Welcome!

Welcome to Ms. Brennan's government blog! Here you will find daily objectives and agendas, as well as basic text copies of the assignments we have completed in class. You can also find helpful links to outside resources and review exercises for tests! Please e-mail me at jennifer.brennan@fcps.org with any questions!

About Me

Hello. My name is Jen Brennan. I have a B.S.E. in Secondary Social Studies Education and a M.S. in HR/Educational Leadership. My favorite subjects to learn and teach include psychology, sociology, early American history, and medieval European history.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Syllabus

Government Merit Syllabus and Course Expectations
Ms. Jennifer Brennan
Phone: 240-236-7461      Room: 207

Welcome to Government! This is one of four HSA courses that all FCPS students are required to pass for a Maryland diploma. Government is an overview of the origins, purposes, and characteristics of our own local, state, and national government, as well as other government systems from countries around the world. The first grading period focuses on the history and structure of government. In the second grading period, students will study and analyze the rights and liberties of individuals and our involvement in the political process.

*Grading Policy:
All assessments and assignments are worth 100 points. However, the work is weighted differently. Students’ grade will be compromised from the following:
Classwork--------------------------------------------------------20%
Homework-------------------------------------------------------15%
Projects-----------------------------------------------------------20%
Quizzes------------------------------------------------------------15%
Tests---------------------------------------------------------------30%

** There will be a few opportunities for extra credit throughout the course. Additional extra credit will be considered and assigned on an individual basis.

Grades are posted on Pinnacle on a weekly basis. Please monitor your progress carefully.

*Classwork
Students will be expected to work in cooperative learning groups. In these groups, they will analyze primary and secondary sources to answer critical thinking questions, compose written responses, and research and construct projects. These are pre-assigned groups! Students will be graded based on their work as an individual and a group. Students need to work diligently in these groups to receive full credit. Lack of participation will not be tolerated.

*Homework
Students will be assignment homework 1-3 times per week. Homework will never be overwhelming and is designed to reinforce what students have learned in class that day. I accept homework that is late; however, students will lose 10 points for every day their assignment in late. After three days, I do not accept the work.  Students MUST have all work turned in by the unit test. I ACCEPT NO LATE WORK AFTER A UNIT TEST HAS BEEN GIVEN!
EXCEPTIONS: Obviously unique situations and emergencies do happen. Students, please contact me and we will work something out.

*Make-up Work
Students will have the same number of days they were absent to make up any missing assignments. For example, if a student is absent two days, they will have two days to make up their work. All assignments for absent students are placed in a designated drawer bin, which students can access. It is a student’s responsibility to ask BEFORE or AFTER class for assistance on what was missed.


*Tutoring
I am available for tutoring after school Tuesday through Thursday from 2:15 to 3:00. There will be a study session the day before every exam in the class. Students are highly encouraged to attend. Parents and students are encouraged to call or e-mail me with any concerns at any time. Students are encouraged to study a minimum of ten minutes every night.

*Student Responsibilities
Students are required to bring necessary utensils to class and participate in all activities.  Students are required to respect one another, themselves, and any adult in the room. Violations will be dealt with swiftly and firmly. This includes, but is not limited to, language, tardiness, cheating, individual conduct, and bullying. Students are asked to refer to the MHS Honor Philosophy/Code and Honor Pledge. Cheating on any exam will result in a zero on the exam in addition to standard school/county disciplinary action.

*Discipline
The following is the discipline procedure for violations to FCPS’s code of conduct or classroom rules.

1.       Verbal warning
2.       Verbal warning, phone call home
3.       Phone call home/teacher detention
4.       Phone call home/referral
*Severity Clause: A student will be sent to the office with a referral for class disruptions or endangering self or others

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