Dutch Fork High School



Dutch Fork High School – Social Studies Department

CP U.S. Gov’t

2013-14 Course Syllabus

Laurie Humphrey: rm. 202 Planning Periods: 2a,6b

Department Head:Steve Cox Academic Assistance: 7:30 daily

Zone Administrator:

Website: & Edmodo

Asst. Principal for Instruction: Ms. Longshore

Teacher contact: Lhumphre@ 476-3377

I. Course description: The purpose of this course is to provide the student with both sufficient knowledge of the American governmental system and skills necessary for the rigor of college ourses. This course emphasizes the machinery of government in the American system. It covers the Constitutional framework and functioning of government at national, state, and local levels. It also will include a study of the current political structure within a historical perspective. Successful completion of this course is required for graduation.

II. Instructional goals: Upon completion of this course, the student will have the knowledge and skills to be an active participant in our democratic system.

Course Standards: South Carolina State Standards for American Government at SDE: ed.agency/offices/cso/standards/ss/

III. Text: United States Government: Democracy in Action, Glencoe 2006 ed. Supplemental materials: Audio visual The following DVD’s may be viewed throughout the semester, time permitting:Liberty! The American Revolution segment 6-Are We To Be A Nation? Twin Cities Publishing 1997. NR.Our Key Constitutional Concepts. & A Conversation On The Constitution: Judicial Independence.The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands 2005 NR.Primaries: Defining the Battle in New Hampshire NR, Supreme Court Justices: Sandra Day O’Connor and Stephen Breyer NR, Can The States Do It Better? NR Films for the Humanities and Sciences 2004.The White House at War. Discovery Communications, Inc 2003 NR.John Stossel goes to Washington In The Classroom Media 2004NR.The Real West Wing NBC media 2002 NR.Redemption Twentieth Century Fox Entertainment 2004. NRA White House Christmas, HGTV NR.

IV. Fee: $4 for periodicals.

V. Instructional Organization

1st/3rd qtr Approximate Date

Constitution Aug/Jan

Political Socialization Sept/Feb.

Executive Branch Oct/March

2nd/4th qtr.

Legislative Branch Nov/April.

Judicial Branch Dec/April

Civil liberties/individual rights Dec-Jan/May

VI. Course Grading Policies: Grades should never be a surprise to students or parents!!! Grades are calculated by a total point system and are posted in the classroom bi-weekly by student I.D. number. All students receive a bi-weekly progress report. Any student with a grade below a “C” must obtain a parent signature on the progress report and return signed report to me. Please refer to the district grading scale on this page for grade/percentage equivalents. District policy guides grade averaging for semester grades. Parents may access their students' current grades via Powerschool. Registration for this program is available on the school's web page.

-Homework/Assignments: Homework is assigned most days. A daily homework grade is 10 points. The assignment must be complete and correct for a student to receive credit. All work is due as announced. A calendar is posted for each unit in class and at with all assignments. A chart with all assignments for the semester is also posted for student use. Homework is not another name for busywork! Homework in this class is an extension of classwork. There will be various types of homework assignments given and graded on a point basis. A homework assignment may be turned in one block late for half -credit.

Monitoring Student Progress

As a Dutch Fork High School parent, you may monitor your students progress anywhere you have access to a computer. You can check to see whether or not your child is in class right now, monitor their behavior, check class tardies, track homework assignments, see what assessments are forthcoming as well as major project due dates. You can also view your child's grades as they exist in the teacher's grade book. You also have the ability to register to receive alert notifications, review the daily comments from teachers, review the daily bulletin for important school-wide information and much more. You may access the power school parent portal @ . Please feel free to contact me @ Lhumphre@ or call 476-3377 if you have any concerns about your student.

-Tests, Projects

Tests are given at the end of each major unit. Tests are announced at least a week in advance and are 90-110 points. Projects are individual or group, dependent upon subject matter. Students receive individual grades for any group assignment. These are assigned in class and require additional work outside of class time.

-Extra Credit: Extra credit assignments are at the discretion of the teacher. I do not arbitrarily offer these assignments because students have chosen not to fulfill their responsibilities throughout the semester. If an opportunity arises that provides additional learning that enhances the students' understanding of government, I try to incorporate

this added learning opportunity into the curriculum.

VII. Major Curricular Topics

Quote book- A dedicated notebook is required. This will serve as a log in which students will analyze quotes. These notebooks will be collected throughout the semester for grading purposes.

