Civics
Mr. Dyrdahl
Email: [email protected] Phone: 320-629-4138
Course Description
The American government we know today was an experiment created by the Founding Fathers of our country to see what would happen if people had the chance to govern themselves. The system they created in America has great influence on our everyday lives. The goal of Civics is to provide basic information students will need to understand why the United States government was designed the way it was, the responsibilities of our country’s leaders, the rights they have as citizens, and the positions and role of political parties in our country.
During our course we will examine the foundations of American government, the rights protected by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, political ideologies in the United States, the three branches that compose the US government, and the legal process. Through group and individual investigation each student will develop an understanding of US government and how it impacts their existence.
CLASS SCHEDULE
RESOURCES
GRADING SCALE
A= 93-100% A- = 90-92.9% B+= 87-89.9% B=83-86.9% B- = 80-82.9% C+ = 77-79.9%
C= 73-76.9% C- = 70-72.9% D+ =67-69.9% D= 63-66.9% D- = 60-62.9% F= 0-59.9%
GRADES
Students’ grades for the course will be determined by their performance in three categories:
2. Daily Learning (40% of grade)
Daily activities in class will ask students to explore events, issues, and people who are involved in the historical foundation and current operation of the American government. Students will be asked to participate by offering verbal and written thoughts in response to learning opportunities.
3. Projects (15% of grade)
Students will be asked to apply their learning to real life situations throughout the course. These will take the form of projects that will challenge students to think beyond definitions to how concepts apply to their government.
Grades for the semester will be calculated by taking Quarter 1 + Quarter 2 and dividing by 2 to find the average percentage.
MAKE-UP WORK QUESTIONS
Generally time will be provided in class to complete daily learning assignments. If an assignment is not completed in class due to absence or needing more time students need to know the following:
--Make-up work can be found folders at the front of our classroom or on our online class calendar http://jareddyrdahl.weebly.com/
--Students have 2 school days to make up any daily learning or projects they have missed. Class initiatives will generally be turned in on Fridays. That means if a student is gone on Thursday or Friday they can turn in their missed class initiatives on Monday or Tuesday of the next week.
--If you don’t turn in class initiatives on time you can fill out an “Extension Slip” that can be found at the front of the room by the make-up work. Fill it out and make sure Mr. Dyrdahl signs it. Then attach the slip to your work when you turn it in.
GROUP WORK EXPECTATIONS
1) No One is Done Until Everyone is Done; you have a duty to help others, but not to “do” their thinking for them
2) Find Out What Others Think; everyone has something to contribute to a group’s understanding. If a group member does not understand that your group is not done (see the first point)
INDIVIDUAL WORK EXPECTATIONS
1) In completing your work, use your words, not the words of others.
2) Don’t Suffer in Silence! Feel free to ask for help!
3) It’s okay to be “wrong” or make mistakes. This is how learning happens!
CONSEQUENCES FOR NEGATIVE CHOICES: 1…..2…….See you/Distraction Data
Most students surveyed each year say they work best without distractions. If during a class initiative a student is interfering with another's ability to learn they will receive two chances to change their behavior before they will be asked to leave the classroom. Consequences (detentions and behavior contracts) will be utilized if students are removed on multiple occasions. The exception to this rule is if a student is doing something to threaten other students physical, mental, or social well-being. During project time students will be asked to not distract themselves or others. Distracting others or completely misusing resources (including phones and computers) will result in the event being documented. Three documented events in one quarter will lead to removal from class. Each event beyond the third will result in removal from class.
1:1 Device Policy
As a member of a 1:1 program, it is your responsibility to bring your device to class each day charged and ready for use. Failure to do so will result in your being sent to the Media Center to receive a violation. If your device is in need of charging it will be kept and charged for the remainder of the class hour or until it reaches 50%. It is your responsibility to pick it up between classes. Loaner devices are available only for devices that are mailed in for repair.
Violation #1 - Warning Violation #2 - Detention
Violation #3 - Detention and loss of privilege to take device home for the period of 20 school days.
Mr. Dyrdahl
Email: [email protected] Phone: 320-629-4138
Course Description
The American government we know today was an experiment created by the Founding Fathers of our country to see what would happen if people had the chance to govern themselves. The system they created in America has great influence on our everyday lives. The goal of Civics is to provide basic information students will need to understand why the United States government was designed the way it was, the responsibilities of our country’s leaders, the rights they have as citizens, and the positions and role of political parties in our country.
