U.S. Government
Trinidad “Trini” Garza Early College High School
Mr. Reyna – streyna@dallasisd.org
“We always hear about the rights of democracy, but the major responsibility of it is participation.”
-Wynton Marsalis
Course overview
American Government is a semester study of the formation, structures, processes and evolution
of national government of the United States. The course emphasizes the history and formation of
the U.S. government, the responsibilities and rights of citizenship, and the skills necessary for
critical thinking.
Course Objectives
 Examine how the U.S. government has been influenced throughout the history of the
United States
 analyze the structures of government such as federalism, checks and balances, and civil
liberties set forth in the constitution
 examine the relationship between government policies and the culture of the United
States
 use social studies skills to categorize, compare, and draw conclusions from various
sources
Texts Book
United States Government. McGraw Hill
Required Materials
3 subject notebook – college ruled
Pocket folder
Highlighters (2)
Glue sticks (2) – turn in for extra credit
Grading Scale
Daily work/Homework – 40%
Tests – 25%
Projects – 20%
Six Weeks Test Grade – 15%
Time Table
Unit 1 Foundations of Government
Unit 2 The Legislative Branch
Unit 3 The Executive Branch
Unit 4 The Judicial Branch
Unit 5 Participating in Government
Unit 6 Government in Action
3 Weeks
3 Weeks
2 Weeks
2 Weeks
2 Weeks
2 Weeks
Tutoring Hours
Monday through Thursday 4:00-4:30pm or by appointment
Mandatory tutoring may be required throughout the year depending on your needs
To be successful in class:
– Be on time
– Bring your brain to class
– Complete all assignments to the best of your ability
– Participate in class
– Do not cheat*
– When in doubt – ASK
*Academic Integrity Statement – I will use my own thoughts, my own words and do my own
work to support my own learning. This means:
NO CHEATING
NO COPYING
NO STEALING
NO PLAGIARISM
NO REPRESENTING SOMEONE ELSE’S WORK AS YOUR OWN
If there are any questions regarding the class itself, rules, or procedures you can reach me by
email at streyna@dallasisd.org or by phone at 214.860.3680, where you can leave a message and
I will return your call.
-Mr. Reyna
August 24
25
26
27
28
6 weeks start
Introduction
Introduction
Foundations of
Government
Foundations of
Government
Foundations of
Government
Foundations of
Government
HW Reading: Ch.
2.4 pp 54-60
31
HW Reading: Ch.
2.4 pp 54-60
September 1
2
3
4
Origins of
Government
Origins of
Government
Origins of
Government
U.S. Constitution
U.S. Constitution
Quiz Ch. 2.4
Quiz Ch. 2.4
HW Reading: Ch.
3.1 & 3.2 pp 68-79
HW Reading: Ch.
3.1 & 3.2 pp 68-79
8
U.S. Constitution
9
U.S. Constitution
10
Federalism
Review
11
Federalism
Quiz 3.1 & 3.2
Quiz 3.1 & 3.2
7
No School
Amendments Quiz
14
15
16
17
18
Review
Amendments Quiz
Unit 1 Test
Unit 1 Test
Congressional
Powers
Congress: Structure
Congress: Structure
HW Reading: Ch.
5.2 & 5.3 pp 142152
Begin Congress:
Structure
24
25
21
22
HW Reading: Ch.
5.2 & 5.3 pp 142152
23
Class Policies
Note from the Instructor
I will lead a respectful and disciplined classroom. To achieve this, I have established a few simple
policies. As a student, it is your responsibility to comply with these policies. If you decide not to
comply, there will be logical consequences. By enforcing these policies, I promise to you fairness and
order in our classroom.
