HONORS CIVICS & ECONOMICS

Teacher: Billie Jean Clemens Mike Gunter

Email: bclemens@swainmail.org mgunter@swainmail.org

Resources: Various online reading materials and books which are integrated with Honors English I. Occasionally,
we will use a textbook in class.

Goals: Our wish is to help students become thoughtful, thinking, and productive citizens. The English and Civics
will work together in order to provide students with a well-rounded learning experience. These are honors
courses and the work will hopefully be challenging, rigorous and thought provoking. Often, students will be
assigned readings in English that correspond to a theme or topic being covered in Civics and Economics. The goal
is for students to have a complete and well rounded understanding of the interconnectedness of our world and it
takes to be a good citizen. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, Our children should learn the general framework of their
government and then they should know where they come in contact with the government, where it touches their
daily lives and where their influence is exerted on the government. It must not be a distant thing, someone elses
business, but they must see how every cog in the wheel of a democracy is important and bears its share of
responsibility for the smooth running of the entire machine.

Because of the nature of the course we will often deal with controversial topics; therefore, students will be taught,
and expected to deal with, challenging issues in a mature and respectful manner. It is essential that students learn
how to properly engage in civic discourse. My goal is for students is to learn how to research an issue and develop
their own opinions.

Materials List - See Freshman Academy list

Homework - will mainly consist of readings, studying for quizzes/tests, or working on projects.

Grading - This is a year-long class and the final grade for the class will not be given until the end of the
school year. Students will take a NC Final Exam in May. The Freshman team is using a standard based grading
model. Students will be presented with standards and objectives at the beginning of each unit. Students will be
expected to achieve a minimum score of proficient on each objective. Prior to a summative assessment, students
will be provided with formative assessments to help them focus their learning in order to achieve mastery.
Students will be expected to keep track of their own progress on the standards. Grades will be based on
Summative Assessments ( quizzes/tests/projects); Essay writing; Civic engagement in the class - contributions in
discussions, collaboration, and positive engagement in the class; and homework. Please understand that Standard
Based Grading is new to us and this process will evolve throughout the year, BUT we promise that we will be fair to
your child and the final grade they receive will be fair and reflective of what they have accomplished this year.

Tutoring: Before school - We are usually here by 7:30; After school until 3:30; Career Prep. Please schedule an
appointment with your teacher if you would like to meet before or after school.

Reassessment (very important): Students are allowed to reassess clarifying objectives before the summative
assessment. Reassessment is entirely student driven and initiated. There are two things they must do to reassess.
1. Complete an event request in Google Calendar for a scheduled time DURING CAREER PREP at the end of
each school day. I will either respond yes or no to the requested time. If no, the student will need to choose
another time.
2. Complete activities required for reassessment.
 3.75-4.0 (Eng. 3.25-3.74 2.5 - 3.24 1.75 - 2.0 1.00 - 1.74 0.0-0.99
/Civ.) (Eng. /Civ.) (Eng. /Civ.) (Eng. /Civ.) (Eng. /Civ.) (Eng. /Civ.)
Advanced Mastery Proficient Developing Emerging Not Assessed
Mastery

Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Not assessed

complex deeper complete partial minimal
application of understanding understanding of understanding understanding of
course of course standards of course standards
standards course course with assistance
standards standards

How is this class Honors? Honors students will be expected to read and master more complex texts. Honors
students will be expected to demonstrate mastery of higher order thinking skills through a deeper understanding
the material. Honors students will be expected to engage with controversial and complicated materials in a mature
manner. Honors does not mean extra work; it means a more rigor, a deep understanding of the material. It means
consistently utilizing higher order thinking skills to solve problems, and it means being willing to stretch oneself in
order to grow. We encourage you to embrace the growth mindset. Be willing to take academic and intellectually
risks; be reflective; and be honest with yourself.

Behavior Policy: We will follow the expectations outlined in SCHSs Student Code of Conduct, which can be found
in the SCHS Student Handbook sent home at the beginning of the year. Please review this, as well as the referral
process, at home. There will be a zero tolerance policy for misbehavior while a substitute is present. Any names
left by a substitute will result in automatic office referral. We will positively represent our class at all times,
including in the hallways, Media Center, lunchroom, or assemblies.

Classroom Expectations
1. We will respect the students right to learn and the teachers right to teach.
2. We will be where we are supposed to be when we are supposed to be there.
3. We will be prepared to learn and teach.
4. We will follow the rules NO MATTER WHAT.

Consequences
1. Warning/possible parent email
2. Detention/parent email (before or after school for 10 minutes)
3. Double detention/parent email (before or after school for 20 minutes)
4. Office referral

Student Name______________________________________; Student signature_____________________________________

Parent Name________________________________________; Parent signature_______________________________________