Stapleton Public Schools

2016-2017

Subject: 8th Grade American Civics & Economics

Teacher: Mr. Wehnes

Room: 309

Email:

Nebraska State Standards for Civics & Economics

1st Quarter

  • SS 8.1.1.a Identify and describe different forms of government via the study of early and current civilizations (e.g., tribal, monarchy, democracy, republic, theocracy, and oligarchy)
  • SS 8.1.1.b Describe the structure and roles of government
  • SS 8.1.1.c Identify the development of written laws and other documents (e.g., Hammurabi’s Code, Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence, United States Constitution, Preamble and Bill of Rights)
  • SS 8.1.1.d Explain how various government decisions impact people, places, and history

2nd Quarter

  • SS 8.1.2.a Describe ways individuals participate in the political process (e.g., registering and voting, contacting government officials, campaign involvement)
  • SS 8.1.2. b Describe the significance of patriotic symbols, songs and activities (e.g., Pledge of Allegiance, "The Star Spangled Banner", celebration of Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veteran’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, American Indian Day, Constitution Day)
  • SS 8.1.2.d Evaluate how cooperation and conflict among people have contributed to political, economic, and social events and situations in the United States
  • SS 8.1.2.e Identify the roles and influences of individuals, groups, and the media on governments (e.g., Seneca Falls Convention, Underground Railroad, Horace Greeley, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Jane Addams, Muckrackers, Booker T. Washington)

3rd Quarter

  • SS 8.2.2.a Explain how the relationship between supply and demand determines price (market clearing price)
  • SS 8.2.2.b Illustrate how consumers will demand more at lower prices and suppliers will produce more at higher prices (law of supply and demand) (e.g., Adam Smith, Invisible Hand)
  • SS 8.2.4.a Define and distinguish private property (e.g., factories and homes) and public property (e.g., parks, public schools, and government buildings)
  • SS 8.2.5.a Compare and contrast characteristicsof different economic systems. (e.g., traditional,command, market, mixed)

4th Quarter

  • SS 8.2.10.a Identify various goods and services provided by the government (e.g., disaster relief, public works, postal service, roads)
  • SS 8.2.10.b Explain how governments provide economic assistance (e.g., social security, Medicare, Medicaid, farm subsidies, disaster relief)
  • SS 8.2.11.a Identify taxes paid by individuals (e.g., income taxes, sales tax, property taxes)
  • SS 8.2.11.b Identify institutions supported by tax dollars (e.g., schools, roads, police protection)
  • SS 8.2.12.a Differentiate between exports and imports
  • SS 8.12.12.b Explain how individuals gain through specialization and voluntary trade

Class Participation

Students must actively engage in their coursework in order to solidify their understanding of the material. It is not enough for students to merely be present if they want to be proficient. They must ask questions of the teacher and of each other, they must offer their insights into what we are learning. It also means when I call on them to answer a question and they “don’t know” the answer, they will need to be able to tell me what it is that I need to clarify for them. Class participation means actively trying to make meaning of everything we learn in class.

Homework Policy

Homework is essential for students to practice independently what we have covered in class.

Homework is the student’s DIRECT responsibility. Parents and teachers may serve as a “resource”, but are NOT responsible for homework completion. It is the responsibility of each student to write down the assignments down in their planner, and make sure the textbooks/materials needed are taken home to complete these assignments. Homework is directly related to class lessons.Failure to do so will be viewed as a missed assignment and result in a WIN Timeand after school assistance if needed.

Quizzes (80%)

All quizzes will be given to evaluate your progress of the unit for YOUR benefit of understanding of the material. There will be two types of quizzes;formative and summative quizzes. Formativequizzes are NOT graded and will be taken as many times for better understanding. Summative quizzes will be graded and test each standard we have covered. You will be tested on 8 standards during semester 1, thus each summative quiz will be 10%. (80/8=10). During semester 2 you will be tested on 10 standards thus each summative quiz will be worth 8%. (80/10=8)

Benchmark Exams (20%)

Each quarter will be an exam that tests the skills of standards that you have learned throughout the quarter. Each quarterly quiz makes up 10% of your semester grade, thus making the 20% for benchmark exams.

Retake Policy

Second-chance assessment opportunities shall be made available to students who have missed a summative assessment, to students who have failed a summative assessment, and to students who have earned below an 80% on a summative assessment. For students who missed a summative assessment for a legitimate reason (an excused absence or emergency), the highest possible score that may be earned on a reassessment is 100%. Students who must reassess because they missed an initial summative assessment for an unexcused reason, who must reassess because they failed an initial assessment, or who wish to reassess because they have earned below an 80%, may earn up to an 80% on the reassessment.Students will not have the option to retake benchmark exams.

Student Evaluation.

Academics

At the end of each grade period students will receive a Report Card with a Final Grade. Academic grades are monitored in the form of Academic Progress Reports. The grades are strictly based on a point and/or percent system.

A / 94-100 / Excellent
B / 86-93 / Good
C / 78-85 / Satisfactory
D / 70-77 / Needs Improvement
N/C or F / Below 70 / No Credit
I / Incomplete

Absences

If you are absent from class it is YOUR responsibility to obtain missed assignment, notes, and other information from your fellow classmates. Assignments can be obtained from the Canvas website or myself. If you know you will be absent you need to obtain the assignments and complete the date of the absence. I understand that there may be circumstances that prevent assignments to be completed on time. In those instances it is YOUR responsibility to make arrangements with me. Please refer to student handbook for more information concerning absenteeism and make-up work.

Plagiarism

Students are responsible for their work and educational integrity will be closely observed. I will clearly state if you are allowed to work with a fellow student on an assignment. If you are not instructed to work with a partner, than you are expected to complete the assignment on your own. Any students found copying/cheating will be reprimanded.

Questions

If you or your child has any questions concerning the syllabus, please feel free to contact through email or call at the school (308) 636-2252. The syllabus will also be available for view on my page on the school website.

I have read and understand the class syllabus and understand the expectations that Mr. Wehnes has for me/my child in the 2016-2017 school year.

Student SignatureParent or Guardian Signature

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