syllabus.
Civics & Economics Course Syllabus
Independence High School 2015-2016
Whigham Covington
[email protected]
Course Description
Civics is the study of the rights and duties of citizens. In this course we will be examining the roots of our government and our place as citizens in it. Economics involves how individuals and societies make choices in allocating the resources they have. We will also explore individual financial literacy.
Course Unit Outline:
First Quarter
1. Introduction to Government and Citizenship
a. Civic Duties and Responsibilities
b. Voting and Elections
2. Personal Finance
3. Founding Principles
4. Constitution
Second Quarter
5. Legislative and Executive Branches
6. Judicial Branch and Legal System
7. Economics
a. Making Economics Decisions
b. Economic Interdependence
c. Economic Stability
Civics and Economics – Graduation Requirement
Students must pass Civics and Economics to graduate.
Grading Policy
90-100- A
80-89- B
70-79- C
60-69- D
59 & below- F
Quarter Grading Percentages (school policy)
1st Quarter: Informal Assessments 20%, Formal Assessments 60%, Mid Term Exam 20%
2nd Quarter: Informal Assessments 30 % Formal Assessments 70%
Final Course Grade: 1st Quarter 37.5%, 2nd Quarter 37.5%, Final Exam 25%
Assessment Types
· Informal Assessments include homework, most classwork, small quizzes
· Formal Assessments include major quizzes, tests, projects, major essays/papers
Common Exam
All Civics and Economics students in the state will take an exam at the end of the course called the North Carolina Final Exam. It is prepared by the state and consists of multiple choice and constructed-response questions. This exam constitutes 25% of a student’s final grade.
Extra Credit
Opportunities to earn extra points will be available throughout the semester. These bonus points will help a student who slips on an assignment or two. Students should not rely on bonus points to bail them out if they routinely do not complete assignments.
Late Work
If a student fails to turn in an assignment, there is a 24 hour grace period. Students may turn in work within 24 hours of the original due date and receive partial credit.
Re-tests
Students are permitted to re-take a test ONLY after they complete remediation. Remediation and re-tests occur after school. Students must arrange their own transportation.
Make-up work
Students who are absent for a test, quiz, or assignment have ONE WEEK to make up the work. Tests and quizzes must be made up either before school or on Thursdays during tutoring. Work that is not made up within one week will receive a grade of “zero.”
Attendance Policy
CMS and IHS policy states that students who have more than 10 absences will fail the course for the semester. Students may “recover” or make up absences by staying after school for tutoring and recovery days.
Tardy Policy
Independence High School policy:
· 1st tardy=warning to student and written referral to administration
· 2nd tardy=referral to administration/ISS
· 3rd tardy=written referral to administration/OSS
School Rules
· Dress Code: Please make sure your student is in compliance with the school dress code. Students out of compliance will be sent to administration. Students will not return to class until they are in compliance.
· Electronic Devices: In general, electronic devices such as cell phones and MP3 players are not allowed at school. Students may listen to music with headphones before and after school only. Headphones are not permitted during the instructional day, either in classrooms or in the hallways between classes.
Students are not allowed to make or receive phone calls on their personal cell phones during the instructional day. Students are not allowed to send text messages or check their cell phones during class or in the hallways between classes. If a student attempts to use a cell phone during class, it will be confiscated and turned into the main office until it can be picked up by a parent or guardian. The school will not conduct a search for lost or stolen electronic devices.
*****Texting is extremely disruptive in the classroom. Please help me maintain an efficient and focused atmosphere by discussing with your student the consequences of texting during class*****
How can I help my child successfully pass this class?
1. Ask your student, “What did you do in school today?” If they say “nothing,” ask to see their class notebook. Almost everything we do in class will be in the notebook. Quizzing students over the material is a great way to reinforce content as well as the importance of education.
2. Log onto PowerSchool to view your child’s grades and attendance in all of their classes. Login information can be found at the school’s website ( http://pages.cms.k12.nc.us/independence/ ) or by calling the school for the appropriate information.
3. Make sure your child is attending school on time every day with supplies.
4. Contact me as often as possible. The best way to reach me is via email. [email protected]
5. Parent/Teacher Conferences: Please contact your student’s guidance counselor to set up a P/T conference.
6. Tutoring will be most Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays after school from 2:30 – 4:00…arrive on time. I can also arrange to meet with students after school other days, if necessary, but students/parents need to arrange for transportation home.