12th Grade American Government
(Helpful Hints and Suggestions)
Teacher: Mr. Fisher
Email:
Web site: teachers.sduhsd.net/sfisher
Text: United States Government: Democracy in Action
Overview
American Government is a one-quarter course that examines the origins of the American constitutional system, analyzes the structure and function of modern American government and politics, and explores the role of the citizen in a representative democracy. This course meets California Social Science Standards, graduation and college entrance requirements.
Listed below is an outline of the topics that will be covered this quarter. It is important to note that these topics frequently overlap one another and are not necessarily covered in the order listed below.
Foundations of American Democracy
The Federal Legislative Branch
The Federal Executive Branch
The Federal Judicial Branch
State and Local Governments
The Rights and Responsibilities of All Citizens
The Politics of Democracy
American Policy in a Changing World
In order to be successful in this class, I have included some helpful hints and suggestions.
In-class assignments: Students will be assigned a variety of group and individual activities during this quarter. Generally, students will be allowed to choose the members of their groups for activities in which one grade will be given to the entire group. Students should choose their members wisely.
Homework assignments: Many of these assignments will require the students to read, review and study information from the textbook, class notes and other in-class assignments. Students will also be required to summarize articles from the newspaper and/or Internet that relate to the topics being discussed in class.
In-class and homework assignments will comprise 50% of the students’ grade this quarter.
Tests and Quizzes: Test and quiz questions will not only come from the text material, but also from class lectures and discussions, student questions and comments, simulations, videos, and guest speakers. Anything that takes place in the classroom is fair game to show up on tests and quizzes. Students should expect to have at least two quizzes a week. Students will need to have a sharpened #2 pencil. I would suggest bringing two pencils. Tests and quizzes will comprise 50% of the students’ grade this quarter.
Attendance: This course is only a quarter long, so it is imperative that absences are held to a minimum. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements to obtain missed work from a classmate or my web site. If the student needs a worksheet, he/she may get it from the worksheet folder. Students are allowed to make-up assignments for excused absences only. These assignments must be made-up within five school days. In the event of an absence on a test/quiz day, it is the student’s responsibility to fill out the “Missed Quiz and Test Sheet” on the next day of attendance. Students should also be prepared to take the test or quiz the next day of attendance.
Classroom Behavior
Students should not talk while other students or the teacher is talking.
Students should have their cell phones turned off and put away before entering class.
Students should not be verbally abusive towards classmates and the teacher.
Students should put trash and water bottles in the trashcan and not on the floor.
Students should respect other classmates and the teacher.
Bathroom Policy
I understand that it will be up to my son’s/daughter’s discretion when to use the bathroom. Mr. Fisher has informed me that many of the students will use an open bathroom policy to meet with friends, go to their cars, make phone calls and/or just wander the campus. Mr. Fisher has also informed me that abuse of the bathroom policy may negatively impact my son’s/daughter’s grade. I, ______(print parent’s name) and ______(print student’s name) understand this policy. Only one student may leave at a time.
Parent Signature:______
Student Signature:______
Beginning of the Quarter Student Final Check Off
- Student______Mr. Fisher showed me the drawer where all my graded and non-graded assignments will be located.
- Student______Mr. Fisher showed me the drawer where I am to place all of my non-graded assignments.
- Student______Mr. Fisher showed me where I can get my worksheets in case of an absence.
- Student______Mr. Fisher told me that some students may place assignments in the wrong box.
- Student______Mr. Fisher told me that he will always give me the opportunity to look for missing assignments or review any graded assignments.
- Student______Mr. Fisher explained to me that all assignments are graded at school.
- Student______Mr. Fisher told me that I can review my grades on his Web site.
- Student______Mr. Fisher told me that no late assignments will be accepted, unless I have an excused absence.
- Student______Mr. Fisher told me that if I miss a quiz or test, it is my responsibility to fill out the “Missed Quiz and Test Sheet,” on the next day of attendance, or I will receive a zero.
- Student______Mr. Fisher told me that he will not give students extra credit assignments and/or projects at the end of the quarter in order to boost their grade.
Student’s Name: (Print) ______
Student’s Name: (Signature) ______
Parent’s Name: (Print) ______
Parent’s Name: (Signature) ______