Mr. Ostrick
August 24, 2009
Period __
Civics Syllabus
http://www.whatsupmro.info
I – Overview
I would like to welcome you back to the Aventura City of Excellence School and welcome you to the seventh grade. Some of the things will be learning about include what it means to be an active citizen and the roots of our American Democracy. We will also learn about our charters of freedom such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. We will also learn about the modern political systems, the roots and beliefs of the political parties, the issues they hold dear and what issues divide them. Also to be discussed are many of the landmark Supreme Court decisions that have changed our country forever, and the powers of the branches of our government. This is just a small sample of some of the exciting topics we will be discussing.
II – Rules and
Expectations
Rules of the Classroom
1) Raise your hand when you want to speak. Respect is the name of the game; if you want it, earn it by showing it to me as well as your classmates.
2) Come prepared to class everyday ready to participate and contribute. This includes reading the assigned textbook work and all homework assignments as well as having a blue or black pen and paper.
3) There is no eating or gum chewing in class. Water is the only acceptable drink.
4) Do not get out of your seat to throw things away, keep it at your desk and do it after class.
5) You get 2 bathroom trips a week, and your agenda must be signed and filled out. There are also no passes out of class in the first or last 10 minutes of class.
Things You Can Expect To Learn This Year:
1) You
will learn what it means to be an active citizen in the
2) You will learn about our Constitution and why it has become the model that numerous countries have followed.
3) You will learn how to debate. The key to debating is not just talking, it is listening. You will also learn that debating is not about opinions, it is about facts.
4) You will learn how an idea becomes a law. The process as well as the players involved. You will also learn how these laws are challenged by court cases that have changed our country forever.
5) You will learn what it means to be a Democrat or a Republican, the ideologies and the history of both parties, and which side you believe in.
6) You will learn about the great and the not-so-great individuals that have occupied the White House and worked on Capitol Hill.
What I Expect From You
• I expect you to be in class on time every day.
• I expect that when I assign homework, it will be done.
• I expect everybody to participate in class discussions and debates. (Classroom participation is part of your grade)
• I expect you all to be respectful of your teacher as well as your classmates.
• I expect that you complete your reading assignments nightly and review your notes nightly in preparation for potential unannounced quizzes on the material.
What You Can Expect From Me
• Expect me to be in class on time and prepared.
• Expect that I will make class as interesting and enjoyable as I can.
• Expect that I know the internet well and will know who is doing their work, and who is cutting and pasting from the internet, so don’t try it; (that’s called plagiarism.)
• Expect that I will be as fair as I can be and that I want to help you all succeed.
III – Standing Rules
on Assignment
1) All assignments are to be submitted completed, on time, and with the proper heading and in blue or black pen. Pencil and other color pens will not be accepted. Current events assignments are to be typed.
2) Students with an excused absence (a note from a doctor or from home) have three (3) days to make up all work. Unexcused absences may make up work when a “Notification of Absence” form is submitted to administration.
3) Workbook assignments are required to be submitted with all sections completed as assigned. Workbooks sections generally run 3-4 pages. You will have a week to complete these assignments. Incomplete workbooks will not be graded. If there is a section that you do not understand, you must tell me before it is due. The workbook is designed to work with your textbook, and will help in your understanding of what you read about.
4) All homework assignments, reading assignments and project/exam dates are given in class and are posted on the class website, www.whatsupmro.info.
IV – Tests, Quizzes
and Performance Tasks
1) Chapter tests are given upon completion of the chapter. Expect to have one every four weeks. You will be given at least a week’s notice as to the date of the exam. The exam will cover all material covered in class and in the assigned readings. Chapter tests generally include matching, multiple choice, short answer, essays and document based questions such as political cartoons or reading passages. Chapter tests are worth 50% of your quarterly grade.
2) Quizzes are given at the completion of each section of the chapter. Each quiz is generally 10 questions in a 5 by 5 format of matching and multiple choice questions. Quizzes, like the chapter tests are based on material covered in class as well as assigned readings. Quizzes are worth 35% of your overall quarterly grade.
3) Students should also be ready for unannounced quizzes in class on material covered the previous day or on the assigned readings from the night before. These quizzes are worth 1/5 of a full quiz, meaning 5 pop quizzes equal a full quiz, so keeping up on the readings and review your notes nightly.
4) In-class participation, behavior, class work and homework make up the final 15% of your quarterly grade.
Civics Syllabus
I have read and understand the above information and agree to the rules and requirements for class. Understand that not signing the above contract does not exempt you the terms listed. Please keep the entire syllabus in the beginning of your binder for reference throughout the school year. This page is due back to me no later than Wednesday, August 26th. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at jostrick@aventuracharter.org.
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Student Signature Date
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Parent Signature Date