2015 Civics & Economics
Mr. McCracken’s Syllabus
matthew_mccracken@abss.k12.nc.us
Work: 336-570-6400 Home: 336-441-8435
Welcome to my classroom! I look forward to helping you understand civics, economics and financial
literacy. There are nine units for the course. There will be an NC state test that will be administered
towards the end of the course and count as 20% of your total semester grade. Remember, always do your
best in my class and seek help right away when you need it. Have a great quick semester!
Course Overview:
Through the study of Civics and Economics, students will acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to
become responsible and effective citizens in an ever-changing global world. Students will understand
how their decisions will impact their political and economical world while understanding the framework
of the US Constitution and its protections and limitations. This course serves as a foundation for 11th
grade American History.
As informed decision-makers, students will apply their acquired knowledge to real life experiences.
When studying the legal and political systems, students will become aware of their rights and
responsibilities and put this information into practice. The economic, legal, and political systems are
balanced for presentation and, like other social studies subjects; this course lends itself to
interdisciplinary teaching. The curriculum is derived from the North Carolina Essential Standards. The
goals and objectives are drawn from disciplines of political science, history, economics, geography, and
jurisprudence.
Lastly, there are two interpretations of the U.S. Constitution. The first interpretation is called strict
interpretation which gives the citizens more power because the government only has the power that is
written down in the constitution. The second interpretation is called loose interpretation which gives
more power to the government because the government can deem power that is not necessarily written
down but still exists because it is not written down. As a teacher, I utilize the loose interpretation when it
comes to my syllabus and class rules.
Course Units and Pacing
Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy
Unit 2: United States Government & Constitution
Unit 3: NC State & Local Government
Unit 4: Politics & Participation
Unit 5: United States Law & Jurisprudence
Unit 6: Financial Literacy
Unit 7: Microeconomics
Unit 8: Macroeconomics
Unit 9: Global Interdependence
(11 days)
(13 days)
(7 days)
(9 days)
(7 days)
(6 days)
(8 days)
(9 days)
(8 days)
Textbook: I will use the textbook as a reference and for small assignments. Otherwise, all instruction
will be through powerpoint and assigned various readings in class. I expect that you can analyze the
readings and create your own response. It is easy to figure out who copies their friend’s work.
Tools: You will maintain a three-ring notebook with nine dividers (labeled units 1-9) and paper. I will
hold random inspections of this notebook portfolio and you will maintain and keep up with it. I will
collect your notebooks at the very end of the course as well. Every paper you receive back graded by the
teacher, you will keep and place it in the correct divider. Also, bring pens, pencils, highlighters and be
ready to work.
Extra Credit: None. If you can’t complete your assigned work correctly then you are not qualified to
work on extra credit work.
Cheating: None: All parties receive a zero & parent phone call with note to administration. You are in
the wrong class.
Cell Phones/Electronics: Not out or used in class. Teacher will ask and assign detention
Grading scale categories are set up among all Civics teachers as follows out of 100%:
1. TESTS
2. QUIZZES
2. PROJECTS/PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS
3. CLASSWORK/HOMEWORK/BLOGS/PARTICIPATION
40%
20%
20%
20%
Semester grade: Remember, your semester grade is based off three ABSS district percentages out of
100%
1st Quarter 40 %
2nd Quarter 40 %
NC Final Test 20%
Progress Reports will be handed out every fifteen school days
Tests: There are nine unit tests. There’s an NC MSL final test worth 20% of your semester grade at the
end of the semester. All Civics teachers will utilize the same unit tests. You may retake your test once if
you did not score well. It is a two-part event which includes one day of after school remediation and
followed by a new test on the second day. The highest grade that can be earned for retesting is a 90%.
Quizzes: There will be various quizzes throughout the semester for each unit (some units may have
more). I will also quiz you on tools, progress reports and other items for class. You cannot retake
quizzes.
Performance Assessments/Projects: Every unit (1-9) will have a test and/or performance assessment.
There will be various projects throughout the course as well. Typically, a performance assessment is
when you create something from what you learned in a unit.
Classwork/Homework We must complete work throughout each class. You will be assigned readings
once in a while to read before class and be ready for discussion. Typical homework includes studying,
reviewing and completing DBQ questions or other various assignments.
Participation is mandatory and progressive. You will earn twenty points each day for participating.
That means that you will bring all required items or materials to class each day, and you will raise your
hand for questions and answers. You will not disrupt the class (go off-task) for any reason or get out of
your assigned seat (unless it is part of the lesson or group work). It does mean that you will contribute to
the class in a positive way, and contribute equally to your partner or group when assigned.
Daily Grade
20 points
10 points
5 points
0
Criteria How Asks and answers
Works quietly,
Missing two items.
No required
the teacher
questions by raising
missing one item,
Did not complete
classroom
gives out the hand, works on lesson does not raise hand
homework/classmaterials, no
points for
during group work, or and/or gets out of seat work. Off-task and
homework,
participation individual work
without permission or disrupting other
and/or no
each day
quietly, brings all
missing homework
people once, playing, class work.
required TOOLS
However, does
not participating with Completely
(materials) and
complete class work
class. Minimal work
off-task. No
and follows rules
completes all work
work at all.
Be respectful, responsible and mature. I expect each and every student to act in a responsible and
respectful tone with each other. Tolerance is paramount as we discuss controversial issues and relevant
events. Everyone has an opinion and you do not have to agree with other the thoughts of others but you
will respect others’ opinions inside the classroom.
Groups: You are expected to work in groups and teams. You will be responsible to complete your share
of the group’s work.
Help is available before & after school (no Fridays or Mondays) by appointment only and this includes
tutoring and retesting.
Late Work: I do not accept at all. If you have an excused absence, then you must make the work up
(including tests) within three school days or you will receive a zero. If you plan to be absent then turn in
assignment before you are absent (example: If you are assigned a one-page paper that is due on Friday
and you plan to be absent on Friday then you will need to turn it in on Thursday. Don’t ask at the end of
the quarter if there is a way for you to make up any missing work. All unexcused absence work is a
zero. I will need to sign your yellow note from the office to excuse and count your missing work.
Restroom: Use before or after class. There is a three passes each quarter rule. There is no restroom use
during the first 15 or last fifteen minutes of class. Sign restroom clipboard with time and date, grab the
room pass and don’t leave B-Building. Do not enter the room during the five minute change time, drop
books off and tell me you are going to the restroom and arrive back in my room after the bell rings; I
will count you as tardy.
SAHS Tardy Policy: Be on time, just like a job or serve time. Sign tardy clip board and take your seat.
1st – 3rd offenses: warning & parent phone call & 45 minute detention and writing assignment each time.
4th and beyond offenses: referral to administration (ISS/OSS).
_ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _Sign and Detach_ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __
SEEK HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT AND DON’T EVER GIVE UP!
I
have read, understood and agreed to the
classroom procedures and expectations set forth in Mr. McCracken’s Civics and
Economics course. I agree to work hard and seek help when needed.
Student Sign:
Date:
As a parent, I
also have read, understood, and
agreed to Mr. McCracken’s procedures and expectations.
Parent Sign:
Best Contact Number & Email:
Date: