Don Juan Avila Middle School

Departments

Please see the attached link for all grade level English, Social Science, and Math placement guidelines for all district middle schools.

Math Course Placement Criteria

Accelerated Placement Criteria

History/Social Science

WELCOME TO DJAMS HISTORY/SOCIAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

WELCOME TO DJAMS HISTORY/SOCIAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

At DJAMS the History Social Science Department works to design, implement, and maintain a coherent curriculum that focuses on inquiry-based critical thinking skills, improving reading comprehension and expository writing ability, and promotes an engaged and knowledgeable citizenry. History, Geography, and Governmnet, and the social sciences are integral to our mission of preparing our students for the rigors of highschool, college and careers, and civic life in a culturally diverse world. These disciplines develop our students’ understanding of the physical world, encourage their participation in our democratic system of government, teach students about our past and improve their ability to make reasoned decisions based upon evidence.

HISTORY/SOCIAL SCIENCE TEACHERS

Mr. Matt Arambula	Social Science 7, Social Sci 7 Accelerated
Mr. Tom Haldeman	Social Science 6
Ms. Weston Kilbride	Social Science 6, Social Sci 6 Accelerated
Mr. Peter Neeve	Social Science 7, Social Sci 7 Accelerated
Mrs. Gina Poteet	Social Science 8
Mr. Mark Quest	Social Science 8, Social Sci 8 Accelerated
Mr. Daniel Robertson	Social Science 6, Social Sci 6 Accelerated
Ms. Rebekah Rylant	Social Science 8

6th Grade HSS

This course emphasizes ancient civilizations and culture from early man to Ancient Rome. Literature, research skills, Geography and writing are taught with historical themes. Students use a broad range of reading, writing, critical thinking, technological and research skills in their social studies.

7th Grade HSS

This course of study covers world history from 500 A.D. to 1789. It begins with the fall of Ancient Rome and then covers the growth of Islam, African states in the middle ages and early modern period, civilizations of the Americas, medieval China, Japan and Europe during the Renaissance, Reformation, and Scientific Revolution. It culminates with the Age of Exploration and the Enlightenment. Students use a broad range of reading, writing, critical thinking, technological and research skills in their studies of the social sciences.

8th grade HSS

This course will cover the history of the United States from its colonial origins through the 19th century. Students will review our nation's fight for independence. then explore our growing country's achievements and issues as it expands beyond the Appalachians, the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains. Students will learn the causes and long-lasting effects of the Civil War, and the changes in society that preceded and followed. Other social sciences (geography, economics, political science and sociology) will be woven throughout the study of history. The middle school social science curriculum is designed to support language arts learning, as well.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

The Board of Trustees desires to provide a safe school environment that allows all students equal access and opportunities in the district’s academic and other educational support programs, services, and activities. The Board prohibits, at any District school or school activity, unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying of any student based on the student’s actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

MIDDLE SCHOOL COURSE PLACEMENT CRITERIA