Name:

Hour:

American Government

Welcome Packet

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American GovernmentMrs. Hannah Cappelletti, hcappell@hpsk12.net csquaredgov.weebly.com

517-699-6996

It is the duty of every patriot to protect his country from its government.Thomas Paine

The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.John F. Kennedy

My goals for this class:

Students will be informed and engaged citizens Students will articulate arguments using appropriate evidence Students will analyze and understand controversies concerning the

American political system and how these controversies relate to the ambiguity surrounding the Constitution

Content:1. Foundations: Basic principles of government, philosophies and

structures2. History of government: Events and people that created the American government, viewing the

Constitution from the federalist/anti-federalist point of view, the compromises made during this time

3. Constitution and Constitutional theory: What is in the Constitution, what principles it exhibits, how it is structured?

4. Federalism: What is federalism? How does it work? How is power divided? How is money gained and spent by political systems? Why is our Constitution so vague on this topic?

5. Three branches: What is the basic structure of each branch? What are the basic powers of each branch? What role does bureaucracy play? What policies has the US used in the past? How is foreign policy made? When is force used? Why? How has the US interacted in the world?

6. Law and civil rights: What is rule of law? What are the rights of American citizens? How are rights protected in the US? How have people reacted when they have felt their rights were threatened?

7. Electoral Process: The political spectrum, understanding the two party system, how candidates are nominated and elected, elections, including campaign finance, understanding the electoral college, understanding what media does and what bias is, why people vote how they do, how do you measure public opinion, voting trends, media supports the two party system, major political issues in the media

8. Community Involvement Project: Get involved! More on this later.

Requirements:2

Be here, both physically and mentally. Each day we will build off of the day before, so missing one day can really hurt you.

This class requires a certain level of organization, so get a notebook that you can take notes in that has a pocket you can put unit assignments in.

We will have quizzes and tests over each unit, and there will be substantial writing on all of them. We will talk about expectations later. As effective citizens, you need to be able to communicate your ideas!

You are here to learn, so be prepared! Bring your notebook and a pencil and your book everyday, as well as any material you were asked to complete outside of class. We work as a team and if someone isn’t prepared, it slows us all down.

Policies:Late work: Work due the day you are absent is due the day you get back. You get one day to make up any work that you missed. ** REMEMBER TO ASK for missing work. Look at the website for PPs, unit assignments, and class syllabi. I print a plan of the week for each Monday. Ask fellow students for notes or homework questions. Use the class crate to determine which handouts/assignments you need to pick up, if necessary. They are organized by week. ** If you miss a test or quiz, plan on coming early or staying late to make it up. Not doing may result in a zero.

Tardies and absences: You are marked tardy if you are not ready to learn when the bell rings. Three unexcused tardies will result in a call home. A fourth tardy is an automatic detention.

Bathroom passes: You will receive 6 bathroom/hall/drink passes this semester.

Committees: Participate in a class committee and help yourself by helping others. These committees make sure our class runs smoothly. It is a participation grade, and you do need to stay on top of your job and get signatures from your teachers.

Grading:

Your grade will be based on your total points. Each assignment or task will have a point value. Test = 50 pts, Quiz = 10, Essay = 25, Current Event sharing out = 20, regular assignments =5, etc. Occasionally there will be extra credit offered. The grading scale is as follows:

93-100 A89.5 – 92.9 A-

87-89.4 B+83-86.9 B 79.5-82.9 B-77-79.4 C+

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73-76.9 C69.5-72.9 C-

Any grade below that point needs to be discussed with me, as government is a graduation requirement. Please keep track of your assignments to study for your exam at the end. Check Family Access frequently to be aware of your performance in the class.

Here’s the bottom line- You are responsible for your performance and grade in this class. YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL if you work hard, complete your daily work, study for assessments, and pay attention to my notes on your DBQs. We want to help you to understand this material. And, I think you’ll find that the topics we cover relate to your lives in ways you never even knew!

Semester Project: Get Involved in Local Government!

Sure, you have every right to sit at home and just let government happen to you. No law requires you to vote, keep up with what the government is doing, or ever contact your elected representatives. Of course, when you don’t take part in it, like it or not, what you get is

Government…

Of the people,

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everyone else’s government. This project will give you an opportunity to engage your own community, and see where you fit! Maybe a career in government is in your future? Hmmm?

This semester you will be required to participate somehow in your local or state government. You will need to choose two activities below, and each is worth 15 points. To earn the points there are several options:

Option 1-Go to a local government meeting

Below are listed several governmental groups that meet throughout the semester. I have listed the web sites for these groups. If you are interested in going to one of the meetings for that group, go to the website and print out an agenda or pick up an agenda at the meeting. At the meeting you must have the agenda signed by a council/committee member. You must take notes during the meeting and stay for an hour minimum. Get a buddy, carpool, meet some really interesting local council people, and make some great connections! Students like to include this on a resume for the future. Some students like to ask questions, and some have been interviewed by council people.

Meeting information

Holt Board of Educationhttp://holt.k12.mi.us/

The Board's regular monthly meetings will be held on the second Monday of each month- Held on the 9th grade campus.

Delhi Township Planning Commission

*Agendas are posted on the Friday preceding the Planning Commission Meeting*The Planning Commission meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month (get a calendar!!)

http://www.delhitownship.com

Meetings are held in the township library, across from Family Video.

