Mr. Collins' Civics and Economics

Civics

is the study of the rights and duties of citizenship.



Economics

is the social science that seeks to describe the factors which determine the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services.

 

Education

is an enlightening experience. 

 

9/06/16

 

Dear Students and Families,

My goal is for each of us to have a successful year, to achieve high grades in all classes and to experience success on the Civics and Economics SOL test.

 

I will add information to this page regularly.  Please visit the page weekly to stay updated.

When you have questions you can call me at: 804 780 8011

Or email me at:       wcollins@rvaschools.net

 

I wish you all the Best,

Mr. Collins

 

Syllabus

Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School

8th Grade Civics and Economics  website:  http://billco1310.wix.com/civics

2015-2016

Mr. Collins    wcollins@rvaschools.net

 

Note to the Parent(s):

By working together as partners in your child’s education, your child WILL be successful in this class. By reviewing your child’s graded assignments, checking for homework, coming to Parent Teacher Conferences and asking what your child learned in school today, you  play a vital role in supporting your child’s academic progress. Students will bring home papers: test results , attendance reports, and progress reports to be signed and returned. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns as I look forward to working together with you and our kids as partners in your child’s education.

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Class Supplies Needed:

Pencils (as many as possible)

Glue Sticks (as many as possible)

Highlighters​

Hand Sanitizer

Tissues

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Course Description:

In this course, the student will use critical thinking skills to examine the roles that citizens play in the political, governmental, and economic systems in the United States. Students will make connections between this course and their everyday lives. We will explore the intellectual and practical skills required for responsible citizenship. These skills will be utilized both inside and outside of the classroom as students extend their understanding of the essential knowledge defined by the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) for Civics and Economics. There will be an end-of-the-year Standard of Learning (SOL) test for this course.

 

Tests will be given at the conclusion of a unit. Unit test study guides will always be given and located on the study guide page. Shorter vocabulary and content quizzes will be given more frequently to check for understanding. Daily warmups are graded. 

 

SOL Objectives we will study this year:

1st Nine Weeks: Essential Skills, Fundamental Political Principles, Citizenship Duties, Rights and Responsibilities, Political Process, and Public Policy.

2nd Nine Weeks: Essential Skills, Foundations of Government, National Government, State Government, Local Government

3rd Nine Weeks: Essential Skills, The Court System, Economic Principles and Systems, United States Economy, Role of Government in the Economy.

4th Nine Weeks: Career Opportunities, Review all SOLs, Projects/Activities after SOL Testing.

 

Assignment Category Weight

Homework 10%

Classwork/Projects 25%

Notebook 30%

Tests/Quizzes 35%

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Required Supplies

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•  #2 Pencils (many, many)

•   notebook (supplied by teacher)

•   engaged mind (supplied by student)

 

Class Expectations:

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In order to create a safe and positive learning environment for all students, we have the following expectations for behavior and participation. These are in addition to  all school-wide policies, as outlined in your student handbook.

• Be Prepared -you will have your supplies with you ( a pencil, homework due), you will get your student folder and be seated and working on the warm up as the bell rings.

• Participate - you will take part in all class activities,you will experience success through your participation in class and completion of all assignments

• Do What You Are Asked to Do -

     ●You will follow directions the first time you hear them,

     ●You will do the work assigned to you,

     ●You will follow the procedures practiced in class,

     ●You will come to class daily, you will be on time,

     ●You will respect yourself the people around you and the classroom and building we share.

     ●You will pass the Civics and Economics SOL because you did what you were asked to do.

   

Remember:  "Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe, and enthusiastically act upon... must inevitably come to pass!"  Paul J Meyer

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We believe open communication between  students, teacher(s), and the home help students succeed. Contact me by email, by phone, or by arranging a meeting through our office. Let us know about your child, you are our greatest resource.  Let me know any special accommodations your child requires to be comfortable and successful (learning disabilities, religious practices, physical requirements, medical needs, or any other accomodations).

 

Civics and Economics Interactive Notebook

 

The purpose of your Civics and Economic notebook is for you:

• to become a critical, creative thinker and writer

• to develop nonfiction reading and note taking skills

• to strengthen organizational skills

• to create a portfolio of your learning and

• to meet learning targets while developing a new approach to learning.

 

 

Your interactive notebook will be used for class notes and activities. You will also be able to express your own ideas, record and use the information presented in class. Your notebook will be your class textbook and  a great study tool. Keeping a neat and organized notebook will help you be successful.

 

 

 

Materials Needed:

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 Markers and Sharpies are NOT allowed.

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• Pencils

• Glue Sticks

• Highlighters

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Notebook Structure:

Everything we do in class should go in your notebook: graphic organizers, class activities, note taking, foldables and handouts. Each entry must have a title and date. Big ideas and learning targets should be underlined or highlighted.

