Syllabus-Government/Economics
by Carol Braun
August 26, 2010
Teacher Information
Name: Mr. Ringen
Position: Social Studies Teacher at Southern High School
Room: 205
Email: mringen@esu5.org
Education: Undergraduate and Graduate at Peru State College
Degree: Bachelors in Secondary Social Studies & Masters in
Instructional Technology
Certification: Nebraska Department of Education
Recent Workshops: Moodle Technology; Classroom Management; From L to J Learning Strategies; Teaching Nebraska Social Studies
Coaching: Assistant Girls’ Basketball & Assistant Track
Sponsorships: S-Club
Mr. Ringen’s Daily Schedule
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Before School: Arrive at 7:15-7:30 (earlier if students need help) Period #1- Fundamentals of Social Studies—9th Grade Standards Period #2- OT Government Period #3- 7th Grade Career Education Period #4- 8th Grade US History Period #5- Political/Historical Studies |
Period #6- Planning IAP- Room 205 Period #7- Government/Economics Period #8- 8th Grade US History After School 3:32-4:00- Student help/meetings After School 4:00-6:00 Sport practices (winter/spring) |
Government/Economics
The content for this class focuses on the comprehension of various Nebraska STAR social studies standards, These standards will focus on government and some economics information. Additional studies will include the basics of American government and general economics.
Class Length
The length of this class will be one semester.
Textbook
Magruder’s American Government 2008
Pearson Prentice Hall
TEXTBOOKS MUST BE COVERED!!!
Standards Test
Students are required to pass all standards tests assessed in this class. Main standard assessments will include 12.3.9 & 12.3.13.
Semester Grade
Quarter #1=47% of grade Quarter #2=47% of grade Semester Test=6% of grade
*If time constraints would prevent us from having a semester test, Q1 & Q2 grade would both equal 50% of the semester grade.
Quarter Grading
Tests- 60%-70% of your grade
Homework, Homework quizzes, Check for Understanding Quizzes, Regular Quizzes, Projects- 20-30% of your grade
Review Worksheets- 6-10% of your grade
Focus on your tests! Tests will be 2-3 times the actual grade. Ex. 50/60=83% on a test would really be 150/180=83% (x3).
All homework and review sheets will be based on total points. Ex. 16/20=80% for that homework assignment.
More on Grading/Homework
Regular Homework-Any assignment might be collected…even notes. So do all of your work! Be prepared by doing each assignment thoroughly.
Reading/Notes Quizzes- Quizzes over assigned reading or notes.
Check for Understanding Quizzes- These quizzes will be given at the conclusion of a lesson discussion. Students can best prepare for these quizzes by simply listening and participating in class discussion when we cover content material.
Moodle - Homework, quizzes, discussion posts, special projects, and other assignments using the Moodle online technology.
***Only 10-14 regular homework assignments will be collected each quarter. Any assignment might be collected…even notes. So do all of your work. This does not include review worksheets. Preference might be given to reading responses and larger worksheets.
Honesty
Practice academic honesty!
Therefore…
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Do not copy others work. Do not allow others to copy your work. Both are considered equal offenses.
Late Assignments
Late homework will result in a 10% deduction off of the total assignment grade for the first day of being late. Special projects may fall under a different deduction.
Any homework late after the first day will result in an additional 5% (added to the 10%) for each day thereafter.
* If students continue to have late assignments on a regular basis, the teacher may assign work times as an additional consequence. These work times will not be recorded as detentions unless the student skips this session.
Notetaking
Almost every section covered in this class will have some sort of hard copy of notes provided for the student. Sometimes this will be in the form of a worksheet or quiz . Other times this will occur in the form of regular not taking.
Moodle
Mr. Ringen’s classes will now be using the “Moodle” online learning system. This will require students to complete online activities and assignments using Moodle.
Required Materials
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Textbook (supplied by school)
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Notebook (for notes)
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Writing utensils
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3 ring binder (for organization)
Here are just a few areas this class will study more closely:
***** These areas of study is only tentative and may see changes throughout the semester.
Government-
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Intro to American Government
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Articles of Confederation & US Constitution
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First Amendment Rights and Responsibilities
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Bill of Rights: Definition, Analysis, Rights and Responsibilities
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Key Constitutional Amendments & Amendment Process
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Elections: Dates, Process, Impact
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Impact of Political Parties
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Nebraska’s Key Political Figures
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Influence of Interest Groups
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Taxes and Funding
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Naturalization and Voting Privileges
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The National Government: Congress, Presidency, Supreme Court
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State & Local Governments???
Economics-
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Supply & Demand
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Absolute Advantage VS Comparative Advantage
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Effects of Inflation
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Balance of Trade Analysis
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Gross National Product VS Gross Domestic Product
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Outsourcing, Exports, Imports
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Chart Analysis
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Developed VS Developing Nations (Using GNP & GDP)
***CURRENT EVENTS---ABC Good Morning America News & Discussion
