Government

Instructor: Julius Prince

Course Title: United States Government

Email:  jprince@greenville.k12.sc.us

Room: 212 

Phone: 355-1630 or 355-1655

Need Help: If you need some extra help.  I will be available before school and during 2nd Period.

1st Period Gov't 

2nd Period Planning      

3rd Period Gov't

4th Period Gov't

Course Description: 

 In this course students learn about the United States Government, beginning with the historical and philosophical principles that led to the development of the American constitutional democracy and how those fundamental ideas have continued to sustain America’s democratic society. Students will learn how various powers are granted and distributed among the different branches and levels of government, and how checks and balances prevent one branch from overpowering the others. Additionally, students will investigate how American political values are formed and how the government functions through individual participation and policy making. In order to continue to thrive, a strong democracy relies on active participation by informed individuals dedicated to upholding the rule of law and individual rights. Overall, the study of the United States Government provides a basis for students to develop the skills necessary to live and thrive in America’s constitutional democracy and participate in society as active and informed citizens.

Instructional Philosophy:  

1. Students should come to class everyday expecting meaningful, bell-to-bell instruction.  It is especially important that students are active learners and as such each student is expected to participate in class discussions, and other activities.

2. Students need to be prepared to work both independently, and in groups.

3. Instructional strategies will vary based on the teacher’s assessment of their students’ strengths; but will provide the students the opportunity to learn course content verbally, visually, and with hands-on activities.  

4. Instructional activities will vary based on the teacher’s assessment of their students’ strengths, and as the content changes throughout the year.  Students should expect to participate in a variety of instructional activities.  These will include, but are not limited to; lecture/discussion, various debate formats, cooperative learning, technology based instruction, use of primary source documents, current events, and student driven activities such as projects.

Classroom Expectations:

1.      Students need to be in the classroom before the bell rings

2.      Students need to wear their student ID’s at all times

3.      Students need to bring paper, pencils and other required materials to class every period.

4.      Students need to attempt every problem and pay attention during instruction

5.      Students will not sleep or put their heads down during instructional time.

6.      Student may not eat during class, but may drink water in a clear closed top container. This privilege may be taken away at the teacher’s discretion.

7.      Students may not touch items that do not belong to them.

8.      Students need to remain seating until dismissed by the teacher. Students will not pack up in anticipation of the bell.

Textbook issued: 

CP- United States Government: Our Democracy (electronic)

Required Materials: 

Students will be expected to have the following materials in class every day.

       1.  A fully charged chromebook

       2.  A writing utensil (pen or pencil)

       3.  A notebook or other paper to write on 

Assessment and Grading Policy:   

60%  Major Grades (Including unit tests, formal papers, projects) approximately 4 to5 per nine weeks

40% Minor Grades (quizzes/classwork)

SC Grading Scale:

A     90-100

B     80-89

C     70-79

D     60-69

F      59 and below

Course Goals and Standards:

https://ed.sc.gov/index.cfm?LinkServID=9677E07B-CFFE-6A5C-AA47F98625149ABC

Standard 1: Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental historical and philosophical principles and ideas that led to the development of the American constitutional democracy

Standard 2: Demonstrate an understanding of the structure and functions of government at all levels in the United States.

Standard 3: Demonstrate an understanding of the political process in determining and shaping public policy and the political climate in the United States.

Standard 4: Demonstrate an understanding of the rights and responsibilities associated with citizenship in the United States.

Tentative Pacing Guide

Unit1 Foundations of Government- 10 days

Unit 2 Government Structure- 10 days

Unit 3 Political Process- 10 days

Unit 4 Citizenship- 10 days

Final Exam/ US Citizenship Test- 1 week (review and exam)

Major Assessment Tools

1.  Students should be expected to read and write in any Social Studies class.  Students will be assigned relevant material to read beyond the textbook. A variety of assessments will be used to gauge understanding of the material.

2.  Students should expect some form of formal evaluation at the end of every unit.  These will include traditional tests, but also could include other authentic assessments the teacher feels are appropriate.

3.  Assessments such as quizzes and small tests may also be used mid-unit as the teacher attempts to assess student progress throughout a unit of study.

4.  Students should expect to complete at least one major project every quarter. These will count as a major grade.

Late Work

1.  Late assignments are accepted up until the relevant summative assessment. 

2.  Students missing assignments due to absence(s) are given a 5-day grace period to submit make-up assignments with no 10% deduction. 

3.  No deduction is applied to summative assessments submitted late. However, relearning will be required before a student can submit a summative assessment late or be reassessed.

Extra Credit:

1. Extra Credit. Extra credit will be given at the teacher’s discretion. Do not count on extra credit to supplement your grade. You will probably not be given enough extra credit to pull a failing grade up at the end of the quarter or semester.

2. Returning from Absence. When you return from an absence it is your responsibility to ask about the work that you missed and to obtain any missed notes from a classmate. Students are responsible for discussing a time schedule for making up the missed work due to an excused absence. During your absence, all effort should be made to communicate with the teacher about makeup work. 

Behavior Expectations and Consequences:

1. Be prompt.  Be in your desk and ready to begin class when the bell rings. Failure to arrive on time may result in disciplinary action.  The bell does not dismiss this class; the teacher does.  

2. Be respectful.  Treat everyone in the classroom with the courtesy and respect you wish to receive yourself.  Pay attention and do not distract others. Also, respect the property, personal space, and opinions of others.

3. Be considerate.  Think about the feelings of others before you say anything.  Also, raise your hand so that each person may have a turn to speak.

4. Be prepared.  Bring your fully charged Chromebook, notebook, and a writing utensil to class every day.  Complete your homework before coming to class each day.

5. Be present.  I expect you to be in class every day!  Do not ask to leave the classroom unless it is an emergency. Students should use the time during class change to go to the restroom or their locker. I understand that emergencies will arise but if students ask to leave class an excessive number of times, they will no longer be allowed to leave the classroom during class time without penalty.

6. Follow the rules stated in the student handbook.

Consequences: First offense, teacher warning—second, parent contact—third- referral . I reserve the right to skip any of the steps above and go directly to a referral based on circumstances.

Extra Assistance Policy

Students who would like additional help on classroom material should make an appointment to meet with me. I will be available before school, during planning periods, and after school as necessary.

Attendance and Tardy Policies

I follow the school-wide attendance and policies as stated in the Student Handbook. Absences in excess of 3 will be excused only with a valid doctor’s note. Any absence in excess of 3 that is not excused may prevent a student from receiving course credit. Regular attendance and participation is crucial to success in this course.

Cheating

Cheating is a very serious offense and will result in the following punishments:

1st offense- referral, phone call to the parent and/or a 0 on the assignment.

Repeated offenses may result in out of school suspension. Refer to your handbook for further information.                                           

• Copying someone else’s class work, homework, quizzes, tests and other graded assignments/ assessments. (This includes copying work from another student’s computer screen)

• Giving another student work to copy.

• Giving to, or receiving from another student, information about a quiz, test or other assessment which that student has not yet taken.

• Using unauthorized test aids such as “cheat sheets”, etc. This includes pulling up any unauthorized information on a computer or PED during an assessment.

• Using unauthorized without teacher permission electronic devices to gain an unfair academic advantage. (Including but not limited to cell phones, computers, laptops, tablets and MP3 players.)

• Accessing teacher or other school personnel files or documents without permission.

• Submitting work created by someone besides themselves.

• Changing a grade by tampering with computer records.

• Trying to gain an unfair advantage over other students.