Fertile Beltrami High School
Civics
2014-2015
Mr. Grieve (Rm. 224)
Email: tgrieve@isd599.org
Coarse Description: This course will cover the basic concepts of the American government system
including origins, the Constitution, the three branches of the United States government, and participating in
government. The United States’ success as a democracy is dependent on your understanding of and
participation in government.
Text: United States Government: Democracy in Action
Glencoe McGraw Hill 2010
Key Concepts we will study:
- Foundations of government
- Origins of government
- Declaration of Independence
- Articles of Confederation
- U.S. Constitution - Amendments
- Legislative Branch – Senate and House of Representatives
- How a Bill becomes a Law
- Executive Branch – Office of the President and presidential powers
- Judicial Branch – Federal Court System and the Supreme Court
- Political Parties
- Elections and voting
- Interest groups and public opinion
Grading: I grade on a total points system, based on the following:
Daily Assignments
Tests and Assessments
Quizzes
Reports and Projects
Classroom Participation
In order to be eligible for extra credit, a student needs to have all of their work turned in, and if interested,
talk to me about extra credit after midterm.
100-93% A
76-73% C
92-90% A72-70% C-
89-87% B+
69-67% D+
86-83% B
66-63% D
82-80% B62-60% D-
79-77% C+
59-0% F
If you need help:
Don’t wait until it is too late!!
Please do not hesitate to come talk to me about your questions or concerns. I am generally available before
school, my prep is 8th hour, or by appointment.
Class expectations/class participation
-It includes the student’s willingness and effort to follow classroom procedures and expectations. Class
participation involves responding to questions and cooperating in class/group discussions and activities. Points in
this category will be collected on a random basis or regular basis depending on the need. It also includes any extra
credit offered in the class. Extra credit is rarely given during the quarter.
Daily work/Quizzes
- It includes bell ringers, which will be periodically checked and/or collected on a random basis. Class
participation involves responding to questions and cooperating in class/group discussions and activities and may
fall under daily work on occasions. Students can expect frequent, short quizzes to check for individual
understanding. Quizzes may be preplanned or unannounced. Late work will not be accepted in this category.
Assignments
- All assignments must be completed to quality work. Quality work is expected.
- If you are absent from class it is your responsibility to get your assignments for make up work. If there is work
which you need to make up for the days absent you will find copies of those assignments on the tables. It is your
responsibility to complete the work and turn it in.
- Some assignments may require work outside of class in study hall or at home.
Tests/Projects
- Tests are pre planned and test dates are posted and will be announced in class. Testing occurs in a variety of
ways depending on the class and units being covered. Students will be given notice in advance as to the type of
testing that will occur.
Expectations and Procedures:
1. Complete and total respect for your classmates, teacher, and classroom.
2. Bring your book/materials to class EVERY DAY.
3. Academic dishonesty will result in the student receiving no credit. In other words, cheating of any
kind is a ZERO!
4. Students must make up missing work within two days from the date of the student’s return to school. Refer
to the FBHS Student/Parent Handbook for more information. Make up work is the student’s responsibility
upon being absent.
5. Homework turned in one day late will be docked 50%. Homework turned in two days late or more
will be docked at least 75%. The grading of late work is at the teacher’s discretion. Late work may not
be turned in after the material or chapter/unit has been tested on. Projects independent of a chapter/unit
will not be accepted two weeks after the due date.
ZAP Homework Policy (for grades 7-9) Zeroes Aggressively Prohibited
Guidelines
1. Students are not allowed to not turn in assignments
Homework is an essential aspect of learning. Grade reports will show academic achievement
rather than organizational habits when all work is turned in.
2. Student will spend lunch hour in study hall if homework is not completed prior to class. Homework
is to be completed during study halls or at home if not finished during class. If student does not take
responsibility to finish work, the student then gives up privilege time to complete responsibility for
learning.
3. Student is responsible. No excuses will be used; no blame on teacher or parents. Students are
responsible for their work.
4. Discipline is the key. Either the student practices discipline themselves by getting assignments
completed and recorded, or the student will be disciplined for their actions.
Procedures
1. Teacher has a gathering location for assignments to be turned in by students. Any student without an
assignment to turn in will complete a ZAP form provided by the teacher.
2. At the end of the hour, or an established time, teachers have ZAP forms delivered to the detention
room for organization. A list will be compiled of all students “ZAPPED”. As the Junior High lunch
begins, all zapped students eat lunch first. Students will be given a set amount of time to eat, then be
expected to report to work on ZAP assignments.
3. The ZAP supervisor in the library will have ZAP forms to ensure students are working on their
required assignments, and be recording their arrival time, behavior, and if assignment was completed.
4. If at any time student does not follow procedures, a discipline violation will be issued. By not
completing a ZAP form when an assignment hasn’t been turn in, not reporting to the library, or
misbehaving during ZAP time would be examples of discipline violations.