8th Grade Civics & Economics

2017 ------- Mrs. Sullivan

------- 2018
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updates on
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9HF9FB
1 sullivJL@pwcs.edu important dates.
to 81010 You can also text
2 Remind101 app chat this code to be able
to talk to Mrs.
3 (703) 491-2171 Sullivan for help.

class materials preparation

Come prepared to class with your folder,
1 planner, notebook, writing utensils, & class
toolbox.
1 composition notebook ____ ___
pencils, pens, & paper _______ Start working on your bell work immediately
colored pencils,
____
2 so class may begin within 5 minutes of the
bell. Bell work will be discussed and collected
scissors & glue or____ on Fridays.
tape
____ Work should be turned in on its due date.
planner & folder or __ __
3-ring binder
3 Late work will lose points on a per-day-late
basis.

grades responsibility
Students will be responsible for their own success in
this class; this includes coming to class on time,
35% 35% 20% 10% prepared, and ready to learn, being respectful, and
following all classroom and school rules and procedures.
Students will have ample opportunities to earn Class
Classwork &
Homework

Cash throughout the year with our classroom economy

Projects

Quizzes

system. Class Cash can be used to redeem prizes and

Tests

other classroom privileges. Likewise, students may also

be fined and asked to surrender Class Cash in cases of
inappropriate behavior. For guidance with learning and
practicing the rules, procedures, and classroom
economy system, please review the Procedures
Binder in the front of the room.

instagram
@sulliycivicsandecon
#sulliycivicsandecon
Follow our class account
to see yourself and classmates in action and use this hashtag to
document your work in our class!
 food and drink policy policy for absences & grades
Students may use Cash Class to purchase food and drink
passes during our class time only. Everything except water
will require a pass. This is policy contingent on it not
becoming a distraction in class. Per school policy, If
students choose to eat or drink in our class, their food or
drink must be unopened upon arrival to our class and must
crack the seal on the packaging. This policy is subject to
change at the teachers discretion, and at any time.
assignment
formatting
All typed assignments must be in 12 PT TIMES
NEW ROMAN FONT, double-spaced, and have
1 margins with your name, class period, and
date in the top right header.
All additional class projects and writing
assignments will have a rubric that students will
follow to complete the assignment.
homework
When homework is assigned, it will always be
review material to reinforce what was learned
in the prior lesson. Homework should not be
difficult and strenuous where students are
teaching themselves new and challenging
concepts. Homework will be used as a means to
promote student responsibility and reinforce
learned information. To incentivize homework,
students who complete their homework may
have the opportunity to earn Class Cash.
Likewise, students who do not complete it are
subject to being fined.
If students do not complete
work during class, in the time
allotted, it will be assigned as
homework. In such cases,
students will adhere to the
determined deadlines.
Weekly and daily work will be updated weekly (bell work,
class and homework, and quizzes). At least 3 grades will be
recorded each week. Please check grades regularly and feel
free to ask the teacher any questions that you might have
about a particular grade. Late work will be deducted on a
points-per-day basis.
If you are absent, you are responsible for completing your
make-up work. Students will have one day per each day
absent to complete work. Missed work and directions can be
found in the While You Were Out Baskets. It is your
responsibility to ask a classmate or the teacher for help on
making up any interactive notebook assignments (you can
always borrow the teachers notebook), and/or to meet with
the teacher to make up any tests, quizzes or papers.
If you know you are going to be absent beforehand, you
should ask the teacher for your make-up work before the
absence. This can be done before or after school, via e-mail,
or the Remind 101 app.
Students will have a unit exam to access their learning for
each unit. Additionally, students will have an optional project
for each unit. Students may choose to do the project at the
start of each unit or they may choose to have their unit exam
grade count twice. This is an excellent opportunity for
students to boost their grade, especially those that may
struggle with test taking.
electronic devices
Electronic devices should not be
out during class unless otherwise
instructed by the teacher or with
permission. Phones or tablets
will be used periodically during
class to assist in instruction and
research.
First offense: Student will turn
the phone into the teacher until
the end of class.
Second offense: Student will turn the phone into the
teacher until the end of day.
Third offense: Phone will be turned into office,
referral will be written, and student will not get
phone back until the end of the day.
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leaving the classroom controversial topics
Students will be given 3 bathroom/locker passes Discussing American government, policies, and
at the beginning of each semester. Students must contemporary issues can be very controversial.
sign out with their name, destination, and time The goal for our class is to learn about and discuss
when leaving the room and must sign back in varying ideas and opinions with respect and open
upon their return. If a student uses or loses all mindedness. Controversial issues require
their bathroom passes, they will be expected to students to conduct thorough research, master
pay a Class Cash fine to leave the room. concepts on both sides of an issue, and develop a
Students will not be fined if they are called to the perspective of their own. This class will cover a
office, need to go to the nurse or the library, or in variety of topics that could be deemed
cases of emergency. controversial (see attached course schedule).
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While students will be encouraged
to discuss and debate their points
interactive of view, this activity will be
practiced with the utmost respect.
student notebooks No hateful, racist, prejudice,
slanderous, or otherwise
Students will be required to keep an interactive
derogatory remarks or actions will
student notebook (ISN) where they will complete be tolerated in this class and will
daily notes and many varying assignments. Any result in immediate referral. It is the
loose documents will be glued/taped to the goal that students not only learn
assigned notebook page. Students are about the political processes of the
responsible for keeping up to date notebooks and United States in our class, but also
should check with a fellow student or me if they about the respect and tolerance for
have been absent. ISN checks and quizzes will be fellow humans that is required to
given to ensure completion and accuracy of make a democratic society
notebooks. effective.
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mrs. sullivans rules contract
In addition to all class and school procedures and By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read
policies, there are five simple ground rules for and will abide by this class syllabus, the attached
our class: documents, and the classroom policies and
procedures elaborated on in class.

1 be respectful student signature

______________________________________________________
2 be responsible
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read
and will assist and support my student in abiding by
3 be engaged this class syllabus, the attached documents, and
the classroom policies and procedures elaborated
on in class.
4 be punctual and prepared
parent/guardian signature

5 be kind ______________________________________________________
 Tentative Course Schedule
8th Grade Civics & Economics
Rippon Middle School
2017-2018

Civics Economics

August 28-September 1 March 6-19: Unit 8

Back to school housekeeping and paperwork Economic Decision Making
ISN setup
COB review and test March 20-April 13: Unit 9
Structure & Operation of US System
September 5-25: Unit 1
Rights, Duties, and Responsibilities & Constitutional April 14-23: Unit 10
Foundations Personal Finance

September 26-October 23: Unit 2 April 24-SOL

Political Processes Review

October 24- November 21: Unit 3

Constitutional Foundations

November 22-December 21: Unit 4

State & Local Governments

December 23-Januarary 16: Unit 5

Public Policy

January 17-Febrary 5: Unit 6

Duties and Responsibilities of Citizens

February 6-March 5: Unit 7

Judicial Systems
 Classroom Supply Donation List
Students will be reimbursed with $1 of Class Cash for each dollar spent on donations!

Tissues
Pencils
Lined loose leaf paper
Composition notebooks
Hand sanitizer
Lightly scented lotion
Colored pencils/markers/crayons
Highlighters
Kids scissors
Glue sticks
Matte tape
Anti-bacterial wipes
Cardstock (any color)

Please contact Mrs. Sullivan with any questions!