Civics & the U.S.
Constitution
Course Syllabus Fall 2012
Ms. Laura Koenig Room: 248(hours 1-2) & 244(hours 4-7) Email: [email protected] Class website: http://koenigconnection.weebly.com/ Phone #: (785) 330-1922 Office hours: Thursday late start Room 244 8:25a-8:55
Welcome to high school and to Civics for all freshman.
This is a semester long course that covers the U.S. Constitution and the workings of our federal government. You must pass this class to graduate from high school. Also, keep in mind that your grades and attendance will now be recorded on your high school transcripts and will follow you into college. This is your first step into adulthood... get excited! Some of the topics we will explore this semester include:
Citizenship The Founding Era (British heritage, American Revolution) Founding Documents (Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Constitution) Bill of Rights (civil liberties, constitutional rights, Supreme Court case studies) Legislative branch Executive Branch *2012 coverage of Presidential election Judicial Branch
Required Materials: Please come prepared to class every day! You will need your textbook daily unless told otherwise. Organizational tips will be shared with the expectation that materials and notes are kept orderly. 1-3 subject spiral Folder or 3-ring notebook Red pen Highlighter Colored pencils Writing utensil
Grading System: Grades will be determined by the amount of accumulated points earned from class participation, assignments, quizzes, projects, exams and extra credit. These activities will be divided into two classifications. Class participation, assignments, and classroom behavior will be one grouping. Quizzes, projects, and exams will be the other grouping. The first grouping will make up approximately 40% of the grade for the course. The second grouping will make up approximately 60% of the grade for the course. It is wise that you continuously monitor your academic performance through Skyward. https://skyward.usd497.org/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=wsEAplus/fwemnu01.w 60% Assessment (exams, quizzes, projects) 40% Participation (daily assignments, notebook checks) An additional five percent can be either added or subtracted to your grade depending on your responsibility, attitude, cooperativeness, frequency and timeliness in class. The amount will be determined by the instructor. Make-Up Work/ Meeting with Teacher: I am available after school most days in Room 244 as well as during my office hours on late start Thursdays from 8:25-8:55a. You will have one week after returning to school to make up a missed test or quiz unless other arrangements are made. You have two days for every day you missed to make-up your work. Late work, meaning work that was not turned in the day it was due, is worth 75% of the points earned.
100 94.5 A 94.4 89.5 A89.4 86.5 B+
86.4 82.5 B 82.4 79.5 B79.4 76.5 C+
76.4 72.5 C 72.4 69.5 C69.4 64.5 D+
64.5 59.5 D 59.4 54.5 D54.4 0 F
Class Participation: I value your contributions in class and I highly encourage you to actively participate on a daily basis. The daily discussions, reflective writings, and assignments in this course have been designed as a tool for presenting and enhancing the subject matter. Students that give the necessary attention and effort to daily work will not only score better on their participation grades, quizzes, and exams, but also make the class more engaging and fun. Active participation can be done in any of the following ways: Vocal participant in class discussions Listening participant both to me and your new classmates Reading and analyzing material assigned in class A positive force in group activities and group presentations Written expression of your thoughts and what you have learned
CLASSROOM RULES 1. Do whats right! Academic honesty- Any attempts at cheating (cheat sheets, copying homework, plagiarism, etc.) will result in a loss of all points on the assignment for all parties involved. Depending on the severity of the crime, students will also be given detention, office referral, or suspension. Respect- One of the main purposes of public school is to allow young people an opportunity to interact with people of a variety of backgrounds in a constructive and respectful manner. With this in mind, I expect everyone in this room, including myself, to treat each other with respect. If you feel that I or another member of the class has disrespected you, please let me know immediately. 2. Do not interfere with the teaching or learning! Classroom Disturbances Actions that interfere with the learning process of you or other students will not be tolerated. In most cases, the student will be asked to stop the disruptive behavior and if it continues, further action will be taken. Personal Electronics - The use of personal electronics (cell phones, iPods, etc.) without my consent is strictly prohibited. If I witness a student using personal electronics during class time without permission the item will be confiscated and can be picked up in the office after school. Refusal to turn over such devices upon request will result in an immediate trip to the office. Food and Drink Students are permitted to bring beverages to class provided that they are in a receptacle with a secure lid. No food is allowed. 3. Be prepared for class every day! Materials Students are expected to bring all materials that they will need to class each day, including your textbook. A detention may be issued those who repeatedly come unprepared to class. Tardiness Being prepared for class means being on time. I will strictly enforce the schools tardy policy that is explained below: Tardy #1: Warning Tardy #2: 15 minute detention to be completed in the detention room within 2 school days. Notify parents. Tardy #3-5: Automatic 45 minute detention to be completed within 2 school days. Notify parents. Tardy #6: ISS pending parent/student meeting with an assistant principal. Tardy #7: ISS, loss of privileges Tardy #8: Further disciplinary action including out of school suspension. Hall Passes In knowing that there is a strong correlation between student success and time in class, I have adopted the following hall pass policy: 1. Students needing to use the restroom or get a drink must ask me before leaving the classroom. 2. Students should not leave the room without the green hall pass. 3. Students will be given no more than 5 minutes outside of the classroom (as indicated by the classroom clock). Failure to return within that time will result in the loss of hall pass privileges and/or a detention, depending on the severity of the abuse.
4. Do your best! Students who are off-task during an in-class assignment will first be told to get to work. Refusal to do so will result in further action. The grading system in this class has been designed to evaluate both your learning (60%) and your participation (40%). This means that even if you ace every quiz, test, and project, but fail to turn in the daily assignments, you still wont receive a grade higher than D-. TEACHERS RIGHT: I reserve the right to amend or add to any of the above guidelines at any time during the semester. In other words, I reserve the right to make up the rules as we go along.
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Student and Parent/Guardian Contact Information
Due date: Tuesday, August 21st
I request that students and parents provide their contact information so that I may contact them with general information about the class and/or specific comments, questions, or concerns about a student. Please complete st the form below by cutting out this section and returning it to class by Tuesday, August 21 . This is a 20 point assignment. Student name:______________________________________________________________________ Student email:______________________________________________________________________ Is there any additional information you would like me to know about you?
Student signature:_____________________________________________________________________ I have read the course syllabus and am aware of Ms. Koenigs policies.
Parent/Guardian Name:________________________________________________________________ Phone:______________________________________________________________________________ Email:____________________________________________________________________________________ Is there any additional information helpful to know about your student or family?
Parent/guardian signature:____________________________________________________________ I have read the course syllabus and am aware of Ms. Koenigs policies.
