To the guardian(s) of my newest student, ____________________________:

I am extremely excited to have your son or daughter in my class for the

upcoming semester. As has been my policy in years past, I ask that my students and

their guardians review my classroom rules and expectations prior to instruction so as to

avoid any confusion throughout the year. Also, in an effort to promote the democratic

principles discussed in my social studies classes, I have provided an empty space at

the conclusion of this document where guardians and students can put forth questions,

comments, concerns, or recommendations regarding this code of conduct. All

recommendations will be thoroughly considered. If you desire to contact me at any

point throughout the semester, my email address is robertmorrissey@u-46.org.

Looking forward to a great year!

Robert J. Morrissey Jr.

Social Studies Teacher

Course Title: Law II

Instructor: Mr. Morrissey

Email: robertmorrissey@u-46.org

Classroom: 218

Class Website: morrisseylaw.weebly.com

Free Periods: 2, 8 Lunch Period: 6

Course Length: One semester

Prerequisite: Completion of Law 1 with a C or higher

Course Description: Law II is a semester course open to all grade levels, contingent on
the successful completion of the prerequisite Introduction to Law course. Law is the
foundation of our society; this course is designed to be an in-depth study of the U.S. legal
system, with a focus on Constitutional Law, Tort Law, Contract Law, and Due Process.
Students will become familiar with the terminology, concepts, and procedures in the areas
of civil law. Emphasis will be placed on critical thinking and other law-related skills.
Landmark cases, case law, current events, and simulations are used to examine the legal
system from a social scientific point of view.

Tentative Curriculum Overview:

Semester 2
 Constitutional Law
 Moot Court Simulation
 Torts
 Mock Trial Simulation **NOTE: Units and concepts are subject
 Contract Law to change based on teacher discretion,
 Due Process & Equal Protection rate of comprehension, and time constraints.

Textbook: Arbetman, Lee, and Ed O’Brien. Street Law: A Course in Practical Law. 9th ed.
S.l.: Mcgraw-Hill, 2016.

Grade Composition: Grading practices are consistent with the standards-based grading
philosophy of District U-46. Beginning in the 2019-2020 school year, only summative
assessment scores will count toward the overall grade calculation for a student. Summative
assessments are defined as assessments that are used to evaluate student learning, skills
acquired, and academic achievement at the conclusion of a defined instructional period.
Mastery is expected on a summative assessment after appropriate and sufficient instruction
is provided. Examples of summative assessments include unit exams, projects, essays,
debates, speeches, performances, etc.

Formative assessments will no longer be included in the calculation of a student’s overall

grade. Formative assessments are defined as assessments that are used by both the
teacher and the student to determine the level of learning against standards, components,
outcomes, or targets. Examples of formative assessments include quizzes, exit slips,
entrance slips, class discussions, daily assignments, self-assessments, etc. Formative
assessments are excluded from the overall grade calculation because students are still
developmentally in the process of mastering a skill.

Grading Scale: Grade Composition:

4……. Mastery Summative Assessments 100%
3……. Proficient Formative Assessments + 0%
2……. Basic 100%
1……. Below Basic
0……. No Evidence

Homework and Late Work: Homework is to be completed in full by the day it is due. Late
work may be submitted within the timeframe of the applicable unit of study. Once a new
unit has begun, students may no longer submit work from the previous unit.

Make-Up Work: It is the student’s responsibility to obtain and complete all homework
assignments missed due to absences.

Emailing Assignments: Students may “check in” assignments via email to demonstrate a
deadline was met, but I will not grade that assignment until a hard copy has been submitted.
All virtual assignments are to be submitted via Google Classroom.

Reassessments: Students who receive a grade lower than a (2) on an assessment will
have the option to—and are strongly encouraged to—reassess after consulting with the
teacher and subsequently completing all prerequisite formative and practice work. Students
have up to two opportunities to reassess in order to demonstrate content proficiency. If a
student reassesses, the initial score will be replaced by the most recent score in Infinite
Campus.

Participation: Participation is expected by all. This

course is designed to be interactive and collaborative.
Participation in activities such as individual work, group
work, and class-wide activities is essential to the
success of the student.

Complete Sentences: EVERY assignment is to be

written in complete sentences. Assignments that are
not will be given a grade of “incomplete” until rewritten
in complete sentences.

Online Textbook: Students can access the online

textbook by clicking the picture of the Street Law
textbook located on the home page of our course
website. From there, students should log into Clever
via their U-46 Google account. Once logged in,
students should click the red McGraw-Hill app to launch
the textbook.
Rules and Expectations: See attached chart. Rules are enforced strictly, quickly, and
consistently to maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning. Severe or continued
misconduct will result in detentions and/or referrals to the dean of students.

Tardy Policy: Any student arriving up to 5 minutes late without a pass will be marked tardy.
A student who arrives more than 5 minutes late to class without a pass will be marked as
absent for the day, even if he or she stays for the remainder of the session.

