Course Syllabus
Honors Government-- Mr. Steadman
Room #: C128
Contact Phone #: 355-2869
Email Address: rsteadma@greenville.k12.sc.us; rsteadma@greenvilleschools.us
Course Description:
This course is an overview of the Government of the United States at the Federal as state and local level. Students will read supplementary materials and analyze, synthesize, and evaluate new information as they develop critical thinking skills.
Grading :
Tests/Projects: 60%
All other assignments: 40%
Final Exam: 10% of overall grade (per district requirement)
Required Materials:
3 ring binder Loose leaf Paper
Pen or Pencil Chromebook
Late Work Policy
Teachers reserve the right to alter this policy based on extenuating circumstances.
• 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.
• Note: Late work (work turned in after the assigned due date in class) is accepted at 10 points off each day late. Late work for half credit will be accepted up to one week prior to the end of each nine weeks and graded at 50% credit unless designated otherwise. 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.
• Students are encouraged to utilize the before and after school tutoring programs to complete make-up and late
work in a proactive manner.
Classroom Rules:
Be in your seat prepared to begin work before the bell rings.
Cheating is unacceptable and will be dealt with according to the Student Handbook. This includes looking at another student’s work or copying another student’s work as well as plagiarism. Any type of cheating will result in a “0” grade.
Tests and quizzes are to be taken without the use of outside sources or materials unless otherwise noted.
Disruptive behavior is unacceptable—this includes tardiness, rudeness, irrelevant class interrupting, etc.
The bell does not dismiss you, the teacher dismisses you. Remain in your seat until you are dismissed.
During class no student may have turned on, or use a cell phone or any other electronic device except for Chromebooks in a manner and at times approved by the teacher. Class disruptions due to electronic devices will result in disciplinary action. Students may not leave class, at any time, for any reason, to use an electronic device. Neither the school, the district, nor the teacher will be responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged electronic device or cell phone brought onto school property. This is school district policy.
Follow all teacher instructions and handbook rules.
Some of the topics we will cover this year:
The Origins of America's democratic values and system of government.
The Constitution, its purpose, and it's structure.
The branches of government and levels of government on the national, local, and state levels.
The separation of powers.
How you can participate in your government and the responsibilities of citizenship
MagicSchool AI Tools for Students
This year, students will have access to MagicSchool AI, a generative AI platform built for schools that will help them learn to use the technology safely and responsibly.
With tools like ChatGPT and others being used in the professional world, it’s important that students learn how to use the technology safely. By using MagicSchool in our classes, your student will be prepared for the future of technology in the workforce.
While students use MagicSchool tools for purposes such as receiving real time feedback, getting their questions answered, generating images, and in other exciting ways, I will have access to their chats to ensure that it’s used appropriately. Rest assured, MagicSchool does not collect or train on student data.
Be sure to ask your child about how they’re using AI in the classroom and take a look at the engaging ways they’ve utilized the MagicSchool tools to enhance their learning!
For more information, go to www.magicschool.ai or reach out directly with questions.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________