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• Number All Pages

• Left side pages are where you will glue handouts and process 

• Right side pages are where you will write warmups, take notes and practice new skills

• Table of Contents is glued 

• Grading Rubric is glued

• Student Data Sheet is glued

• Title Pages:

• A title page will be required at the beginning of each unit. The unit title should be on the page as well as a drawing or a picture glued on the page that represents the unit’s theme.

 

Created by Michele Clark by The Ragamuffin Teacherc 2013 http://ragamuffinteacher.blogspot.com

Tips for Success:

 

• Be ready to use your notebook EVERYDAY!

• Keep your Table of Contents updated. Label and date everything.

• Pencil in all your initial drawings,

• Do NOT use markers, they bleed through pages and will ruin your notes.

• Use ONLY a glue stick or tape. Bottled glue will ruin your pages.

• Keep your notebook neat and for Civics and Economics ONLY.

• Produce quality work.

• Be sure to make up work missed immediately.

 

Civics and Economics Interactive Notebook Unit Rubric

 

Your notebook should be complete, organized and neat. Each assignment will be graded.  You will be graded on your effort, not your artistic ability. For the first 4-6 weeks of schools your notebook organization will be checked weekly.

Your notebook will be graded on the following rubric:

 

                                         Description                                                                                      Points                                         

Table of Contents is up-to-date and accurate.                                                                       

      1  2  3   4   5

Title page for the new unit/chapter is complete (with drawings).                       

      1  2  3   4   5

All guided notes are complete and accurate

      1  2  3   4   5

All handouts are in notebook.                                                                            

      1  2  3   4   5

All activities are glued (if applicable) neatly in notebook and complete

      1  2  3   4   5

All reflections and expressed ideas are complete

      1  2  3   4   5

Big ideas and learning targets are underlined or highlighted.                                              

      1  2  3   4   5

All entries have a title, page number and date.                                                                       

      1  2  3   4   5

Notebook is organized and neat                                  

      1  2  3   4   5

Extra Credit

      1  2  3   4   5

5 - Excellent: Exceeds Proficient   4 - Very Good: Proficient

3 – Capable, but we should talk: Nearing Proficient                   1 & 2 - We NEED to talk: Emergent

□ We have read and understand the responsibilities and requirements for the Civics & Economics Interactive Notebook.

________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature Student Signature

Name: ___________________________________________ Date:_________________________

 

Created by Michele Clark by The Ragamuffin Teacher 2013 http://ragamuffinteacher.blogspot.com

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Updates - Weekly Summaries 2016-2017

 

Week 1 9/8 - 9/11

We studied CE.2a CE.4a

We studied the personal traitas of good citizens, how citizens effectively participate in civic life, and Fundamental political principles of the government of the United States. We cpompleted graphic organizers on Citizenship traits and fundamental political principles. We took notes from ppt presentations.  We practiced organization and classroom skills.  We discussed the question - what is Civics, what are the caharacter traits of good citizens and linked classroom expectations and traits of good citizens.

 

We discussed the impact of 9 11 attacks onthe US and the world. we took a quiz and results were very positive.

 

Week 2 9/14 - 9/18

 

We studied CE.2a Ce.3a,b

We explored the meaning and application of the 14th amendment and linked the 14th amendment to contemporary political discussion in the US.  We explored and discussed the first amendemtn freedomms and compared and contrasted those to the rights of students in MLK.  We discussed limits of freeedoms and brainstormed speech which is allowed but disturbing, ie. racist remarks.  WQe completed graphic organizers, began setting up interactive notebooks and continued to practice research and notetaking skills and in honors classes practiced group collaborative skill through student led skits re the Rule of Law. We took a quiz on Friday results were very positive in 3 section and declined in 4th section.  4th section will embark on new ways of content delivery particularly increased use of technology.

 

week 3 9/21-9/24

We studied CE. 3a-e

We continued our exploration of first amendment freedoms of religion, sppech, press, assembly and petition. We reviewed the duties of citizenship including obeying laws, paying taxesm defending the nation and serving in court.  We explored through powerpoint, graphic organizer, note taking and discussion, the responsibiities of citizenship.  The homework focused on citizenship duty and responsibioity. We examined the two ways one can become a US citizen, the fundamental rights and duties guaranteed in 1st and 14th amendments.  We completed the helping hand graphic organizer which brought together ways to become a citizen and the rights and duties of citizenship.  We focused on the Bill of rights exploring the question what is a right and what are the rights guaranteed in the first five amendments of the Bill of Rights. We used a pretest and exit tickets to asses the currrent and evaluate effect of instruction. No quiz this weed due to shortness of week.  Homework was completed.