way of life, and government
  • defining and applying/using content vocabulary in cooperative activities and discussions
  • identify, describe, and discuss aspects of Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Mexican history and connect them to their present day political and social conditions
  • discuss all of the cultures above in a Socratic Seminar
  • create an argument  brochure re:  Amazon Rainforest





IMPORTANT ASSESSMENTS
(*dates are subject to change)



Wednesday, September 24th:  Geography Post-test 
                                             (completed with 79% Proficient with 56% at Goal)

Wednesday, October 22nd:  Latin America Post-test 

                                             (completed with 82% Proficient with 64@ at Goal)

Friday, October 25th: District SS Quarterly Assessment - content vocabulary multiple choice & DBQs (document based questions)
  
                    (completed with 98% Proficient and Above in Content Vocabulary)

October 27th-31st: Argument Essay

Week of November 3rd-7th:  District SS Performance Task- Create an Amazon Rainforest Brochure  (facts, benefits, problems, & solutions)






IF YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER TELLS YOU THAT THEY HAVE NO HOMEWORK THEY CAN...


1)  Reread the content/pages from their  present lesson/textbook/article/notes and record any of the following: 
~  Cornell Notes
~  3-2-1 Thinking Map 

~  Vocabulary Map
~  Non-Fiction Square Activity
~  SS Learning Log
Cornell Notes
3-2-1 Thinking Map
Nonfiction Square
Learning Log
Vocabulary Map


2)  Further explore unit/chapter/section concepts on the Internet, in newspapers, magazines, etc. and complete any of the activities listed above

3) Quiz themselves on unit concepts/vocabulary/Cornell Notes

4) Watch the news (world/national/state/local) and complete any of the activities listed in number 1.





IF YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER TELLS YOU THAT THEY DID THEIR HOMEWORK YOU CAN...

1)  Ask them to show you it/review spelling/grammar/usage

2)  Have them read the section/chapter/article aloud to you

3) Quiz them

4) Have a conversation with them about the material



For more information about the class and grading policies, 
click on this link!

ART-A-DEMICS