CIVICS AND ECONOMICS (Honors)
Anne McCanless Room 234
WEBPAGE: http://annemccanless.cms.wiki.wikispaces.net
Email: anne.mccanless@cms.k12.nc.us
Civics and Economics is a year-long class required for graduation. For the study of Civics and Economics students
will understand and demonstrate skills and knowledge necessary to become responsible and effective citizens of
the U.S., and to be part of an interdependent world.
SUPPLIES: 1 ½” three ring binder with straight edged loose leaf paper with dividers labeled as follows: Warm Ups,
Vocabulary, Homework, Classwork/notes, Supreme Court Cases. Other suggested materials are black and red
pens, highlighters, and index cards.
METHOD: Students are taught using a variety of methods including lecture, class discussion, group work,
simulations, student presentations, and required individual projects. Access to local newspapers, public television
(C-Span), national news magazines, and the internet are necessary during the year.
PROJECTS may include: First Quarter: Constitutional Issue Research; Second Quarter: Interest Group Project;
Third Quarter: Supreme Court Case Research; Fourth Quarter: THE STOCK MARKET
CURRENT EVENTS: Students will be assigned a date to present an article from the Washington Post, New York
Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Economist, Time Magazine, or other approved source. The headline
article (not popular culture) must be about significant issues affecting the U.S. Details will be explained in class.
GRADES for each quarter are determined by the teacher: Formal 70%: Tests (x2), Quizzes, Projects(x2) Writing
Assignments (x1); Informal 30%: homework/classwork/current events (x1). CMS requires that a mid term exam
taken at the end of first semester counts 20% of the semester grade. For the final grade on the report card next
June, CMS requires that Semester 1 and 2 count 37.5% each and a final exam (TBD) counts 25%. Extra credit is
rarely offered.
CONTENT MASTERY
Students who score below a passing grade of 70% on “Tests” will have the opportunity to correct their test and
raise their grade to a passing score of 70%. This does not apply to quizzes, writing assignments, projects, midterms
or final exam. Test corrections must be completed in a timely manner during tutoring as determined by the
teacher.
MAKE UP WORK:
When Absent: CMS requires that students have 5 calendar days to make up assignments(not 5 A days or 5 B days.)
LONG TERM PROJECTS AND ASSIGNED TESTS ARE DUE ON THE DUE DATE REGARDLESS OF ATTENDANCE. TESTS
ARE TO BE TAKEN THE DAY UPON RETURN TO THE CLASS. Students can email the teacher to find out what
assignment was missed but it is preferred that students speak to the teacher. Efforts are being made to have all
assignments online so the student should check the teacher’s wiki page.
Missed Assignments: Late work a 20% deduction for being late (not A day or B days) My Homework Exceptions
policy allows students to turn in ONE assignment late to receive full credit if it is received the very next day (not
class day.) This does NOT include major projects and long term assignments. Students are allowed ONE late
Homework Exception each quarter. It must be turned in at the beginning of the very next class day when
homework is checked to receive the credit.
TUTORING is available after school 2:30- 3:00 PM Tuesdays/Thursdays or other times if previously arranged.
Course Description/Outline: The NC Essential Standards fall into three main categories: Civics and
Government (CE.C&G), Economics (CE.E) and Personal Financial Literacy (CE.PFL). An online textbook will be
available to students shortly into the school year. The following units will be taught:
FIRST SEMESTER
Citizenship
Foundations of Government
The Constitution
Elections and Political Parties
Legislative, Executive Branches
Mid-Term Exam
SECOND SEMESTER
Judicial Branch
State and Local Government
Law and Order
Economic Concepts
Global Economics
Personal Financial Literacy
Final Exam
HOW PARENTS CAN HELP:
1. Regularly engage in discussion with your student about issues of the day in the news.
2. Watch the news with your student. Ask for opinions and then listen for the answer.
3. Encourage, cajole, and require that assignments be thoroughly completed and turned in on time.
4. Be the speaker on a particular topic or suggest a speaker for our class!
CIVICS AND ECONOMICS CURRICULUM
(includes the Common Core Goals)
North Carolina Dept. of Education
Civics and Government 1: Analyze the foundations and development of American government in terms
of principles and values
Civics and Government 2 : Analyze government system within the United States in terms of their
structure, function, and relationships.
Civics and Government 3: Analyze the legal system within the United States in terms of the
development, execution, and protection of citizenship rights at all levels of government.
Civics and Government 4: Understand how democracy depends upon the active participation of citizens.
Civics and Government 5: Analyze how political and legal systems within and outside the United States
provide a means to balance competing interests and resolve conflicts.
Personal Finance 1: Analyze the concepts and factors that enable individuals to make informed financial
decisions for effective resource planning.
Personal Finance 2: Understand how risk management strategies empower and protect consumers
Economics 1: Understand economies, markets, and the role of economic factors in making economic
decisions.
Economics 2: Understand the factors of economic interdependence and their impact on nations.
Economics 3: Analyze the role of government and economic institutions in developing and
implementing economic stabilization policies in the U.S.
PLEASE COMPLETE THE ONLINE PARENT/STUDENT INFORMATION FORM
_________________________________CUT HERE: SIGN AND RETURN____________________________________
PARENT/GUARDIAN OF ________________________________________ Period
I understand that Civics and Economics is a required course of graduation. I have read the syllabus and understand the content.
I agree to work with my child to help them succeed.
_______________________________________
parent/guardian signature
__________________________
parent preferred phone number
___________________________________ Comments or questions
parent /guardian email address