Course Syllabus Grand Ledge High School...

1 Course Syllabus Grand Ledge High School

Civics&Trimester&C&201502016&

&Teacher:(Mr.(Justin(Heany(

(

GLHS(Phone(Number:((517)(925B5815((

Direct(Phone(Number:((517)(925B5897(

Email:(([email protected]((

Twitter:(@MrHeany((

Web:(HeanyOutLoud.com(&Purpose/Course&Description:&&

This%course%is%designed%to%develop%a%students%understanding%of%the%American%political%system%and%their%relationship%with%that%system.%%Through%a%variety%of%instructional%methods%active%student%will%gain% a% broad% base% of% knowledge% about% their% country,% the% government,% politics,% and% citizenship.%Course% study% will% emphasize% social% contract% theory,% core% democratic% values,% the% United% States%Constitution,% civic% rights,% duties% and% responsibilities,% political% ideology,% voting% behavior,% the%structure%of%elections,%media%literacy,%as%well%as%other%relevant%topics.%%%

Class&Webpage&–&HeanyOutLoud.com&I%highly%encourage%all%students%and%parents%to%access%my%class%webpage%frequently.%%My%class%webpage%acts%as%a%hub%for%all%communication,%information,%and%class%activities.%%Students%should%frequently%check%our%weekly%folders%under%the%“Assignments%&%Activities”%tab.%%In%the%weekly%folders%students%can%review%daily%boards,%class%notes,%and%access%all%assignments%and%activities.%%The%webpage%also%has%an%online%copy%of%the%textbook.%%Of%course%students%use%the%class%webpage%to%print%class%notes%and%activities.%%I%highly%encourage%parents%to%take%advantage%of%my%webpage,%particularly%the%daily%boards,%as%a%springboard%to%conversation%regarding%your%son%or%daughters%experience%in%Civics.%%

Topics,&Key&Concepts,&and&Units&of&Study:&&Week% Focus%1% Civics,%Citizen%&%Country%2% Communication%in%Society%3% Systems%of%Governments%4% Founding%Documents%5% Our%Rights%as%Citizens%6% Duties%and%Responsibilities%7% Legislative%Branch%8% Executive%&%Judicial%Branch%9% Politics%10% Elections%11% Voting%12% Wrap]up,%Review,%and%Final%Exam%

% % % % % % % *Subject%to%change%% %


&Evaluation/Grade&Calculations:&&

I%have%confidence,%in%this%class;%students%receive%the%grade%that%they%earn.%%PowerSchool%determines%grades%after%I%evaluate%assignments%and%record%points%earned.%%Pointes%are%earned%through%a%variety%of%assignments%and%assessments.%%The%purpose%of%assignments%is%to%provide%the%learner%with%an%active%experience%designed%to%acquire%knowledge%and%to%produce%authentic%evidence%for%the%teacher%to%evaluate.%%%Points%earned%through%assignments%will%determine%a%large%portion%of%a%student’s%final%grade.%%Consequently%it%is%critical%that%a%student%positively%and%authentically%participate%in%all%learning%activities.%%At%the%end%of%most%units%of%study%there%will%be%quiz%and%at%the%end%of%the%class%there%will%be%a%cumulative%final%exam%valued%at%20%%of%a%students%grade.%%%

Ensuring&the&Grade&You&Want:&&If%a%student%is%not%earning%the%grade%they%want%in%this%class%s/he%should%begin%helping%themselves%by%exercising%any%of%the%appropriate%options%below.%%

%Turn&In&Missing&Work&Work%is%your%evidence%of%learning.%%When%work%is%assigned%and%collected%it%is%evaluated%and%recorded.%%If%the%learning%evidence%was%not%available%for%the%instructor%to%evaluate%a%“0”%is%recorded%in%the%grade%book.%%In%my%class%students%can%still%turn%in%missing%work%up%to%the%end%of%an%assigned%unit.%%%However%this%work%MUST%be%(1)%100%%compete,%(2)%accurate,%(3)%thoughtful%and%(4)%legible%to%be%accepted%and%evaluated%as%late%work.%%Late%work%will%always%be%evaluated%for%reduced%credit.%

