Civics
Mr. Lane Woodside
Phone Number: 636-789-0010 ext 1121
Email: woodside_lane@mail.hillsboro.k12.mo.us
Course Description: Our Civics class will cover Democracy and Citizenship, the Constitution of the United States, the powers of the branches of government, and Missouri history and government. Twenty (20) hours of community service is required for this class.
Instructional Philosophy: There will be many different learning experiences used throughout the year. Students will work individually and in groups throughout the year. Students will participate in taking notes, using maps and graphs, watching historical videos, and use the Internet when applicable. There will be different activities, projects, and cooperative learning times throughout the year as well.
Major Course Goals:
v Knowledge of the principles expressed in documents shaping the constitutional democracy of the US.
v Knowledge of the principles and process of governance systems.
v Knowledge of economic concepts and principles.
v Knowledge of major elements of study and analysis and their relationship to changes in society and the environment.
v Knowledge of relationships of the individual and groups to institutions and cultural traditions.
v Knowledge of the tools of social science inquiry.
Major Course Objectives:
v 1st Quarter: Students will be able to identify and describe the Rights established by the Bill of Rights and the powers of the Legislative Branch.
v 2nd Quarter: Students will be able to identify and describe the powers of the Executive and Judicial branches, as well as the powers of the Missouri state government.
Required/Recommended Readings:
v Textbook
v Other articles as assigned by the teacher
Course Assessment Plan: This class will consist of homework, class projects, and tests. In class assignments will make up 10% of your grade. Quizzes will make up 10%. Tests will make up 40%. Community Service Project will make up 10%. The End of Course Exam will make up 10%. The final exam will make up 10%. The final will cover materials of Missouri History and Government.
Classroom Expectations: Students should arrive to class on time and prepared for class. Being prepared means having their text book with them and either a notebook, or three-ring binder and a utensil to write with. Assignments given in class should be worked on in class. The teacher has the right to add more work if he feels the class is not working. When doing an assignment put your name, hour, and what the assignment is on your paper. Attending class and being on time is pertinent to the success of the student in this class. Hillsboro School District attendance policy will be strictly enforced, especially tardies. If a student is absent from class it is the STUDENT’S responsibility to get the work she/he missed. Homework policy is stated in the student’s handbook.
Supplies and Materials Needed:
v Three Ring Binder or Notebook/Folder just for this class
v Pen and Pencil
v Textbook everyday!
Homework Policy and Grading Scale:
One of the biggest changes that may affect students is that Hillsboro High School will no longer accept work that is below a minimum level. Students will have to redo work that does not meet these requirements, and zeros will not be allowed. We know that in the past many students have not had work done on time or not completed work at all, and they have received zeros.
This practice was used in hopes of helping students understand the consequences of not doing acceptable work. This practice has not been successful in getting all students to complete acceptable work, and many students leave a course having completed few if any challenging assignments and are completely unprepared for the new level. We want all of our students to be successful.
It is important for everyone to understand that the bar has been raised here at HHS, but that we are going to assist students in reaching those high expectations. We look forward to working closely with you to help you achieve success.
Assignments
Providing growth-producing feedback is the number one way to improve student learning. Teachers must find a way to give regular and specific feedback on a regular basis in order for students to practice and master the concepts BEFORE the summative test is administered. It is best if this feedback can be entered into Infinite Campus in some way so that parents and students are both aware of the student’s progress or lack of progress.
ALL assignments should be completed by all students.
If student work is not completed at the NEARING PROFICIENT achievement level, students will be required to revise work.
Revision of all BASIC OR BELOW BASIC work will have a new due date as agreed upon by the student and the teacher. The result must be above the PREVIOUS level.
Consequences for BASIC OR BELOW BASIC level assignments or incomplete assignments
Level One: Teacher/Student Conversation
Using additional block time during class for reteaching, a new due date is established for BASIC/BELOW BASIC level or incomplete assignments.
Level Two: Teacher/Parent Conversation IF student doesn’t comply with new due date. Work is assigned to be completed during WEEKLY HAWK TIME.
Level Three: Work is assigned to be completed through communication with the SOAR, RESOURCE, or ACADEMIC LAB teacher. If students do not have one of these classes, the student is assigned a lunch detention or mandatory tutoring through a discipline referral.
Level Four: Work is assigned for IN-SCHOOL SUPPORT through a discipline referral.
Level Five: Administrative/Teacher/Student/Parent Conference is held.
Level Six: Crisis Intervention Meeting with all involved is conducted.
Test and Quiz Retake Policy:
All students must display a 70% mastery level.
Students not reaching 70% or at least PROFICIENT will be required to be reassessed on content not mastered.
NO TEST RETAKE will be recorded higher than a 70% in the gradebook for those required to retest.
Students who display mastery, but who still want to retest to earn a higher score, may do so. You are responsible for setting up a time after school to retest. You must also show your correct quiz or test.
The Grading Scale is as follows:
Advanced-A…………...100-90
Proficient-B……………89-80
The above levels are also considered “Proficient”
Nearing Proficiency-C……………79-70
The above level is also considered “Progressing”
Basic-D……………69-60
Below Basic-F…………….59-0
The above levels are also considered “DEFICIENT.”
Academic Dishonesty:
Despite our commitment to the “Failure Is Not an Option,” we cannot tolerate academic dishonesty. Any assignment that exhibits academic dishonesty in whole or in part will be assigned a grade of “0.”
Plagiarism: The unauthorized use of material not written or created by the person claiming authorship.
Plagiarism includes but is not limited to the following:
1. Turning in a written essay produced by someone else.
2. Collaborating on a written assignment without the specific approval of the teacher.
3. Borrowing materials from any source—professional or amateur—and turning them in as original.
4. Failure to acknowledge through appropriate citations any words, ideas, research, graphics, etc. produced by someone other than the person claiming authorship.
Cheating: Dishonest acts committed while being tested or evaluated.
Cheating includes but is not limited to the following:
1. Copying from another person’s tests or assignments.
2. Using unauthorized test aids such as notes, drawings, books, etc. during an examination.
3. Submitting a paper which was turned in to another teacher in another class to fulfill part of that course’s required work—unless agreed upon ahead of time by the teacher of the second course.
4. Aiding another student in dishonesty such as producing written work or sharing information during a test period.
5. Fabricating research or source materials.
6. Stealing, buying, or somehow obtaining a test from a teacher’s work area or computer files.
Extra Help: I will be in my room before school usually getting in my room around 7:00. The Social Studies Department will have tutoring available on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school.
Contact Information: At the top of the syllabus is my school e-mail and phone number along with my extension. My prep period is 5th hour. Feel free to get in touch with any questions.
