Civics and Economics fall 2017 Syllabus

Harding University High School

#RamPride
#RamTough
Textbook: Glencoe, Civics Today: North Carolina
Instructor: Jared A. Gatewood
Edition, 200 College: UNC-Greensboro; B.A. in Political Science and minor in History
Course Description: Through the study of Civics Current student at Wingate University (Masters in Educational Leadership)
and Economics, students will acquire the skills Experience: 3rd year teacher
and knowledge necessary to become Website: jaredagatewood.weebly.com
responsible and effective citizens in the global Email: jareda.gatewood@cms.k12.nc.us
community. Students will need a practical Phone number: (704)-475-3453
understanding of the functions of government, Tutoring Hours: Monday and Tuesday; 2:30-4:00
civic literacy, economic systems, and personal
financial literacy that affect their lives as
consumers and citizens. As informed decision makers, students will apply acquired knowledge to real life experiences.
When studying legal and political systems, students will become aware of their rights and responsibilities and put this
information into practice.

Course Topics
1. Citizenship
2. Foundations of U.S. Government
3. The Constitution
4. The 3 Branches of Government
5. Political Parties
6. Court Cases
7. State Government
8. Law and Order
9. Introduction to Economics
10. Global Economics

Required Classroom Materials

1. Composition Notebook
2. Glue stick
3. Black/blue pens and pencils
4. Highlighters

GRADING
Assessment Methods: Assessment will vary from class participation, unit and quarterly tests, quizzes, projects, written
products, the interactive student notebook, and a Final Exam. Students will be able to retake tests for mastery.
Grading: 70% - Tests, Quizzes, Projects
30% - Assignments, Homework, Class Participation
Midterm- 20% of 1st semester grade
Final Exam- 25% of total grade
 Harding Grading Policy: A: 90-100, B: 80-89, C: 70-79; D: 60-69, F: 59 and below
Tests: Tests will account for the largest portion of students grades. Students will have the opportunity to make up
**The midterm and final exam will take place at the end of each term during the schools exam week.
**Exact dates are subject to change due to such events as assemblies, field trips, testing, inclement weather days, etc.
Quizzes will happen one to two times per week and cover key vocabulary and concepts. Quizzes will not always be
announced, so students must stay on top of their studies in order to keep a good average.
Assignments will cover a range of activities. They will come as both in-class and take-home assignments. Examples include
primary source analysis packets, study guides, worksheets, assessments from the book, writing assignments, etc. Writing
assignments will be a crucial component of the Civics and Economics North Carolina Final Exam (NCFE) this year, and will
account for a large portion of the assignment grade.
Late homework policy: late homework is only accepted one day late. Students will receive up to 75% credit for late
homework on the next day.
Make-Up Work: Following school policy, students who miss class have 5 days upon returning to school to make
up their work. You may come by before or after school to get the work. I will not allow a student to make up the
work during regular class time. Students can retrieve missed work in the manila files located in the back of the
room.
Notebook: Your notebook must be with you at all times. Bring your notebook to class every day, even on test days.
Notebooks will be graded on test days and with given notice. Your notebook is key to success; it will also teach you
responsibility. Every day you will be expected to write the objective, glue or tape in hand outs, as well as keep
journal entries. A rubric will be given for notebook checks and it will be YOUR responsibility to get what you have
missed. When parent conferences are called, these notebooks will be your artifact of hard work.

Classroom Procedures and Policies

Policies
1. Attendance:
O Students who miss 10 or MORE days of class, due to illness or OSS, are not eligible to receive credit for the course.
Recovery time can be made up after school through staying on the designated days after school, Saturday school or with
individual teacher. Student will need to recover time hour by hour.
2. No food or drink (only water)
3. No cell phone or any other electronic devices: Harding now has a ZERO tolerance policy on technology during class!
o All electronic devices must be turned off and put away at the beginning of class.
o If a student uses a cell phone during class, they will be warned to turn the cell phone off, and put it away and out of
sight. When a student is seen using the cell phone for a second time during the same class, they will be given a brown
paper bag, and they will place the cell phone (turned off) in the bag, and the bag will be stapled, but will stay on the desk
of the student until class is over. If a student is seen on their cell phones for a third time during the same class, this means
that the student opened the stapled brown paper bag, and will be written up for insubordination. At this point in time,
the student is non-compliant, and will be escorted out of class by a member of the BMT (Behavior Management Team).
4. Tardy policies/procedures:
o All students are expected to be in their seats when the bell rings. The classroom door will be shut and locked at the final
bell. NOTE: if your body is not in the room when the bell rings you are considered late. I dont care how close you were to
the room. If students are late, upon entering the class he/she will be documented as being late in the EdClick system. If you
are 10 minutes late, then you will be marked as tardy, but if you are 10 or minutes late without a written pass by a teacher
(there are no more late slips this year), then you will be allowed into class, and entered into the EdClick system as skipping.

If student is 45 minutes late to class it will qualify as an absence.

5. Bathroom Break:
0. Students are not permitted to leave the classroom during the first and last fifteen minutes of class. Students are
issued three bathroom passes per quarter. Only one student at a time is allowed to leave the room. ONLY ASK TO USE THE
RESTROOM DURING INDEPENDENT TIME!

Procedures
Entering class
Enter quietly, pickup handouts and/or turn in homework into the homework box (late homework in the late
homework box) then proceed to your assigned seat. If you have turned in your homework on time mark your
assignment on the homework tracker.
Sharpen your pencil before the final bell, and be in your seat before the bell goes off.
Turn OFF cell phone and place in bag or purse.
Place ALL purses, bags, backpacks and other personal belongings on the floor under your desk or on your assigned
table if space permits.
Log objective, log homework and start the bell ringer.

During Class
Do not speak: while peer is speaking or while your teacher is giving instruction, or during silent reading/work time.
There will be plenty of time to speak during class, I will inform you when that time has come.
Maintaining attention:
All students must display active learning position to be considered as participants in class. This includes:
1. Sitting up straight and facing forward
2. Engaged in current activity
3. Track speaker with your eyes
4. Desk cleared of personal items
5. Never put your head down on the desk I REPEAT NEVER PUT YOUR HEAD DOWN ON THE DESK.
Raising hands:
Always raise your hand to contribute to class discussion, get teachers attention, or to get out of your desk. Do not
raise your hand during verbal instruction from your teacher
End of Class
Dismissal
o Students will NOT stand up when the bell rings or pack up their belongings. They must wait until you are formally
dismissed
o No student will be dismissed from class until all the following are complete
1.Each student must clean up their desk and floor area completely. Every student must be seated.
2.Rows must be straight.
3.All trash must be picked up off of the floor. We will take pride in our space.
Getting up during class:
Students are only allowed to get up from their desk with permission during independent work time. The student will signal
to teacher that they want to get up from their seat by raising their hands. Only two students at a time are allowed to be out
of their seat.
Dress Code:
1. Find your waist, all pants must be at the waste.
2. No stomach showing
3. Shorts must be longer than finger tips when arms are at students side.
4. All tops must have sleeves
5. Gentleman take off your hat.
Raising Hands/participation:
Students are to raise hands if they wish to participate in class.
Please Sign the following and turn it in by Thursday, September 1,
2016

STUDENTS: I have read this classroom syllabus. I will honor it.

Signature _____________________________________________ Date _____________

PARENT/Guardian: My child has discussed the classroom discipline plan with me. I understand it
and will support it.
Signature _____________________________________________ Date _____________

PHONE # (______) ________________________ (Parents number that they can best be

reached by)

EMAIL
_____________________________________________________________________________
(I will send you regular updates and student shout outs to this email address).