Syllabus

MYP IB American History the Founding Principles, Civics and Government

Syllabus, Overview and Procedures

John L. Colbert johnl.colbert@cms.k12.nc.us

Myers Park High School, Spring 2021 (980) 343-5800

Course Description:

Welcome to MYP IB American History the Founding Principles, Civics and Government!

Civics and Government is a foundational experience as you transition into adulthood.

As a citizen of a democracy you have rights, but also responsibilities. The two most

important roles you will play as an adult in a democratic government and free market

Economy is that of citizen and consumer. This Civics and Government class examines the

systems in which you participate as a citizen and consumer. Once we understand

the systems, we try to understand how you fit in to those systems and apply them to

the “real” world. What roles do you play? What rights do you have? What responsibilities and duties do you have? This semester, we dive into the foundational principles of the United States, American citizenship, the national government, and the American economy.

Grading Scale

90-100 A

80-89 B

70-79 C

60-69 D

Below 59 F

Quarter Grade Breakdown* (subject to change due to Covid-19)

1st Quarter:

• Formal Assignments = 60%

• Informal Assignments = 20%

• Mid-Term Exam = 20%

2nd Quarter:

• Formal Assignments = 70%

• Informal Assignments = 30%

Overall Semester Grade Breakdown

1st Quarter 40%

2nd Quarter 40%

Final Exam 20%

Grading Policy:

I will use the MPHS Social Studies grading and proficiency policies. Work that is turned in late is assessed for reduced credit, one letter grade (10 pts.) off per day late. Work that is 5+ days late receives maximum 50% credit. If you fail a Formal assignment, you should follow the proficiency policy to correct the assignment and have the opportunity to receive up to 60%.

Class Resources:

Class Website: https://sites.google.com/cms.k12.nc.us/mr-colberts-civics-economics-s/home

It is imperative that you visit the class website daily. Parents, you can access it as well! Daily agendas, assignments, due dates, etc. will be posted on the class website.

Class textbook: Our Social Studies textbooks are available online and will be accessible to students through their NCEdCloud portal. The online textbook will also be available in PDF version on the class website under the Resources tab. There is also another Civics and ics (Civics Today) textbook available on the website (most students find this textbook more approachable). But wait! There’s more! The complete collection of MPHS Civics and Economics information compiled by all of MPHS’s Civics & Economics teachers is available to you and can be accessed via the class website. (http://mpcivics.weebly.com/) I have a limited number of hard copies of the textbook if you prefer the old school method. Ask me if you would like a hard copy textbook.

Policies:

Attendance:

Multiple studies have shown that school attendance has a direct impact on academic achievement. In order to make the most of educational opportunities, students must have consistent and punctual daily attendance. According to CMS Attendance Regulations:

“Absence Rule: A student in grades 9-12 missing 11 class sessions or more in a year-long class or 6 class sessions or more in a semester-long class for any reason other than a principal-approved absence will receive a grade of “F” for the course based on CMS Regulation JHBB-R”

Students can remedy their absences. To complete absence remediation, students must complete all assignments (no outstanding work), serve one hour of work time for each absence above the approved number of absences, and complete 5 pages in the American History I workbook for each day over the approved number of absences. The number of absences you have in my class can be found in PowerSchool. If you need help finding your number of absences please contact me at johnl.colbert@cms.k12.nc.us.

Tardies: You are considered late if you enter the room after the late bell and will be sent to the Student Management Center.

Cheating/Plagiarism: Cheating and plagiarism are never tolerated. Any person caught cheating or plagiarizing in this class will receive a zero on that assignment and their parent/guardian will be contacted. We will adhere to the MPHS Honor Code. You must write the Honor Code on all work and sign it. "On My Honor, I will not cheat; I will not lie." By signing your name to all your work in my class, you certify that you are upholding the Honor Code.

Classroom Expectations:

Engage in the 5 P’s

Prompt

Be on time, enter the classroom quietly, turn in any assignments or homework, check the board and/or website for Warm Ups, and immediately go to your assigned seat and remain seated.

Prepared

Be prepared to learn. Bring all materials, assigned work, put headphones and all electronics away, and properly dressed (it could be hot or cold on any given day) for class.

Productive

MAXIMIZE learning time by staying on task, following directions, and remain seated unless you have been given permission to get up.

Polite

Be nice, or at least neutral, to everyone in class. We are colleagues. Swearing, teasing, talking back, and bullying will NOT be tolerated!

Respect yourself, your classmates, your teacher, your classroom and classroom materials (computers, books, desk, chairs, etc.)

Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself. Don’t throw anything across the classroom.

If you don’t own it, don’t write, draw or carve on it.

Patient

Wait respectfully and calmly for your turn, do not complain or engage is histrionics. Listen, stay seated and look at the speaker when someone is talking.

3 D’s – Still hold true... NO DRAMA, NO DISRUPTIONS, NO DISRESPECT

NO DRAMA

No yelling across the room, no talking disrespectfully to, or about, anyone.

NO DISRUPTIONS

No talking when someone else is talking. Quickly and quietly follow the directions, or requests of the teacher. Your rights end when they infringe upon another students.

NO DISREPECT

School is your work. I expect the same level of respect that I would in a workplace environment. Would you speak to your colleague or boss that way? Would you use that language in a work meeting? Would you secretly listen to music while your boss presents a new idea?

3 R’s – Respect, Responsibility, and be Ready

Respect – Respect yourself, your classmates, your classroom, your class materials, and your teacher.

Responsibility – You are responsible for your own education! I am here to guide you, to direct you to the best you can be.

Ready – Show up and be ready to learn, EVERYDAY, do your absolute best. I can’t help you if you don’t come to class regularly.

NO FOOD NO ELECTRONICS *unless I explicitly say you can eat or use your cellphone/headphones

Violations:

1st violation – verbal warning 2nd violation – written warning 3rd violation - parent contact 4th violation – referral

The choices YOU make will result in either a negative or positive consequence.

Discipline Policy: All Myers Park and CMS rules as stated in the student handbooks must be followed in my classroom. Students breaking any of these will be disciplined according to the discretion of the teacher and the MPHS administration.

Required Supplies: You must have a few basic supplies with you every day in my class. These include: 1) CMS issued Chrome Book, 2) 3-ring binder (1” or larger) with dividers, 3) loose-leaf college ruled notebook paper, 4) pens and pencils, 5) highlighters. You MUST have a binder (no spiral bound notebooks) to keep up with handouts.

If you are unsure, or unclear, about any of our class policies or procedures, just ask and we can talk about it.