&Retake&Quizzes&In%my%class%quizzes%are%not%just%assessments%but%learning%experiences%too.%%My%goal%is%to%give%a%short%and%fair%quiz%at%the%end%of%every%unit%of%study.%%These%quizzes%provide%me%with%evidence%of%a%student’s%knowledge%over%the%main%concepts.%%Students%should%leave%the%quiz%experience%with%a%decent%understanding%of%the%content%they%are%comfortable%with%and%the%content%they%are%less%than%comfortable%with.%%My%hope%is%that%the%recorded%quiz%grade%reflects%that%feeling.%%After%any%quiz%eligible%students%are%encouraged%to%look%at%their%quiz,%identify%what%they%need%to%relearn,%complete%a%quiz%retake%form,%study,%learn,%and%then%retake%the%quiz.%%Students%are%eligible%to%retake%quizzes%as%long%as%they%have%no%missing%assignments,%complete%the%retake%form,%and%can%provide%evidence%of%positive%participation%in%class.%%Students%may%retake%quizzes%as%many%times%as%possible%and%I%will%always%record%the%highest%score.%%Students%must%arrange%a%time%with%me%to%review%and%retake%quizzes.%%As%a%rule%I%am%usually%available%after%school%until%3:15pm%on%Monday,%Tuesdays%and%Thursdays.%%

%Recovery&Work&If%a%student%is%missing%assignments%and%is%unable%or%unwilling%to%turn%in%those%assignments%in%then%that%student%may%do%recovery%work.%%Recovery%work%is%work%that%is%completed%independently%using%a%structured%organizer%and%the%textbook.%%Students%who%complete%recovery%work%are%eligible%for%up%to%3/5th%credit%for%all%assignments%in%a%unit.%%Students%are%still%expected%to%demonstrate%proficiency%on%tests%and%exams.%

%Extra&Credit&If%a%student%has%completed%and%turned%in%all%of%the%assigned%work%but%still%wants%a%better%grade%they%are%eligible%for%extra%credit.%%Extra%credit%should%be%a%student]initiated%assignment.%%The%student%should%identify%what%they%want%to%do,%how%they%are%going%to%complete%it,%and%communicate%this%plan%with%the%instructor.%%If%the%student%completes%this%experience%and%submits%it%to%the%instructor%then%credit%will%be%assigned%in%the%“General%Extra%Credit”%column.%%Usually%extra%credit%has%a%noticeable%positive%effect%on%a%students’%grade.%%%


&GLHS&Grading&Scale:&&&%

93]100% A% % 73]76% C%90]92% A]% % 70]72% C]%87]89% B+% % 67]69% D+%83]86% B% % 63]66% D%80]82% B]% % 60]62% D]%77]79% C+% % 0]59% F%

%Assignment&&&Activity&Expectations:&&

Students%are%expected%to%practice%self]starting%in%this%class.%%Each%day%students%will%have%the%opportunity%to%demonstrate%self]starting%by%reading%and%following%the%directions%and%instructions%on%the%daily%board.%%From%time]to]time%students%will%be%evaluated%on%their%ability%to%demonstrate%self]starting.%%Learning%activities%and%assignments%will%always%be%evaluated%against%standards%communicated%in%the%instructions.%%Failure%to%follow%instructions%will%always%result%in%a%reduction%of%points%possible%on%assignments%and%activities.%%Assignments%are%expected%to%be%entirely%completed,%legible,%authentic,%and%turned%in%on%time%to%warrant%full%credit.%%Further,%written%work%should%communicate%complete%thoughts,%using%complete%sentences,%and%appropriate%academic%structure%and%principles,%to%warrant%full%credit.%%%

%Late/Missing&Assignments:&&

! Late%assignments%will%not%be%accepted%without%penalty%unless%a%student%has%an%excused%absence%or%an%arrangement%has%been%made%with%the%instructor.%%%

%! If%a%student%has%an%excused%absence,%he/she%will%have%the%same%number%of%days%missed%to%turn%in%

missing%assignments.%%%%

! It%is%the%student’s%responsibility%to%collect%all%missing%assignments%when%he/she%returns.%%Missing%assignments%should%be%collected%independently%from%either%the%in]class%file%folder%or%the%online%Assignments%&%Activities%tab%on%my%webpage.%%%%

! Students%should%always%ask%their%table%partner(s)%to%help%them%understand%what%was%missed%during%their%absence%before%asking%the%instructor.%%The%instructor%will%not%take%time%away%from%the%class%to%provide%missed%assignments.%%Students%may%only%collect%missing%assignments%before/after%class%or%before/after%school.%%%%

%! If%accepted,%late%work%will%always%be%assigned%reduced%credit%and%marked%as%late%“L”%in%the%grade%

book.%%Credit%reductions%will%increase%for%each%week%the%assignment%is%late.%%%%

! After%a%period%of%four%weeks%missing%assignments%that%can%no%longer%be%made%up.%%These%assignments%will%be%recorded%as%a%“0”%(zero%credit)%in%PowerSchool.%

