Burnetts U.S.

Government Syllabus

Coach Burnett
Room # 325 (portable)
Email: ellen.burnett@killeenisd.org
Tutorials: 4:15-4:45 M, W
*tutorials outside these times are available by appointment ONLY
Conference: 5
th
Period 1:19-2:15 pm (every day)

Required Supplies:
Please bring the following items with you EVERYDAY
1. Pen/Pencil
2. Notebook
3. Positive Attitude
4. Smart Phone/Device (if available)

These items need to be turned into me by Tuesday 9/2:
1. 1 Composition Notebook or Binder with Clear sleeve
protector pockets for Foldables
2. 2 rolls of tape
3. 1 Package of assorted colors construction paper
4. 1 box of tissues (2
nd
Period)
5. 1 bottle hand sanitizer 8 oz or larger (6
th
Period)
6. 1 ream of computer paper (7
th
Period)

Textbook: If you have not done so already please check out your classroom text from the bookroom (located to the left of the Library
near the stairwell). This book will stay at home or in your locker we will have a class set for use in class when needed.

McClenaghan, William A. Magruder's American Government. Texas ed. Needham, MA: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2003. Print. Texas
Edition.

NOTE: You will be assigned outside reading and videos for this class that will come from various sources as well as your textbook.
You are not required to bring your textbook to class but there will be weekly quizzes over the assigned material.

Course Description:

This course covers a wealth of information. The amount of material we cover requires this course to be rigorous in nature. Even
though this is considered a regular course you should prepare to be challenged. It is my hope as your teacher to push the limits of your
expectations and grow you as an individual and student. I want you to leave my class ready for the next step in your life.

The Texas Education Agency describes this course as follows:
In United States Government, the focus is on the principles and beliefs upon which the United States was founded and on the
structure, functions, and powers of government at the national, state, and local levels. This course is the culmination of the civic and
governmental content and concepts studied from Kindergarten through required secondary courses. Students learn major political
ideas and forms of government in history. A significant focus of the course is on the U.S. Constitution, its underlying principles and
ideas, and the form of government it created. Students analyze major concepts of republicanism, federalism, checks and balances,
separation of powers, popular sovereignty, and individual rights and compare the U.S. system of government with other political
systems. Students identify the role of government in the U.S. free enterprise system and examine the strategic importance of places to
the United States. Students analyze the impact of individuals, political parties, interest groups, and the media on the American
political system, evaluate the importance of voluntary individual participation in a constitutional republic, and analyze the rights
guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Students examine the relationship between governmental policies and the culture of the United
States. Students identify examples of government policies that encourage scientific research and use critical-thinking skills to create a
product on a contemporary government issue.

Source: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter113/ch113c.html#113.44





Classroom Expectations:

Each teacher instruction will be followed
All hands, feet and objects are to be kept to yourself
Get a pass and permission prior to leaving the classroom
Leave any form of disrespect at the door, this includes: swearing, teasing, yelling, rude gestures, etc.
Each student will be in his/her seat when the bell rings ready to work

Classroom Rules:
In addition to the rules outlined in your student handbook the following rules apply in my classroom
1. Teacher desk area is off limits
2. The bell does not dismiss class, the teacher does
3. Take care of personal business during the passing period (i.e. bathroom, other teacher visits, personal grooming etc.)
4. If you would like to use a computer, tablet pc, or your cell phone YOU and YOUR PARENTS must sign and return the attached
Electronic Device Usage Agreement to me.
5. CELL PHONES used for non-instructional purposes or without the authorization of the teacher will be taken up and returned at the
teachers discretion after a violation is entered into the system. 4 violations = an office referral.

Rewards

Knowledge
Verbal Recognition
Positive Parent Contact
Individual Reward

Consequences

1
st
offense: Warning
2
nd
offense: Teacher-student conference
3
rd
offense: Parent contact & detention
4
th
offense: POD-student conference (AP and Counselor)
5
th
offense: Referral to AP
Severe clause: Referral to AP

Note: If the behavior is severe enough to warrant an immediate referral, steps 1-4 will be skipped and the student will be
referred to the Assistant Principals office for disciplinary action.

