Robert M. Palmiter
Contact Information:
Freeport Area Middle School
629 South Pike Road
Sarver, PA 16229
724-295-9020, ext 2304
Hello! My name is Rob Palmiter, and I will be your child’s Social Studies teacher this year. I’m sending this letter home to introduce myself, to tell you a little bit about my plans for the year, and to offer you the chance to contact me if you have any questions.
I grew up in Niles, Michigan, just north of South Bend, Indiana, and about twenty minutes from Lake Michigan. In 2004, I graduated from the University of Notre Dame with my degree in Political Science, and I then earned my Master’s degree in Secondary Education at Indiana University of South Bend in 2006. For the next two years I taught Middle School Social Studies in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia, followed by six years teaching Middle School Social Studies at Bremen Elementary/Middle School in Bremen, Indiana. My wife is a Freeport graduate, so six years ago we moved to the area and I have been teaching here ever since! Our daughter is starting first grade this year, and I am realizing as I type this that she is half way to being a student in my class – where does the time go!!
One of the things I love about teaching is getting the opportunity to help my students develop their understanding of themselves, our country, and our world. What we see on the news can be confusing. I hope to help my students get a better sense of why things happen the way they do so that they can make good decisions as citizens in a democracy. Another goal of mine is to help my students become effective thinkers, speakers, and writers. I’ll help them dream big for themselves and take responsibility for making those dreams a reality.
If you ever have any questions, concerns, or comments about your child and how they are performing in class, please get in contact with me as soon as possible! The best way to reach me is to send me an email. You can also call me and leave a message with the office at 724-295-9020. I look forward to hearing from you!
Syllabus
7th Grade Social Studies – World Geography
Welcome to Social Studies! Social Studies is all about people – where they live, what they do, and who they are. We'll talk about questions like: What do people around the world have in common? What are the parts of our lives that make us unique? What are some of the challenges that people around the world face, and how do they attempt to overcome them? How do we here in America impact the rest of the world, and how do people around the world make an impact on us?
Our main focus in this class will be on:
- North America (Canada, the United States, and Mexico)
- South America (including Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, and Chile)
- Central America and the Caribbean (including Panama, Cuba, and Haiti)
- The Middle East (including Israel, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran)
- South/Central Asia (including India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan)
- East Asia (including China, Japan, and North and South Korea)
- Africa (including Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa)
We will analyze these regions by studying the history, geography, government, economy, and culture of these places. What does this mean?
| History | What happened in the past, and why does it matter today? |
| Geography | Where do people live, and why? How does their land affect their lives? |
| Government | Who is in charge of a country, how did they get power, and how do they treat the people? |
| Economy | How do people make a living in a country? |
| Culture |
What traditions, objects, and ideas are important to a group of people? |
We will also analyze current events, and discuss how events in America and around the world affect us.
Classroom Expectations
- Be prepared for class – Bring your textbook, paper, and a writing utensil every day. When you come into class, sit in your seat, get out your homework assignment, fill out your planner, and begin your warm-up activity.
- Be courteous and respectful – Treat others the way you deserve to be treated.
- Participate in class – Be ready to share your ideas and be active in class.
- Follow the rules – Be sure to follow school policy and in-class directions.
- Let me help you! – I am here to help you in any way I can, so let me know whenever you have a question or a problem!
Grading / Assessments
Classwork and Homework assignments will be worth 35% of the final grade for the marking period. Quizzes and tests will be worth 65% of the final grade for the marking period. Students will be offered the opportunity to complete test corrections to earn back up to half of the points that they miss on a test.
Make Up Work
If you miss class due to an excused absence, you will have one day to make up missed work for each day you were absent. It is your responsibility to ask me for any work that you missed!
Late Work
Homework should be complete when you come to class the day it is due. Late homework will be worth
half-credit. Late and missing assignments will result in contact with parents/guardians, and further consequences as necessary.
Let’s Have a Great Year!
I hope that we can make the most out of our time together. My goal is to do everything in my power to help you to be the best student and person you can be. If there is anything I can ever do to assist you, don’t be afraid to talk to me before, during, or after class. You can also send me an email.