Disclosure Statement

Jordan High School

Mr. Charon-American Government

© 2002 "brad.charon@jordan.k12.ut.us"

Course Statement

The purposes of the course are to:

• increase student awareness of the history and structure of the gov't of the United States and
• increase student understanding of how the gov't works through simulation and other means

Course Grading

Grading will be divided into the following sections:

• Testing
• Simulations
• Projects and Assignments
• Homework
• Journals
• Citizenship

Testing

Quizzes

Quizzes (20-50pts each) will be given at the BEGINNING OF THE CLASS PERIOD on days following a homework reading assigned from the student text. The content of the quizzes will cover information from a reading assignment and/or information presented in class.

Exams

Exams (60-100pts) will be given at varying intervals thoughout the course and will cover information from the text and in-class presentations. Exams will be announced several days in advance so that students may have adequate time to prepare for them.

To take a quiz or an exam a student must be present in class! Students who are tardy will begin the quiz or exam immediately after checking in with Mr. Charon, however, he/she may not have sufficient time to complete the test. Students who are excused by the school administration only will be able to make up the test at a later date for full credit. Students who sluff class will not be allowed a make-up! Students who miss for other reasons will be dealt with on an individual basis.

Simulations

Several segments of the class are interactive allowing students the opportunity to LIVE the curriculum being studied. It is a fact that students obtain a much better understanding of the U.S. court system, government process, and the pressures put on U.S. and world leaders-to accomplish goals and maintain a positive working relationship with others and/or world peace-by acting out such events. More learning is achieved through simulation than could ever hope to be achieved by any other teaching method.

The simulation segments of the class are the culmination of study for most units in the course and the largest part of the grade is calculated according to student participation. Failure to take part in such activities may result in a marked lowering of the grade not to mention a lack of understanding the importance of the course content.

Projects and Assignments

Projects and Assignments wil be on a variety of topics and will require the majority of work to be performed in the classroom. Content expectations and grading procedures for each project or assignment will be discussed in class before students begin working.

Homework

Each student will be given reading assignments and written work periodically to do at home. In most instances assignments will be due the following day. On occasion a quiz will be given which will contain questions based on the activity studied the previous evening.

Journals (spiral notebook preferred)

Each student will keep a journal in which s/he will write on selected topics presented in class discussions. Journals will be collected at varying intervals throughout each term for grading purposes. Each entry will be worth 20 points per page. The length and specific topics of each entry will be available in class and on PowerSchool.

Make-up Work

All assignments/tests/etc. for the course will be listed on PowerSchool. Descriptions for each item will be included (such information may be accessed by clicking on the assignment/test/etc). Students will have until Friday of the week following the original due date to complete the work for credit after which time students will NOT be allowed make-up. Students who are absent the day work is assigned AND who are excused by the school administration will be able to make up the work for full credit. Students have the option to e-mail work to Mr. Charon at: brad.charon@jordan.k12.ut.us.

Extra Credit

Options for extra credit work will be presented to students throughout each term. The options will be listed on the Class Website and on PowerSchool with instructions. Any student choosing to do extra credit work MUST have ALL of his/her required work completed or the extra credit items WILL NOT count toward the final grade!

Textbook Each student will be provided with a textbook to use during the course. The student is responsible for the textbook received. Fines will be assessed and charged to the student if the textbook is returned in a damaged condition. Lost or stolen textbooks must be paid for by the student (new textbook cost is $45.00).

Class Web Site

Information necessary to keep students up-to-date concerning class activities and student grading will be available through the Class Website, ie: varied assignment due dates, video permission slips, and sources for addtional information concerning subjects covered in the classroom. From time to time assignments will be given to students (both required and extra credit) that will be centered around specific information found at the website with an option to e-mail work to Mr. Charon. Students may access the Class Website at the school library or at any public library if an internet connection is not readily available in the home.

The website addresses are:

http://www.mrcharon.net

http://www.jhs.jordan.k12.ut.us/faculty/bcharon

Participation

Each student will be given a maximum of 20 pts at the beginning of each week.
The student will keep his/her points throughout each term if s/he does not have or have/do any of the following:

• unexcused tardies! (includes not being seated when the bell rings!) (minus 10pts)
• come to class unprepared, ie: no pen nor pencil, no paper, no journal (when appropriate), no textbook (minus 5pts each)
• refuse to work in class (minus 10pts)
• cause disruptions in class (minus 5-20pts)
• bring food (including gum) or drinks into the classroom (minus 10pts)

Parents/Guardians will be contacted on occasion to notify them of their students classroom behaviors.

*Note: Topics not addressed in this disclosure will be handled on an individual basis.
Please feel free to contact Mr. Charon by phone, in person or by "e-mail".

Please sign below and return this disclosure statement to Mr. Charon:

Parent/Guardian Signature ______________________________________

Student Signature _____________________________________________

Group Work:

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©2002 "Mr. Charon"