Course Curriculum Alignment



Dear Eagle’s Nest Charter Middle School Parent(s) and Student;

I would like to take the opportunity to welcome you to Eagles’ Nest Charter Middle School for the 2014-2015 school year. Learning should never end. It is my goal to be a catalyst in your child’s learning process through guided instructions, creative curriculum, effective lesson planning, and the use of highly effective teaching methods (including technology). I hope to create an atmosphere that encourages and supports the educational growth of all students.

This syllabus was written to better help you understand what the Civics course will entail, how we will cover the material, and what is expected of our students. Please take the time to review this syllabus to ensure that both you and your child familiarize yourselves with the expectations of the course, which are in line with Nest Generation Sunshine State Standards. I look forward to the new adventures and achievements of this year.

**Note: If deemed necessary, the instructor may deviate from this syllabus. A revised syllabus will be published if changes are implemented.

Course Description

Civics

During the course of this academic year students will be expected to become exposed to integrated educational experiences in Social Studies strands of civics, history, time, continuity, and change, reading, writing, listening, viewing, speaking, language, and literature.

All grade level subjects taught at Eagle’s Nest Charter Middle School are aligned with the NGSSS. These standards were developed to ensure that students will receive a high quality education.

|Standard |Standard |

| |Understand how to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technology to report information. |

| |Understand physical and cultural characteristics of places. |

| |Understand the relationships between the Earth's ecosystems and the populations that dwell within them. |

| |Demonstrate an understanding of the origins and purposes of government, law, and the American political system. |

| |Evaluate the roles, rights, and responsibilities of United States citizens, and determine methods of active participation in society, |

| |government, and the political system. |

| |Demonstrate an understanding of the principles, functions, and organization of government. |

| |Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary issues in world affairs, and evaluate the role and impact of United States foreign policy. |

| |Develop an understanding of and apply proportionality, including similarity. |

| |The student uses multiple strategies to develop grade-appropriate vocabulary. |

| |The student uses a variety of strategies to comprehend grade-level text. |

The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: The student…

▪ knows the essential ideas of American constitutional government that are expressed in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and other writings;

▪ understands major ideas about why government is necessary and the purposes government should serve;

▪ understand ways the legislative, executive, and judicial branches share power and responsibilities (for example, each branch has varying degrees of legislative, executive, and judicial powers and responsibilities);

▪ knows the major parts of the federal system including the national government, state governments, and other governmental units (for example, District of Columbia, American tribal governments, the Virgin Islands);

▪ knows the major responsibilities and understands the organization of Florida’s state and local governments;

▪ understands the importance of the rule of law in establishing limits on both those who govern and the governed, protecting individual rights, and promoting the common good (for example, Florida’s Government in the Sunshine law, limits on campaign contributions);

▪ understands the history of the rights, liberties, and obligations of citizenship in the United States (for example, rights and liberties outlined in the Bill of Rights, serving on jury duty);

▪ understands that citizenship is legally recognized full membership in a self-governing community that confers equal rights under the law; is not dependent on inherited, involuntary groupings; and confers certain rights and privileges (for example, the right to vote, to hold public office, to serve on juries);

▪ understands the argument that all rights have limits and knows the criteria commonly used in determining when and why limits should be placed on rights (for example, whether a clear and present danger exists and whether national security is at risk);

▪ understands ways to contact government representatives and why it is important to do so (for example, knows which level of government to contact to express opinions or to get help on a specific problem);

▪ understands the importance of participation in community service, civic improvement, and political activities (for example, becoming informed about qualifications of candidates);understands ways current issues affect political, social, and economic systems in the United States;

▪ knows options and resources available for consumer protection (for example, consumer protection agencies, newspaper consumer hotlines); understands advantages and disadvantages of various kinds of credit (for example, credit cards, bank loans, financing with no payment for 6 months);

▪ understands a variety of factors to consider when making wise consumer decisions (for example, cost, performance, reliability);

▪ analyzes the impact of economic decisions in the United States (What goods and services will be produced? How will they be produced? Who will buy them?); and

▪ knows the various kinds of specialized institutions that exist in market economies (for example, corporations, labor unions, banks, stock markets).

