CivicsCivics

Coach Marsh

2012-2013

Coach Marsh

2012-2013

Course description:

Welcome! This course is 7th Grade Civics (Citizenship). This course will address the principles our country was founded upon and how we can all work together to make our communities great places to live. The goal of education in civics and government is informed, responsible, participation in civic life by competent citizens committed to the fundamental values and principles of the constitutional democracy, which established the republic of the United States of America.

Beginning of Class

You will be expected to come to class prepared.

You will NOT be allowed to return to your locker for textbooks, paper, pencils, or assignments.

Respect yourself and others at all times. Discipline will be handled in accordance with the Shelby County Code of Conduct.

Tardies

If you are late for class you must:– Have a note from a teacher or administrator

The First Time

– Sign the tardy roster If attendance has been posted you must go

to the office for a pass.

What to bring to class

You will need to bring the following items to class every day.

Pencil – A small sharpener is recommended if you have

wooden pencils. Paper Textbook

– EVERYDAY!!!! A positive attitude!

Textbooks

Textbooks are required everyday. If you do not bring one you must use

resources available in class. Absolutely NO sharing!

AssignmentsThe following are examples of the types of assignments you can expect in geography.

Reading is an essential ingredient of any social studies course, be prepared to read.

Writing is also a necessary component. Review questions will be used to reinforce learned

concepts. Class activities will be used to aid lesson

comprehension. Homework will also be used to reinforce daily

objectives.

Bell Ringers

When you enter the room, check for Bell Ringers (BR) on the board.

Get BR from appropriate box. DO NOT WRITE ON BR! Complete during roll call.

Vocabulary

Assigned at the beginning of each chapter/unit.

Vocabulary words are to be defined at turned in at the appropriate time.

A vocabulary quiz will be given for each set of vocabulary terms. (points are usually 30-40)

Definitions I use for VQ are found in the text.

Reading

Reading is a key component to any social studies course.

Most reading assignments will be completed out of class.

Taking reading notes is a great strategy to improve retention and comprehension.

Classwork

Any assignment designed to be completed during class.

Point values range from 10-40 Use own paper unless specifically told to

write on it.

Homework

Any assignment designed to be completed outside of class hours.

Point values range from 5-15

Assessments

Assessments will be conducted through a variety of methods.

Quizzes will be use to assess reading comprehension.

A minimum of five (5) standardized tests will be used per grading period to assess mastery of unit objectives.

One nine weeks assessment will be used to assess overall mastery of objectives for the grading period.

Assessments

Quizzes – cover smaller amounts of material and are valued between 20 and 50 points

Tests – cover larger amounts of material and are worth 100 points

Nine Weeks Assessments (Benchmarks) – cover material for entire nine weeks grading period and are worth 10 % of your nine weeks average

Tip Sheets

You will be allowed to use tip sheets on tests (not to include quizzes or Nine Weeks Assessments)

Put as much information as you want on ONE side– 1st Nine Weeks ½ page– 2nd Nine Weeks ½ page– 3rd Nine Weeks ¼ page– 4th Nine Weeks No tip sheet

1/2

1/4

Make up Work When you are absent or miss class YOU are

responsible for getting any work you miss or scheduling a time to make up tests or quizzes.

Do NOT ask for make up work in the hall. Do NOT interrupt class for make up work, wait

until I am at my desk. You will receive full credit for work made up

within 3 days with an excused absence.– After 3 days = 70%

Unexcused absence = 0

Late Assignments

I expect assignments to be turned in on time.

Late assignments will receive partial credit (see Make-up Rules).

Grading

Grading system used is the point system. Every assignment has a point value

attached.– Tests are worth more than quizzes.

Chapter test = 100 points Vocabulary Quiz = 30-40 points Classwork = 15-30 points Homework = 5-15 points