Social Studies - Downs

Mr. Downs is an Athletic Director and High School Social Studies Teacher at the River Ridge school district in Hanover IL. Please contact me at ddowns@riverridge210.org or call 815-858-9005.

Mr. Downs upcoming reminders for the school year.

  • World Geography- Beginning for the First semester, we will be covering the American mainland countries in North, Central and Southern America. We will also learn about Australia and New Zealand. Our 1st 9 weeks projects will consist of American countries while the second quarter project will be on European countries. Finals will be in January. The second semester we cover Europe and Asia. Our third quarter project consists of countries in Asia and the fourth quarter project consists of the countries in Africa. Finals will be at the end of the semester.

  • Western Civilization - Beginning the First semester, we will be studying the development of man and civilization. Our first nine weeks project will consist of researching and making a model of the different landmarks in the world. We will have a major quarter project each quarter. Finals will be in January. Third quarter we concentrate on the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The Last Quarter we study the Reformation period of time the the French Revolution. Finals will be at the end of the semester.

  • Sociology -Beginning the first semester, we will be covering chapters 1-6. The 1st 9 weeks project will consist of the different types of prejudice in the world. We will presenting them in October. The second quarter project deals with court cases that have determined major sociological issues in the United States. This project will be presented in December or January. The Final will be cumulative in January over the first and second semester. The second semester we typically cover chapters 7-12. We have a major project each quarter in the semester. Finals will be at the end of the semester.

  • Current Events - In the first semester we will be discussing the consequences of the presidential reform and other issues occurring here in the United States and around the world. We will be doing our current events quarter projects over a major issues in the world today These will be due in October and December. Map Quizzes will also occur at least 2 times in the first semester starting with the 50 states. Finals will be in January. The second semester is similar to the first. We have a major project each quarter. Finals will be at the end of the semester.

Grading

  • Tests and Quizzes - 50%

  • Projects - 25%

  • Homework - 25%

  • First/Third 9 weeks grade - 45%

  • Second/Fourth 9 weeks grade - 45%

  • Final - 10%

Finals are at the end of the semester.