Course Syllabus

CLASSROOM SYLLABUS & EXPECTATIONS

Honors Civics and Economics MS. CRAIG

Office Hours/Tutoring:

  • Monday- Friday 7:25am-7:55am
  • Or by appointment

Contact Information:

  • 704-292-7662
  • E-Mail: Rebecca.craig @ucps.k12.nc.us
  • Room G205

Honors Civics and Economics

Civics and Economics covers a broad range of topics and legal issues.  The purpose of this class is for students to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to become responsible and effective citizens.  This class will follow the North Carolina curriculum standards.  Students will need a practical understanding of the systems of civics and economics that affect their lives as consumers and citizens.  Students will become aware of their rights and responsibilities and put this information into practice. Students will acquire skills that prepare them for life as active citizens and consumers. These skills will include: historical investigation and examination of multiple perspectives; cause and effect relationships; patterns of human interaction; change, compromise; distinguishing fact from propaganda; making informed and wise short and long term decisions, etc.   Honors students will be required to read, analyze, and evaluate primary and secondary sources.

Civics and Economics HN is an honors level course. This course is also available in the Program of Studies at the College Preparatory level. Students earning credit for an Honors level course receive an elevated number of Quality Points for their Grade Point Average. Students choosing the Honors level course should be aware that this Honors level course will include:

  • Required extension opportunities that are directly related to the Standard Course of Study. This includes additional content beyond that covered in the College Preparatory level.
  • More challenging coursework and assessments. Students will be expected to demonstrate higher levels of understanding for grades.
  • Projects and presentations will be more in depth.
  • Students will have to focus and study regularly to master the content.
  • The expectation that students can move through the coursework at an accelerated pace and students experiencing difficulty should quickly seek guidance from their teacher on how they can be more successful.

 

Below is a sample of how the Honors level objectives may differ from those in the College Preparatory level:

 HONORS level objective

 

 

 

COLLEGE PREP level objective

 

 

Am. History Example AH1.H.2.2 Evaluate key turning points from colonization through Reconstruction in terms of their lasting impact (e.g., conflicts, legislation, elections, innovations, leadership, movements, Supreme Court decisions, etc.), project how these issues may influence current or future events.

Am. History Example AH1.H.2.2 Evaluate key turning points from colonization through Reconstruction in terms of their lasting impact (e.g., conflicts, legislation, elections, innovations, leadership, movements, Supreme Court decisions, etc.).

“EmpowerED Family Portal”  https://www.ucps.k12.nc.us/domain/2917 

 

Canvas:  Some assignments not completed on paper will be submitted on our learning platform, Canvas. Assignments can be submitted a variety of ways including, uploading files, typing into text boxes, and sharing Google documents/presentations. Students will be shown how to submit assignments on Canvas as needed. Individual assignments will indicate which method of submission on Canvas is expected. If students need a refresher or have questions, they can access the Canvas Student Guide for specific instructions. It is the student's responsibility to ensure assignments are submitted on time and to contact the instructor if there is a problem. Please note that student activity is logged while in Canvas so instructors will be able to see if the student opened the assignment, if there was any activity including a log of student activities during on-line tests and quizzes. Students are not allowed to leave the testing window during assessments. Doing so is considered cheating and will be handled as set forth in the Porter Ridge HS handbook.

NOTICE: Although many assignments are submitted and graded in our learning platform, Canvas, and on paper the "final" grades shown may not be properly weighted and do not contain assignments that were not graded in Canvas. For the student's official grades, please continue to access the parent portal through Powerschool.

Login information is usually sent home with the students at the beginning of the year, and should be the same as last year. If you need assistance accessing the parent portal, please contact the school.

 

Expectations:

Be Prompt: Students are expected to be in class on time and begin bell work once the bell has rung.

Be Prepared: Students are expected to bring all needed materials to class; this includes pens, papers, notebooks and homework.

Be Polite: Students are expected to respect all members of the faculty and fellow students.

Be Engaged: Students are expected to be engaged in the subject matter, complete all work in a timely and efficient manner, and display a positive attitude that will enhance learning for everyone in the classroom.

Follow all school rules in the student handbook.

Failure to comply with the above rules will result in warnings, parent contacts, and administrative contacts.  Discipline issues will follow guidelines below:

Tardies and Classroom Management:

  • This class will follow school guidelines regarding tardiness.
  • Minor infractions including but not limited to: Disruptive behavior, unauthorized cell phone or computer use, talking etc. will also follow school guidelines.

            1st infraction: verbal warning

            2nd infraction: parent contact:           

            3rd infraction: potential afterschool or Saturday detention

            4th infraction: potential Out of School suspension

Materials:

Students are expected to come prepared to class daily; the following items are needed for this class, this semester:

  1. 3 Ring Binder
  2. Notebook paper
  3. 1-1 Laptop
  4. Pens/Pencils
  5. Flash Drive

If one of the following items cannot be provided, please contact me as soon as possible, so that I may make proper arrangements.

Procedures:

For beginning of the class:

  • Arrive to class on time, sit in assigned seat
  • Have materials ready at the start of class and begin bell work.
  • Failure to be on task at the start of the class, may result in a zero for the assignment.

During Class:

  • Raise your hand before speaking
  • If you need to leave the class for any reason, you MUST raise your hand and ask permission. Please avoid raising your hand during instructional time, unless it is an emergency. Sign out and take a pass, with you, no exceptions. This includes going to (bathroom, water fountain, health office, front office, guidance office, media center.) Students must also sign out when leaving and sign in when returning.

