Debra D. Mays

7th Grade Civics and Geography Teacher

Phone Number 1-334- 567-1413

BIO

Hi.  I am Debra Mays.  I attended Alabama State University, and finished with a Masters Degree in Social Studies.   I later attended Troy State University, and finished with a Masters Degree in Agency Counseling.   
I also attended Auburn University at Montgomery, and received a Certification in Reading.  I presently teach Civics and Geography at Wetumpka Middle School.

 

Courses Taught:

Contemporary Civics/Geography - Grade 7

Contemporary Issues - Grade 7 (Elective)

 

Remind Codes
Homeroom/1st Period - 7th Grade- Geography/Civics -   Text @acgd79 to 81010.
 2nd, 5th, 6th Period - 7th Grade- Geography/Civics -       Text @94393kk to 81010.
 3rd Period - 7th Grade- Contemporary Issues (Elective- Text @4cbh28d to 81010.


Debra D. Mays

Lesson Plan - NAME:  Debra Mays  GRADE/SUBJECT:   7th Grade/Civics      WEEK OF:: November 17th-November 21st  2025            :  

 

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Standards/Skills

Standard 9- Apply principles of money management to the preparation of a personal budget that addresses housing, transportation, food, clothing, medical expenses, insurance, checking and saving accounts, loans, investments, credit, and comparison shopping.

Standard 9- Apply principles of money management to the preparation of a personal budget that addresses housing, transportation, food, clothing, medical expenses, insurance, checking and saving accounts, loans, investments, credit, and comparison shopping

Standard 9- Apply principles of money management to the preparation of a personal budget that addresses housing, transportation, food, clothing, medical expenses, insurance, checking and saving accounts, loans, investments, credit, and comparison shopping

Standard 9- Apply principles of money management to the preparation of a personal budget that addresses housing, transportation, food, clothing, medical expenses, insurance, checking and saving accounts, loans, investments, credit, and comparison shopping.

Standard 9- Apply principles of money management to the preparation of a personal budget that addresses housing, transportation, food, clothing, medical expenses, insurance, checking and saving accounts, loans, investments, credit, and comparison shopping.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

Learning Targets

“I can …”

Essential Question- What are the three functions of money?

Learning Targets For Students: (1) Money- medium of exchange. (2) Money- store of value. and (3) Money- measure of value.

I can (as a teacher) help the students gain knowledge on trading money for goods and services.

Essential Question- Why does money have value?

Learning Targets For Students: (1) Value (2) Alternative Use. and (3) The Financial System.

I can (as a teacher) help the students gain knowledge on the value of money

Essential Question- What are the different types of Financial Institutions?

Learning Targets For Students: (1) Commercial Banks (2) Savings and Loan Associations. and (3) Credit Unions

I can (as a teacher) help the students gain knowledge on keeping our financial system safe.

Essential Question- What are financial institutions?

Learning Targets For Students: (1) Regulatory Agencies. (2) Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. and (3) The Banking System

I can (as a teacher) help the students gain knowledge on the safest financial systems in the world. 

Essential Question- What is a Time Zone Map?

Learning Targets For Students: (1) Why Learn This Skill? (2) Learning the Skill. and (3) Practicing the Skill

I can (as a teacher) help the students gain knowledge on the 24 different time zones.

Instructional Strategies/

Activities

(Before, During, & After)

Objective- Three Functions of Money.

Bell-Ringer- How does money make our lives easier?

Before- Read/Write Notes

During- Main Idea

Key Terms

Organize Information Activity

Read to Learn Questions

Strategy- Write 3 Predictions.

After- Closure Question

Whole Group

Formative

Summative

Objective- Why Money has Value?

Bell-Ringer- Why do we value and accept money?

Before- Quick Write

During- Inferences

Questions

Sum-It-Up

Reading Check

Graphic Organizer

Strategy- ABC Brainstorm

After- Create a word wall on the financial system.

Individual Work 

Formative

Summative

Objective- Features ofU.S. Currency.

Bell-Ringer- What does it mean to say money serves as a “medium of exchange”?

Before- Read/Write/Discuss

During- Create Chart with Illustrations

Completions

Multiple Choice

Strategy- Save the Last Word For Me

After- Making Generalizations

Whole Group

Formative

Summative

Objective- Keeping our financial system safe.

