Paxinos 2015-2016 Civics and Economics
Syllabus
Civics and Economics: Civics and Economics has been developed as a course that provides a framework for understanding the basic tenets of American democracy, practices of American government as established by the United States Constitution, basic concepts of American politics and citizenship and concepts in macro and micro economics and personal finance. The essential standards of this course are organized under three strands – Civics and Government, Personal Financial Literacy and Economics. The Civics and Government strand is framed to develop students’ increased understanding of the institutions of constitutional democracy and the fundamental principles and values upon which they are founded, the skills necessary to participate as effective and responsible citizens and the knowledge of how to use democratic procedures for making decisions and managing conflict. The Economic and Personal Financial Literacy strands are framed to provide students with an understanding of the role economic factors play in making economic decisions, the ability to reason logically about key economic issues and the knowledge and skills needed to manage personal financial resources effectively for lifetime financial security. Taken together these three strands should help to prepare students to become responsible and effective citizens in an interdependent world.
Course Description: Our classroom will function as a laboratory of learning, with classes consisting of whole classroom discussions, a wide variety of collaborative group assignments, individual research and readings, writing assignments, and the examination and interpretation of primary sources. Students will be challenged to take charge of their education so that they may learn valuable skills that will benefit them throughout their lifetime in whatever path that they choose. Critical thinking, personal responsibility, and a strong work ethic are all ingredients to their enduring success both in and out of the classroom. It is my hope that we will work together as a team in order to ensure that your child becomes an independent lifelong learner.
I. General procedures (We will work Bell to Bell)
A. Beginning of period
1. Bell Ringer (review from previous lesson)
1a. At the beginning of class you are expected to come in and get straight to work. (No Talking, No Playing, Etc… You are to come straight in and get to work.)
2a. Grab necessary materials
2c. Turn in homework (if any was assigned the night before)
2d. Complete the bell ringer assignment on the board.
2. Attendance check
2a.While you are completing your bell ringer I will take attendance for that day.
2b. Tardies are counted in my class. After you reach three I will contact home. Once you have reached a fourth tardy you will go to the Choice Room and receive a referral.
2c. If you receive more than 6 unexcused absences it will result in failure of the class. After two absences I will contact home. If you reach three then guidance and the social worker will be notified, and they will contact home. If you reach six Mr. Clingan will be notified and he will contact home.
3. Previously absent students
3a. If you are absent you should turn in your notes to your 1st period teacher ASAP. Once you have your admit slip I need to sign it.
3b. You will need to check the hanging folders by the word wall. This is located in front of my desk. I have a folder with every day of the week on it. That is where you will find your missing work or assignments.
3c. Once I have access to the school website I will post video links, study materials, notes, etc….. So, if your are absent that is where you will find that information.
3d. You will have 5 school days from the date of return to turn in any work that you missed due to an absence. It does not matter if it is ISS, OSS, excused, or an unexcused absence. Penalties for late work will still apply.
B. End of Class
1. Every day before leaving my class you will be required to complete an Exit Slip, TOD, or both.
1a. These allow me to assess how the class did with the comprehension of today’s lesson.
2. Also, my classroom must be in order, and all trash off of the floor.
2b. Put desks on their mark, all classroom materials away, trash away, etc….
C. Teacher Talk
1. Communication with your teacher
1a. My email is
1b. My phone number at school is 919-731-7160 ext.4454
1c. I have 3rd period planning. Please try and schedule conferences during this time.
1d. If you are in need of tutoring see me, and we will set up a time to meet.
1e. Remind 101: a text message notification service. It reminds parents and students of upcoming tests, quizzes, and other important class room information. (I’ll send out set up instructions for that later).
D. Rules and Expectations:
Participation: Participation is mandatory. You have a difficult time passing this class if you do not participate. Participation includes complete in and out of class work, adding to class discussions, and answering questions. I know that this content is new to you, and that not everyone is good at history. All I ask is that you try your best.
Instructor’s Expectations: This is a high school course. As such I expect that you will take the course seriously and behave in a mature manner. This means you are expected to:
1. BE ON TIME, on task, and prepared EVERYDAY!!!
1a. We will work from bell to bell, and every day!
1b. You must bring your notebook and a writing utensil to every class, every time. You must complete the readings and assignments.
1c. Turn assignments in on time, any late work will receive 5 points deducted each day it is late. If you have an excused absence the day an assignment is due you are expected to turn in the assignment the very next day.
1d. Something is considered late if it is not turned in with the rest of the class when it is asked for. The reason for this is, the more time you have to work on an assignment the better it should be.
2. RESPECT: Meaning treat people better than the manner in which you want to be treated. Also, refrain from swearing or demeaning any other person using any sort of negative words. Respect also including speaking while someone is speaking, getting up out of your seat for any reason, or stealing someone else’s work.
