12th Grade 6th period Economics Syllabus
Teacher Name: Luke Martin
Room: D 152
Email Address: (best way to contact me)
School Phone Number: 439-1200
Course Description: This course will adhere to the Alabama Course of Study and the Hoover City Schools pacing guidelines. A solid understanding of our nation’s economy is becoming increasingly important to success in a modern world. This is especially true for seniors who will soon be voting and joining the workforce. Students will learn how our nation’s economy is structured and be expected to use critical thinking skills to evaluate how laws and policies impact the country and their own lives. In addition, students will learn how our economy works on a global, national, local, and personal level.
Textbook: Students will have access to an online version of their textbook on their Chromebook. Therefore, I will not issue hard copy textbooks for students to take home. In addition to the textbook, students should study at home using their own notes taken during class as well as information given to them through online resources such as my Google Classroom page.
Supplies: Please bring plenty of college ruled paper, pens, and mechanical pencils with you to class each day. I would also highly recommend having a folder, binder or divider which will keep notes for my class separate from other classes. Do what you need to do to be organized.
Grades: I will be using a “points” system for grades. Major projects and tests will be worth more points while quizzes and short activities will be worth fewer points. For example, a student might make an 8/10 on a short assignment which would mean he made an 80%, or a 45/50 on a research paper which would mean he made a 90%. In addition, there will be a cumulative semester exam at the end of each semester worth 20% of the semester average. I will frequently give “activity grades” worth a smaller amount of points for things like in class assignments, participation, etc. “Activity grades” are the best way for students who struggle on exams to boost their score by being a cooperative and on task student. Conversely, an intelligent student with excellent test and quiz scores could receive a lower than expected 9 weeks average if that student fails to complete in class assignments and is frequently off task. I do not give bonus points since I consider activity grades to be an adequate way of rewarding hard working and deserving students.
Homework Policy: Although there will be times when I assign an activity I want them to complete at home, I try to limit homework as much as I can. Typically, homework will be for assignments that students are unable to complete within the class time that I give them. I expect students to protect “my time” by being on task, attentive, and engaged in the lesson. In exchange, I try to protect “their time” by providing them with opportunities to complete most of their assignments at school. I feel that this policy allows students plenty of time to study for my tests after school, as well as to participate in extracurricular activities that also play a vital role in their education and development.
Classroom Rules: The teacher has a right to teach and the student has a right to learn. Any behavior that prevents me from effectively teaching or prevents a student from learning the material in a safe, welcoming, and orderly environment will not be tolerated. I take this responsibility very seriously. The Hoover Code of Conduct will be enforced, including tardiness and dress code violations.
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Discipline Procedure: Some disruptions/violations require an immediate office referral. Other disruptions will first be addressed with a student/teacher conference and potentially a change in seating assignment. If a problem continues, a parent will be contacted. If intervention involving the student and parent does not end the disruption, I will refer the student to school administration.
Absences and Make-up Tests/Quizzes: Students are responsible for asking me what they missed while absent. I will put a zero in my gradebook until the test/quiz/activity is completed. Generally speaking, I expect a student to make up a test or quiz they have missed on the day they return to school since I announce test and quiz dates well in advance. In circumstances where a student has been out several days and/or has missed a significant amount of class time necessary to prepare for a test/quiz, I am more flexible and will arrange a day with the student to take the test. School policy requires that I enter a grade of “0” for anything missed due to an unexcused absence. It is extremely important that students turn in excuses to the office as soon as they return to school.
Late Assignments: Late projects, research papers, assignments, etc will be penalized 20% per late day unless caused by an excused absence. Being on time and finishing tasks on time is a critical skill to have as an adult in the workplace, and I want to reinforce and teach this learned habit in my classroom.
Technology: I believe that technology is an excellent tool used to supplement a student’s education. However, access to so much information in class also requires a great deal of personal responsibility. Chromebooks and cell phones should only be used in class for activities I have assigned to you. Surfing the web, playing games, messaging one another, etc without my permission is not allowed. Chromebooks and cell phones should be put away any time I show a video in class. Sometimes we will have “low tech” or “no tech” days where I will ask you to put away all technology.
Parent Information Form: Please (parent) go to the following link to fill out a google form providing me with basic contact information.
https://goo.gl/forms/GtdWiMgT7AJ0nCHO2
If you are unable to fill out the form online, please write down your name, your child’s name, your phone number, and your email address in case I need to contact you. Have your child return this information to me no later than a week after school starts. Thanks!