Bell-Ringer- Why is banking one of the most regulated industries in the country?

Before- Quick Write

During- Write Notes

Create a chart

Analyze Visual

Main Idea Questions

Strategy- 3-2-1

After- Define Words

Individual Work

Formative

Summative

Objective- Reading a Time Zone Map

Bell-Ringer- What makes time zones different?

Before- Read

During- Discuss

Explain the purpose of Why Learn this Skill?.

Write notes on Learning the Skill.

Answer questions on Practicing the Skill.

Draw a chart on Time Zones.

Strategy- Turn and Talk

After- Applying the Skill Activity.

Small Group

Formative

Summative

IXL Skills 

Social Studies

Social Studies

Social Studies

Social Studies

Social Studies

Resources

(for Parent Transparency)

civ.glencoe.com

civ.glencoe.com

civ.glencoe.com

civ.glencoe.com

civ.glencoe.com

Student Grouping: X Whole Group  X Small Group X  Individual Work 

Assessments:x  Formative X Summative

ACCOMMODATIONS:     Retake Tests,     Preferential Seating,   X   Shorter Assignments,   X  Additional Time,      EL Strategies,       Language Modifications, 

          Compacting the Subject (gifted),       Less Repetition (gifted),       Alternative Assessment,       Other:                                                                       X

 

Lesson Plan -NAME:  Debra Mays GRADE/SUBJECT:  7th Grade/Contemporary Issues-Elective    WEEK OF: November 17th-November 21st  2025                         

 

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Standards/Skills

Skill- Reading Comprehension

Skill-Reading Comprehension

Skill-Reading Comprehension

Skill-Reading Comprehension

Skill- Reading Comprehension

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

Learning Targets

“I can …”

Essential Question-What are the benefits of volcanoes?

Learning Targets For Students: (1) Layers of Rock. (2) Mount Vesuvius and (3) Volcanic Eruptions

I can (as a teacher) help the students gain knowledge on volcanoes that have helped to form our world.  

Essential Question- What Makes Day and Night?

Learning Targets For Students: (1) Light From the Sun (2) Earth turning on its Axis and (3) Day and Night

I can (as a teacher) help the students gain knowledge on the part of the Earth that is turned toward the Sun is lighted and the part turned away from the Sun is in shadow.

Essential Question- What are time zones?

Learning Targets For Students: (1) The Sun (2) The Earth and (3) Several time zones

I can (as a teacher) help the students gain knowledge on time zones being similar to a north-to-south slice of Earth.

Essential Question- What makes winter and summer?

Learning Targets For Students: (1) Earth Movements (2) The Hemisphere and (3) The Sun’s axis

I can (as a teacher) help the students gain knowledge on Earth moving to a new spot in its orbit. 

Essential Question- 

What are shadows and time?

Learning Targets For Students: (1) Sunlight (2) Ancient Times and (3) A sundial

I can (as a teacher) help the students gain knowledge on ways the length and position of the shadow change as the Sun appears to move across the sky.

Instructional Strategies/

Activities

(Before, During, & After)

Objective- The Benefits of volcanoes

Bell-Ringer- What takes place during volcanic eruptions?

Before- Quick Write

During- Discuss/Notes

Sum-It-Up

Questions

Fact versus Opinions

Strategy- ABC Brainstorm

After- Write 3 reactions

Whole Group

Formative

Summative

Objective- What Makes Day and Night?

Bell-Ringer- What process causes day and night?

Before- Quick Write

 During-Graphic Organizer

Main Idea Questions

Find the Words

Strategy- 3-2-1

After- Write  3 conclusive statements.

Individual Work

Formative

Summative

Objective- Time Zones

Bell-Ringer- What makes time zones different around the world?

Before- Read/Write/Discuss

During- Venn Diagram illustrating the different time zones

Questions

True/False

Strategy- Save the Last Word for Me

After- Visual with Illustrations

Whole Group

Formative

Summative

Objective- Winter and Summer

Bell-Ringer- How does Earth move around the sun?

Before- Quick Write/Discussions

During- Write a response to Essay Question

Write a poem on Winter and Summer

Strategy- Write 3 predictions

After- Complete a drawing with illustrations.