2a. Raise your hand if you wish to speak or get out of your seat. Especially when I am lecturing or giving instructions.
2b. You need to sharpen your pencil, throw things away, etc… before class, or during
a time when I am not lecturing or giving directions.
3. RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR LEARNING: Take responsibility for your actions! Your choices and your consequences. If you chose to turn something in late, you chose to take the late penalty. If you chose to not study, then you chose to earn a bad grade….
4. CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF: Keep your area neat and clean.
5. KEEP ALL ELECTRONICS PUT AWAY!!!!
6. NO FOOD OR DRINK:Unless, otherwise noted by a doctor’s note, a water bottle is the only acceptable beverage in the classroom and food is strictly prohibited.
7. Please do not TOUCH anything on my desk, unless you are specifically asked. I will also extend you the same courtesy.
7a. You will have assigned seats this semester. You are to sit in them at all times. I do
this so that everyone has the best chance at a productive learning experience, and so you can work to your full potential.
8. Abide by all other SCHOOL and/or COUNTY RULES and expectations.
9. WORK, WORK, WORK. (The bell does not dismiss you! I do! There is always something you can be doing!!!)
E. Out-of-room policies
Leaving class: School Policy: You may not go anywhere the first 10 minutes of class.
1. Bathroom
1a. If it is necessary for you to leave class during the allotted class period, then you will need to raise your hand and ask permission. Every 9 weeks I will provide you with three bathroom passes. You need to go to the bathroom in between classes unless you have a medical condition with a doctor’s note. You will not be allowed to go unless it is an emergency, in which case you will need to turn one of your bathroom passes into me. If you have unused passes at the end of the nine weeks, then you can exchange the passes for extra credit points. You will not be allowed to leave my instructional time, to go and interrupt another teacher’s instructional time. You will need to find an alternate time to see another teacher.
2. Going to other classes
2a. I will not allow you to interrupt someone’s learning time. If a teacher calls for you then that is the exception.
F. Materials and equipment: You cannot leave any materials in my class. You have a locker.
1. A 2 or 2.5 inch 3-ring binder (You will put your notes and interactive handouts in this. You need to bring it daily. It needs to contain work from only my class.)
2. Dividers: To divide your units apart
3. Textbook (You will be assigned a textbook. You will be responsible for it!!!)
5. Pens, pencils, and highlighters
G. Stations:
1. Calendar: (This will have our monthly agenda and projected plans)
2. Word Wall: (This board contains new words or concepts that we are learning. Have you ever heard the saying out of sight out of mind? We don’t want that!)
3. Exit Station (This is where you will put your ticket out the door. The assignments will vary daily.)
4. Turning in work: (There is a box under the world wall. Find the drawer with your class period and turn in your assignments there.
I. Drills
1. When we have a fire drill, tornado, drill, etc… You will line up at the door. Then we will walk together as a class to our assigned area. (Single file, and QUIET)
1a. Fire Drill: We will go out the green door, and go over the bridge toward the green house.
1b. Tornado Drill: Hallway against the lockers.
1c. Lock Down: Against the Wall by my desk.
II. Behavior Policy: As high school students I expect you to require very little redirection with regard to behavior. Behavior issues will mostly be handled/punished based on the entire class. The breakdown is such:
A. Individual disciplinary actions include:
1. Strike 1: teacher correction
2. Strike 2: letter or phone call home
3. Strike 3: Referral and Choice Room
III. Grading Scale:
A / 90-100B / 80-89
C / 70-79
D / 60-69
F / 59 and below
Tests/Projects: 25%
Classwork/Group work 20%
Quizzes: 15%
Homework: 20%
Class Participation: 10%
Notebook: 10%
I have read and thereby understand Mrs. Paxinos’ classroom rules, procedures, and expectations.
Student name:______
Student Signature:______Date:______
Parent/Guardian Name: ______
Parent/Guardian Signature: ______Date: ______
Student Interview
History is the examination of previous events. Why is it important to study history? If you study history then you can apply past events to present or future circumstances. Also so you can develop historical consciousness (to be aware of the past so you can learn from it and not repeat past mistakes).
Part of studying history is to study time. If you think of time in a circle you run in circles and do not go anywhere. If you study time in a linear progression then you can press forward and go somewhere.
If you do not think of time and history, “What’s the point of studying things that happened in the past”, then you’ll be doomed to repeat it.
1. Name: ______
2. Birthday: ______
3. Names of Parent(s)/Guardian(s): ______
4. Address: ______
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5. Email Address:______
6. Phone number (Home, Work, and Cell ) and email address of Parent(s)/Guardian(s): ______
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7. Class Schedule:
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8. After School Activities/Jobs: ______
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9. Anything about yourself or your life that I need to know: ______
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10. What is your favorite part of the government or politics???______
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