Headphones: Please bring headphones to class every day. These will frequently be used
for online assignments. They are not to be worn unless directed by the teacher.

Additional Help: If at any point in the semester you feel that you need extra help, please
come see me. It is my job to assist students to the best of my ability to ensure all have a
concrete understanding of the material. I will make myself available before and after school
as needed. I will also be available by appointment. The responsibility lies with the student
to seek out for extra help. My door is always open.

Early Leave for Winter/Summer Vacation: Class attendance is expected until the very last
day of the semester. If a student, for whatever reason, is not in attendance for the final
exam due to an early vacation leave, student will be assigned a grade of “I” (incomplete) for
the semester. Student must then take the final exam within ten school days of his/her
return. If student takes final exam within this ten-day window, he/she will not be penalized
and will receive full credit for the grade earned. If student DOES NOT take this final exam
within ten school days, he/she will be assigned a final exam grade of 0/4, and his/her
cumulative grade will be calculated appropriately.

Checking Student Grades: Parents and guardians can access students’ grades by going
to www.u-46.org > Families > Infinite Campus. It is highly recommended that you
monitor your child’s grades via this website.

Remind101: In an effort to improve communication with

students and parents, I will be utilizing a tool called
Remind101. Both students and parents will be able to
sign up for class updates by texting the code below to the
Remind101 service phone number. After texting the code,
users will be subscribed to text message updates that I
send out to the class via the website. I intend on using the
website to remind students of upcoming tests, projects,
and homework deadlines. To be sure, I will not have
access to any student’s personal phone number, nor will
they have access to mine. All forms of communication are
filtered through the website, ensuring the safety of your
child. Students will not be able to respond to any text
message that I send. This is a free service; however,
standard messaging rates will apply. This service is
available to all types of phones, not just smartphones.
 ASSESSMENTS
Students will… If rule/expectation is not met…
1. Successfully pass all  Student needs to demonstrate
summative assessments. mastery of the material.
2. Complete every  Students will be provided up
assignment on time. to ONE class day after a
given due date to turn in late
work, but assignments turned
in late will be subject to a
lower grade.
BEHAVIOR
Students will… If rule/expectation is not met…
3. Work to their fullest  Student may not meet
potential and strive to graduation requirements and
achieve individual and will need to retake this course.
class goals.
4. Refrain from talking while  Student will receive a warning
the teacher is talking.  Continuous violations may
result in detentions.
5. Arrive to class on-time  Student will miss important
everyday announcements and
homework assignments.
6. Come to class prepared  Student will need to borrow
with a pen, notebook, supplies.
folder, planner,
Chromebook, and
headphones.
7. Refrain from checking or  Student will receive a
using digital devices warning.
during class time.  Device will be confiscated and
later returned.
8. Turn in their own work.  First infraction: Referral to
Cheating/plagiarism will dean, call home.
NOT be tolerated.  Second infraction: Referral to
dean and suggestion for
removal from the course.
9. Take notes during all  Student should use their
class discussions. notes to study for their unit
tests
My role…
 To allow students to reassess
on tests and/or complete test
corrections (if offered).
 Display the homework
assignment on the screen/board
at the beginning of each class
 To remind students to write
down assignments in agendas
My role…
 To keep grades up to date on
Infinite Campus.
 To ensure that all students are
able to hear information.
 To begin class on-time every
day.
 To log unexcused tardies in
Infinite Campus and HERO
 To call home when tardies are
habitual.
 To let students know ahead of
time when they need to bring
any other materials.
 To limit potential distractions in
order to facilitate learning.
 To remind the students of this
rule often.
 To teach students how to
properly cite material from
primary & secondary sources.
 To upload class PowerPoint and
lecture notes to our course
website.
 Parent Signature Form
Please read through this syllabus with your son/daughter. I encourage you to ask them
questions, not just about this syllabus, but daily as we progress through the semester.
I also encourage you to contact me at any time if you have any questions, comments, or
concerns. A tear-away contact sheet is provided below for your convenience. I look
forward to an engaging semester!

By providing my signature below, I confirm that I have read and understood all of the
rules and expectations of Mr. Morrissey in the upcoming semester.

Student Name: ____________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: __________________________________________

Questions, Comments, Concerns:

**Return this upper portion to Mr. Morrissey*

-----------------------------------------------------------

Teacher Contact Information

Teacher Name: Robert Morrissey Jr.

Course: Law II

Class Website: morrisseylaw.weebly.com

Email: robertmorrissey@u-46.org

**Tear away this contact information sheet for your records**

 Student Goal Setting
 My goal for this class is to...

 I will work to achieve this goal by…

 My athletic/extracurricular goal for this year is…

 The career I hope to have in the future…

 I learn best when…

 Something you should probably know about me is…

I have carefully read Mr. Morrissey’s course syllabus and will abide by the policies
contained within. I pledge to put forth my best effort to achieve the above goals.

________________________________ _____________________
Student Name Date

________________________________
Student Signature