***Violence, bullying, and disrespectful behavior WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in my classroom. These offenses
will result in an immediate consequence depending upon the severity of the offense***

Attendance Policy:
Attendance is required to pass this course; because we will cover a large amount of material in a short period of time, it is imperative
that you be present for all lesson material. If you are unable to be in class for any reason please see me as soon as possible to get any
make-up work. If you are absent it is very important to take advantage of tutorials so that you do not fall behind.

*Note: If you know you are going to be absent for a school related activity PLEASE see me before you are gone to get your work. If
you are going to miss a test, quiz, or major assignment due date you need to get all work to me/or schedule a time to take your test
before your absence so you do not fall behind. If this is not possible you will be given an alternate exam upon your return. If the due
date is announced prior to your absence you will be expected to turn in the work/take your quiz/test upon your return this includes
any and all due dates on the class website and communicated via classroom text/email.



Grading Policy:
Grades will be based on a combination of assignments weighted 60% Summative (tests/projects) 40% Formative (daily
work/quizzes/homework).

Late Work: All homework assignments are due at the beginning of the class period if they are turned in after that they will
receive a penalty of 30 points. All assignments done in class are due at the end of the class period, unless otherwise specified
by Coach Burnett. Late work will start at a 70 the first day and be deducted 10 points per day after that. Once the material
covered in the work has been tested over, those assignments will no longer be accepted.

Absenteeism Work: If you are absent it is your responsibility to obtain all work from the teacher. Please see me before
school OR during my conference period. You can also find any assignments you might have missed on my website. Per
Ellison High School policy, absent work is due no later than 5 school days after the day you missed. After that all work will
be subject to the point deductions stated above.

Quality of Work: You will be required and expected to turn work in that is of high academic quality and neat in appearance.
This includes clean paper, legible writing, a full title, and a heading on EVERYTHING turned in. If it is not legible it will
not be graded. If there is no name it will not be graded.

Plagiarism: ANY FORM OF PLAGIARISM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. If you turn in material that is not original
work/not properly cited you will receive a ZERO for the assignment and will be unable to make that credit up. Be sure to
check your work very carefully. This includes but is not limited to definitions, quotes from authors and texts used in class.


Year at a Glance:

*This course outline is subject to change at any time, there will be a summative assessment following each unit.


Semester One
1
st
Nine
Weeks
Unit 01: Foundations and Constitutional Principles (16 days for the entire unit)
G.15C, G.16A, G.19B, G.20A, G.20C, G.20F, G.21B, G.21C, G.22A

Unit 02: Celebrate Freedom Week (3 days for the entire unit)
G.13C, G.20A

Unit 03: Political Behavior (8 days for the entire unit)
G.2A, G.2B, G.3A, G.3B, G.3C, G.11A, G.11B, G.11C, G.14A, G.14B, G.14C, G.14D, G.15A, G.15B,

Unit 04: Legislative Branch: The Congress (12 days for the entire unit)
G.5A, G.5B, G.5C, G.5D, G.6A, G.6B, G.8A, G.10A, G.10C, G.18A, G.20B, G.21A, G.21B, G.21D

2
nd
Nine
Weeks
Unit 05: Executive Branch: The Presidency and the Bureaucracy (12 days for the entire unit)
G.1F, G.4A, G.4B, G.6A, G.6B, G.8B, G.8D, G.8G, G.10B, G.20A, G.20B, G.21D

Unit 06: Judicial Branch: The Courts and Civil Liberties (12 days for the entire unit)
G.7G, G.8C, G.8F, G.8H, G.10A, G.13C, G.13D, G.13E, G.13F, G.16B, G.20A, G.20D, G.20E, G.21C, G.21D

Unit 07: State and Local Government (7 days for the entire unit)
G.8H, G.10A, G.20A

Unit 08: Government and American Culture (5 days for the entire unit)
G.15B, G.17A,