U.S. Government and CitizenshipWeek 1 Bell #1

08/21/14• Write down as many things as you can think of when you hear

the word government.

• Do the same for the term citizenship.

• Write two things about you that make you special.

Bullying and Hazing• http://blog.wsd.net/jumcfarland/netsafe-and-bullying/

D.R.S.L.• Students will understand policies and procedures in Coach

Hansen’s class.

Assignment• Follow closely as we go through the course disclosure.

Disclosure: U.S. Government and Citizenship Mr. Mark Hansen mahansen@wsd.net

Room 230• Call me coach please

• Course Description: The goal of this course is to foster informed responsible participation in public life. Knowing how to be a good citizen is essential to the preservation and improvement of United States democracy. Upon completion of this course, the student will understand the major ideas, protections, privileges, structures, and economic systems that affect the life of a citizen in the United States political system.

Course Outline• Students will understand the significance and impact of the

constitution on every day life• Students will understand the protections and privileges of

individuals and groups in the United States.• Students will understand the distribution of power among the

national, state, and local governments in the United States federal system.

• Students will understand the responsibilities of citizens of the United States.

• Students will understand basic economic principles and how they influence everyday life.

• Students will understand the relationship between the United States and the international system.

Citizenship & Grades• The citizenship

policy will follow Weber High School’s citizenship policy as outlined.

• Grading Scale:• A 94• A- 90• B+ 87• B 84• B- 80• C+ 77• C 74• C- 70• D+ 67• D 64• D- 60• P Teacher discretion• F Below

Student Expectations• Classroom Rules• Follow all Weber High School, and Weber School District

established rules as outlined in your handbook • Electronic devices such as cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, etc.

will only be allowed when the teacher plans for their used in the lesson plan. Otherwise, they are to be put away during class.

• Consequences• 1st offense warning• 2nd offense conference• 3rd offense parental contact• 4th offense referral• Any offense requiring immediate referral will be handled as such

Student Expectations• Rewards• Verbal • Parental contact• Extra credit

• Miscellaneous Expectations• Students will be expected to show up for class with the

necessary materials every day.• Students will start and stay on-task.• Students will respect others.• PG 13 movies will be used to enrich the curriculum.

Miscellaneous• Final Exam • Current Events: There will be a daily discussion of current

events in this class. Students will be given a handout which further explains this assignment.

Miscellaneous• Make-up Policy: Any make-up assignment must be completed

as soon as possible.• Late Work: Students will lose 10 percent of the total points

possible each day the assignment is late. After five days, the assignment will be worth half credit.

• Teacher availability for extra help: Extra help will be handled by appointment. See me as needed. Or, email mahansen@wsd.net

• Textbook Information: The textbook used will be American Government. Students will be responsible for any textbooks checked out to them. The fine will be $80 if lost or damaged.

Current Event PresentationCurrent Events Presentation

Name_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Period_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Article Title/Source/Date:_____________________________________________________________________________

Introduction: Introduce yourself, the title of the article and the source 10 pts possible

/10 pts

Summary: Briefly summarize what the article is about

20 pts possible

/20 pts

Questions: Have 2-3 questions to ask the class about the article. Thought provoking questions.

20 pts possible

/20 pts

Your opinion: As you are wrapping up current event. Give your opinion. Be specific. Explain why you think what you think. 10 pts possible

/10 pts

Quality of Article: Needs to be controversial, and debatable. 10 pts possible

/10 pts

Classroom Interaction: How well can you get the class involved in discussion about the Current event. 30 pts possible

/30 pts

Total points: 100 pts possible

Comments:

/100 pts

Current Event Presentation• Make the event relevant to this class.

• An event that some level of government is involved in.• No tabloid stuff

Current Events• Current Event Portfolio Directions• Every day we meet in class you will have a Current Event

assignment.• The Current event article will be the choice of the student doing

the presentation.• If you miss a day, choose an article on your own.

• May either be typed or written in nice handwriting. If I cannot read it, I will not grade it.

Total points for your Journals based on your responses and neatness: 50 pts.The Response

1 paragraph summary of the article. Include date, source, and title in heading of this paragraph. Also include the name of the person that is presenting. Summarize the article. Don’t copy it!1 paragraph summary of your personal opinion. How does this article affect you, the world, your community, society etc… If you were in charge what decision would you make and why. You will put all of these articles into your journal and keep them as if they were a journal. At the end of the semester you will turn them in to be graded.

Assignment• From my blog, http://blog.wsd.net/mahansen/ download and

print the class disclosure. Sign (you and your Parent or Guardian) the bottom of the 2nd page and return it to my on Friday.

• Write one paragraph explaining your expectations of this class.