Help Sessions: tutoring is available by appointment, during lunch & learn, before and after school hours.
WELCOME & TEACHER BIOGRAPHY
Welcome to 7th grade Gifted Civics, Geography and Economics. As I begin another year teaching, I would like to welcome most of you back to my class and to my new student a little information about myself. First, I am a mother of three adult children, my youngest is in Graduate school studying early education and my son has a law degree and he is practicing law, while my oldest daughter has a Master’s in Education and is a teacher.
I have been married over 34 years. I graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice and a variety of educational classes. I have been teaching for 14 years.
During the last 14 years, I have sponsored the Student Government Association (SGA) with the SGA participating in a fundraiser for Victims for Haiti, Shamrocks for MDA, J’Dubs Got Talent Show (2006-10). I sponsor the International Travel Club (2012-present) where we travelled to the following cities or countries: Paris, Ireland, Wales and London 2012; Italy 2013; Paris and London 2015; Italy, Greece, and South Korea 2017; and South Korea 2018, Scotland and Ireland 2019 (same trip) and South Korea 2019. We have trips planned for the next two years, as well as students from South Korea attending JWJ in the winter of 2020. Summer of 2020 we will be traveling to Dominican Republic for a service trip (coral reef restoration) and back to South Korea. Lastly, the summer of 2021 we are planning a trip to New Zealand, Australia and Hawaii. More information will be sent home on these trips.
The Beautification Club (2012-present) is another club that I sponsor. The beautification club is a service and a community outreach club. Students can earn volunteer hours working at the school and in the community. The club has won numerous awards with some of those awards earning money to help purchase supplies to keep JWJ beautiful.
I coached girls’ soccer (2008-2014 and 2015-19). We were City Campion 2015-17. In addition to soccer, I have coach girls’ swim teams (2009-10), and boys’ 2017-2019.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Civics is a rigorous course that is designed so students can understand how Civics, U.S. Geography & Economics play an important role in everyday activities. This course has a state required test based on standards of which there are 35 standards.
Year at a Glance per the district and is subject to change
1st Quarter
* Constitution Day 9/17/18
* Freedom Week 9/24-9/28
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
* This quarter will have a Scrimmage exam
4th Quarter
* This quarter is the State EOC
* there will be a district Mock EOC this quarter
TEXTBOOK/RESOURCES: Civics, Economics, and Geography – Florida Edition; McGraw-Hill, and other resource, as well as a quarterly reading assignment. All students can have the book downloaded on a thumb drive (just have your student bring the thumb drive to me). There will be additional reading assignments throughout the year not limited to the summer reading: Animal Farm.
MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES: Students are to have a minimum of two (2) composition notebooks, 4 rolls scotch tape, college ruled paper, pencils, their own pencil sharpener, pens, a thumb drive and colored markers, and personal ear buds when using the computer; at least two large tri-fold poster boards will be needed throughout the school year (These are non-negotiable-all students must have these items). Students will need purchase these items and come to class prepared every day. ___________initials (verifying understanding of supplies needed).
Other supplies are always needed for the class: computer paper, card stock, markers, tissues, hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes, and air fresheners.
CLASS EXPECTATIONS/POLICIES & PROCEDURES:
· Student should be accountable for his or her actions.
· Student is expected to act in a respectful manner at all times.
· Student is to complete his or her daily, weekly, and monthly assignments on time.
· Student should attend school every day and should avoid being tardy to school and to each class, and he or she must make up all work.
· Students should turn in all his or her assignments on time and be prepared at any time for a pop quiz. ________(initial)
· Computer Usage: A consent form must be signed (by student and parent), returned and on file.
· Student and parent need to sign a copy of this syllabus
In addition, the units of study all students will complete a History Fair Project, current events (typed & MLA format) and benchmarks quizzes (benchmarks/standards required by the state too master). (Student’s initial)
Sunshine State Standards/Common Core Standards: Please visit the district’s website www.duvalschools.org for a complete list of the Standards.
GRADING PROCEDURES
Non-graded assignments are designed to work towards mastery of standards through timely and specific feedback. Graded assignments will reflect individual achievement of standards. Assignments will have different points based on their importance. There will be in class and online assessments during the school year.
Grades are based on points earned out of total possible points.
Grades:
A (Outstanding Progress) 90-100 %
B (Above Average Progress) 80-89 %
C (Average Progress) 70-79 %
D (Low Progress) 60-69 %
F (Failure) 59 % & below
NG (No Grade)
0 (missing assignment) 0% and student not eligible for extra credit.
L (Late work made up for no credit) 0%, yet student is eligible for extra credit.
R (Redo assignment for full or partial credit)
I (Incomplete) All grades of “I” shall be made up as soon as possible but no later than the 4th week of the next grading period or a failing grade shall be assigned (Student’s initial)
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity must govern every level of teaching and learning. Tests will be administered and taken with complete honesty. Suspicions of copying will be addressed as outlined in the district’s Code of Conduct.
Plagiarism- will be explained so that students understand the difference between correctly using resources and copying. At JWJ, teachers are expected to employ safeguards that discourage dishonesty and promote academic integrity. Students caught cheating will earn a zero on the assignment and receive a discipline referral.
(Student’s initial)
pla·gia·rism –noun
1. The unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work.
2. Something used and represented in this manner (Student’s initial)
Types of Assignments for learning, practice and mastery of standards may include:
Tests and quizzes
Class work and homework
Projects (individual & group)
Late work and Missing Work: Each assignment will have a due date. This is the date by which you are expected to submit the assignment for credit. Work not turned in by the deadline will be considered missing equaling a zero. (Student’s initial)
COMMUNICATION
· Need based scholarship warnings- for students earning a 73.9% or below.
· Mid-term Progress Reports: 4 ½ weeks into each 9 weeks.
· E-mail- mottm@duvalschools.org
· Contact numbers (904) 693-7600 ext. 146 or (904) 704-8320 cell – Please leave a message with your name, student’s name class (Ancient World History or Civics) and period.
· Report Cards- four times a year, after each marking period.
· Parent Conferences are scheduled by the teacher or by request of parent
Summer Assignment: There will be a quiz on the location of the states and the capitals. Visit the following link: https://www.google.com/search?biw=1366&bih=657&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=e_IjXZy-N8Xn_QalyoNg&q=outline+usa+map+quiz&oq=outline+usa+map+quiz&gs_l=img.12...14479.16483..18166...0.0..0.81.367.5......0....1..gws-wiz-img.......0j0i30j0i8i30.8U-GUg0k9LQ#imgrc=LxJcRqCUojpw-M:
There will be a quiz on the summer reading (Animal Farm) as well: Signs, Symbols, and Stalin Quiz
Student Signature: ______________________________________________ Date
Parent Signature: ______________________________________________ Date
Please sign, initial & return by August 16th -Students can earn extra credit for turning this form in early or by August 16, 2019.
Tuesday: 10 points
Wednesday: 8 points
Thursday: 5 points
Friday: 3 points
If turned in after Friday, August 16th no extra credit points are possible.