WILSON HIGH SCHOOL
2026-2027
11th Grade Social Studies, CP Civics
Instructor: Kelly Beck Room: E - 212
E-Mail: beckel@share.wilsonsd.org Phone: 610-670-0180, ext. 5005
Course Description: This course is designed to offer students a strong introduction to government, citizenship, and the American legal system. The foundations of political democracy, citizen rights and responsibilities, government and citizen interaction on local, state, national issues, global interdependence, and citizen influence of public policy are major units that will be addressed throughout the course.
Course Objectives: The intent of this course is to provide the student with a unique opportunity to discover aspects of the American government; from their beginnings to current times and how we are impacted today as citizens of the United States and the world. This is accomplished utilizing a blend of lecture, seminar, independent research, group activities, primary source and secondary source readings, visual and auditory aids, interviews, and role-playing.
The course is designed to enhance critical thinking skills and awareness of government and economic systems by providing the student with opportunities to identify central issues, determine relevance, make comparisons, recognize cause and effect, predict consequences, and draw conclusions.
The following is the list of topics that we will be discovering throughout the school year.
Foundations of American Government
The Legislative Branch
The Executive Branch
The Judicial Branch
Civil Rights and Liberties
Political Participation, Political Ideology and Civic Engagement
Political Parties, Interest Groups and the Media
Foreign Policy
Criminal Justice System
Expectations:
Be PREPARED:
Please always come prepared for class with a pen or pencil to write with, your notebook, and any other materials that are required for class.
Be RESPECTFUL:
Students are required to show respect to themselves, their classmates, and their teacher (as well as any guests/substitutes). This includes being in the ASSIGNED LOCATION and following directions
Be PRESENT:
Please be on time, pay attention, and limit distractions during class.
Have FUN!
Learning is supposed to be fun. If you have a particular interest in something that we are learning, please feel free to learn more and share it with me. This is your class and you should feel comfortable sharing ideas while you are here.
Due to allergies - NO Peanuts/nuts or products containing them in class. Thanks!
Explanation of the Course Grade:
The course grade will be computed on the basis of summative and formative assessments including quizzes, in-class assignments, oral and written reports and projects, etc.
60% of the grade is determined by summative assessments (tests, designated projects and writing assignments, etc.)
40% of the grade is determined by projects, in-class assignments and other activities
Assignment Policy:
Assignments given in class are important and aren't considered “busy work”, but rather as serving a very important purpose: either a review of the day’s lesson or a preparation for an upcoming topic. Assignments are to be done accurately, completely and turned in at the assigned time. Assignments will Not be accepted late.
However, if you would like to retake a summative assessment, ALL required work associated with the unit must be completed (you will not receive points for completion) before you are eligible to retake your summative assessment. The use of AI is strictly prohibited for completion of any assignments or assessments unless directed otherwise.
Summative Assessments for Chapters/Units:
Summative assessments could take a variety of forms: tests, projects, writing assignments, etc. Summative assessments will usually be announced 5 days in advance. If you are not present during a summative assessment, you will be expected to take it on the day you return, it is your responsibility to ask the instructor for the summative assessment. Summative assessments will be in both Google Form and written form. Proper writing utensils will be required from the student to fulfill the task.
Students will be allowed to retake summative assessments based on the following conditions:
All students will have the option to retake one (1) summative assessment per semester per class. (no banking/carry-over).
Students may retake an assessment only if they scored lower than 100%.
Students will be required to complete a teacher-designed retake learning plan prior to retaking a summative assessment. This process should be initiated by the student by completing this Retake Learning Plan Form.
Retake learning plan components (e.g. completing missing work, additional assignments, test corrections) are not a substitute for the reassessment.
Upon completion of the retake learning plan, the student must sit for a reassessment which must be different in questions but equal in rigor. Teachers have discretion regarding what sections of the test the student needs to retake. Additionally, the structure of the reassessment may change (e.g. multiple-choice exam to essay or multiple-choice exam to student interview).
The higher score (original or retake) will be the documented grade in the teacher’s grade book and the maximum score resulting from any retake is 100%.
Summative Performance Assessments are NOT eligible for retakes.
Formative assessments are not available for retake.
Time and Responsibility Factors:
Students are required to take initiative in their learning process.
The retake must be scheduled within 2 weeks from the day the original summative assessment was handed back to the student.
Teachers may vary deadlines due to extenuating circumstances: student absences, schedule conflicts, inclement weather days, etc.
** In Civics, you will be required to accurately complete all classwork for the Unit that you’ve not already completed, this includes the Learning Target Guide. Your teacher will give you a due date for this work. You will not receive points for these assignments that are past the due date. These requirements, as well as any others specified by the teacher, must be completed to be eligible for the retake.
Cell Phone Policy:
Cell phones and wireless headphones/airpods are NOT allowed to be used during the school day (7:55 - 2:40). No exceptions!
If a student needs to contact someone (parent or guardian, work, etc.) they must get a pass from their teacher to make the call from the office
For more information / to see the official district policy using this link.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY IN ANY FORM IS FORBIDDEN. Any infraction of this rule will result in a “0” for the assignment and disciplinary action. This includes the use of AI unless otherwise directed.
Quizzes:
Most quizzes will be announced beforehand. If you are not present for the quiz, you will be expected to make up the quiz the day you return. It is your responsibility to ask the instructor for the quiz.
If You Are Absent/Attending School Activity:
It is your responsibility to check the Google Calendar for Civics on Google Classroom to see what was covered in class when you were absent. If Google Calendar says items were posted to Google Classroom, it is your responsibility to complete what was missed. You are to 1) Check Google Calendar (located on Google Classroom) to see what you missed 2) Go to Google Classroom if needed to complete assignment. If you will be absent due to a school activity or vacation (or any other reason), whether it be one period or several days, it is your responsibility to see me ahead of time as to what you will be missing. If there is work due the next day, you may be given a zero if you did not see me ahead of time!