Thursday, August 22, 2013

Welcome to 7th Grade Civics!

Welcome to Mr. Schemer's 7th grade Civics class!

This blog will be a useful place for both students and parents to keep up with what’s going on in our classroom from week to week.  Important reminders and dates regarding homework, quizzes, tests and projects will be posted as often as possible.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via email (schemerm@duvalschools.org) and I will do my best to respond in a timely manner.

All students should have turned in their parent contact form by now for an easy 10 points to start off the year.  If you have not turned this form in yet, please remember to do so as soon as possible!

Below is our classroom syllabus with a few minor changes.  The grading scale has been changed from weight based to point based in order to better prepare students for the high school grading system.  There was also a mistake on the parent contact form sent home with the students.  Weekly updates will be through this blog rather than through email.

7th Grade Civics
Mr. Schemer
2013-2014

Course Description:
The primary content for the course pertains to the principles, functions, and organization of government; the origins of the American political system; the roles, rights, responsibilities of United States citizens; and methods of active participation in our political system. The course is embedded with strong geographic and economic components to support civic education instruction.

Materials:
Required
Wish list items:
  1. 1 inch binder
  2. Dividers
  3. 1 pack of Note cards
  4. 2 3-pronged folders (any color but red)
  5. Red folder with pockets
  6. Pens
  7. Pencils
  8. Notebook paper
  9. Markers
  1. Paper back dictionary (will become part of the class)
  2. Color copy paper
  3. Copy paper
  4. White pillow cases
  5. White adult small or medium t-shirts.
  6. Clorox wipes
  7. Tissue
  8. Paper towels

Grading Policy:  Point Based
Tests
Projects
Quizzes
Homework
Class Work
Bell Ringers
Exit Slips

Rituals/Routines:
  1. Students are to come prepared every day to class. This means bringing their notebook, homework, and other needed materials.
  2. Students do not need to bring in their workbook.  Students will be asked to bring in certain pages.
  3. Respect is required by all! You may not agree or like everything, but you must always respect your teacher, classmates, and yourself. Rudeness will not be tolerated, and will result in disciplinary action.
  4. Please respect the items in our classroom. Tops need to go back on the markers. Items should be placed in the correct spots. Please do not play around with, draw on, or break our rulers, scissors, textbooks, or any other classroom necessities.   
  5. To ensure your understanding of material being taught in class, bring all homework items in on time. Late homework will only be accepted during the 1st and 2nd quarter for up to 50% credit.  It must be turned in within 2 school days of the original due date.  No late homework will be accepted during the 3rd and 4th quarter.
  6. Tests, projects, and other major assignments are to be returned in a timely manner. Students who receive lower than a 70 on a test will be encouraged to “recycle” their test in order to earn up to half of the points back that they originally missed. (For example, if a student were to earn a 60% on a test and correctly recycled the 40% they missed, then they would earn a final grade of 80%.)  Students who earn a 70 or above will still have the option to recycle as well.
  7. All tests and other important items are to be stored in the student’s interactive folder (3-pronged folder).
  8. Projects are assigned for each unit of study. Some projects will be done in class. Some projects students will need to complete at home. Projects that are done at home will be individual projects.
  9. Extra credit is assigned at least once each nine weeks. However, opportunities for extra credit may appear at many times during the nine weeks. It is always a good idea to complete extra credit. You never know when you will need it!

Parent Contact:
Email is the best way to reach me. I will try to respond back as soon as possible.  My blog is updated at least once a week with important information on what is going on in our class along with items that are due and major projects (mschemer.blogspot.com).  I will send home progress reports approximately every 3 weeks. Please sign it and have your student return the following class. If you would like to schedule a conference please call Mrs. Cameron in guidance (346-5650 ext 114).

Please complete the following sheet and return to me as soon as possible.

I look forward to a wonderful year!

Sincerely

Mathew Schemer
346-5650 Ext. 147














Please complete the following information. Please print.


Student Name:_________________________________________________         Birth Date: ___________________

Mom: __________________________________________________________

Home #: _________________________________                   Cell #: __________________________________________

Dad: ___________________________________________________________

Home #: _________________________________                   Cell#: ___________________________________________

Student’s Primary Address: ___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Student lives primarily with:            Mom                           Dad                             Both

Email Address 1: ______________________________________________________________________________________

Email Address 2: ______________________________________________________________________________________


Other information: ____________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Parent signature: ______________________________________________________________________________________



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