&&&& &


&Textbooks&Used&and&Other&Sources:&&&

• 1Civics%Today:%Citizenship,%Economics,%&%You.%Published%by%Glencoe,%2010%%%• The%United%States%Constitution%• The%Declaration%of%Independence%• 270toWin.com%• Living%Room%Candidate.org%• Political%Compass.org%• Politics1.com%• Flocabulary.com%• Periodical%Articles%

%Materials&Needed&Daily&

• Paper%• Pen%or%pencil%• Binder/folder%with%handouts,%notes,%and%activities%• 2Laptops%or%tablets%are%encouraged%if%they%assist%in%the%student%with%learning%Civics.%• 2Anything%that%assists%the%student%in%meeting%educational%goals%without%disrupting%the%learning%

processes%of%the%individual%or%others%will%be%allowed.%%Methods&of&learning:&&

• Independent%practice%and%activities%• Problem]solving%&%explanation%• Class%discussions%• Educational%media%%• Small%group%work%%• Projects%&%simulations%• Guest%speakers%• Simulations%

%Types&of&Evaluation&and&Assessment:&&

• Independent%activities%• Homework/Practice%• Vocabulary%(weekly)%• Discussion%notes%• Participation/”Ready%Checks”%• Writing%samples%• Projects%• 3Extra%Credit%• 3Recovery%Work%• Quizzes%• Final%Exam%(20%%of%Grade)&

%1I(only(have(a(classroom(set(of(books(consequently(books(cannot(be(sent(home(with(students(((((2Subject(to(change(based(on(individual(classroom(rules(and(procedures(3Please(see(“Ensuring(the(Grade(You(Want”(on(the(next(page.(


&CLASSROOM&PROCEDURES&%Behavior&Expectations:&

Students%are%expected%to%contribute%to%an%appropriate%learning%environment%that%allows%for%other%students%to%learn%and%the%teacher%to%teach.%%Students%are%expected%to%understand%and%comply%with%the% classroom% rules% and% procedures,% the% GLPS% student% code% of% conduct,% and% Comet% Pride.%%Additionally,%all%students%will%be%expected%to%treat%their%classmates%and%the%instructor%with%dignity%and% respect.% % Students%will% be% expected% to% come% to% class% prepared% to%engage,& participate,& and&commit%to%the%learning%process.%This%means%that%students%will%bring%with%them%all%need%materials,%including%texts,%assignments,%writing%utensils,%and%paper.%%Students%are%also%expected%to%be%in%their%seats,%having%read%the%instructions%on%the%front%board%at%the%beginning%of%class,%i.e.%when%the%bell%has%finished%ringing.%%%%

%Consequences:&&&

Students%who%fail%to%positively%comply%with%the%student%responsibilities/expectation%and/or%cause%a%disruption%to%the%educational%process%risk%removal%from%class,%reduction%of%privileges,%and/or%a%conference%with%parents%and/or%building%administration%to%clarify%expectations.%%Students%will%be%expected%to%produce%a%corrective%plan%of%action%if%they%are%ever%removed%from%class.%%Consequences%will%be%documented%using%PowerSchool%and/or%behavioral%incident%reports.%%Learning%is%a%result%of%positive%participation%in%learning%activities.%%Students%who%commit%to%not%participating%in%learning%activities%significantly%affect%their%risk%of%failing%and%having%to%repeat%this%course.&

%Passes:&&&

During%class,%students%will%have%the%privilege%of%using%the%yellow%hall%pass.%To%access%the%hall%pass%appropriately%students%should%demonstrate%understanding%of%the%following:%

• Only%one%student%may%use%the%pass%at%a%time.%%If%the%pass%is%gone%the%pass%cannot%be%used.%• Students%must%ask%the%instructor%for%the%pass%without&disrupting%the%learning%process.%%%• The%pass%cannot%be%used%during%the%first%15%minutes%or%the%last%5%minutes%of%class%• A%maximum%of%4%passes%will%be%permitted%per%class.%%%• Students%may%not%use%the%pass%during%tests%or%quizzes.%%%• Students%who%arrive%late%to%class%will%not%have%the%privilege%to%use%the%pass.%%%• Students%must%be%receiving%majority%of%their%participation%points%and%be%in%good%academic%

standing%to%use%the%hall%pass.%%

Students%who%ask%for%the%pass%in%a%non]appropriate%manner%will%be%asked%to%reference%their%syllabus.%%The%instructor%will%suspend%or%amend%the%pass%privilege%if%at%any%time%the%privilege%is%abused,%misused,%or%becoming%a%distraction%to%the%learning%process.%It%is%the%expectation%of%the%instructor%that%personal%business%will%be%taken%care%of%during%scheduled%break%times%and%not%during%class%time.%