During our course we will examine the foundations of American government, the rights protected by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, political ideologies in the United States, the three branches that compose the US government, and the legal process. Through group and individual investigation each student will develop an understanding of US government and how it impacts their existence.
CLASS SCHEDULE
- Foundations of American Government-- What does it mean to be an American? How is it changing?
- Political Parties & Voting-- What are the differences between our political parties? Based on where you stand what is your political ideology?
- The Constitution & Bill of Rights-- What do these documents say and why does it matter to your life as a citizen?
- The Legislative Branch-- What role does Congress play in our political system?
- The Executive Branch-- Besides the President, who else helps make sure that our laws are enforced?
- The Judicial Branch-- Why do we have so many different courts? What role does each of these courts play?
- Criminal & Civil Law-- How does the legal process play out in our society?
RESOURCES
- Text: Civics, Government, and Economics in Action
- Websites: CNN Student News, Google Earth, Kahoot, Twitter, YouTube
- Media: Startribune.com Pioneerpress,com CNN.com
GRADING SCALE
A= 93-100% A- = 90-92.9% B+= 87-89.9% B=83-86.9% B- = 80-82.9% C+ = 77-79.9%
C= 73-76.9% C- = 70-72.9% D+ =67-69.9% D= 63-66.9% D- = 60-62.9% F= 0-59.9%
GRADES
Students’ grades for the course will be determined by their performance in three categories:
- Test & Quizzes (45% of grade)
2. Daily Learning (40% of grade)
Daily activities in class will ask students to explore events, issues, and people who are involved in the historical foundation and current operation of the American government. Students will be asked to participate by offering verbal and written thoughts in response to learning opportunities.
3. Projects (15% of grade)
Students will be asked to apply their learning to real life situations throughout the course. These will take the form of projects that will challenge students to think beyond definitions to how concepts apply to their government.
Grades for the semester will be calculated by taking Quarter 1 + Quarter 2 and dividing by 2 to find the average percentage.
MAKE-UP WORK QUESTIONS
Generally time will be provided in class to complete daily learning assignments. If an assignment is not completed in class due to absence or needing more time students need to know the following:
--Make-up work can be found folders at the front of our classroom or on our online class calendar http://jareddyrdahl.weebly.com/
--Students have 2 school days to make up any daily learning or projects they have missed. Class initiatives will generally be turned in on Fridays. That means if a student is gone on Thursday or Friday they can turn in their missed class initiatives on Monday or Tuesday of the next week.
--If you don’t turn in class initiatives on time you can fill out an “Extension Slip” that can be found at the front of the room by the make-up work. Fill it out and make sure Mr. Dyrdahl signs it. Then attach the slip to your work when you turn it in.
GROUP WORK EXPECTATIONS
1) No One is Done Until Everyone is Done; you have a duty to help others, but not to “do” their thinking for them
2) Find Out What Others Think; everyone has something to contribute to a group’s understanding. If a group member does not understand that your group is not done (see the first point)
INDIVIDUAL WORK EXPECTATIONS
1) In completing your work, use your words, not the words of others.
2) Don’t Suffer in Silence! Feel free to ask for help!
3) It’s okay to be “wrong” or make mistakes. This is how learning happens!
CONSEQUENCES FOR NEGATIVE CHOICES: 1…..2…….See you/Distraction Data
Most students surveyed each year say they work best without distractions. If during a class initiative a student is interfering with another's ability to learn they will receive two chances to change their behavior before they will be asked to leave the classroom. Consequences (detentions and behavior contracts) will be utilized if students are removed on multiple occasions. The exception to this rule is if a student is doing something to threaten other students physical, mental, or social well-being. During project time students will be asked to not distract themselves or others. Distracting others or completely misusing resources (including phones and computers) will result in the event being documented. Three documented events in one quarter will lead to removal from class. Each event beyond the third will result in removal from class.
1:1 Device Policy
As a member of a 1:1 program, it is your responsibility to bring your device to class each day charged and ready for use. Failure to do so will result in your being sent to the Media Center to receive a violation. If your device is in need of charging it will be kept and charged for the remainder of the class hour or until it reaches 50%. It is your responsibility to pick it up between classes. Loaner devices are available only for devices that are mailed in for repair.
Violation #1 - Warning Violation #2 - Detention
Violation #3 - Detention and loss of privilege to take device home for the period of 20 school days.