U.S. Government Syllabus
American Government
Mrs. Steinkamp
Dear Students and Parents
This syllabus will give you an idea of the requirements of the classroom and course. Please review this together, add comments, sign, and return it to me by the due date on the current form (provided to students). Students will receive their first 50 points for talking to you about this syllabus and returning it to me with your signature.
Before the class even gets started, I have another assignment for both parents and students. Be ready to talk to each other about your views on government. While I can provide the basic principles of government and some character education, it is important for families to be talking about how our country operates. The central unit of government is the family. Please take this opportunity to share your views with one another.
My website address is: http://teachers.esu8.org/mrss (no www). Both parents and students will be able to go there to find course information and important links to websites we will use for class. You can also reach me through Parent Connect.
General Course Objectives
1. Students will know the purposes, forms, and operations of government in general and in the United States
2. Students will understand and apply Constitutional principles (liberty, equality, justice, and power) and the Bill of Rights to case studies and situations in their own lives.
3. Each student will analyze his or her possible contributions to society, in and out of the political arena.
Grading
Grades will be determined by class participation, homework, group work, research, quizzes, and tests. Note that the students≠ grade weighs heavily on participation in projects and in class.
· Students will be given a rubric for major projects. Carefully following instructions will assure a good grade.
· There will be 4 mastery quizzes during the semester. Students must receive a passing grade on these. They may re-take them as often as they like, but the quizzes must be passed before the end of the semester.
· Extra credit assignments will be offered to the entire class. Students who have no missing or incomplete assignments are eligible for extra credit.
· Late homework will not be accepted. Late or missing projects will be marked INC, and the student≠s grade will not be available until those are made up. Students with INC as a grade at the end of the semester will not receive credit for the class. Students with INC grades will not participate in the final project and will take an alternative final test after clearing their INC grades.
· Failing grades are not acceptable on projects and will be returned to the student for correction. An INC grade will be entered in the meantime. Students will have a designated amount of time to complete the assignment for full credit.
· Students will have over three months to complete 5 hours of pre-approved community service. Community service will not be accepted late for any reason. It is not subject to the excused absence policy.
· Students who have completed all work for a unit on time and have no INC grades will receive a ≥test pass≈, excusing them from the exam.
· Assignments from excused absences will follow school policy (one day for every day missed).
· Absences for extra-curricular activities or family travel must be pre-arranged, and assignments are to be turned in when the student returns. (See me about alternative assignments related to your travel.)
· Students may get help after school Tuesday through Friday. If you think you will need more than 20 minutes, please give me some notice so I can set aside enough time for you.
· The average grades for the fall classes were between 92% and 99%. That means that everyone can get a good grade in government by completing the assignments on time. Keeping up with your work is the key.
· The final project and final test are worth twice the value of the regular projects and tests.
The breakdown for grades is as follows:
40% Projects (Simulations, Forums, Case Studies, Moot Courts, Final Project)
30% Quizzes and Tests
10% Homework (mainly reading and a few skills lessons) NO LATE HOMEWORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.
10% Class Participation (work ethic, discussion, helping others, contributing to the class, assignments)
10% Community Service Project (of student's choice; see forms for this project) NOT ACCEPTED LATE
Textbooks
Students will be assigned a We the People text. This is a paperback text, and students must be careful not to excessively damage it. Students will also occasionally use a hard-cover textbook which will be checked out as needed. All textbooks must be kept in good condition. A cover is highly recommended. Charges will occur for lost or damaged textbooks. Textbooks left in the classroom will be the student's responsibility - they tend to disappear.
Behavior Expectations
I have three basic rules, and everything fits into them. I also have a warning system that will be explained in class.
- Be safe: Consider the consequences of your behavior, and avoid putting yourself or others in jeopardy.
- Be respectful: Show respect for yourself, others, their property, and the school≠s property. Appropriate language, topics, clothing choices, and classroom conduct all fit in here.
- Be prepared: Have your work done, write down your homework from the board, and be ready to start class when the bell rings. Both your papers and your attitude should be in order.
Tardies: When necessary, students will have a three-second countdown to be in their seats after the bell rings. Students may have up to three tardies (less than three minutes late). For Tardy #4, the student will be referred to administrators.
Course Outline
UNIT SUBJECT
1 Foundations of US Government
2 Political Citizenship
3 Legislative Branch
4 Executive Branch
5 Judicial Branch
6 Final Project or EXAM
PARENT COMMENTS:
We have read and discussed the requirements for the Government class
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Parent Signature Student Signature
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