Ms. Herbert
Honors American Government
Spring 2013
Room: A9
Plan Period: Red 4 and White 4
Available also before and after school (not during girls tennis); let me know before hand
please.
Email: julia.herbert@sjsd.k12.mo.us
Class Website: http://www.sjsd.k12.mo.us/juliaherbert
Class Blog: http://sjsdblogs.com/juliaherbert/
Goals:
Students will:
*Demonstrate skills needed to effectively study social studies (Interpret maps, statistics,
charts, diagrams, graphs, timelines, pictures, political cartoons, audiovisual materials,
continua, written resources, art and artifacts).
*Use various reading strategies to infer the author’s meaning and point of view, identify
cause/effect relationships, make predictions, make comparisons, identify a sequence of
events, and identify the author’s bias.
* Assess how historical roots and philosophical ideals have shaped and influenced the
Constitution of the United States.
*Examine the role of the three branches of government and their impact on the American
political system.
*Analyze the American electoral process and the impact of citizens on the system.
* Analyze the historical significance and principles of the Missouri Constitution and the
responsibility of each citizen in the political process.
Essential Questions
1. Why are the philosophical ideas of the Constitution essential in our
society?
2. Why is separation of powers necessary for our democracy?
3. What impact do citizens and linkage institutions (political parties,
interest groups, media) have on the electoral process?
4. How is Missouri government more responsive to the needs of its
residents than the United States government?
Guidelines for Success in Class…and in Life:
1. Preparation
2. Responsibility
3. Integrity
4. Dedication
5. Effort
Classroom Procedures:
1. Be in your seat when the bell rings. If you fail to do this, you are tardy.
2. Raise your hand and are quiet until the teacher calls on you.
3. The bell only signals the end of the period, not dismissal. Dismissal is the teacher’s
responsibility, not the bells. You must be in your seat until dismissed by the teacher. The
teacher will NOT dismiss you before the bell rings.
4. Food and drink are NOT permitted. Water is the only thing you may bring into the classroom.
5. If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to ask me for make-up work. If you know you are
going to be absent ahead of time, you need to get your assignments before hand. If your absence
is excused, you need to get the class homework the day you come back. The daily class agenda
can be found on the class website.
6. If a student is absent one day, he/she gets two CLASS days to make up the work when he/she
returns. If a student is here, but doesn't do the assignment, he/she gets 10 SCHOOL days to get
the work turned in for credit and will only receive 70% of whatever he/she earns. After these 10
SCHOOL days, he/she receives no credit. If I collect homework at the beginning of the hour and
you don’t turn it in at that time, it IS late.
7. Most assignments will be completed in class. Many of the assignments are designed for
practice therefore your grade will mainly come from tests. You will be able to view sample test
questions before the unit test.
Consequences:
1. Warning
2. Detention served within 2 school days/Other appropriate consequence
3. Time doubled on detention and served within 2 school days/Other appropriate consequence
4. Office
Cheating:
Whether you give or receive information during an examination or on certain assignments, the
offense is the same. You will receive a zero for the work. Repeated offenders will be sent to the
office for further action. Parents will be contacted.
Grading Scale:
Points (approximately):
94-100%
90-93%
87-89%
83-86%
80-82%
77-79%
73-76%
70-72%
67-69%
63-66%
60-62%
<60%
(Benchmarks, US Constitution, MO
Constitution, EOC, Final Tests-60%
Daily Assignments/Projects-40%
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
* In order to receive the ½ credit for American Government,
you must pass (60% or higher) the class, US Constitution
Test, AND the Missouri Constitution Test.