Introduction
Welcome to Civics! This class is a required course for graduation and is worth credit.
Textbook
Each student will not be assigned a book to keep at home. Much of our work is in-class and the textbooks will remain in the classroom. Students will need to pick up one from the class set as soon as he/she walks into the door and will put it back on the way out of class. Textbooks will be available for nightly check out if the student needs extra access to the book.
Course Study
This course is divided this course into 8 units. Each unit will have an assessment and at the end of the semester, there will be a cumulative final. All appropriate EALRs and GLEs for history and Social Studies will all be covered in this class, as well as one Classroom Based Assessment (CBA) will be given at the end of the semester to check the students’ understanding of these state-selected benchmarks.
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UNIT TITLE |
Claims |
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Unit 1 |
Foundations of American Government |
Did the Founding Fathers make the best choices for the United States? August – September |
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Unit 2 |
The Structure of Government |
Does the government’s structure help or hinder it from fulfilling the purposes espoused in the Preamble? October-November |
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Unit 3 |
Function of US Government |
How do US policy decisions affect society and the diverse collection of individuals within it? November-December |
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Unit 4 |
Politics and the Role of the Citizen |
To what extent are individual citizens able to influence public policy? January-Feburary |
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Unit 5 |
The Economy |
What is the proper role of government in the economy? March - April |
Goals :
1. Understand key ideals, principles, and documents of the United States.
2. Understand the purposes, organization, & function of governments, laws, and politics.
3. Understand civic involvement.
4. Use critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate opinions.
5. Use research and problem-solving skills.
6. Think critically about public issues.
7. Create a product that uses social studies skills to support a thesis (opinion) and be able to meaningfully present the information
And, if there is time and the standard applies to the lessons:
8. Understand economic systems.
9. Understand the government’s role in the economy.
10. Understand that history is a timeline that goes in a specific order.
11. Use history to understand the present and plan for the future.
EXPECTATIONS:
Students are expected to complete assignments when given.
Students are expected to pay attention during presentations, discussions, and take notes.
Students are expected to study for tests and quizzes, complete homework assignments and projects on time.
Students are expected to follow all classroom, Amite Magnet High School.
Students are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times.
Students are expected to complete reading assignments in advance of the material presented in class. You should take notes from your reading and/or graphically organize your learning.
All work must complete by due date. projects may be done using a computer.
ASSESSMENTS:
Major tests will be given at the conclusion of each chapter/unit (approximately every one-two weeks). In addition, quizzes and other class work grades will be given on a daily basis. Any work given in-class will receive a grade and can affect the overall grade. Grades will be weighted as follows:
Major Tests/Projects 60%
Homework/Class work/Quizzes 40%
Total 100%
End of Year Exam 20%
4 BASIC RULES FOR STUDENT BEHAVIOR: R-E-S-P-E-C-T
1. The Teacher- appropriate interaction: ex. always ask for permission
2. Your Classroom- no damage or destruction: ex. vandalism
3. Your Classmate- appropriate interaction; ex. communicate in a kind manner
4. Yourself- come prepared to learn; ex. have materials ready at the beginning of class
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
A three ring binder for this class only with pockets to hold class work and graded work
Plenty of notebook paper (Wide Rule needed for notes , test and essays).
Pencils and Pens for homework and class work. (blue or black ink only).
In addition, students will be given projects throughout the year, and will need the following:
Index/Note Cards for vocabulary word (about 35 per chapter)
Flash Drive
Zoom
Poster board
Colored Pens/Pencils/Markers
‘MAKE-UP WORK DUE TO ABSENCES:
Students are expected to make up any missed grades/class notes within five days of their return to school. It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to find out what was missed and make arrangements with me to make-up work, including tests and quizzes. Homework and classroom work that is not turned in on time will not be accepted. Major items will count off 10% a day up to 5 days.