Current Issues Course Syllabus

Current Issues Course Syllabus

CURRENT ISSUES COURSE SYLLABUS

Lucy C. Laney High School

Teacher: Mrs. Kimberly Harris

Room Number: 603

Email: [email protected]

Semester: Fall 2016/Spring 2017

Course Description:

The study of current social, economic, and political topics and their impact on technology, energy, health, education, immigration, human rights, nuclear and biological weapons, world international trade, agricultural production, and the world debt crisis.

Connected to Common Core Literacy and Writing Standards:

Each week students and teacher will review and analyze current events taking place in the city, state, country, and world. Every Friday, students will turn in a current event pertaining to a social, economic, or political event. Teacher will provide framework for current events. Beginning week 14, students will complete a Biological/Social. Issues project. Teacher will provide framework, topics, and expectations. Students will begin class presentations of projects during week 15.

Instructional Philosophy: 3+3=6, 1+5=6, 0+6=6, 2+4=6. Any student can learn. As a teacher, it is my responsibility to find out how each of my students learn and address their individual needs. Parents and students also play essential roles in the education/learning process. When students are surrounded by a healthy village success is imminent. Parents are responsible for the at home reinforcement of learning. Students are responsible for their class participation, classwork, and respectful attitudes towards others and themselves.

Required Materials:

  1. Blue or black ink pens only and no. 2 pencils.
  2. Spiral notebook and 3 ring notebook for notes.
  3. 1 – USB Drive

Grading Scale

Project: 40%

Current Events/Quizzes: 25%

Classwork: 20%

Homework: 15%

Class Rules & Expectations:

  1. Be prepared and on time.
  2. Be in your seat when the bell rings.
  3. Follow directions the first time.
  4. Respect others and their space.
  5. Turn in all assignments on time.
  6. Participate in all classroom activities.
  7. Cell phone usage is absolutely prohibited unless BYOT is in effect.

Required Outside Reading Assignments:

Week 1 /
  • Unit 1 Pretest
  • Identify sources of Information, sources of information.
/ Week 9 /
  • Unit 3 Performance Task.
  • Unit 3 Post Test.

Week 2 /
  • Facts and opinions, good story making, and central ideas, media Source Validity.
/ Week 10 /
  • Unit 4 Pretest.
  • Prewriting Strategies.

Week 3 /
  • Unit 1 Performance Task.
  • Unit 1 Post Test
/ Week 11 /
  • Final Product.
  • Revision Strategies.

Week 4 /
  • Unit 2 Pretest
  • Qualitative/Quantitative Data
/ Week 12 /
  • Clear and logical writing.

Week 5 /
  • Primary and Secondary Sources.
/ Week 13 /
  • Unit 4 Performance Task.
  • Unit 4 Post Test.

Week 6 /
  • Unit 2 Performance Task.
  • Unit 2 Post Test.
/ Week 14 / Begin Biological/Social Project.
Week 7 /
  • Unit 3 Post Test.
  • Organization Skills
/ Week 15 / Complete and present Biological/Social Project.
Week 8 /
  • Writing Language

• Designated by teacher and varies.

SPECIAL NOTE: All students are required to turn in assignments on time. Exceptions will only be made with a doctor’s excuse or written notice from parent detailing extenuating circumstances. Late assignments will not be accepted unless prior permission is given.

______

Parent Signature______

Student Signature______

Top View