At the end of class:                                                                                                                            

  • Clean up your area.
  • Straighten desks.
  • Place any and all textbooks back under the desk.
  • Do not line up at the door, Remember, the bell does not dismiss you the teacher does.

 

Laptops

Bring laptops to class daily, unless otherwise directed.  When laptops are brought to class, they should be charged and ready to use.  When every student needs to plug in their laptops, it causes a tripping hazard.  During times when the whole class is using laptops, students should remain on task and only on appropriate websites.  If the teacher asks students to lower their screens or shut computers, students should save their work and do so immediately.  If a student does not have their laptop in class, for whatever reason, they are still responsible for the work.  Most assignments can easily be done on paper.      

Tutoring:

All students have the opportunity to see me before/after school for extra help at any time. However, students must tell me in advance when they need to come in so I can be available

Grading:

Grading is based on a percentage system.  The final grade every six weeks will be comprised of the following three items:

  1. Tests/Quizzes- 60%
  2. Homework/Class work/Participation- 40%

The final grade for the semester will be comprised of the following four items:

  1. First six weeks final average-25%
  2. Second six weeks final average-25%
  3. Third six weeks final average-25%
  4. Final Exam-25%

First Six Weeks:

 Unit 1- Citizenship (FP.C &G.4)

 Unit 2-Foundations of Government (FP. C&G.1)

 -Colonial America

-Constitution

 -Bill of Rights

Unit 3- Legislative Branch (FP.C& G.3)

Unit 3 (Cont.)- Executive Branch (FP.C&G.3)

 Second Six Weeks:

Unit 3 (Cont.) – Judicial Branch ( FP.C &G.5)

Unit 4 – Politics and State/Local Government (FP.C & G.2)

Unit 5- Law (FP.C & G.4)

Third Six Weeks:

Unit 6- Economics (FP.E) and Financial Planning (FP.PFL)

 

Late Work

It is the student’s responsibility to see me and receive all missed work after being absent as well as to turn in any assignments or make up any tests/quizzes that were due the day of their absence. All missed tests, quizzes, notebook checks, homework, and class work will receive a grade of zero (0) until the assignment is made up. If the student misses any tests or quizzes due to an absence they must make them up after school.  Make up tests/quizzes can only be made up before or after school.

It is the student’s responsibility to obtain make-up assignments from his/her teacher.

ALL LATE HOMEWORK/CLASS WORK WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE PENALIZED AND ONLY WORTH 50% OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE SCORE ON THAT ASSIGNMENT. (Ex:  If a homework assignment worth 20 points is turned in late it will only be worth a maximum score of 10/20.)

AN ASSIGNMENT IS CONSIDERED LATE IF IT IS TURNED IN ANYTIME AFTER THE SPECIFIC TIME IT IS TAKEN UP BY THE TEACHER.

 Cheating

Cheating is a serious offense that will carry heavy consequences.  Any student suspected of giving or receiving answers on class work, homework, tests, or quizzes will automatically receive a zero (0) for that assignment, no discussion, no questions asked. This includes cheating on paper and online assignments.

 Plagiarism and Academic Code of Conduct:

Porter Ridge High School has adopted an Honor Code.  Students will refrain from copying, using, or otherwise claiming work of others to be their own.  Students shall not cheat on tests/examinations, copy the work of another, or complete any type of academic assignment in a dishonest or deceptive manner.  Students shall not forge parents/ guardians/teachers signatures or make fraudulent use of official school documents. Forgery, cheating or plagiarism will result in an academic consequence assigned by the student’s teacher, and may result in the removal from honor or recognition based groups on campus (ie. NHS, NEHS, NAHS, etc.)  Additionally, students may be referred to the administration for Cheating or Plagiarism

Canvas

Students will use my Canvas page to access information such as class notes, upcoming important dates, readings and assignments.  In the event of an absence students can refer to that days announcement and find notes and assignments they have missed.  Not all assignments will be turned in online, however, the instructions for them will be there.

Students should feel free to contact me via email with any questions.

Cell Phones/Electronics/Earbuds etc.

                All students must follow the county/school guidelines regarding electronics.  No student is to have earbuds out during direct teacher instruction. If you cannot hear me explaining concepts/directions to you, you will miss important information.

AUDIO/VIDEO TAPING: Since the courts have ruled that an instructor’s voice and physical image are their personal property, the prerogative of the audio taping and/or video recording of lectures is a right specifically reserved to faculty. Should you wish to record using any device you must obtain the permission of the respective instructor in all classes.

Final Note: This is going to be a great semester! I am really looking forward to working together with all of you. If we follow these rules and procedures and expectations we will all have a great class where learning, positivity and fun are present. Please keep this syllabus in your notebook and return the next page signed to Ms. Craig.

*In response to changing student needs, the teacher reserves the right to change any policies/procedures as needed throughout the semester*

 

Student Name:_________________________________________________________________

I have read and understand the requirements, expectations and procedures for this course.

To be completed by the parent/guardian

Please Read and initial each statement below:

 

  1. I know that my child receives progress reports every three weeks, and I should contact Ms.Craig immediately if I am not receiving progress reports. _________________
  2. I have read and discussed the rules and procedures with my child. I understand and agree to encourage my child to abide by these rules and procedures. I understand the consequences that my child will incur if he/she does not abide by the classroom rules and procedures. ___________________

                                                                                                        

Student Signature_________________________________________________________________                                                                                                 

Parent/Guardian Name:_________________________________________________________________                                                                                                                       

Parent/ Guardian Signature_________________________________________________________________         

Parent/guardian Email_________________________________________________________________                                                                                                                       

Parent/guardian Phone number_____________________________________________________________      

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due