Welcome to Government!

Transcription

1 Welcome to Government Mrs. Noelle Toxqui Yorba Linda High School Room 425 (714) x Whenever the people are well-informed, they can trusted with their own government. - Thomas Jefferson Government Course Overview Students in grade twelve pursue a deeper understanding of the institutions of American government. They compare systems of government in the world today and analyze the history and changing interpretations of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the current state of the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches of government. An emphasis is placed on analyzing the relationship among federal, state, and local governments, with particular attention paid to important historical documents such as the Federalist Papers. These standards represent the culmination of civic literacy as students prepare to vote, participate in community activities, and assume the responsibilities of citizenship. Suggested Materials Students should have the following materials to be successful in the classroom: Blue or black ink pens Number 2 pencils Highlighters Three-ring binder dedicated to Government Lined paper Spiral notebook or composition book Grading Students grades will be evaluated based on the following: Assessments: 40% Projects: 20% Classwork and Homework: 20% Current Events/Civic Responsibility Portfolios: 10% Participation: 10%

2 Grading Scale: 89.5% - 100% = A 79.5% % = B 69.5% % = C 59.5% % = D 0% % = F Late Work Policy: All assignments are due at the beginning of class. Late work is accepted one day late for 50% credit. After that, the work is not accepted. Absent Work: After an excused absence, it is the student s responsibility to: Visit the class website or ask a classmate for any assignment information or notes. Check the Government folder for handouts or assignments. Schedule make-up exams or quizzes. The due dates for absent work are as follows: If the assignment was due the day the student was absent, the assignment is due the day a student returns from an excused absence. A student gets two days per day of excused absence to make up an assignment after returning to class before it is considered late. It is up to the student to monitor this deadline. No additional time is given to major projects or assignments unless there is an extreme circumstance. No work is accepted for students with unexcused absences. Make-Up Exams or Quizzes: Students with excused absences must schedule their make-up exam or quiz upon returning to class. Make-up exams and quizzes can only be administered before school or during lunch within two days upon returning to class. No make-up exams or quizzes are given to students with unexcused absences. Extra Credit: Extra credit is rarely given. Participation Grade Students can earn up to two participation points per day of instruction. One point is awarded for punctual attendance, preparedness, and work ethic. A second point is awarded for sharing in class discussions or being an active participant in the classroom. Points are deducted for arriving tardily, using a phone in class, speaking out of turn, being disrespectful, disrupting the class, etc.

3 Academic Honesty: Students are expected to turn in work that is their own. All assignments are to be completed individually and in students own words unless otherwise indicated. Proper citations must always be used. Cheating results in an automatic zero and/or referral to counselors or administration. Please see the YLHS handbook for the full policy on academic honesty and the list of potential consequences. Run with the STAMPEDE Service Teamwork Achievement Mastery Passion Ethics Dedication Excellence Classroom Expectations: Class Policies and Behavior Expectations Students are to arrive on time, prepared with the necessary supplies, and ready to learn. Students must be actively engaged during class. Participation is required for success in this course. There are no stupid questions. All students, teachers, staff, and inanimate objects are to be given total respect. Students are expected to come into the classroom with an open mind and ready to learn. Respect the opinions and thoughts of others. Students are expected to develop their analytical and critical thinking skills. Before you speak, remember the classic saying, If you can t say anything nice, don t say anything at all. My classroom is a No Bully Zone. Students must treat everyone with compassion. Class Policies and Procedures: School Policies: Refer to the YLHS Student Handbook for any policies or procedures that are not noted in this syllabus. Talking: Listen quietly while the teacher or another student is speaking. Students must raise their hand and wait to be called on to speak. Electronic Devices: Students may use laptops, cell phones, or other electronic devices exclusively to take notes or for certain classwork activities only with the teacher s explicit prior permission. Please see the YLHS student handbook for the full policy on electronic devices and the list of potential consequences. Bathroom: Students will receive three bathroom passes at the beginning of the semester.

4 Passes can be used to escape tardies within the first few minutes of class. Unused passes can be turned in for extra participation points. Eating/Drinking: Students may not eat or drink in the classroom. Only water is allowed. Classroom Behavior: Students are to remain seated in class and may get up by raising their hand and getting the teacher s permission. Students may not pack up until the bell rings and must wait for the teacher to dismiss them. Purses and Backpacks: Please keep all backpacks, purses, etc. under the desk at all times. Fair Treatment: Every student is treated fairly in my classroom, but not every student is treated the same. Students are given special consideration based on individual needs and circumstances. Disciplinary Action for Failure to Adhere to Class Policies: Failure to adhere to the class policies can result in any of the following disciplinary actions in any sequence or combination: Verbal warning Seat change Loss in daily participation points Warning with parent contact Before school or lunch detention Referral to Administration Behavior contracts Class or school suspension Tardies: Students must be in their assigned seat when the bell rings. If a student is not in his or her assigned seat when the bell rings, he or she is tardy. Being tardy is disruptive to the learning environment. Being tardy results in a loss in half the participation points for the day. Please see the YLHS handbook for more information on attendance policies. Unexcused Absences: Students with unexcused absences may not turn in absent work or make up assignments, exams, or quizzes. An unexcused absence also results in a loss in the daily participation points. Please see the YLHS handbook for more information on attendance policies. About Mrs. Toxqui I was born and raised in Placentia and graduated from Valencia High School in the Placentia- Yorba Linda Unified School District. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Fullerton in both History and American Studies and continued my education there to earn my Single Subject Teaching Credential in Social Science. Prior to joining Yorba Linda High School, I taught at CHAMPS Charter High School of the Arts in Van Nuys. I am excited to be a Mustang and look forward to a rewarding school year with you

5 Parent-Student Agreement Form Please detach this form, fill it out completely, and turn it in to Mrs. Toxqui by Friday, September 5, I understand that passing this class is a graduation requirement. I have read and understood the rules, policies, and expectations of Mrs. Toxqui s World History class. Student: Student s Name: Period: Signature: Date: Parent/Guardian: Parent/Guardian s Name: Parent Preferred Phone Number: Signature: Date: