MRS. MURPHY'S CLASS
EDUCATING YOUNG MINDS ABOUT CIVICS AND ECONOMICS
The study of civics helps students understand American democracy's principles, structure, and citizens' roles, while economics teaches about the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, preparing students to make informed economic decisions and participate in the economy.
I am dedicated to providing a comprehensive education in civics and economics to prepare my students for active citizenship and economic literacy. The curriculum is designed to engage students in meaningful discussions and activities that develop their understanding of these essential subjects.
Course Syllabus
1st Semester Civics: 2018 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
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2nd Semester Economics: 2018 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
COVMS MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to produce individuals who are Lifelong learners, Authentic and Noble in their deeds. Through Collaborative efforts from all stakeholders, we will have Honest and Enthusiastic individuals, who are Resilient in mind and Unique in character. (LANCHERU). The Chacha Family will provide quality academic and life skills education that will motivate our students to become contributing and productive members of our island society and the world.
YOU WILL NEED:
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1 composition book (college ruled)
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black or blue pens ONLY
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Liquid Glue (1) or Glue Sticks (4 or more)
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COVMS Grade Weight Categories:
Classwork/Participation--- --30%
Test/Quiz-------------------- --30%
Exam---------------------------20%
Special Project-----------------15%
Homework-----------------------5%
Total--------100%
Beginning Session:
-Line up outside the classroom
-Wait for line leader/teacher to give you math equation or a number.
-Find your answer or number, and get all the materials in your bag needed for the day.
-Put bag at the bag area.
-Get your job tag/assessment tag for the day
-Attendance check
-Turn in homework in the inbox if any.
-Scribe
-Start on bell work if any.
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Bathroom Usage:
Students may not leave class in the first or last ten minutes of class. Each student will be given five restroom passes per quarter. The teacher will need to sign your pass, and you sign out/in on the log sheet. Be sure to get the restroom pass before you leave and return it once you come back to class.
BAGS/Backpack:
It will be stored in the bag area. Be sure to get out what is needed for class.
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Personal Electronic Devices
Personal electronic devices are not allowed during school hours. If brought to school, they must be given to the homeroom teacher until after school. Devices seen or used without permission will be confiscated and returned at the end of the day. After three confiscations, parents must collect the device from the office.
EXIT CARD:
10 minutes before the end of class, students will wrap up and return materials to the appropriate locations, then complete an exit ticket if any. The teacher, not the bell, dismisses students upon completion of these tasks.
Absences/Tardies:
If absent, it’s the student’s responsibility to request missed assignments. An excused slip from the office is required to receive missed work. Three tardies equals one absent. Points will be deducted for unexcused absences and/or tardies.
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Hand Signals
In order for students to communicate with the teacher effectively, they must raise their hand and show the correct sign for communication (this will be discussed in class).
Norms
A: Ask for help respectfully
Y: Yearn for my conversations to be in English
U: Use my talents for my team
D: Devote my time to clean up after myself
A: Answer kindly and patiently
Rules
M: Make the right decision always!
U: Urge to learn.
R: Respect yourself, classmates, teachers, and classroom.
P: Prepared and Productive at all times.
H: Honesty is the best policy.
Y: You can make a difference.
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ALL SCHOOL AND BOE POLICIES ALSO APPLIES!
Classwork:
Classwork should be completed neatly and turned in. An observance of a habit of untidy classwork will result with a 10 points deduction of classwork and a meeting with the teacher and the student. NO TIME SHOULD BE WASTED IN THE CLASSROOM.
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Projects:
Students will be given an adequate amount of time to complete in-class or out of class projects. Students are responsible to maintain the materials and progress of projects in the classroom.
Interactive Notebook:
It is the student’s responsibility to keep their notebook up-to-date. Notebooks are check quarterly for grading, and assignments on notebook are check once or twice a week. (A checklist will be provided beginning each quarter)
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Current Events/Brain Break:
Assigned to individual student that will research current news and present to the class and create activity that help build a variety of fundamental skills.
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Homework:
I do not give homework as a regular part of the course; it is an opportunity for extended time on incomplete assignments that is due on that day that students can complete at home and turn in the next session for grading.
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Quizzes/Exit Tickets:
This will be given at the end of every class or lesson completed.
Tests:
This will be given at the end of a completed unit.
Exam:
This will be given per quarter or semester.
Request to Re-test:
Students can request one retake per test or quiz. To initiate a retake, students must fill out a form signed by their parent or guardian and complete a new assessment rather than repeating the original. If the original assignment was returned by the teacher, it should be submitted with the retake to document learning over time. Before a retake, students should engage in additional learning activities, which may include remediation activities created by the student. Retakes must be completed within the timeframe established by the teacher, aligning with quarterly grade deadlines, and are not permitted in the last week of the quarter. The retake grade will be averaged with the original grade unless otherwise specified by the teacher.
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Academic Dishonesty
Copying someone else's work without credit is plagiarism and results in an automatic zero with no make-ups. This is a category 1 offense and may result in suspension.
Positive and Negative Consequences:
Meeting classroom expectations and behaving appropriately in class helps to create a learning environment where you and your classmates feel welcome, safe, and respected.
POSITIVE CONSEQUENCES: If you choose to meet the classroom expectations, you will receive a positive consequence, such as cash points, praise from teacher, classmates, administration, “Shout Outs,” a positive note or phone call home, special privileges/activities, or rewards.
NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES: If you choose NOT to meet expectations (points may vary and warnings depending on the issue)
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1st warning:
a.Verbal warning
2nd warning:
a. Deduction of cash points or participation points.
b. Student conference with the teacher intervention.
3rd warning:
a. Deduction of cash points or participation points.
b. Call for parent(s) conference
4th warning:
a. 50 points deduction from participation, no cash point will be accepted.
b. Referral to counselor/ inform parent(s)
5th warning:
a. 100 points deduction from participation, no cash point will be accepted.
b. Referral to Admin/inform counselor/ inform parent(s)
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Behavior chart:
This shows how the student is doing weekly in my class. They need to have their parent(s)/guardian sign and submit at the start of every week.
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NOTE:
Any norms, rules, school policies or procedures not followed will be a deduction of points or cash points. Deduction of points may vary.
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Participation:
Participation in class is a great deal, if you don’t participate you lose points. Every time a student comes to class, they will receive 100pts for participation (points can be added or deducted depending on behavior or participation in activities being done in class.). If a student misses a class, they will receive zero points for participation.
**STAR READING and STAR MATH are counted as a quiz grade for all my students. This is usually taken quarterly. Please encourage your child to do their best.
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MAKE-UP:
It is YOUR responsibility to be in class and prepared for the assigned assignment. In general opportunities to make-up work will not be given unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as serious illness, death in the family, or having an excuse slip from the office.
PLEASE do not ask for extensions. You may turn work in early, by email or it could be put in my box located in the main office.
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Late Work:
Any late work will be a deduction of 10 points for everyday its late. If it is a weeks late work, it will not be accepted and will earn a zero percent for that assignment. Also a deduction of 5 points given for every time a student submits their work with "NO NAME" written.
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Extra Points:
Extra points can be earned by cash points and some in-class activities or by scoring 100% on a quiz/test.
Extra points can only be used on assignments that had been given an effort to complete.
If you were absent, you can use extra points to the missed assignment only if it is an excused absent.
If you decided that you want to get a zero on an assignment with no effort put into the work, then I will not allow extra points to be used for that given assignment.
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Classroom Jobs
Students learn responsibility everyday as they practice caring for their belongings and keeping their desk area well-organized and neat. The primary purpose of classroom jobs is to transfer responsibility to students for keeping the classroom running smoothly, resulting in uninterrupted instruction. The more students are involved in the process of education the better they learn.
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***Jobs are changed every quarter or when necessary.***
Job Titles with a brief description:
Teacher Assistance- Assist teacher and at times play a role as a teacher.
Scribe- takes notes in everyday lesson and activities as a record keeping.
Attendance Checker- keeps track of student attendance and lets teacher and scribe know who is absent.
Assessment- Makes sure that all student has a color tag. Remind students to assess themselves when needed.
Suppliers- responsible for all materials in class and assures that everything is put back when finished.
Passers- passes out whatever needs to be passed out. For example: papers, journals, charts, maps, etc…
Collectors- collects homework, classwork, journals, and etc…when needed.
Cleaners- keeps room clean before leaving class.
Desk Monitors- Makes sure that all desks are in neat rows or group before exiting the class.
Technician/Electrician-Makes sure students use hand-sanitizer before using school tech. Teacher may ask for assistance in passing out techs, and also use the clicker.
Ask Me- This student will be the person to go to when a classmate needs more information on a certain word or topic for the day.
Time Keeper- Teacher will usually give the time and time keeper keeps track for the activity reminding peers.
Trash Monitor- Makes sure that no trash is laying around the room, and throws away trash when it is full.
To go To- When something needs to be taken or given to the office or other classroom the student is called to do it.
Line Leader- Before entering the class, line leader makes sure students are ready by forming a straight quite line.
Bag Patrol-Makes sure that all bags are located ONLY in the bag area, nowhere else.
Quote Finder- Chooses an inspirational/motivational quote for the day and write it on the board to share. He/she may get requested quotes from peers. All quotes must be approved by the teacher before writing it on the board.
Scheduler- updates the calendar when needed.
Agenda Reader- This student reads the agenda for the day out loud to the class.
Objective Reader- This student reads out the objective for the day to the class.
Cash Point System
The cash point system is a system that will help students keep track and manage money that they earn and lose in the classroom. This is one way to have students learn the value of hard-earned money and the consequences that come with making poor decisions. Overall classroom incentive goals will be discussed during the 1st week of 1st quarter. The chart below gives you a mini version of how the bills look like.
-Students will keep their cash points in an envelope with their names on it.
-Students who are caught doing a good deed will earn cash points.
-Students who put in extra effort and challenge themselves in the classroom will earn cash points.
*Students will also be given the opportunity to come up with other ways to earn cash points to add to the list. Please be supportive of this system.
-Students who do not follow the class norms will lose cash points.
-Students who do not follow the class/school rules will lose cash points.
-Students who are not team players in the classroom will lose cash points.
-Students who lose cash point will give the amount due to the teacher.
*Students will also be given the opportunity to come up with other situations that call for losing cash points to add to the list. Please be supportive with this system.
*Payday will be a bi-weekly of $200 cash points (if they did not miss any class session and complete their job task when needed). If a student is absent, $25 cash points will be taken out from their pay. Students will be able to purchase items such as pencils, markers, crayons, notebooks, extra points (price may vary), etc… (this will be discussed in class)
