COURSE DESCRIPTION

Government A
Snake River High School
Mr. Morton 

MortStev@snakeriver.org

Objectives

The following are the five main objectives I would like students to come away with at the end of their U.S. Government experience:

Class format

The class will be structured around 3 units and 13 sections.  We will also spend considerable time exploring current events and specifically the Presidential race.  In more specifics the course will go as follows:

Unit 1        

Foundations of American Government

 Section 1 – Class Introduction

Section 2 – Principles of Government   

Section 3 – Origins of American Government

Section 4 – The Constitution

Section 5 – Federalism

 

Unit 2       

Political Behavior: Government by the People                       

Section 6 – Political Parties and Ideology

Section 7 – Voters and Voter Behavior

Section 8 – The Electoral Process

Section 9 – Mass Media and Public Opinion

Section 10 – Interest Groups

Unit 3        

The Legislative Branch

Section 11 – Congress

Section 12 – Powers of Congress

Section 13 – Congress in Action

Grading

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class materials

The class textbook is Magruder’s American Government. This text will be available for student use as part of a classroom set.  The text may also be checked out if desired.  Along with the text each student should bring the following every day to class:

Class preparedness

In order to help further student learning and accountability an agenda of class activities will be written on the classroom white board weekly. Class each day will begin with a starter activity consisting of a quiz or review activity over the previous day’s materials.  Frequent checks of student progress in their notebooks should also be expected. 

The “Big 4”

I run my classroom according to four basic rules.  These are intended for the purpose of building a sense of community in the classroom along with helping students learn self-mastery.  They are as follows:

Discipline

Violations of the classroom rules will be handled in the following manner:
1st violation – Teacher warning
2nd violation – Teacher-Student conference / Detention / Mandatory Encore attendance
3rd violation – Parent conference and Administrative Intervention

Attendance, Tardies, and Late Work

I am a firm advocate in the idea of participation equaling learning.  Thus, attendance is a must in my class.  I offer credit for each day attended.  However, if a student is late or absent they forfeit their points for that day.  The only exceptions are school-related absences, and if you were held up by another teacher or administrator and have a note of verification. My tardy, absence, and late work policies follow the school guidelines dictated in the Snake River High School Agenda (see agenda for more information).  Approved late work from students will be allowed without penalty for three school days after the date of the assignment.  Afterwards the assignment will automatically be penalized 50% of the grade.

Communication

I have an open door policy with all my students and parents.  Anyone who wishes to conference with me, get help on work, or just chat and laugh can come to my room anytime during the school day, in addition to 30 minutes before and after school or by appointment.  Simple stated, if the light is on, which it so often is as a teacher, come on in.