Bronx Aerospace High School
Parent/Student Contract 2011-2012
Course Overview
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,
The objective of the course is to increase students’ understanding, appreciation and analytical perception of United States Government and Politics while ensuring that each student passes the AP exam. This course will place emphasize on the changing political culture of American society and its effect on voting patterns, trends and government processes. This will ensure that students comprehend the concepts of majority rule democracy, constitutionalism and civil liberties. Students will become aware of and develop a mastery of the interactions and differences between formal and informal institutions and the public policies that are developed due to these relationships.
The AP curriculum places an emphasis on higher-order thinking skills. Therefore, students are regularly required to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate primary and secondary historical sources. Also, they will have to comprehend, memorize, and apply facts. There will be interdisciplinary instruction, as well as, project and research-based learning. Technology supports learning and throughout project work multiple types of assessment (posters, videos, papers, presentations) are embedded to ensure that students produce high quality work and demonstrates a deep understanding of their topic. This learning technique will prepare students for the types of work and thinking required in college such as how to problem solve and work collaboratively in groups.
Students are responsible for keeping up with events in the news. All of the classes will commence with a discussion of current events. This will ensure that there is a connection between the current events and the lesson. The course will be broken down into units and those units are outlined in the course schedule below. Assessment will be at the end of each unit and will be in the form of tests, quizzes, group presentations and projects. The tests will consist of multiple choice questions and thematic essays designed to emulate the AP United States Government and Politics Exam.
Sincerely
Miss Butcher
AP US Government and Politics Teacher
Bronx Aerospace High School
Essential skills
All students will at the end of the class possess the essential skills that are needed for them to be successful in college and the world of work. These along with reading, writing, listening and listening skills consist of;
Collaborative skills - Students work together to identify and solve problems, make decisions, or resolve conflict.
Presentation skills - Students prepare, plan and practice so as to present their information; Pronunciation and enunciation; mechanics of speeches
Research skills - Students ask questions and find the answers in sources containing reliable information. They read, listen and view effectively so that they can get the best and most accurate information available.
Critical thinking skills - Students conceptualize, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication. This guides them to a belief and/or action.
Communication skills – Students convey message to others through words, facial expressions and body language. They listen so as to obtain messages or information from others.
Problem solving skills - Students identify problems; get to know each other, their needs, perspectives and interests. Next they evaluate the problem looking at a number of possible solutions. They gather information about the issues, and trying to arrive at common working understanding of the problem. Lastly they decide on the best possible solutions.
Texts
Wood, Ethel and Bonnie Herzog. Multiple-Choice And Free-Response Questions In Preparation For The AP U.S. Government & Politics Examination
Woll, Peter. American Government, Readings and Case Studies, 17th Ed. New York:
Pearson Longman, 2008
Kaplan, AP US Government & Politics: An Apex Learning Guide
Barron's, How to prepare for the AP Government & Politics Advanced Placement Exam
These readings will be supplemented with classroom handouts throughout the semester.
Other Materials
The following articles will be assigned as homework and classroom readings. They
include: articles from magazines, articles from past and present newspapers such as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, newsmagazine excerpts from Time, Newsweek, or the Economist; news footage and documentaries; primary source documents, current events materials and educational websites.
Bronx Aerospace High School
Email: transithistory@hotmail.com
Website: www.msbutcherslearningenvironment.yolasite.com
Welcome to Advanced Placement Government. We will follow the basic outline listed below:
Unit I: Constitutional Underpinnings
5-15% 5 weeks
Unit II: Political Beliefs/Political Behaviors
10-20% 3 weeks
Unit III: Political Parties, Interest Groups, & Media
10-20% 5 weeks
Unit IV: Institutions
35-45% 10 weeks
Unit V: Public Policy
5-15% (whole semester)
Unit VI: Civil Liberties/Civil Rights
5-15% 5 weeks
AP Review 4 weeks
*The AP Government test date is on the morning of
Tuesday May 15th, 2012
We will use the chapters in the textbook, supplemental materials, to cover the subjects listed. This list is basically a copy of the outline distributed by the College Board. We will cover all the topics listed.