Senior Project- This a semester-long project required of all seniors at DFHS. It emphasizes community service, school involvement and a course reflection. Additional information will be provided on a separate handout. Failure to complete this project will make it extremely difficult to pass this course and could therefore result in a failure to graduate!

VIII. Absences and Make-up Policies: If a student will be out of class for a planned absence, it is the student’s responsibility to check with the teacher for upcoming assignments. Absent one day-work is due 2 days later; 2 or more absences-5 days later

IX. Study Skills- This is a college preparatory level class. Students are expected to read and study the corresponding materials for the appropriate unit in the textbook on their own. Failure to complete homework assignments will result in learning gaps, which will manifest on tests. If most of the work is not done, it is impossible to pass the course. Students are urged to keep up with current events daily by reading a newspaper, viewing nightly news, or watching a cable news station (CNN, MSNBC, etc.). Students also have daily access to The New York Times and The Washington Post through the media center website. There are various weekly television programs that may also add to your current knowledge of events. Some of these include: Washington Week in Review, Face the Nation, Meet The Press, ABC This Week.

X. Academic Assistance: T-F 7:30-8 am

XI. Classroom Management Plan

Goal

A positive, productive learning environment with inquisitive, engaged, independent learners.

Behavior Expectations

1. Respect yourself & others through actions and words.

2. Be in your seat with all materials when the bell rings.

3. Quiet when someone else is speaking.

4. No profanity.

5. Always your best effort!!!

Consequences (For violating any rule)

1st offense- Verbal warning (This should be enough!) 2nd offense- 1 hour detention, action plan completed and signed by caregiver.

3rd offense- Referral to administration/family conference. 4th offense- Temporary removal from class.

**** Immediate Removal from class****

Profane gestures

Blatant disrespect or defiance

Fighting

Rewards

Calls/notes home- I call/e-mail home to update you on your student. Please welcome the call as I almost always have great things to say about your student!!!

Homework passes- given randomly throughout year for classroom activities. 3 passes equals one 10-point assignment.

Student of the Month- given to one student for academic achievement and/or improvement.

Classroom procedures: Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. These are to be completed legibly and placed in the class file. All work is returned to students accompanied with the bi-weekly progress report.

School/Home Communication: Communication is an excellent proactive tool for both parents & teachers. Each student receives a bi-weekly progress report on Mondays. If your student has a grade lower than a “C”, this report is to be signed by the parent and returned to me the following Wednesday. I communicate primarily via e-mail. My contact information is listed at the top of this syllabus. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any comments/concerns.

We all have the responsibility to foster a safe, positive environment in which students may attain their learning potential. This classroom management plan will be used fairly and consistently with all students so that they may utilize their classroom learning time to the best of their abilities. If you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, please contact me at school so that we can work together to benefit the student.

XII.Honor Code

The Academic Honesty Policy is being implemented to ensure that students submit credible work that is evident of their content mastery. Students should seek to be totally honest in their dealings with others. They should complete their own work and be evaluated based upon its originality. They should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its forms, including plagiarism, fabrication or falsification, cheating, and other academic misconduct. Students are expected to generate their own work. Plagiarism of any kind will result in an automatic "0" on the assignment with no opportunity for makeup for all students involved. Further disciplinary action may also be warranted.

XIII. Syllabus Acknowledgement and Information Sheet

Instructor: Laurie Humphrey

Course: Gov’t. CP

(STUDENT TO RETURN THIS PART TO TEACHER)

.I have read and thoroughly understand with great detail the expectations, rules and procedures that are expected of me as a student that is enrolled in this course. Moreover, I have read and agree to abide by the tenants set forth in the honor code policy. I realize that I am responsible for all rules, regulations, procedures, and course requirements set forth in all classes, the student agenda and the district policy manual and I will be held accountable for the contents of this class and supporting documents.

Student Name (Print):_________________________ class period ___________

Student Signature:_________________________________ Date: ___________

“I have read thoroughly the contents of this syllabus and discussed with my child the expectations of him/her in this course. Parent signature authorizes the student’s excused absence from classes on the day that the AP exam is administered (if applicable).”

Parent/Guardian Name (Print):________________________ Date: ___________

Parent/Guardian Signature:___________________________ Date: __________

Home Phone #______________ Work Phone #________________Cell Phone___________

Parent E-Mail address:

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