FLITE World Geography/Civics Expectations and Policies
Ms. Erickson
Course Description
FLITE World Geography/Civics is a yearlong required course that will focus on World Geography first semester and Civics second semester. Both areas of study will focus on the content’s relevance in students’ everyday lives. The world is rapidly changing and every individual has the opportunity to impact his or her surroundings and instigate change. First semester, World Geography will familiarize students with the cultures and landscapes of the world. Civics will help students gain an understanding of American democracy, how changes are made within democracy and how individuals have rights and responsibilities within democracy. Knowledge of both areas is critical in order to understand the world and the role each individual potentially plays in it.
The following Enduring Understandings will be the primary focus of our classwork:
Geography (All CO State Standards in Geography will be addressed with particular emphasis on Standards 4-6.)
§ Geography shapes all interactions throughout the world.
§ Understanding Geography can help students plan for the future.
§ Cultures create local and regional identities and play a large role in international relations.
§ Human populations are not stagnant and their distribution plays a major role in economic, political and governmental roles around the Earth.
§ Humans both alter the natural environment and adapt to the natural environment.
§ There are many causes and effects of global interdependence that have shaped the past and will impact the future.
§ Natural resources are a major factor in global decision making.
§ Global conflicts are influenced by many geographical factors.
Civics (All CO State Standards in Civics will be addressed with particular emphasis on Standards 1 and 4.)
§ Individual rights and the common good are both important in the United States. Our government is designed to assure that there is a balance between the two; therefore, our rights and the powers of our government are limited.
§ The Constitution is our nation’s plan for government. It is the supreme law of the land, a document that has evolved and will continue to evolve. It is designed to protect individual rights and the common good.
§ As citizens of the United States and the world, we have a responsibility to stay informed about developments in other parts of the world. Nations do not function in a vacuum; the actions or inactions of one nation affect other nations.
§ A democracy is when people have a say in their government. However, whether or not we live in a true democracy may be a matter of onion.
§ All citizens have rights, duties and responsibilities. Being effective citizens can help preserve our way of life. To do so, we must be active participants in our own democracy. There are many ways to participate in government, and depending on the situation, some ways are more effective than others.
Requirements
I. Materials
All students are expected to come to class everyday ready to be actively engaged in learning for the entire class period. Everyone is encouraged to think critically, creatively, and to utilize all prior knowledge and experiences to tackle the issues presented in class. The materials below should be brought to class every single day. Students who do not come to class prepared could find it difficult to fully participate in daily activities.
Required Materials
3-Ring Binder
Loose-Leaf paper and dividers for the notebook
One subject notebook that will be used for class activities
Blue or black ink pens or pencils
Highlighter and sticky notes
Student Handbook (daily planner)
Civics: Participating in Government (Second Semester only)
II. The Binder and Notebook
The three ring binders will be used to keep all notes, assignments, handouts, readings, and all other papers related to this class. Graded returned papers should also be kept in this binder for use on cumulative assessments and for grade verification. The notebook will be used for daily activities that will take place in class that will not be turned in individually; however, the notebooks will be graded on occasions when the entire notebook will be reviewed.
III. Current Events
Class will usually include a 10-minute discussion of current events that is lead by a student from class. This discussion will be counted as a daily activity grade and can only be made up for half credit if you are unprepared or absent. These will be assigned on a rotating basis and each student will have a number of opportunities to lead these discussions throughout the year.
Expectations
I. Be on time. Class activities will begin immediately and if you are not there you will be missing these activities and disturbing others. When students enter class they can instantly write their homework assignment in their planner and begin answering the daily warm-up question that will often be posted on the board.
II. Work must be turned in on time. Late work should be turned in for partial credit at the teacher’s discretion. It is imperative that all late work be turned in as soon as possible. Twice a quarter cut off dates will take place, after that late work will no longer be accepted. These dates will be posted in advance.
III. Homework must be completed in an appropriate manner. This means that homework should be completed on loose-leaf paper in blue or black ink or pencil only. Doodles and other distracting or unrelated information should not be included on these assignments. Word processing may also be used to complete assignments and will at times be required. MLA formatting is required on all typed assignments and in all citations. It will be Ms. Erickson’s goal to return all graded work within a week, unless stated in class that this will not be possible.
IV. When absent each student is responsible for making up all missed activities. Assignments and due dates will be posted on the white board in the classroom and handouts can be found in the folder near the door. Additionally, notebook will be located in the room that describes the in-class notebook assignments and activities that take place each day. Students should utilize this when absent or when they have questions about daily activities before coming to Ms. Erickson. Students have two days for each missed day to complete the missing work as described in the Student Handbook. If a student is absent during the course of an assignment that has been assigned in advance of his or her absence they are still responsible for the original deadlines. If a student is absent on the day of a test or quiz they should be prepared to take the assessment on the day he/she returns.
V. The SSHS Daily Planner is your pass. In order to leave the room for any reason a pass must be signed by a teacher. If the planner is not in class then the student cannot leave the room.
VI. Technological Devices may only be used with teacher permission. The Cell Phone Policy, as outlined in the Student Handbook, will be strictly enforced. Additionally, music devices can only be used when teachers have given permission and can never be used when direct communication is taking place between students and/or teachers. These devices may be confiscated in the same manner outlined in the cell phone policy if these expectations are not followed.
School Policy/Honor Code
All SSHS school policies will be followed and all can be found in the Student Planner. Please familiarize yourself with these policies. Please pay special attention to the section on the student Honor Code. Suspected violations of this code will be sent immediately to the Honor Council. Please take the time to review this policy with your parents and remember that it is there to protect your rights as students. All assignments in this class are to be assumed Honor Code Level 2 unless otherwise stated.
Evaluation/Assessment
The grading scale will be 100-90=A, 89-80=B, 79-70=C, 69-60=D, and 59-0=F. Grades can be checked on Infinite Campus at all times and eligibility will be strictly enforced.
The grade will be broken down into three weighted categories.
Scholarship and Citizenship20% of the Semester Grade
Please see attached rubric. / Daily Activities
40% of the Semester Grade
Class activities and discussion, homework, current events, etc. / Assessments and Cumulative Projects
40% of the Semester Grade
Large projects/presentations, tests and quizzes
The Daily Activities and Assessment categories will be continuously updated throughout the semester and the Scholarship and Citizenship Grade will be updated twice a quarter.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time if you have any questions or concerns. My planning hours are 4th and 8th period.
Kelly Erickson
871.3620
Please acknowledge that you have read and understand the aforementioned expectations and policies.
Student ______Date______
Parent/Guardian ______Date______
Students: please keep the unsigned version of this in the front of your World Geography/Civics binder for reference and turn in the signed version to Ms. Erickson.