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: Introduction to Law

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

Course Description: Introduction to Law is a semester course open to all grade levels. Law
is the foundation of our society; this course is designed to introduce students to the
fundamental concepts and procedures of the state and federal legal system. While studying
the courts, law enforcement, and the corrections system, students will become familiar with
the terminology, concepts, and procedures in the areas of criminal law. 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 1
 Introduction to Law & the Legal System
 Court Systems
 Criminal Law
 Mock Trial Simulation **NOTE: Units and concepts are subject to
 Criminal Justice Process change based on teacher discretion, rate of
 Moot Court Simulation comprehension, and time constraints.

Classroom Materials: Pen, Folder, Notebook, Chromebook, Planner, Headphones

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: Students are expected to show up to class on time. This minimizes
disruptions and maximizes instructional time. Students that arrive to class late with a pass
will be marked “present.” Students that arrive to class late without a pass will receive an
“unexcused tardy in HERO.

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.

Law II: Per the U-46 Curriculum Guide, students must receive a grade of C or higher in
Introduction to Law 1 in order to enroll in Introduction to Law 2.

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: Introduction to Law

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