Government / Economics

Course Syllabus

Mr. Reed Fields

Bath County High School

2014 - 2015

Description:

Government is an introductory social studies course. It focuses on two areas of Social Studies (Civics and Economics). We will spend approximately 9 weeks on each unit of study. When calculating your final average for the semester, each section will contribute equal weight.

Civics

In order to be a successful adult in America, you have to have a good understanding of the workings of our government and what your part in it can be. In Civics class, we will be studying three levels of government -- National, State and Local. We will also study other important topics that impact or are impacted by our government such as economics, citizenship, law and the Constitution. We will discuss the importance of these and other subjects in relation to our lives, our state, and our country as a whole. In the end, you will have a solid understanding of your civic rights as well as your responsibilities as you head towards adulthood.

Economics

Economics is the study of how people choose to use resources.

Resources include the time and talent people have available, the land, buildings, equipment, and other tools on hand, and the knowledge of how to combine them to create useful products and services.

Important choices involve how much time to devote to work, to school, and to leisure, how many dollars to spend and how many to save, how to combine resources to produce goods and services, and how to vote and shape the level of taxes and the role of government.

Often, people appear to use their resources to improve their well-being. Well-being includes the satisfaction people gain from the products and services they choose to consume, from their time spent in leisure and with family and community as well as in jobs, and the security and services provided by effective governments. Sometimes, however, people appear to use their resources in ways that don't improve their well-being.

In short, economics includes the study of labor, land, and investments, of money, income, and production, and of taxes and government expenditures. Economists seek to measure well-being, to learn how well-being may increase overtime, and to evaluate the well-being of the rich and the poor.

Dear Student and Parent(s),

It is hard to believe that it is already the beginning of a new semester. I truly love teaching. I am looking forward to an exciting and rewarding year for my students as well as myself. My main objective is for each student in my classroom to be successful, not only in learning content related to my course, but in becoming active, productive, participatory citizens, ready to tackle the challenges of the 21st century.

As we have all witnessed, life and its events are unpredictable. Yet it is through life’s experiences that we grow and evolve into the people we strive to become. Understanding who we are and what we want to become is crucial to success. Yet, it is only through understanding our world, and the histories of those around us, that we can understand our place in the world. As a social studies teacher, I feel very privileged to be an instrument in teaching our community’s youth. By teaching them social studies, I feel Bath County High School is preparing them for their future.

In order for every student to live up to his/her potential, I believe it is essential that they are present in class. There is a direct correlation between classroom attendance and good grades. When we work together, we can help assure a high level of success. By reading and discussing the attached information, the first step to a successful year will have begun.

*** Thank you in advance for all of the wonderful support! Please sign and send back with your student for their success skills portion of their grade.

Sincerely,

Reed Fields

  • PARENTS: Please feel welcome to come and visit. Feel free to email me anytime with questions or concerns to call the school and leave messages for me. ( ) 606-674-6325
  • The best time to contact me is 2:30-3:00 pm daily.

Civics (Dates are subject to change at teacher’s discretion)

1-5-15 – 1st Day of Class / Introduction / Rules and Procedures

– Cont.

– Pretest / Results / We the People

– Cont.

– Relevance of the study of Civics

– Cont.

– Cont. / Formative Assessment 1

– Who Are U.S. Citizens? / Vocabulary Assessment

– Cont. / Formative Assessment 2

– Re-Teaching Day

– America’s Ever-changing Population

– Cont. / Formative Assessment 3

– Club Day Re-Teaching

– Review for Summative Assessment 1

– Civics Summative Assessment 1

–Assessment Discussions / Corrections / Results

– Re-Teaching Day

– Pretest / Results / Foundations of Our Government

– Why Do We Have Governments?

