Essentials of Social Studies- U.S History 

Essentials of Social Studies

Instructor:

Shelby Edlin

Email:

sedlin@greenville.k12.sc.us

Room:

C101

Phone:

864-355-2547

Class Description: The curriculum for this course is based upon the South Carolina Employability Credential. Carnegie units are not given. Students will earn credit for the course, which is applied to the Employability Program Course of Study District Credential or South Carolina State Credential. Due to the diversity of student learning styles, abilities, and needs, a variety of instructional strategies will be utilized and modifications and accommodations will be used as needed. The amount of time spent on any one unit will depend on the needs of the classroom. 

Units of Study: Government 

Topics: 

Standard 1: Demonstrate an understanding of foundational political

theory, concepts, and application.

Standard 2: Demonstrate an understanding of foundational

American political principles and the historical events and

philosophical ideas that shaped the development and application of

these principles.

Standard 3: Demonstrate an understanding of the basic organization

and function of United States government on national, state, and local

levels and the role of federalism in addressing the distribution of

power.

Standard 4: Demonstrate an understanding of civil rights and civil

liberties, the role of American citizens in the American political

system, and distinctive expressions of American political culture.

Geography 

Standard WG-1: The student will demonstrate an understanding of

the physical and human characteristics of places, including the

creation of regions and the ways that culture and experience influence

the perception of place.

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Make-up Work Policy

• Make-up work is defined as work not completed or turned in due to a student’s absence.

• This policy is set by the district.

• Students may be allowed to make up work due to absences that are excused, unexcused or related to discipline with no penalty within 5 days or a reasonable time according to GCSD board policy.

• If a student misses work due to an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to coordinate time with the teacher within 5 days of return to make up the work.  Any work not submitted within the 5 day makeup period will turn into “late work.”

• Alternative assignments may be given for performance-based tasks that cannot be recreated in a make-up format.

• If a student is present on the day a test, quiz or project due date is announced and then absent on the day of the test, quiz or project deadline, he/she must be prepared to take the test, quiz or turn in the project on the day he/she returns to school.

• Field trips and participation in other extracurricular events (such as athletics) are considered attendance days.  Work missed due to such events can be submitted electronically by midnight on the day that it is due.  Items that cannot be submitted electronically should be submitted the following attendance day.

• Students are encouraged to utilize the before and after school tutoring programs to complete make-up and late work in a proactive manner.

Late Work Policy

Teachers reserve the right to alter this policy based on extenuating circumstances.  Extenuating circumstances should be discussed with the administration.

• Late work is defined as work not completed/turned in on time even though the student attended the class.

• Any assignment which is not turned in on time will be deducted 10 points off of the original grade earned for each school day the assignment is late up to five days.

• After five days, the student will be assigned a 0 for the assignment.

• Late work will not be accepted after the end of a grading period.

• Students who have 504/IEP/ESOL accommodations specifically allowing for extra time may exceed the 5 day window to maintain compliance with their respective educational plan.

• Dual Credit courses may have varying late work policies that are aligned with their parent university.  

• Students are encouraged to utilize the before and after school tutoring programs to complete make-up and late work in a proactive manner.

Edlin's Classroom Behavior Expectations

1. Respect yourself and others

2. Be on time and prepared

3. Follow directions given

4. NO cellphones out in class during direct instruction. 

5. Do not disrupt the learning of others

6. I will make good effort in completing my school work 

7. I will show respect to others and their belongings 

Consequences

1. Verbal discussion with teacher to determine the problem and a possible solution

2. Warning that the behavior will be referred to the office and a phone call home

3. If the behavior continues, student will receive consequences as per the student handbook

Assessment and Grading Policy:

Major Grades: 60% (Includes unit tests, formal papers, projects)

Minor Grades: 40% (quizzes, classwork, activity participation)

Make up and Late Work Policy: 

SC Grading Scale:

A (90-100)

B (80-89)

C (70-79)

D (60-69)

F (59 or Below)