Individual Work

Formative

Summative

Objective- Shadows and Time

Bell-Ringer- What takes place when sunlight falls on an object?

Before- Read/Write Notes

During- Completions

Inferences

Matching

Strategy- Turn and Talk

After- Write 3 examples of Shadows and Time.

Small Group

Formative

Summative

IXL Skills 

Social Studies

Social Studies

Social Studies

Social Studies

Social Studies

Resources

(for Parent Transparency)

www.pearsonlearning.com

Quick Reads-A Research-Based Fluency Program- Elfrieda H. Hiebert Ph.D.

 

www..pearsonlearning.com

Quick Reads-A Research-Based Fluency Program-Elfrieda H. Hiebert, Ph.D.

www.pearsonlearning.com

Quick Reads-A Research-Based Fluency Program-Elfrieda H. Hiebert Ph.D.

www.pearsonlearning.com

Quick Reads-A Research-Based Fluency Program-Elfrieda H. Heart Ph.D.

www.pearsonlearning.com

Quick Reads-A Research-Based Fluency Program-Elfrieda H. Hiebert Ph.D.

Student Grouping:X  Whole Group  X Small Group X Individual Work 

Assessments: X Formative X Summative

ACCOMMODATIONS:     Retake Tests,     Preferential Seating,   X   Shorter Assignments,  X   Additional Time,      EL Strategies,       Language Modifications, 

          Compacting the Subject (gifted),       Less Repetition (gifted),       Alternative Assessment,       Other:                                                                       X

 

Lesson Plan - NAME: Debra Mays   GRADE/SUBJECT: 7 th Grade/Civics  WEEK OF: November 10th-November 14th 2025                                                

 

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Standards/Skills

Standard 8- Appraise the relationship between the consumer and the marketplace in the economy of the United States regarding scarcity, opportunity cost, trade-off decisions making, and the stock market.

Veterans Day Holiday

Standard 8- Appraise the relationship between the consumer and the marketplace  in the economy of the United States regarding scarcity, opportunity cost, trade-off decision making, and the stock market.

Standard 6- Appraise the relationship between the consumer and the marketplace in the economy of the United States regarding scarcity, opportunity cost, trade-off decision making, and the stock market.

Standard 8- Appraise the relationship between the consumer and the marketplace in the economy of the United States regarding scarcity, opportunity cost, trade-off decision making, and the stock market.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

Learning Targets

“I can …”

Essential Question- What is the consumer sector?

Learning Targets For Students: (1) Factor Markets (2) Consumers and (3) Capital Exchange

I can (as a teacher) help the students gain knowledge on situations that allow buyers and sellers to exchange a certain economic product.

 

Essential Question- What is the business sector?

Learning Targets For Students: (1) Product Markets (2) Business Sector and (3) The Government Sector

I can (as a teacher) help the students gain knowledge on a circular flow of economic activity. 

Essential Question- What is the Foreign Sector?

Learning Targets For Students: (1) Value of goods and services.

(2) Growth in the economy. and (3) Productivity

I can (as a teacher) help the students gain knowledge on goods and services the U.S. purchases from other countries. 

Essential Question- What is specialization?

Learning Targets For Students: (1) Businesses (2) Regions and (3) Countries

I can (as a teacher) help the students gain knowledge on specialization taking place when people, businesses, regions, and even countries concentrate on goods or services that they can produce better than anyone else.

Instructional Strategies/

Activities

(Before, During, & After)

Objective- The Consumer Sector

Bell-Ringer- Who are the consumers?

Before- Read/Write Notes

During- Key Terms

Read to Learn

Reading Check

Evaluate Visual

Strategy- Predictions

After- Main Idea Activity

Whole Group

Formative

Summative

 

Objector- Product Markets

Bell-Ringer- What process is involved in the flow of economic activity?

Before- Read/Write/Discuss

During- Questions

Find the Words

Sum-It-Up

Strategy- ABC Brainstorm

After- Visual with Illustrations

Individual Work

Formative 

Summative

Objective- The Foreign Sector

Bell-Ringer- What is productivity?

Before- Read/Discuss

During- Examples of foreign sectors.

Fact/Opinion

Main Idea

Word Wall

Strategy- 3-2-1

After- Write 3 conclusive statements.

