Welcome to McNabb! I am excited to begin our year together. This will be my seventh year teaching, and first year at McNabb. I have taught two years of ELA (7th grade) and four years of Social Studies (7th grade) prior to this school year. In my free time, I enjoy reading, building LEGOS, chasing my nine month old son, binge watching Netflix shows, and spending time with my family and friends.

Course Description: 

Welcome to 6th grade Social Studies! My name is Mrs. Murphy, and this will be my seventh year teaching! Our focus this school year will be to grow as responsible citizens while exploring the development of ancient civilizations. In addition to this core focus, we will develop our skills as critical thinkers, readers, and writers. 

Course Expectations: 

Students are expected to abide by all school rules as well as Mrs. Murphy’s classroom guidelines. Mrs. Murphy’s guidelines are listed below: 

1. Be respectful

2. Be prepared

3. Be responsible

4. Try your best

If a student violates these rules, he or she will face the following consequences: warning (1st offense), loss of McNabb money (on Kickboard), lunch detention, phone call home, parent teacher conference, ASP, office referral. 

Both Mrs. Murphy and students share in the responsibility to create a respected, productive work environment. If you misbehave, there will be consequences!

Units

Unit 1: The Early Humans

Unit 2: Mesopotamia

Unit 3: Ancient Egypt

Unit 4: Ancient India

Unit 5: Ancient China

Unit 6: Ancient Greece

Unit 7: Ancient Rome

Grading Plan:

Grades will be assigned according to the following breakdown:

Formative Assessments---50%

Summative Assessments---50%

Students will complete a variety of, writings, assessments, projects, discussions, and activities. If you have any questions about your child’s grade, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Murphy. To keep up-to-date with grades, you may log on to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. 

Class Materials:

• Binder (1.5 inch)—(provided)

• Tab Dividers (provided)

• Pencils

Homework 

I will always give students ample time to complete assignments. If a situation arises in which your child cannot complete his or her homework on the assigned date, please contact me. Having said this, I do expect homework to be completed on the assigned date unless I have been previously contacted!  

Absences

If your child is absent, it is HIS OR HER RESPONSIBILITY TO GET ANY MAKE-UP WORK! With over 120 students, it is impossible for me to make sure that each student gets work that he or she missed while being absent. Each day, I will update folders in the back of my classroom with assignments that we completed in class. Students can access these folders before or after class to get their missing work. If your child has questions about work that he or she missed, he or she is free to ask either a classmate or me. 

Missing Work

Students will not be permitted to make-up missing bell work assignments (unless they are absent), nor will they be given extra copies (this will take place while attending school in person). Any other missing work needs to be turned in within one week of its due date. If there are extenuating circumstances, please let Mrs. Murphy know ASAP. 

Unit Summative Assessments/Retests

Unit tests will be given at the end of each unit of study (approximately 2 per nine weeks. Students will also complete a written component at or near the end of each unit. These may include DBQs (Document-based Questions), Essays, or other written assessments. These will be graded with the same weight as unit tests.

Students have 1 week to complete the reteaching packet. Retests must be completed within 2 weeks after a test is given.  The student is responsible for asking for the packet and retesting. 

Contact Information

You may email me at amber.murphy@montgomery.kyschools.us. This is the best way to meet with me since I check my email frequently. You may also call me at the school (859-497-8700). We will also have a class Remind app. You may text the following codes: 

Text @murphyss22 to 81010.

After signing up for Remind, you will be given a number to directly text me any questions you or your student may have. Students may also sign up for Remind with parent permission.  

Remember I am here to make sure that your child has a successful year. If you have any questions or concerns about the requirements, policies, or how your student is doing in class please contact me at any time. Please sign below and return.