Mrs.

Katie Thomas
904.638.7947 x1189
KThomas@baymeadowscharter.org

7th Grade Civics

Welcome to 7th grade Civics! Here is an outline of what you can expect for the 2016-2017 school
year:
What will we be covering?
Civics is about government, history, geography, and economics. Unit topics include:
Forms of Government
American Citizenship
Influential and Founding Documents
Foundations of American Government including:
o Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches
o Federal, state, and local governments
Landmark Supreme Court Cases
Elections, Parties, and Pressure groups
Global Affairs and Foreign Policy
U.S. Geography
Economics
Classroom Expectations
These are class rules that must be followed. Choosing to disobey one or more of these
rules will result in consequences including, but not limited to detention and/or a referral.
Be on time, on task, and prepared to learn every day
Be respectful to others, yourself, the teachers, and the space around you
Always follow CHAMPE
Be responsible for your own learning
Follow directions the first time they are given

Resources
We will be using any different materials will be used throughout the year such as: textbooks,
civics books, online-encyclopedias, handouts, newspapers, the internet, and more as needed to
complete a variety of independent and group projects.
Students will be provided with a login to gain online access to the textbook.
Grading Scale
A (90%-100%), B (80%-89%), C (70%-79%), D (60%-69%), F below 60%
Grading Rubric

All assignments are graded as either practice or mastery on a scale of 5, 10, 15, 20, or 30
points. While practice grades are not included in the students average, they are an indication of
how they will do on master assignments.
Civics End of Course Exam
Students will participate in the state-mandated Civics End of Course Exam at the end of the
school year. This is exam will be worth 30% of the students overall grade average.
Redo/Retake Policy
Should you earn 80% or less on a mastery assignment worth 20-30 points you will be required
to redo the assignment. To do so, you must complete any missing assignments that pertain to
the assessed standards and attend at least 2 morning help sessions.
You can redo a 20-30 point assessment once and can earn a maximum of 80% on the retake.
Assignments worth 5-15 points are not able to be redone.
You will have 1 week from the day the assignment is handed back to complete the retake.
Late Work
Students will only be eligible to receive full credit for work that is turned in on the assigned due
date (unless prior arrangements have been made between the student and the teacher).
Students have one week to turn in late assignments. All late assignments will be considered a
retake and therefore the highest score that can be earned is 80%. Students may complete the
work independently or with the teacher by attending helps classes, which are offered four times
per week, at 7:20 a.m. If students do not turn in a missing assignment within one week of the
due date they will receive a zero. No late work will be accepted the week grades are due.

Absence Policy
Each student is responsible for checking the While You Were Out folder first thing upon their
return to class. The student has one day for every day absent to make up the work. Should the
make-up work be turned in late, the late work policy will apply. Students are responsible for
scheduling a time before/after school to make up any missed tests or quizzes. Long term
assignments (i.e. projects, notebooks) should be turned in on time or the next day of their return
to class.
Required Classroom Supplies
1-2 in. three-ring binder WITH paper
Pens (blue or black ink only) and Pencils (will need to be replenished throughout the
year)
Colored Pencils
Index Cards
USB Thumb Drive (Optional)
Classroom Supplies Needed
Any of these supplies would be greatly appreciated for the classroom:
* Tissues

* Paper Towels

* Disinfectant Wipes

*Tape

* Printer paper

By signing below I have read and understand Mrs. Thomas expectations:

Students Signature: _____________________________________________________

Parents/Guardians Signature: _____________________________________________

Parents/Guardians Email: ________________________________________________
Parents/Guardians Phone: ________________________________________________