%Cheating:%%%

Cheating%is:%(1)%the%act%of%obtaining%answers%or%completing%assignments%in%a%fraudulent%or%deceitful%manner.%(2)%Submitting%evidence%of%learning%that%is%fraudulent,%containing%information%obtained%by%directly%copying%another%students%work%or%and%outside%resource.%%(3)%Altering%assignments%in%a%dishonest%and%deceitful%manner.%%%In%cases%of%suspected%cheating%the%instructor%will%communicate%with%the%student%directly%and%possibly%contact%administration%and%parents%if%further%discipline%is%warranted.%%A%zero%grade%will%be%recorded%for%assignments%fitting%the%criteria%of%cheating.%%In%some%cases%the%instructor%my%provide%student%with%an%alternative%assignment.%

%


&Attendance/Tardy:&&&

The%High%School%attendance/tardy%policy%is%available%online%through%www.glcomets.net%%&Bullying/Harassment:&&

In%an%effort%to%promote%a%safe%learning%environment%students%are%encouraged%to%report%instances%of%bullying%immediately.%%Consequences%will%follow%the%GLHS%and%GLPS%student%handbook%and%code%of%conduct.%%%Kind%language%and%actions%are%strongly%encouraged.%%%

%Food&and&Drink:&

Students%have%the%privilege%of%enjoying%beverages%and%small,%individually%wrapped,%snacks%in%class.%%%This%privilege%may%be%revoked%at%anytime%if%it%interferes%with%the%learning%process%or%the%tranquility%of%class.%%Unsealed%food%from%outside%vendors%or%the%cafeteria%is%not%permitted%during%class.%%Examples%include:%McDonalds,%pizza,%cafeteria%food%

%Cell&Phone/Electronic&Communication&Device:&

Technology%can%enhance%the%educational%experience%however%it%can%also%distract%and%diminish%the%learning%process%too.%%It%is%my%hope%that%students%will%exercise%self]discipline%in%regards%to%technology%and%encourage%a%classroom%that%permits%and%celebrates%the%appropriate%use%of%technology.%%Students%are%expected%to%understand%and%follow%the%school’s%policy%in%respect%to%Cell%Phone%usage.%%It%is%the%expectation%of%the%instructor%that%students%participate%positively%and%engage%in%the%learning%process%while%in%class.%%As%a%rule%students%are%NOT%permitted%to%use%electronic%devices%for%communication,%games,%and%disengaging%entertainment%during%regular%class%time.%%There%will%be%times%during%this%class%the%instructor%will%permit%and%encourage%the%use%of%cell%phone%and%other%electronic%devices%to%further%the%class%content.%%During%these%times%students%are%expected%to%adhere%to%the%instructions.%%Consequences%will%follow%the%student%code%of%conduct%and%the%GLPS/GLHS%student%handbook.%%%

&&

& &


&Sign&up&for&Remind:&&I&Use&the&remind&service&for&reminders&regarding&assignment&due&dates,&quizzes,&and&changes&to&the&schedule.&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&Follow&me&on&Twitter:&&I&use&twitter&to&distribute&relevant&information&in&government,&politics,&current&events&and&educations.&&Additionally&I&use&twitter&to&express&my&personal&interests.& &


&Mr. Heany’s Civics Class

Understanding & Agreement Contract Student Name___________________________________________ Parent/Guardian(s) Name(s)________________________________ Please initial below to indicate that you have read, understand, and support the expectations regarding the following policies:

Student Initial Parent Initial Evaluation & Grade Calculations Ensuring the Grade You Want Assignment Expectations Late/Missing Assignments Behavior Expectations Hall Pass Cheating Attendance/Tardy Bullying/Harassment Food and Drink Cell Phone/Electronic Device Comet PRIDE/Keys to Success

Please initial indicating you are aware of the various means to contact Mr. Heany and stay connected to developments in class.

Student Initial Parent Initial Email Twitter Remind HeanyOutLoud.com

Your signature below indicates that you understand the information communicated in the Civics Trimester C 2015-2016 Course Syllabus Parent Signature___________________________ Date:_________ Student Signature__________________________ Date:_________

Returning this page completed by Monday, March 21st qualifies the student for extra credit.

Course Syllabus Grand Ledge High School...

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