Teacher: teacher name



Teacher: Mr. Hinsvark E-mail: chinsvark@ Phone: 301.541.8587

Course: Honors US Government Website: Grade: 9th - 12th

Welcome to the Middle Years Program! This exciting program provides a framework of academic challenge that encourages our students to understand and make connections between traditional subjects and the real world. Throughout their academic career here at Annapolis High School, students will develop the skills in the IB learner profile and become familiar with the IB MYP Areas of Interaction.

Course Overview

U.S. Government is a two semester course that focuses on the structure and functions of government and politics in the United States, the role of the United States in world affairs, and the development of skills students need to be productive citizens (civics). In addition to content knowledge, students will advance their data and visual analysis skills through examining political cartoons, graphs, charts, and maps. Students will be required to demonstrate mastery of concepts and skills through in-depth writing assignments as well as through class discussions, simulations, and participation in service learning opportunities.

Fall Semester

|Unit Title |Unit Question |Area of Interaction |

|1. We the People |Why do I need rules? |Human Ingenuity |

|(Foundations of U.S. Government) | | |

|2. Who Makes the Rules ? |Who decides what rules I have to follow? |Human Ingenuity |

|(The Legislative Branch) | | |

|3. Who’s the Boss ? |Who makes sure that the rules are followed? |Health and Social Education |

|(The Executive Branch) | | |

|4. Here Comes the Judge… |How do the courts protect me? |Health and Social Education |

|(The Judicial Branch) | | |

Intercultural Understanding

Throughout this course, students will examine the impacts of living in a multicultural country and the issues involved in dealing with governments and peoples from the international community. Students will examine domestic and foreign policy and analyze their impacts on diverse groups of individuals and countries. In addition, students will examine how and why certain policies and decisions impacted different cultural groups in different ways.

Required materials and text

• A section in a 3-ring binder

• Spiral Notebook

• Pen and pencil

• All class notes and assignments

• Highlighters (at least 2 colors)

• Textbook (McGraw Hill, United States Government: Democracy in Action)

Assessments

Students will be informally assessed throughout each unit, and formally assessed at the end of each unit. In Honors US Government, students are assessed using the following criteria:

A. Knowledge

B. Concepts

C. Skills

D. Organization and Presentation

Grading policy

Student grades will be determined by the following criteria:

|Homework |5% |

|Research, Projects, & BlackBoard |20% |

|(Out of Class) | |

|Daily Assessment |25% |

|Warm-ups, in- class projects, in-class writing assignments, other in-class | |

|checks on learning | |

|Assessments |50% |

|Tests and Quizzes | |

* A student will receive a zero if he or she refuses/fails to complete an assignment.

Make-Up Policy

If students are absent they have the same number of classes to make up work as they were absent. For example a student misses two classes; the makeup work is due at the beginning of the third class after she has returned.

Students may make up missing work within a two-week period from the initial due date of the assignment. Students will receive a penalty of 1% for each school day the assignment is late. Late work will not be accepted after this two week deadline.

Assignments

Assignments may consist of those which help students:

• promote attainment of positive work habits and study skills

• practice material / skills already taught

• prepare for upcoming lessons

• study for upcoming assessments

• extend student understanding of concepts

Homework

An assignment calendar will be provided to students at the start of the semester. Students are expected to adhere to this calendar. Homework includes: selected readings from the textbook with corresponding Cornell Notes, Blackboard online discussions, and several larger scale projects.

Academic Integrity

In order to promote the pursuit of academic excellence and learning, Anne Arundel County Public Schools expects its students to conform to specific standards of academic integrity. Academic integrity is an integral part of promoting self-respect, trust, student achievement, and positive relationships among all stakeholders in our school community. Academic integrity means exhibiting honesty in all academic exercises and assignments. Academic Dishonesty refers to any form of misconduct that occurs in relation to all formal academic exercises.

Behavioral Expectations

Students are expected to show Annapolis Panther Pride during U.S. Government by demonstrating RESPECT toward Self, Others, Learning, and Property.

Please sign below to indicate that you have read and understood the U.S. Government syllabus.

Student (print name): _________________________________________________________________

Student signature: ___________________________________________________________________

Parent/guardian (print name): __________________________________________________________

Parent/guardian signature: ____________________________________________________________

Parent/guardian daytime phone number: _________________________________________________

Parent/guardian evening phone number: _________________________________________________

Parent/guardian e-mail: ______________________________________________________________

Note to parent/guardian:

Please complete the following in order to facilitate communication.

• Fill our and sign the above blanks and have your child return this paper to my class.

• Send an email message to me, chinsvark@. Please include your name, your child’s name, and the best way to contact you. If you like, include any information that you think will help me in teaching your child in this course.

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Grading Scale

90-100= A

80-89= B

70-79= C

60-69= D

Below 60= E

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