Academic United States & Virginia Government
2015 Ms. Relator’s Syllabus
Objectives
The major objective of the course is to give each and every student an opportunity to become a
productive citizen with the ability to understand and analyze the institutions, underlying principles, and
factors that influence the United States Government.

Each student will independently utilize critical thinking skills to deliberate current issues and
formulate sound decisions that are communicated effectively as they demonstrate the mastery of
knowledge of the rights and responsibilities of a citizen.

Each student will connect with the world by addressing timely and relevant civic problems using
professional tools, technologies, and community resources.
Course Text: Government Alive!: Power, Politics, and You. TCI. 2009
Course Website: http://www.lcps.org/Page/9932
Materials:
Student agenda/ planner, Pen/ Pencil, Folder, 1” binder/lined paper, USB Thumb drive
Expectations
Each Student is expected to:
 Arrive to class and hand in assignments on time.
 Bring necessary materials, completed assignments, and positive attitude.
 Participate in all learning activities to the best of his/her ability.
 Respect themselves, and the Dominion High School community.
o Technological devices may only be used for instructional purposes.
 Complete all assignments with academic integrity.
Assignments:
Students should act as the primary link of communication between the teacher and the family.
Homework assignments are given at the beginning of every class and should be recorded in the student
agenda. A 9 week plan is posted on the class website.
Students and Families should expect assignments returned in the following manner:
Daily Assignments: 1-2 Blocks
Quizzes and smaller projects: 2 Blocks
Major project, essays or tests: Within 2 weeks
Scores will be available on Phoenix within two weeks of receiving the assignment
Academic United States & Virginia Government
2015 Ms. Relator’s Syllabus
LCPS “One to the World” Key Philosophies of Instruction
1.
2.
3.
4.
Significant Content & Important Competencies
Authentic Challenging Problems in the World
Public Product for the World
Connected with the World
TYPES OF ASSIGNMENTS
Purpose
Formative Assessments
Summative Assessments
These assessments are given as
students “FORM” their
knowledge. And they help
inFORM the student and the
teacher on the student’s progress.
These assignments are given to
measure the “SUM” of the students’
knowledge at the end of a learning
unit.
Opportunity Students may be able to improve their
to improve score by completing a similar assignment
score
in order to show that they can meet the
learning objective.
If a student wants to improve their score,
they must conference with the teacher in
order to review the content that the student
needs help with. The student will then be
given an opportunity for to retake the
assessment in a different format.
Multiple Choice Tests, Essays,
Presentations like posters, infographics,
powerpoints/ Prezi, and authentic
assessments such as letter writing,
document and data analysis, or
collaborative negotiation.
Examples
Guided reading questions, section
quizzes, Bellringers, Exit Tickets,
Classroom Activities, and Discussions.
Points
Low or no point value. The total
Summative assignments will have a
points for all formative assessments value of between 50 & 100 points.
within one unit will add up to no
more than the value of the unit’s
summative assessment.
For more information on formative vs summative assessments,
http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/assessment/basics/formative-summative.html
Quarterly Major Writing Assignments




1st quarter students will write a “political socialization essay” (analyzing their own political
beliefs).
2nd quarter students will examine local and state government services.
3rd quarter students will evaluate the Presidential primary election process.
4th quarter students will assess the responsibilities of citizenship.
Academic United States & Virginia Government
2015 Ms. Relator’s Syllabus
Course Sequence
***All dates are approximate.
*** Dates given are for A day classes, B day classes should note record assignments on the following day.
Date
Topic
Quarter 1
Introduction to Government
 Government Alive Chapter 1 & 2
 Constitution Day Assignment Due 9/17
 Test 9/21
Foundations of American Government & Constitution
 Government Alive Chapter 3& 4
 Open Note Constitution Quiz 10/1
 Test 10/7
Political Participation & Public Opinion
 Government Alive Chapter 7 & 9
 Political Socialization Essay 10/23
Political Parties and Elections
 Government Alive Chapter 8 & 10
 News articles covering the 2015 election
August 31st –
October 30th
Partnership Night is Monday, November 2nd
The General Election is Tuesday, November 3rd
(VA State Senate & House of Delegates, Constitutional Officers, Loudoun County Board of
Supervisors, Loudoun County School Board, Loudoun County Soil and Water)
Quarter 2
th
November 4 January 28th
Political Parties and Elections, cont’d
 Election 2015 Assessment 11/6
 Test 11/12
Federalism & Virginia and Local Government

Government Alive Chapter 6 & Virginia Government materials.

Federalism Assessment 12/10
Legislative

Government Alive Chapter 11 & 12

Legislation Assessment 1/15
Academic United States & Virginia Government
2015 Ms. Relator’s Syllabus
Quarter 3
st
February 1 April 14th
Quarter 4
April 18th –
June 2nd
Executive
 Government Alive Chapter 13
 Executive Assessment 2/11
Bureaucracy & the Federal Budget
 Government Alive Chapter 13 & 14
 Bureaucracy & Budget Assessment 3/3
Confronting Global Issues
 Government Alive Chapter 18
 Global Issues Assessment 3/30
 Loudoun International Youth Leadership Summit 4/4- 4/13
Judicial
 Government Alive Chapter
 Judicial Branch Assessment 4/13
Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
 Government Alive Chapter 5
 Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Assessment 4/28
The Criminal Justice System
 Government Alive Chapter 16
 The Criminal Justice System Assessment 5/18
Rights and Responsibilities of an Adult Citizen living in Loudoun County
 Review of the material learned in the course and additional current
materials that will help you be an effective adult citizen out in the
world.
Final Assessment: Reflection and Citizenship Test, May 26th
Sunday, June 12th
GRADUATION!!