Welcome Seniors and Parents,
I am looking forward to a great year with you and hope each of you are ready for the fastest and most enjoyable year of your school experience.
The focus of our U.S. Government class, is building a solid understanding of the beliefs upon which the United States was founded, and the structures, functions, and powers of our State, Federal and Local governments. Students will learn major political ideas, functions, and forms of government. The United States Constitution will be a significant focus of the class including, its underlying principals and the form of government it created. Students will analyze the major concepts of republicanism, federalism, checks and balances, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, and individual rights. We will compare the U.S. system of government to other political systems. And identify the role our government plays in the free enterprise system. Students will use both historical and current events to evaluate the impact of individuals, political parties, interest groups, and the media on the American political system. Students will also spend a significant amount of time on current political events including the 2016 election, environmental issues, the war on terror and immigration reform, please discuss these issues with your students at home so they will have a wider perspective to bring to class.
I expect all students to participate in classroom discussions, and come to class prepared, tests will be scheduled one week in advance and projects will be assigned at least two weeks before the due date.
Class rules are very simple.
1. Be on time.
2. No food or drink in the classroom.
3. Come prepared for class each day.
4. If your head is down you are asleep.
5. School rules are class rules.
6. The use of electronic devices is prohibited without my expressed permission.
School supplies.
1. Pencil and pen (not red) Your text book is to be brought to class unless I tell you not to.
2. Notebook paper (any kind as long as it is white)
3. Chrome Book
Grading System
Tests 60%
3 to 4 chapter tests per 6 weeks
1 individual project per 6 weeks
1 Group project per 6 weeks
Daily Work 40%
1 quiz per week (normally pop quiz)
Weekly participation grade (rule violations reduce this grade)
Home work (occasional)
Class work assignments
This is the normal grading system there may be some six weeks with fewer grades.
Absences
Excused absence: you may make up missed work with no penalty but you need to ask for the work, don’t wait for me to find you and remind you.
Unexcused absence: NO makeup allowed 0.00.
I look forward to meeting each of you, please feel free to contact me my conference period is 10:10 to 10:55
Clifford L Barnes Jr.
903-291-2049