Classroom Expectations:
1) Arrive to class promptly at all times
2) Respect everyone, equipment and the furniture in the classroom
3) Stay seated unless you are told otherwise
4) Be prepared to work at all times (pens, pencils, notebooks etc)
5) NO eating or drinking in the classroom (water only)
6) Raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged before speaking
7) Avoid using profanity at all times
8) No electronic devices are allowed in the class
9) Demonstrate a positive attitude every day.
10) Participation is strongly encouraged and part of the grade.
Materials:
- Binder Paper
- Ink Pens and Pencils
- Folder with pockets for storing handouts
- Stapler (to be kept at home)
- Three-ring Binder w/ Dividers (Essential for Review)
- Your Textbook & Appropriate Materials – Every Day!
- Notebook for note taking
Make-Up Policy and Tardy Policy
Students absent from class are responsible for making up any work missed. Students will have two school days to make-up any missed work for every day of school missed. However, material that was known about in advance and due on the missed day will be due on the day of return, no extension of deadlines or tests in this instance. Students must have a doctor’s note or a note from their parent/guardian upon their return.
Assignments:
Homework is due at the beginning of class unless otherwise specified. Homework and projects will be available on the website www.msbutcherslearningenvironment.yolasite.com. Homework and projects/ assignments must be handed in during class time only. No exceptions!! If you are absent on the day the project/assignment is to be handed in it must be emailed to me no later than the end of the class period. Daily work will not be accepted late. I will not be taking work from students outside of the classroom. In the event that students are late for class or absent from school, they must bring a note from their parent with the contact information of the parent. Reading Quizzes will usually occur on a daily basis. They are over the night reading and in some instances you may use your notes. All assignments completed at home must be stapled before turning them in. Unstapled work will not be accepted!!!!!!
Remember: Each of you is ultimately responsible for your own learning. I will attempt to provide an environment and experiences that facilitate the process. Please arrange to meet with me before school, at lunch, or after school if you have any questions or need additional assistance with the class.
Current Events: On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays we will start class with a current events presentation by a member of the class. One student will be assigned to present each day; a schedule of presentations will be provided during the first week of class along with detailed directions on what you will need to share during your presentation.
Academic Honesty: As this is a college-level course, students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic honesty. All writing that uses ideas or quotations from other sources should be cited appropriately using MLA format; plagiarism will result in a zero on the assignment and repeated offenses may result in failure of the course.
I am looking forward to a great year with you! Are you up for the challenge?
Interest Survey
1. What kind of books do you like to read?
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2. What types of TV programs do you prefer? Why?
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3. What is your favorite activity or subject at school? Your least favorite? Why?
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4. What is your first choice about what to do when you have free time at home?
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5. What kinds of things have you collected? What do you do with the things you collect?
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6. If you could talk to any person currently living or from history, who would it be? Why? Think of 3 questions you would ask the person.
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7.What are your hobbies? How much time do you spend on your hobbies?
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8. What career(s) do you think might be suitable for you when you are an adult?
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9. Tell about your favorite games.
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10. What questions do you think should be on this survey that aren’t already on it?
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Student Information and Parent/Student Signatures
Parents/Guardians: Please complete this form about your child and sign below. Return it no later than September 9th, 2011.
Student’s Name ______________________________ Date of Birth___________________
Address ___________________________________________________________________
Phone __________________________ Email _____________________________________
Parent/Guardian 1. ______________________________ 2. _________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________________
Home Phone _______________________ Cell _____________________ Work _______________
Email _____________________________________
Best Time to be reached _____________________________________________________________
We have read and agree to Ms Butcher's syllabus, rights and responsibilities, consequences, rewards and grading rubric for the 2011-2012 school year.
Student Signature _____________________________________ Date ______________________
Parent Signature ______________________________________ Date _____________________
