Ninth Grade Civics Syllabus 2009-2010

Ms. Nelson / Room 106

Office Hours: Mon. & Tues. 4-5 pm

knelson@noblenetwork.org / 312.226.5345 x 3106

Welcome!
Welcome to Civics and Rauner College Prep! I look forward to getting to know all of
you as we learn together in Room 106. In this class you will work toward becoming a
Noble Scholar. Get ready to learn about our nation’s past, improve your skills, and
explore a variety of exciting current events topics. Most of all, plan to work hard as
you prepare for college success! This syllabus is intended to give you an
overview of what you will learn, how you will learn it, and what to expect every day
in this course.

Course Description: What will we learn this year?

Ninth Grade Civics will challenge you to answer a series of essential questions
about the concept of citizenship. The questions will follow a sequence that begins
with the individual and then examines issues that concern national and finally,
global citizenship. Some of our essential questions include:

*What does it mean to be a Noble Scholar?

*What does it mean to be a good citizen?
*What rights and responsibilities do/should citizens have?
*Who/What determines citizenship?
*What threatens the rights of citizens?
*What is the best way to make a change?
*What does it mean to be a “citizen of the world” living in the United States?

Course Content: How will we learn this year?

As you search for answers to our essential questions this year, you will:
*Develop the self discipline to work independently and in groups
*Explore historical and current events
*Participate in discussions and debates
*Analyze primary sources from different time periods
*Put yourself in the shoes of different people from history

Civics will also help you develop essential skills. Reading, writing, organization,
speaking, discussion, and research skills are essential for success in high school and
college. We will focus on a set of Learning Targets (that include our College
Readiness Standards) throughout the year. Some examples are listed below.
Reading
*Explain a text’s main ideas and an author’s approach
*Locate and interpret supporting details in texts
*Identify sequential, comparative, and cause-effect relationships
*Determine appropriate meanings of words and phrases
*Make generalizations and draw conclusions
Writing
*Ask and answer a variety of essential questions through journal writing
*Communicate your ideas and opinions clearly on paper
*Use new vocabulary terms correctly
*Create topic and transition sentences
*Develop and support arguments with details
*Use correct spelling and grammar in your writing
*Note: Multiple Collins Type III and Type IV Assignments each semester

Goals: What will I accomplish this year in Civics?

You will strive to improve your mastery of all your Learning Targets this year.
Your report card grades and interim assessment scores should reflect your
hard work and progress throughout the year. In addition, you will also work hard
to demonstrate the three most important qualities of a Noble Scholar—
scholarship, discipline, and honor— also called the ‘Noble Way.’

Texts: What can I expect to read in this course?

We will also read from the books listed below in addition to a variety of handouts. In
order to be prepared for class you must bring your handouts and/or book to
class every day. (You will lose participation points if you are not prepared.)
*The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey
*The Words We Live By: Your Annotated Guide to the Constitution by Linda
Monk

Materials: What supplies will I need to stay organized?

Good organizational skills are essential for success in this course and college.
Please buy the supplies listed below. Be careful to buy exactly what is listed as
each item will have a specific purpose. If you think you might have trouble obtaining
these materials for any reason, let me or your advisor know as soon as possible so
that we can help you find a solution. Again, in order to be prepared to learn, you
must bring these supplies every day. (You will lose participation points if you
are not prepared.)
□ 2 folders (two pockets each)
□ 2 single subject spiral notebooks (at least 100 sheets each)
□ Loose leaf paper (at least 100 sheets, college ruled, stored in
Buy
these!one folder)
□ 1 pencil case
○ pencils and pens (no erasable pens)
○ highlighters (at least 2 different colors)

You will work in an Interactive Student Notebook which will be graded (often
unannounced) from time to time throughout the school year. A sample will be kept
in the classroom for you to use.

Most major writing assignments must be typed—you will be notified in

advance. You are welcome to use the computer lab at Rauner for typing and/or
printing.
Course Policies: What else do I need to know about Civics?

Course Expectations
All Noble scholars are held to high expectations. We expect you to make good
choices and remember that you are in charge of you! All Noble rules and policies
in the Student Code of Conduct apply at all times. I will consistently enforce
them in addition to our own classroom expectations so that we can create a safe
learning environment for everyone.

What will I expect of you? I will expect you to…

• …respect yourself, others, and your environment.
• …be prepared and on task from bell to bell.
• …stay in your seat until otherwise directed.
• …show your best self for the good of our Freshman Family.

What can you expect from me? You can expect me to…
• …treat you with respect.
• …be well prepared for every lesson.
• …work hard to help you master all learning targets.
• …be available after school for extra help.
• …hold you accountable for all academic and behavioral expectations.

Ladder of Consequences
If you choose not to follow one of our classroom expectations, here is how I
will handle it:
• 1. Warning
• 2. Seat change, reflection, and loss of participation points for the
day
• 3. 1 demerit
• 4. Meeting after school, phone call home, and more demerits
*Serious or repeated infractions will require me to “jump the ladder”
and remove you from class.*

Grading: How will my hard work be evaluated?

Grading Scale at RCP Civics Grade Distribution

90-100 A- to A+ 30%adsdfjhsdj
80-89 B- to B+ 40% Content Learning Targets
70-79 C- to C+ (Content-Related Tests and Quizzes, Projects, Collins
60-69 D- to D+ Assignments)
59 or below F 30% College Readiness Standards (CRS) Learning Targets
(Class Work, Weekly Mastery Quizzes)
20% Work Habits
(Participation, Preparation, Homework, Class Work)
10% SemesterExams
(Twice per year)
Extra credit (when offered) will be offered to everyone, not individual students.