Required Materials and Supplies

• 1 3" hard 3-ring binder

• Pencils (at least two in class each day)

• Red, blue and black ink pens

• Dictionary (Webster’s New World strongly recommended)

• Notebook (with perforated pages for easy and NEAT removal)

• No pencil sharpeners

• Highlighters

• Journal

• Paper

Grading Policy

The following grading scale, which is consistent with Broward County Policy, is used for this course:

| 90-100 = A |

| 87 – 89 = B | B+ 80 - 86 = B |

| 77 - 79 = C | C+ 70 – 76 = C+ |

| 67 – 69 = D | D+ 60 – 66 = D+ |

| 59 or below = F |

Grades will be weighted as follows:

Tests - 20%

Quizzes - 20%

In-Class/Homework – 20%

Research Projects – 20% (1 per quarter)

Participation – 20%

Class attendance and participation will dramatically affect grades:

1. An “F” will be averaged into academic/class participation for each class that is cut and/or any other unexcused absence.

2. Unexcused absences also lower the student’s conduct and effort grade for the 9 weeks.

3. Late work will be reduced one letter grade for each day late!

4. Students are required to inquire about missing homework due to absence.

Homework Policy

Homework will be listed in each student’s agenda. Please check and sign on a daily basis. Students are expected to complete quality homework assignments on a daily basis. Homework assignments can range from completing paper-and-pen activities to studying for upcoming assignments. For the purposes of this course the following homework requirements apply:

• Students are expected to complete QUALITY work in a punctual manner.

• If a student has an EXCUSED absence, he/she has two days to make-up the assignment(s) missed.

• The assignment is to be written legibly (in pencil or blue or black ink) or can be typed, and must be neat and presentable. (NO CRUSHED, UNTIDY work will be accepted)

• THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP!!!!

Projects and Assignments:

Students MUST turn in all assignments and projects in on time. NO make-up work will be given. Extra credit can be earned, however, by those who put the effort in through the year.

Additional Comments:

Please look out for course updates and notices throughout the year. Thank you for your cooperation in making this year a success for your child!

BASIC RULES:

1. Be seated (in assigned seat) and quiet when tardy bell rings so attendance and instruction can begin.

2. Note: Only Coach Hermansen will dismiss class (not the bell) and this will occur only after clean up is completed and all students are sitting quietly in their assigned seats.

3. Students will demonstrate respect for the teacher, other students, the class, equipment, materials and the learning process. Failure to comply with these rules may result in detention, parent conference, and/or referral. Students are required to pay for broken or lost equipment or books.

4. No food or drinks are allowed in the class, unless special permission is given by the teacher. Gum is not allowed at any time. Bring in materials to class and participate in all subjects - everyday.

5. Students not properly prepared for class or not participating will be given an “F” for the subject that day, which severely affects their academic and effort grades.

TARDIES:

1. Students receive two free tardies for the school year. Every third tardy after that turns into an unexcused absence, three unexcused absences within a 45 day period is cause for the school to initiate truancy interventions.

2. Detentions or referral may be issued after a student exceeds the tardy procedure.

3. Students more than 15 minutes late for school in the morning must report to the Front Office to receive a tardy pass to class. Attendance affects academic, conduct, and effort grades:

BCPS policy for absences: Student’s illness, medical appointment, death in the family, school sponsored events, and absences approved by the school administration are considered excused absences”. However,

please refer to the secondary code of student Conduct Book which outlines the definition and consequences for “patterns of nonattendance”.

1. Excused absences require:

• A call and or note from the parent or guardian within three (2) days after the date the absence occurs.

• In cases regarding medical or dental appointments, school administration may request a doctor’s note.

2. Each class cut/skipped earns a referral and the student will receive an “F” for each assignment during the unexcused absence!

3. Credit may be withheld (regardless of grade earned), if student is not present for 25 days in one marking period.

MAKE UP WORK:

1. Make up work will only be assigned for excused absences.

2. Students must request and complete make up work immediately upon returning.

3. Attendance in class is required for students to produce quality work; therefore grades given for make up assignments may be significantly lower.

I have read the class syllabus and fully understand the policies, procedures and protocol that govern the day to classroom operations in my/my child’s class.

Please keep the syllabus in your folder and sign and return this page only to Coach Hermansen

Student’s Name: _________________________________________

Student’s Signature: _________________________________________

Date: __________________

Parent’s Name: ___________ _____________________________

Parents Signature: ________________________________________

Date: __________________

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“Look Around We’re College Bound”

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