Class Rules
Congressional
Powers
Congress at Work
Congress at Work
Quiz 5.2 & 5.3
State and Local
Legislatures
State and Local
Legislatures
Quiz 5.2 & 5.3
Review
State and Local
Legislatures
28
Review
Amendments Quiz
Amendments Quiz
29
Unit 2 Test
30
Unit 2 Test
Choosing the
President
Begin Choosing the
President
HW Reading: 11.2
& 11.3 pp 325-336
HW Reading: 11.2
& 11.3 pp 325-336
5
6
6 weeks start
Presidency:
Structure and
Functions
October 1
Presidency:
Structure and
Functions
2
6 weeks end
Choosing the
President
7
8
9
State and Local
Executive Branches
State and Local
Executive Branches
Unit 3 Test
Review
Amendments Quiz
Quiz 11.2 & 11.3
Quiz 11.2 & 11.3
Federal and State
Court Systems
Amendments Quiz
13
14
HW Reading: Ch.
14.1 & 14.2 pp 414422
15
16
Constitutional
Freedoms
Federal and State
Systems
Right to a Fair Trial
Review
Constitutional
Freedoms
Right to a Fair Trial
US Supreme Court
Amendments Quiz
Quiz Ch. 14.1 &
14.2
HW Reading: Ch.
14.1 & 14.2 pp 414422
20
Unit 4 Test
21
Right to a Fair Trial
22
Political Parties
23
Review
Political Parties
Quiz Ch. 14.1 &
14.2
Voting and
Elections
Amendments Quiz
Review
12
Unit 3 Test
Begin Federal and
State Court
Systems
19
No school for
students
HW Reading: Ch.
19.3 & 19.4 pp 584598
26
27
28
29
30
Unit 4 Test
Public Opinion and
Interest Groups
Political Parties
HW Reading: Ch.
19.3 & 19.4 pp 584598
Mass Media in
Digital Age
Voting and
Elections
Begin Political
Parties
Mass Media in
Digital Age
Review
Amendments Quiz
November 2
Public Opinion and
Interest Groups
Quiz Ch. 19.3 &
19.4
3
Unit 5 Test
4
5
6
Mass Media in
Digital Age
Social and
Domestic policy
Foreign Policy
6 weeks end
Quiz Ch. 22.3, 22.4,
& 22.5
Amendments Quiz
HW Reading: Ch.
22.3, 22.4, & 22.5
pp 683-700
Quiz Ch. 19.3 &
19.4
Financing
Government
10
11
12
13
6 weeks start
Unit 5 Test
Unit 6 Test
Financing
Government
Foreign Policy
HW Reading: Ch.
22.3, 22.4, & 22.5
pp 683-700
Comparing Political
Systems
Amendments quiz
16
17
18
19
20
Social and
Domestic Policy
Review
Foreign Policy
Unit 6 Test
Comparing Systems
Review
26
27
9
No school for
students
Review
Quiz Ch. 22.3, 22.4,
& 22.5
23
24
25
 Be Respectful – Students will exhibit courtesy and respect toward all other students and adults at all
times. Hateful comments concerning race, gender, sexuality, political views, appearance, or of any
other type will not be tolerated; this applies to serious as well as "joking" comments. Refrain from
Review
Amendments quiz
Unit 6 Test
Review
Thanksgiving Break
Thanksgiving Break
Thanksgiving Break
Practice ACP
30
Review
Amendments Quiz
December 1
Practice ACP
Analysis
2
Practice ACP
3
Review
4
Practice ACP
Analysis
7
8
9
10
11
Review
Review
Review
Review
Review
14
15
16
17
18
ACP
ACP
ACP
ACP
6 weeks end
using offensive language – including any words that are derogatory concerning race, gender, or
sexuality. Physical contact of any kind is not permitted – keep your hands to yourself.
 No Food Allowed in Class – Students may not eat in the classroom. This includes candy. If you
need to get a drink of water, raise your hand and ask for permission to leave the classroom. Refer to
the classroom procedures handout. If there are extenuating circumstances, speak with me before or
after class.
 Stay in Your Seat - Do not get up to throw away items or sharpen your pencil during the lecture or
class discussion. If you need to get up to throw an object away, wait until the independent practice
activity begins and I finish addressing the class.
