Civics
Mr. Eudy, Northwest School of the Arts
kevin.eudy@cms.k12.nc.us
Class Overview: Founding Principles USA & NC: Civic Literacy...
...Our most important founding principle is this: THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD LISTEN TO YOU.
This belief unites virtually everyone in our country's history. It also leads to the complexity and "messiness" of democracy. Your voice is most effective when you're informed about our history, our political systems, and our rights and responsibilities. These are some of the real-world topics we will explore in this course.
Needed Materials
Composition notebook, I recommend college-ruled with 80+ pages.
Index cards, 3x5, 3 packs of 100, ruled or unruled
Glue sticks or clear tape
Pencils or dark colored pens
Recommended but optional: Headphones / earbuds that work with the CMS Chromebooks
Available in-class but you may prefer your own: highlighters, school-safe scissors, post-it notes
We will use the index cards for vocabulary terms, we'll go over that. If you can't get them easily just cut apart other paper.
Your composition notebook will be for all your notes and I will check it periodically for a grade. You will also be able to use it to help on some quizzes! Glue sticks are for adding things into our composition notebook. Tape will also work.
I keep these supplies in the classroom (donations always appreciated): highlighters, post-it notes, markers, colored pencils, Ziploc bags
For information about Northwest School of the Arts as a whole
(bell schedule, calendar, etc):
(bell schedule, calendar, etc):
Canvas
We will use other tools but Canvas is the central location for EVERYTHING for this class, be it notes, assignments, due dates, or anything else!
CMS information on Canvas can be found here: https://www.cmsk12.org/Page/9860
Create an account and avatar!
Some assignments will be through iCivics, which uses game-like simulations to teacher real-world processes. Create an account to save your progress and your scores! Trust me, it's frustrating if you are 30 minutes in and lose all your progress.
Go to iCivics.org
Click "SIGN IN," "Register as a student"
Click that you have a class code.
Our code for class NWSA 2023-24 is Chase64730 and the default password is valleyforgeWrite down your username and create a password. Write down your username. Also, write it down!
Online Book
No longer exists apparently! We have print textbooks in the classroom and will use them occassionally.
Using the Internet with Skill
For vocabulary, a glossary is included in the Canvas course.
Resources helpful for civics:
dictionary.com for definitions, and make sure the definition you choose relates to our unit's title!
thesaurus.com is useful for finding related terms.
investopedia.com is amazing for economic topics and includes a stock market simulation.
biography.com is excellent for looking people, although the ads are annoying.
news.google.com is useful for current events.
whitehouse.gov, senate.gov, house.gov, ncleg.gov, bocc.mecknc.gov, and charlottenc.gov are useful when we study those parts of government!
About Me
From Charlotte. Both parents from Charlotte. Grandparents all from N.C.
Graduated from Clemson University: Major in Computer Science, minor in Fine Arts
Graduate degree from UNC-Charlotte: Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Social Studies
National Board Certified
My passions include: Percussion, painting, video editing, hiking, home repair outreach (Carolina Cross Connection), serving our homeless friends, and traveling to Honduras!
Places I've taught: Myers Park HS (student teaching), East Lincoln HS, Olympic High School (including Renaissance), and of course NORTHWEST!
Classes I've taught: Civics and Economics, AP Human Geography, AP Government, AP US History, Civil Rights / Civil Liberties, US History, African-American Studies, World History, Law-Related Studies, Contemporary Issues in NC History, Military History.