Students who earn a D or an F on a major assignment may be required to

submit a make-up assignment.

Late Policy: May I turn in assignments after their official due dates?
Homework: You may submit a homework assignment one class meeting day
late, but there is a 50% late charge to do so. (Example: If a 10 point assignment
was due on Wednesday, you can submit it on Friday for a maximum of 5 points.) It
is always better to turn an assignment in late than not at all. SDH will be
assigned to any student who fails to submit an assignment on the due date.

Projects: You will be “charged” a 10% late charge for every day that passes
after the official due date. (Example: If you turn in a 100 point project one day late,
the maximum score you will earn is a 90%; if you turn the same project in two days
late, the maximum score you will earn is an 80% and so on.) SDH will be assigned
to any student who fails to submit a project on the due date.

Deadlines are not negotiable. Be proactive and complete your work on time.
Please take advantage of my office hours (Monday and Tuesday 4-5pm) if you need
extra help, or just a quiet space to start your work before you go home.

Attendance: What do I do when I miss a day of school?

Excellent attendance is a key to your success in Civics—the more you often you
are in class, the more you learn! Your Student Handbook states that any student
who misses more than 20 days during the school year must attend summer school
in order to move onto the next grade level.

If you know you will be absent, let me know ahead of time so you can get your
assignments. If you have an unanticipated absence (example: illness), you must
meet with me before our next class meeting to pick up and go over class work
assignments and review your homework. You will also be assigned a cohort buddy
to help you stay on track. This can happen before or after school, not during class.
You have as many days as you were absent to turn in your missing work.
(Example: If you are absent for one day on a Wednesday, you must submit your
work by Friday.) If you are absent for a quiz or a test you have exactly one week
(from the day you return to school) to make it up.

“Bell to Bell” Policy: What happens if I am late to class?

At Rauner, students work hard from “bell to bell.” When class begins we will review
our goals and agenda for the day. When you are late, you miss this important
information. A student is considered late when he/she is not in her seat
before or when the bell rings. When you are late, you will be issued the
appropriate number of demerits—see your Student Handbook.

From Start to Finish: How do I enter and exit Civics class?

We will follow a very specific procedure at the start of class:

1) Enter quietly.
2) Sit in your seat before the bell rings.
3) Put your homework in the top left hand corner of your desk.
4) Put your bag on the floor in the left side aisle.
5) Start your DO NOW immediately while I take attendance and check your
homework.
6) If you have time (before we start), write down your homework.

We will also follow a very specific procedure at the end of class:

1) Wait for me to dismiss you—not the bell.
2) Participate in the lesson summary.
3) Review and write down the homework assignment.
4) Participate in the Shout Out Session.
5) Pack up your belongings and clean up the room if needed.
6) Exit quietly.

Bathroom: May I use the bathroom during class?

Yes. However, each quarter (every 10 weeks) you will get 4 bathroom tickets to
use in all of your classes. You may use one (1) of those tickets in Civics. When
you do, follow this procedure. Raise your hand, I will take your ticket, call an escort,
and expect you to return within 5 minutes to pick up where we are. There are some
times when I will need you to stay in class; if you need to use the bathroom during
one of these times, I will ask you to wait. If you keep one or more of your bathroom
tickets until the end of the quarter you will enter it (or them) into a raffle for a
prize during one of our Freshman Family Meetings.

Rewards: What happens when I choose follow the class expectations

and policies?
Many things! Most importantly, you will learn more—the more self-
disciplined you become, the more progress you will make toward becoming a
true Noble Scholar. That said, you will also have the opportunity to earn
“merits” for demonstrating the “Noble Way,” to enter raffle drawings for
“going above and beyond”in your class work, and other rewards that will be
offered in your advisory. Stay tuned!

Finally…
As a former 8th grade teacher, I know where you have been and look forward to
working with you as you take your next step in high school. It is going to be a
challenging and rewarding year—be patient with yourself and give it your best.
Again, welcome to the Rauner College Prep Family!

If you can walk, you can dance

If you can talk, you can sing
(Proverb, Zimbabwe)

August 2009
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Welcome! Please review the Ninth Grade Civics Syllabus with your child. It
contains important information about the course and classroom requirements.
Please sign this contract page and return to Ms. Nelson; do not detach. The syllabus
should stay filed in each student’s handouts folder throughout the yearso that you
may both reference it when needed. If you have any questions or concerns at this
point, please write them on the lines below or e-mail me using the address listed. I
look forward to a successful year! Thank you, in advance, for your support.
Sincerely,

Ms. Kate Nelson

Ninth Grade Civics Teacher
312.226.5345 x 3106
knelson@noblenetwork.org

Student and Parent/Guardian Contract

By signing below, I am acknowledging that I have read, understand, and agree to
follow the expectations and policies outlined in the syllabus for Rauner College
Prep’s Ninth Grade Civics Course. I will communicate my questions or concerns to
Ms. Nelson when needed.

Student Name (print) ___________________________________________________ Date

_________

Student Signature ______________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name (print) ___________________________________________ Date

_________

Parent/Guardian Signature ______________________________________________

Questions or other comments:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________

How you would like to be contacted?

Please print clearly.
Phone number: _____________________ Secondary phone number (optional):
______________________
Reliable e-mail address (if you have one):
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