Whole Group

Formative

Summative

Objective- Specialization

Bell-Ringer- What is division of labor?

Before- Read/Discuss

During- Key Terms

Reviewing Main Ideas

Drawing Inferences Organizing Information

Create Chart

Strategy- Turn and Talk

After- Questions

Small Group

Formative

Summative

IXL Skills 

Social Studies

 

Social Studies

Social Studies

Social Studies

Resources

(for Parent Transparency)

civ.glencoe.com

 

civ.glencoe.com

civ.glencoe.com

civ.glencoe.com

Student Grouping: X Whole Group X  Small Group X  Individual Work 

Assessments:X  Formative X Summative

ACCOMMODATIONS:     Retake Tests,     Preferential Seating,   X   Shorter Assignments,  X   Additional Time,      EL Strategies,       Language Modifications, 

          Compacting the Subject (gifted),       Less Repetition (gifted),       Alternative Assessment,       Other:                                                                       X

 

Lesson Plan - NAME:  Debra Mays     GRADE/SUBJECT: 7th Grade/Contemporary Issues-Elective    WEEK OF:November 10th-November 14th 2025                      

 

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Standards/Skills

Skill- Reading Comprehension

 

Skill- Reading Comprehension

Skill-Reading Comprehension

Skill-Reading Comprehension

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

Learning Targets

“I can …”

Essential Question-What are the different kinds of volcanoes?

Learning Targets For Students: (1) Active Volcanoes (2) Extinct Volcanoes and (3) Volcanologists

I can (as a teacher) help the students gain knowledge on the different kinds of volcanoes.

Veterans Day Holiday

Essential Question- How are Volcanoes Formed?

Learning Targets For Students: (1)Earth’s Crust (2) Earth’s Mantle and (3) Layers of Lava.

I can (as a teacher) help the students gain knowledge on plates moving together and overlapping.

Essential Question- What Happens when Volcanoes Erupt?

Learning Targets For Students: (1) Volcanic Eruption (2) Fahrenheit and (3) Poisonous Gases

I can (as a teacher) help the students gain knowledge on Volcanic Eruptions.

Essential Question- What are Volcanic Islands?

Learning Targets For Students: (1) Islands of Hawaii (2) Magma and (3) Eruptions

I can (as a teacher) help the students to gain knowledge on volcanoes that erupt from a hot spot in Earth’s Mantle.

Instructional Strategies/

Activities

(Before, During, & After)

Objective- Kinds of Volcanoes

Bell-Ringer- Who are volcanologists?

Before- Quick Write

During- Word Wall

Notes

Read to Learn Questions

Strategy- Save the Last Word For Me.

After- Graphic Organizer

Whole Group

Formative

Summative

 

Objective- How Volcanoes Form?

Bell-Ringer- What is the process of volcanoes forming?

Before- Read/Write/Discuss

During- Summary

Inferences

Completions

Strategy- ABC Brainstorm

After- Drawing and Illustration.

Individual Work

Formative

Summative 

Objective- When Volcanoes Erupt?

Bell-Ringer- What is a poisonous Gas?

Before- Read

During- Descriptive Words

Find the Words

Unscramble

Cause and Effect

Strategy- 3-2-1

After- Create an advertisement.

Whole Group

Formative

Summative

Objective- Volcanic Islands

Bell-Ringer- What are hot spots?

Before- Quick Write

During- Reading/Write Notes.

Analyze chart

Main Idea Activity

Analyze Visual

Matching

Strategy- Turn and Talk

After-Write 3 reactions.

Small Group

Formative

Summative

IXL Skills 

Social Studies

 

Social Studies

Social Studies

Social Studies

Resources

(for Parent Transparency)

www.pearsonlearning.com

 

www.pearsonlearning.com

www.pearsonlearning.com

www.pearsonlearning.com

Student Grouping: X Whole Group  XSmall Group  X Individual Work 

Assessments:X  Formative  XSummative

ACCOMMODATIONS:     Retake Tests,     Preferential Seating,  X    Shorter Assignments,   X  Additional Time,      EL Strategies,       Language Modifications, 

          Compacting the Subject (gifted),       Less Repetition (gifted),       Alternative Assessment,       Other:                                                                       X

 

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