–Our First Government /D.O.I. /A.O.C. / Formative Assessment 1

– Cont. /Vocabulary Assessment / Formative Assessment 2

– Re-Teaching

– Cont. / Formative Assessment 3

– Review for Summative Assessment 2

– Civics Summative Assessment 2

– Assessment Discussions / Corrections / Results

– Re-Teaching Day

– Pretest / Results / The United States Constitution

– Ideals of the US Constitution

– Cont. / Vocabulary Assessment/Formative Assessment 1

– Our Three Branches of Government

–Cont. Formative Assessment 2

– Re-Teaching Day

– An Enduring Document

– Cont. / Formative Assessment 3

– Review for Summative Assessment 3

– Summative Assessment 3

– Assessment Discussions / Corrections / Results/Re-Teaching

– Pretest / Results /Rights and Responsibilities

– The Bill of Rights

–The Bill of Rights (Cont.) / Vocabulary Assessment

– Cont. / Formative Assessment 1

– Other Rights Guaranteed

–Cont. / Formative Assessment 2

– Re-Teaching Day

– Duties and Responsibilities of US Citizens

– Cont. / Formative Assessment 3

– Summative Assessment 4

– Re-Teaching

– Pre-test /Our US Economic System

– The Economic System at Work

–Cont. / Formative Assessment 1

– Business Organizations /Vocabulary Assessment

– Cont. /Formative Assessment 2

– Re-Teaching Day

– Making Business Decisions

–Cont. / Formative Assessment 3

–Review for Summative Assessment 1

–Assessment Discussions /Results/Re-Teaching/Extensions

–Pre-Test Goods and Services

– American Production

– Cont. / Formative Assessment 1

– Distributing Goods / Vocabulary Assessment

– Cont. / Formative Assessment 2

– Re-Teaching

– You the Consumer

– Cont. / Formative Assessment 3

– Review for Summative Assessment 2

– Assessment Discussions /Results/Re-Teaching/Extensions

– Pre-Test Personal Finances

– Money and Credit

– Cont. / Formative Assessment 1

– Banks and Banking / Vocabulary Assessment

– Cont. / Formative Assessment 2

– Saving and Investing

– Cont. / Formative Assessment 3

–Insurance against Hardship

– Cont. / Formative Assessment 4

– Summative Assessment 3

– Review for Semester Exam

– Review for Semester Exam

– Semester Exam (Civics)

– Assessment Discussions / Corrections / Results

– Semester Exam Make-up Day

–Re-Teaching

Grading

EXPECTATIONS:

  • For Students:
  • You are to treat yourself, your classmates and your teachers and administrators with the utmost respect.
  • You are to come to class on time and prepared to learn.
  • You are to bring your materials, and assignments with you everyday. You will not be given permission to leave the room after the bell.
  • You are to remain seated until the teacher releases you. The bell does not mean you are dismissed.
  • You are expected to practice and follow all classroom procedures.
  • You are to follow all classroom, school, and district-wide rules of conduct. If not, the outlined punishments will be administered.
  • Exhibit good manners. (Thank you and please) Address all school personnel as Mr. or Ms. (I will address you the same out of respect to you.)
  • Be ready to learn!

CLASSROOM PROCEDURES:

  • There are assigned seats in our classroom and in all BCHS classrooms. I reserve the right to move any student at any time for any reason.
  • Hall passes are to be kept to an absolute minimum. (2 per semesters… beyond that, only emergencies - cost is a break detention…)
  • Bring materials for class EVERYDAY! NO EXCEPTIONS! Failing to plan is planning to fail! (If this becomes a problem it will be dealt with disciplinarily)
  • The classroom door is locked at all times. If someone knocks, I will answer it.
  • Announcements at the beginning and the end of the day and during class are our only communication in the school some days. There is to be absolutely no talking during announcements.
  • Tardies, absences, sleeping, cell phones & etc..., misbehavior, drug and alcohol violations, and other class and school disturbances will be dealt with according to the policies set forth in the student handbook.
  • To answer questions or to ask questions, raise your hand. Call outs will not be tolerated. (1st- warning, 2nd- time up, 3rd Break Detention)
  • Tornado and Earthquake and other drills will be discussed and practiced as a class.
  • Beginning of class- immediately find your seat and begin bell work, if you are not in your seat when the bell rings, you are tardy (BREAK DETENTION).
  • End of class- The bell does not dismiss you, so finish whatever we are working on, clean up any mess around your desk, get all of your belongings, and if you used any resources put them away. Then I will dismiss the class as a whole.
  • Bell work- Before class begins; you should already be working on this assignment. Directions will be on the Smart Board every day. Bell work is important to your success in our class.
  • No one is to be up on the floor without approval for any reason.
  • Purses or backpacks are not to be out or sitting on desks. If this becomes an issue, we will deal with that on a class by class basis. (Reasoning: distractions, digging through when you should be paying attention, clutter, etc.)
  • On that note, no personal grooming is to take place in the classroom. (No brushes, make up, floss, mirrors, etc…)
  • Group work assignments always have their own rules; we will discuss and practice them on an individual basis.
  • If any other issues arise throughout the year, we will make a procedure to deal with those issues.
  • We will have procedures for the Computer Lab as well as the Library. These will be addressed and practiced upon use of those facilities.


Tardy to Class:

The policy for tardies is covered in detail in your student handbook. Read this again carefully.

If you are tardy, you must sign the Tardy Log, which I keep on my desk.

The consequences for tardies to class are:

First Tardy / 1 day of Break Detention and parent/guardian notification
Second Tardy / 3 days of Break Detention &
Parent Notification
Third Tardy / 1 day of ACP & Parent Notification
Fourth Tardy / 2 full days of ACP & Parent Notification


Other Threats to Your Safety:

"Lockdown"

Stay in the locked classroom. We will stay in the back section of the room out of view from the door window. School and local officials will be handling the situation and will inform us of what actions we need to take.

We are together for 18 weeks. We can make it a great experience only if we work together. Do not let it be an opportunity lost to you and me forever. You may talk to me whenever you need help, extra tutoring, or when something is bothering you in the class or outside this class.

January5, 2015

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian:

You have been looking at the syllabus and course outline your teenager has been given for this class. Please read it and write down any questions you may have at the bottom of this sheet.

Getting this sheet signed by a parent/guardian and returning it to me during the first week after it is distributed is an important part of your student’s commitment to success. Please return the syllabus to your teenager. These procedures and processes will be an important part of their success in this class.

Thank You,

Reed Fields

Social Studies Teacher

Bath County High School

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Parent/Guardian Signature Date

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Student Signature Date

Questions/Comments: