1. Semester course .5 credit Graduation requirement
CIVICS
Semester course
.5 credit
Graduation requirement

2. Civics
Class Textbook: American Civics

3. Grading Scale: 101 + A+ 100 – 92 A 91 – 90 A- 89 B+ 88 – 82 B
Civics
Grading Scale: A+
100 – A
91 – 90 A- B+
88 – 82 B
81 – 80 B-
… 59.4 – 0 E

4. Civics 2016 - 2017 will be primarily online
Classwork / Projects:
will be primarily online
Summary Questions (SQs) will be handwritten
Classwork is worth 35% of the semester grade.

5. This will be graded as a Test
Civics
“Cold War” Project
Groups of 2 or 3
Randomly draw five issues / events / people related to the Cold War
2-3 days library time (hopefully)
You will teach the class
Using Google Slides
7 – 10 question quiz/WS on your presentation
This will be graded as a Test

6. CLASSWORK / HOMEWORK (35% of your grade)
Civics
CLASSWORK / HOMEWORK (35% of your grade)
BOOKWORK
During State and local Governments section
SQs
Not turned in every day (you will keep each day’s work and turn in together at specified time)

7. Civics 2016-2017 SUMMARY QUESTIONS
5 questions at the end of daily notes
Your opinion on issues, events, etc
REMEMBER: an opinion can’t be right or wrong, but it can be weak or strong
A good opinion is based in numerous examples based on facts
Not handed in daily

8. Civics 2016 - 2017 Notes: (may be randomly graded as classwork)
Students are expected to take notes during the PowerPoint lecture period of class. These notes may be randomly graded as “classwork”, and may also be used on chapter quizzes.
If you miss a day…
Get a copy from a friend
Access notes on my school website
I will provide notes only under special circumstances
PowerPoint
Usually first half of class
3-4 days* (most weeks)

9. Civics
Notes and Classwork will be labelled by their MDE Designation
“high school content expectation”
Example: C3.1(3)
C = “civics”
3 = specific part of Civics curriculum (structure of U.S. Government)
1 = specific part of specific part of Civics curriculum (enumerated powers of government)
(3) = 3rd set of notes in this section

10. Civics
Study Guides: You will be given a copy of the test essay(s) a few days before the test. You may make an outline of your answer to help organize your thoughts.
For studying the Multiple Choice portion of the test, it is important you take good notes, and keep them until the end of the semester!

11. Civics 2016-2017 Example- Study Guide Essay Outline
Question: Why was the U.S. Constitution needed? How was it created? Where? Who were important people? Do you still think the Constitution still works today? Why or why not?
your outline will look like this:
Gained independence from Great Britain
Needed plan of government
Articles of Confederation failed
Called a constitutional convention
Philadelphia
Federalists
T. Jefferson, J. Madison
(your opinion)

12. Current Events Civics 2016 - 2017 Assigned to C.E. group
Due once per week (most weeks)
Handwritten
Be prepared to discuss in class
Total of 4 due on C.E. Day
Local (EUP)
State (Michigan)
National (USA)
International (World)
Graded as “classwork”

13. Civics
CNN Student News

14. Civics
Late Work:
5 points will be deducted each day an assignment is late. Students with a valid excuse (sickness, doctor’s appt, family emergency) will be given extra time to turn in the work.
No-Name Assignments
It is your responsibility to check the no- name paper pile

15. Civics
Tests:
Tests (2 plus Final) are worth 35% of the semester grade. Each test will have an essay portion, which can be worth as much as 40% of the entire test. Students are encouraged to write out an outline version of their answer to the essay (provided on the study guide) to use on test day.
This will help organize your thoughts in order to write an acceptable essay. It is important students take this portion of the test seriously, as failure to do the essays usually results in a failing grade on the test.

16. Civics
Quizzes:
There will be multiple quizzes. Students are allowed to use notes taken during the PowerPoint lectures. Quizzes are worth 30% of the semester grade.
Extra Credit

17. Civics
Behavior:
All students have a right to learn in an accommodating environment. Any student whose behavior is disruptive to the class will be involved in the following process:
Discussion between the teacher and student
Discussion between the teacher and parent
Involvement of school administrators

18. Civics 2016-2017 Electronic Devices NO cell phones, etc, during class
Constant warnings = you can get your phone from me or an administrator after school
Laptops are to be used for notes and assignments only during work time
You may use laptop as you choose if there is time
Appropriate sites and usage
IPODS
You may listen to music while
Taking a test or quiz
Doing classwork (not notes or when I am talking)
Any free time we may have

19. Don’t stress out Civics 2016-2017 Relax…enjoy the year …
If you put in an honest effort, it will be difficult to fail this class