Lewis County High SchoolIntegrated Social Studies Course Syllabus

2010-2011

Instructor: Jessica PughGrade: 10th

Description:This course emphasizes major themes of government through topics that lead to an understanding of being an active citizen of the United States. Topics will provide an understanding of the nature of government and the characteristics of American democracy. This course will also include the fundamental principles of economics, to help students understand how their decisions affect themselves and others, and the fundamental themes of geography, to create a geographical perspective.

Comment:The main goal of this class is to create active, involved citizens. Students will be expected to analyze and explore ideas that have influenced our society.

Course Standards: The study of government and civics equips students to understand the nature of

government and the unique characteristics of American representative democracy, including its fundamental principles, structure, and the role of citizens. Understanding the historical development of structures of power, authority, and governance and their evolving functions in contemporary U.S. society and other parts of the world is essential for developing civic competence. An understanding of civic ideals and practices of citizenship is critical to full participation in society and is a central purpose of the social studies.

Economics includes the study of production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. Students need to understand how t heir economic decisions affect them, others, the nation and the world. The purpose of economic education is to enable individuals to function effectively both in their own personal lives and as citizens and participants in an increasingly connected world economy. Students need to understand the benefits and costs of economic interaction and interdependence among people, societies, and government.

Geography includes the study of the five fundamental themes of location, place, regions, movement and human/environmental interaction. Students need geographic knowledge to analyze issues and problems to better understand how humans have interacted with their environment over time, how geography has impacted settlement and population, and how geographic factors influence climate, culture, the economy and world events. A geographic perspective also enables students to better understand the past and present and to prepare for the future.

Textbooks: GovernmentAlive! Power, Politics and You EconomicsAlive! The Power to Choose GeographyAlive! Regions and People and Workbook

Required Materials: 3-ring binder Loose-leaf paper Pencil, blue or black ink pen All necessary items for independent projects

Grading:Students will be evaluated on class assignments and activities including, but not limited to, the following:

Portfolio writings Notebooks Discussion and participation Independent projects Tests and quizzes

Grading scale is as follows:

90-100………….. A 80-89……………. B 70-79……………. C 60-69……………. D Below 60……….. F

Classroom Expectations: RESPECT

o Use appropriate languageo Follow reasonable requestso Be attentiveo Give and receive feedback kindly

RESPONSIBILITYo Arrive on timeo Be preparedo Take action to correct mistakeso Use all equipment and supplies as intended

RESTRAINTo Model positive behavioro Keep the classroom neat and cleano Be honesto Support and encourage your teachers and peers

Classroom Procedures

Procedures are a part of life. We follow procedures for using a telephone book, boarding an airplane, approaching a traffic light, and attending a wedding. The reason we have procedures in life is so that people can function in society knowing the acceptable and efficient ways other people do things.

There are also procedures in this classroom. These procedures establish our classroom culture.

1. Beginning of Period Bellwork will be displayed on the projector screen. You are expected to be in

your seat, working on the bellwork, when the tardy bell rings. Agenda for each day will be on the South whiteboard. Copy this into your

notebook. If you don’t understand, quietly ask your neighbor for help.

2. Quieting a class When I need your undivided attention, you will see me stand with my hand up.

When my hand is up the procedure is as follows:o Freezeo Turn and face me; pay attention and keep your eyes on me.o Be ready for instruction. I will have something to say.

3. Students seeking help When the class is at work and you need my attention, take a textbook and

place it in an upright position and continue to work.4. Movement of papers

Students should pass their papers across the rows, not up the rows. If papers are not taken up by the teacher, papers should be placed into the

appropriate tray (i.e. 1st period places papers in tray marked 1st). Papers placed on the teacher’s desk are at risk of being lost. Do not hand

individual papers to the teacher! 5. End of period

The bell does not dismiss the class. Students do not dismiss the class. The teacher dismisses the class.

In order for the teacher to dismiss you:o Desks should be placed in original positiono Supplies should be put away in appropriate locationso Textbooks should be returned to proper location

6. Entering the classroom Greet the teacher by name and enter the room quietly Get your materials, then go directly to your seat Begin work immediately

7. When you need pencil or paper Before class

o You are responsible for having the materials necessary to participate in class. Occasionally, however, we all enter the situation where we need a pencil or paper. Both can be found in the Southeast corner of the classroom. These materials are provided by the teacher, so please use sparingly!

During classo Quietly ask to borrow materials from a neighbor

8. When you are absent You are responsible for missing work. Make up work is available with an excused absence note. Make up work

should be completed and returned by the due date set by the teacher for credit.

Tests will be made up by appointment. If you know ahead of time that you will be absent, please notify the teacher so

you can get your work beforehand.

9. Tardiness Class starts on time! If you have questions, please see the tardy policy in the

school handbook.10. Sharpening your pencil

Ideally, this should be done BEFORE class starts. If you need to sharpen your pencil during class, please ask permission if receiving instruction or wait until the class is working.

11. Heading on assignments Any paper you turn in should have a heading in the upper, right-hand corner. Heading includes: Your name (eg. Jessica Pugh), Date (eg. 8-25-10), Period

(4th).12. Emergency bell/drills

Tornadoo Quietly line up and exit the room to the RIGHT. Stop before Mr. Collin’s

door and then follow his class into Mr. Skidmore’s room.o Sit where instructedo Be quiet and listen for instructions

Fireo Quietly line up and exit the room to the LEFT. Exit the building and

continue across the parking lot.o Stand where instructedo Be quiet and listen for instructions

Earthquakeo Quietly take refuge under your desk, making sure you protect your

head and neck.o Be quiet and listen for instructions

13. Sudden illness If time, ask the teacher for a pass If no time, go directly to the restroom If you cannot make it to the restroom, please grab the waste basket on your

way out Report back when you are finished, to get a pass to the nurse’s office

14. When a school-wide announcement or classroom page is made Stop talking Listen to the announcement Then continue working quietly

15. When visitors are in the classroom Continue with your work Be polite to the guest, answer questions if asked Maintain work if the teacher is called away If appropriate, engage in conversation with the visitor

16. Exam “Redo”s If you are dissatisfied with a test grade, you may stay for tutoring and “Redo”

your test. The redo will be worth the same number of points as the test and will be averaged with your test grade to make a new test grade.

17. Emergency Passes Students will receive two (2) Emergency Passes per semester. The Emergency Pass allows you to leave the room to: use the restroom, go to

your locker, etc. You may NOT use the pass to interrupt instructional time in another classroom.

To redeem your pass: 1) Hand the signed pass to the teacher 2) sign out 3) sign in upon return.

Unused passes will be rewarded five (5) bonus points at the end of each semester.