Grade 6 - 8 Social Studies and Religion

I am thrilled to be your child’s Social Studies and Religion teacher this school year. I’m honored to be part of this exciting stage in your child’s educational journey—one where they begin to think more critically, ask deeper questions, and form a stronger understanding of the world around them. I'm looking forward to a year of thoughtful discussion, meaningful reflection, and lots of learning! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or want to connect.

Kelly Vasilakos
Aspasia Vasilakos

kvasilakos@my.bdms.org

"The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future."
                                                                                                                                        - Theodore Roosevelt

About the Teacher:

My name is Aspasia Vasilakos, and this is my thirteenth year teaching at Bishop Dunn Memorial School.  I earned my M.S. in Education from Mount Saint Mary College in 2008.   I am happily married and have two daughters who both have careers in Physical Therapy.  I also have two grandchildren who are 4 and 2 years old.  My great passion is teaching and focusing on educating the whole child.  I know that no single approach is right for every student so in my classroom I incorporate a love of learning with an enthusiastic and energetic approach that always includes my sense of humor.   With these elements in place, I can create a safe and loving environment where students are comfortable and ready to learn.

Teaching Philosophy:
Middle school is a transformative time—academically, socially, and spiritually. As a Social Studies and Religion teacher, my philosophy is rooted in guiding students through this crucial stage with curiosity, compassion, and character.  If I were to sum up my philosophy in a few phrases, I would say that knowledge is power, and honesty is the best policy.

 

Resources

Sixth Grade: Welcome to World History!  This year, students will trace history from the first humans to many ancient civilizations and empires (Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, India, Rome, Greece).  The curriculum is based on the geography and history of the Eastern Hemisphere, including the development of cultures, civilizations, and empires.  Throughout this course we will be making connections across time, analyzing historical documents, becoming critical thinkers and much more.

Seventh Grade:  Welcome to American History!  This year students will trace history from the founding of North America to the Civil War.  Grade 7 Social Studies is arranged chronologically and incorporates geography as well as economic, social, and political trends.  Throughout this course we will be making connections across time, analyzing historical documents, becoming critical thinkers, and much more.

Eighth Grade:   Welcome to the second half of your two year study of American History!  We will continue on from where you left off last year--at the end of the Civil War.  Other topics we will study include Westward Migration, Immigration, Imperialism, World War 1, The Roaring Twenties, The Great Depression, World War II, and the Cold War.  We will also include current events and major events in recent history.  Throughout this course we will be making connections across time, analyzing historical documents, becoming critical thinkers, and much more.

The Sixth Grade religion curriculum follows the Archdiocesan guidelines and the Old Testament.
Theme:
God's saving actions are found throughout history. The Bible, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, records God's plan of salvation.  To understand the Old Testament as the revelation of God in the history of a people, a revelation fulfilled in the New Testament.
Core Content:
I. Sacred Scripture is also called the Bible and is the inspired Word of God
II. Study of the Old Testament
III. The Church is a sign of God's presence in the world today through the saving actions of Jesus.

Seventh and Eighth Grade:
At the heart of the Christ Our Life program is a harmonious integration of Scripture, Tradition, and action.  Scripture is centered between the four fundamental themes of the Catechism of the Catholic Church:  Creed, Sacraments, Morality, and Prayer.  We will focus on Jesus the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

 

Some Websites we will be using include:

IXL.com/Social Studies
Discovery Education.com
History.com
PBS.org

 

 

 

 

 

Purpose of Homework:
Homework is an opportunity to reinforce the concepts we’ve discussed in class, to practice skills, and to prepare for upcoming lessons. It’s also a chance for students to demonstrate responsibility, time management, and self-discipline.

Quality Over Quantity: I expect students to complete their homework to the best of their ability, focusing on thoroughness and thoughtful responses. It’s more important to engage deeply with the material than to rush through it.

Late Work:
*Homework that is turned in late will lose points unless there is an excused absence or a prior arrangement with me.
*If there’s a valid reason why a student cannot meet a deadline (e.g., illness, family emergency), please reach out to me as soon as possible.

Supply List:
6th Grade:

  1. 2 Red Spiral Notebooks

  2. 1 Red Folder

  3. Glue Sticks

  4. Coloring Utensils

  5. (Shell Education) 180 Days of Geography for 6th Graders: Level 6 (Workbook)

    1. Link to workbook- https://www.christianbook.com/180-days-geography-for-sixth-grade/9781425833077/pd/833083?en=google&event=SHOP&kw=homeschool-0-20%7C833083&p=1179710&utm_source=google&dv=c&cb_src=google&cb_typ=shopping&cb_cmp=20704598123&cb_adg=155759878238&cb_kyw=&utm_medium=shopping&snav=GMERCH&gclid=CjwKCAjw5Ky1BhAgEiwA5jGujlpmQQWEiNe7-TjeTwHqmgunfhbEYgxKtNrvSddvtSdvbWmlAUaAHxoCX2QQAvD_BwE

7th Grade:

  1. 2 Red Spiral notebooks

  2. 1 Red Folder 

  3. Glue Sticks

  4. Coloring Utensils

  5. Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson (book)

    1. Link to book- https://www.amazon.com/Chains-America-Trilogy-Laurie-Anderson/dp/1416905863/ref=asc_df_1416905863/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=692875362841&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9182243505252430236&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004857&hvtargid=pla-2281435178338&psc=1&mcid=91b70c4957cf396f80278f1c84358b88&hvocijid=9182243505252430236-1416905863-&hvexpln=73&gad_source=1

8th Grade: 

  1. 2 Red Spiral Notebooks

  2. 1 Red Folder

  3. Glue Sticks

  4. Coloring Utensils

  5. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (book)

    1. Link to book- https://www.amazon.com/Book-Thief-Markus-Zusak/dp/0375842209