 Obey ALL School Rules – Students will obey all school rules that are listed in the student handbook.
This includes no electronics in class, following Trinidad “Trini” Garza Early College High School’s
dresscode, and wearing your student ID badge at all times on campus and in the classroom.
Class Procedures
Note from the Instructor
Good days and great learning relies on an efficient and smooth running classroom. To achieve this, I
have established a few simple procedures. As a student, it is your responsibility to learn and perform
these procedures. Through these procedures, I promise to you a more organized and effective learning
experience.
Most Common Procedures
 Entering the Classroom
You are to enter the classroom without screaming, running or otherwise causing a ruckus. Students
who do not do this will be asked to leave the room and reenter as expected. It is expected that as soon
as you enter you get anything you need around the room (pencil sharpening, tissue, etc.). Once
seated, check the board for any assignments or reminders and update your school planner. Copy the
day’s objective and Question of the Day into your spiral.
 Coming to Attention
When I need to quiet the class, I will say the following: “If you can hear my voice, clap once. If you
can hear my voice, clap twice.” When you hear this, you are expected to stop your conversation, look
at me, and clap your hands once for the first time and twice for the second. This procedure is only
complete when all eyes are on me and the class is quiet.
 Arriving Late
Class starts promptly on time. When you enter the room late (with or without a pass) you need not
disturb the class. You are absent if you come to class 20 minutes after the start of class. If you must
speak with me, go to your seat and raise your hand when it is appropriate to do so.
 Leaving the Classroom
I dismiss the class. Do not leave your seats until I dismiss the class. "People who pack fast shall
leave last."
 Using the Bathroom or Going to the Nurse
Take care of all of your personal business before class starts or after class. I have a 10/10 policy: no
students will be allowed outside of the classroom during the first 10 minutes of class or the last 10
minutes of class. A pass is needed for leaving the classroom. Do not ask to use the washroom or to
see another teacher before class begins; just go before you get to class. Anyone late for any reason is
late.
 Asking Questions
Raise hands to ask a question – any questions will not be acknowledged if a hand is not raised and
you are not called on beforehand.
 Presenters
Listen to all presenters with your eyes and ears – this includes the teacher, substitutes, guests, and
other students.
 Attendance
If a student has an absence from class, he or she is responsible for the assignments/homework missed.
It is up to the student to inquire about missed work and tests. It is your responsibility to come to me
after school or before school to get the makeup work – I will not hand out makeup work during the
class period. You have an equal amount of days to make up missed work as your absences. (Ex: If
you have a MWF class and you are absent on Monday, see me Tuesday to pick up work and it is due
on Wednesday. If you have a TR class and you are absent on Thursday, see me Friday and the work
is due the following Monday). Zeros will be given if a student fails to make up work within an
acceptable time frame.
 Make-up Tests
Students who are absent from class when a test or quiz is given will make up the test or quiz during
my scheduled tutoring time. Other arrangements must be made with me if the student cannot attend
tutoring. If the student fails to come to tutoring or the arranged time to make up the test or quiz, the
student will receive a zero for the assignment.
 The teacher may change or add to the procedures as necessary.
Garza Early College High School @ Mountain View College
United States Government 2014-2015
Mr. Steven Reyna
To: Mr. Reyna,
I have read the course syllabus for United States Government. I understand my responsibilities
in this course, the requirements to be successful, and that there will be more work than in a
typical class. I will do my best to abide by class expectations.
_________________________________________
___________________
Student signature
Date
Academic Integrity Statement
I will use my own thoughts, my own words, and do my own work to support my own learning.
This means:
No cheating
No copying
No stealing
No plagiarism
No representing someone else’s work as my own.
______________________________________
Student signature
__________________
Date
I have read the course syllabus for United States Government. I understand the long-term
benefits of the intellectual development offered by this course, and support my student’s
success in this course. I have also read the class rules and will do my best to have my student
abide by class expectations.
_________________________________________
Parent/Guardian
Please return to Mr. Reyna by next class period.
___________________
Date