American Government Class Rules + Grading System (Fall 2012)
*If you have questions on below material, please do no hesitate to see me before/after school, during a prep
period (3rd, 5B study hall, 8th), or through email.
*I will be here before school from 7:30-8 AM and after school until soccer practice at 3:30PM.
Mr. Johnson email: jjohnson@hs-stm.org
American Government Class Website: http://johnsongovernment.wikispaces.com/
Class Rules + Consequences
Classroom Rules
1. Sit in assigned seat
2. Once the bell rings, you need to be quiet and work on opening activity
3. Be in your seat when the bell rings (no exceptions without a pass)
4. TWO bathroom passes for the entire semester. Once you use them, you will receive a 5-point deduction
on your next test for each bathroom trip. (Unless there is a medical condition)
Consequences for Breaking Class Rules
1. For minor infractions, I will give one verbal warning (being late counts as warning)
2. If I have to speak to you again you will need to come to see me the same day after school at 3:10 PM, or
the next day at 7:30 AM to discuss why you felt the need to disrupt class. You will be required to stay for
20 minutes during these meetings. If you do not show up, or are late, you will receive a detention the
following day.
3. If I need to speak to you a 3rd time in one class, then you will be sent to hall for remainder of class and
receive a detention.
4. If class disruption still persists, you will be sent to Mr. Bustle’s office or the hall.
Late Work Rules
* You will lose 25% of the maximum points for each day it is late. (After 4 days it is a zero)
*You get 1 day of makeup time for every day of excused absence. (Ex: Sick Monday. Receive assignment
on Tuesday. Due on Wednesday.)
*It is not my responsibility to seek you out when you are absent/sick and return to class. You need to
come to my room before school, during my prep periods, or after school if you have questions about what
you missed. Class time is not an appropriate time to ask about makeup work unless there is time at the
end of class.
*The best way to check for work missed on absence is checking the class website.
Cheating
*Cheating on tests, papers or homework will result in an automatic “0” for the assignment, whether it be
a large grade for a paper or a small homework assignment.
*Two most common forms of cheating I have encountered are copying a friend’s assignment and
plagiarism off the Internet. Both offenses are serious and will result in you receiving a “0” with on chance
of makeup work. Additionally, serious cases of plagiarism will be reported to the office and could result in
additional consequences including the failure of this course in severe instances.
Please ask if you have questions!
GRADES
*The only thing you will need for this class is a binder with plenty of loose-leaf. You need a separate
binder devoted only to American Government. In your binder you will have the following four important
sections:
I.
Journal/Opening Activity Entries
Each day there will be a journal prompt or opening activity for you to write about in your binder.
Unless otherwise specified in the opening activity, you need to have at least 5 sentences for each dated
entry. If absent, journal entries can also be found on the class website. The last day of each week I will
collect your journal entries from the week for 5 points an entry. Please keep the journal section of
your notes separate from the rest of your notes and clearly date each entry. When you turn in
journals/opening activity section each week you can turn it will probably be easiest to turn in your entire
binder.
Example of a good answer to a journal prompt:
What is the importance of History?
August 28th, 2012
History is important for 2 main reasons that I know of. One reason is that many people and
civilizations have made big mistakes in the past and we do not want to repeat those same mistakes. Another
reason history is important is the fact that it is never complete. Historians argue their own opinions about
how historical events actually took place. If everyone knew exactly what happened in the past and there was
never debate about what actually happened, then history would not be as important.
II.
Notes from Class
Each day you will receive a general outline of the days notes which you will complete as we go
through them. Notes will be checked randomly for points to ensure that you are taking them.
III.
Quizzes/Worksheets
Each section of each chapter has a short quiz or worksheet that goes with it. However you will not
be required to complete every quiz in each chapter. Generally, you will complete 2-3 section quizzes for
each chapter we cover. Depending on time and the difficulty of the chapter we are studying, you might
be required to do more or less than 2-3 quizzes. Also, quizzes can have several formats including; open
book, closed book, in class, outside class, or a pop quiz to ensure you are completing assigned reading
assignments. Quizzes are normally worth 10 points each.
Questions and concepts covered on quizzes and worksheets will come up again on chapter
tests and the semester final exam. Because of this, it is important to keep your completed/graded
worksheets and quizzes in your American Government binder.
IV.
Tests
Tests will range in value from 75-150 points depending on the amount of content and difficulty of
subject matter. As semester goes on, you may take a single test covering 2 chapters instead of 1 chapter
to ensure we adequately cover the courses objectives.
For the first 2-3 chapters, we will spend the majority of one class as a review and test preparation.
As the semester progresses and you gain an understanding of the test structure in this class, studying for
chapter tests will become your responsibility, as large amount of class time will be used in other areas.
Either way, will always ensure that students know what specific content and structure to expect on a test.
You all will need to pass the U.S. Constitution Test to pass the course as well graduate from STM.
We will prepare in class for the Constitution Test and more detail are to follow.
We will go over the correct answers to the chapter tests once absent individuals have made up the
test. You will have 1 week from the date you receive your graded test back to make corrections on a
separate loose-leaf page and staple it to your original test. If this is done, you can receive up to 1/2 credit
back for each correct answer. This does not include essay questions or separate papers. YOU SHOULD
SAVE ALL TESTS FOR FINAL EXAM STUDYING!
This Semester you will also be graded on the following:
Papers/Projects
*100 points each
Depending on time, you will complete 1 project and 2-3 papers related to class material this
semester. More information TBA about this when it is closer.
Simulations
*25-50 points each
We will have 2-4 simulations on various materials this semester. Simulations can be in the form of
debates, councils, or other things that I see as advantageous to your learning.
*I promise to have read the above classroom rules and expectations for Mr. Johnson’s American
Government Class and will do my best to follow them throughout the semester.
Name:_______________________________________________________________
Date:________________________________________________________________