Delhi Township Board of Trustees

Delhi Charter Township*Agendas are posted on the Friday preceding the Board Meeting*The Board of Trustees meets on the first and third Tuesday of each monthhttp://www.delhitownship.com

Lansing City Council

Council meetings are held at 7 p.m. Monday nights on the 10th floor of City Hall, at the corner of Michigan and Capitol in downtown Lansing.http://council.cityoflansingmi.com/

Meetings are in City Hall, 124 West Michigan Ave. (Take Cedar street north to Michigan and turn left).

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Lansing Community College Board of Trusteeshttp://www.lcc.edu/trustees/meet_trustees.aspx

Ingham County Board of CommissionersThe Board of Commissioners acts as a policy-making body for all county affairs and has the power to pass ordinances pertaining to county matters. The budget must be approved and all spending authorized by the Board of Commissioners. The following committees cover all phases of the board's duties: County Services Committee, Finance Committee, Human Services Committee, Judiciary Committee and the Law Enforcement Committee. These committees report their recommendations to the entire board for action in the form of resolutions.

Meeting Times: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays7:30 p.m. Board of Commissioners Room, Third Floor, Ingham County Courthouse, Mason http://www.ingham.org/BC/BC/BOC.HTM

Dimondale Village Councilhttp://www.iserv.net/~vod/home.htm

Any others? Just talk to me.

Option 2- Support a political party by volunteering for that party in your area

Go to either http://www.migop.org/ or http://www.mi-democrats.com/ and click on the link to “get active” or “get involved.” Both websites will have you fill out info and then will contact you with volunteer opportunities. Volunteer for one hour to complete this activity, and have a team leader write me a note to describe what you did. Include a signature and contact information.

Option 3-Write a letter to your local legislator

Research an issue that you care about, or research the current bills that are being debated in the Michigan State Legislature (search “Michigan Legislative docket). Then, find YOUR legislator by going to this website- http://www.house.mi.gov/mhrpublic/. Construct a letter by using a template (search online) or look in your textbook for a really easy to follow template. Have someone proof read it for you, and make two copies-one to be mailed to your representative, and one for me. I’ll provide you with an envelope, and mail it out for you. You should hear back within a few weeks to a month.

Option 4-Volunteer in your community with an organization, or form your own volunteer team

Help your fellow humanity, and get involved in your community through volunteerism. Choose an area that interests you. If you are stuck, search “volunteer in Lansing Michigan” and you will find many options. Talk to others, and see if you can work together. Document what you did, who it helped, and what sort of a positive impact you had on your community. Initial ideas-Humane Society, Special Olympics, tutoring, Boys and Girls Club, trash pick-up, food banks, Homeless Angels, etc. Talk to me if you are still unsure of a good fit for you.

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As you complete each activity, turn in all documentation to me, and I’ll give you credit. Be prepared to share any interesting findings or experiences with your classmates. You will get out of this what you put into it, so make it your own. I am very open to any other ideas you may have to fulfill this requirement. But ultimately, I want you to think of it as an OPPORTUNITY to find a niche in your local community, and light a fire of civic activism in you as you transition into adulthood.

“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” ― John F. Kennedy

Due dates:

First activity is due by Monday, October 30 th

Second activity is due by Friday, January 19 th

As a part of our community, it is important that you have a role in the classroom. Every one of you will have a task to perform to help this classroom run like it should.

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Don’t worry, the tasks aren’t hard or complicated- the most important thing is that you participate and help each other!

There are five different committees you can sign up for. We will run the committees for 9 weeks and then you can sign up for a different one. Every day at the end of class you will get about 5 minutes to do your committee work. Your grade will be based on the reflections written at the end of the marking period by you and by my observations. Not only will I be grading you, but you will also be grading yourselves! This assignment is worth 20 points two times this semester.

The committees are:

Current event committee: Mrs. Cappelletti will choose a “focus” country monthly, and your job will be to provide important updates

about that country The selected country will be a relevant country in the news currently, and will be one that other students

may have heard about but do not know the details. You will print off important information to educate your fellow students-social/religious, ethnic,

geography, history, political, economic, conflict so that we are all informed! For one signature, provide an update to the board, and for an extra point, include a written summary of the

article. At the end of class each day, you can update our board with your info See my “template” for ideas of how to get started Works with 4-5 other people

Should: be on time, be organized, and hardly ever be absent

Social Studies fun fact of the day committee: Research a great quote from someone famous that you want to share, and write it on the board each day.

Be sure to announce it! Research a historical event that happened on this day (“This Day in History”-History Channel’s website is

really helpful). Be sure to announce it! Works with 3-5 other people

Should: have internet access, be organized, not be shy to share in front of others

School and classroom event committee: Gets a list of everyone’s birthday Celebrates/acknowledges birthdays (suckers, stickers, signed homemade cards, sings, etc.) Lets classmates know of school events (theater, sports, art fairs, etc.) on the side board Creates a monthly calendar of upcoming local governmental meetings, and posts it in a prominent location

in the classroom (the front board, for example) Notifies the class of ANY upcoming meetings-day, time, location, reminders about what to do (print agenda,

take notes, get a signature) Works with 2-5 other people

Should: be organized, care about others, and be interested in making new friends

Clean up crew: Makes sure all trash is picked up at the end of class Straightens desks

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Empties pencil sharpener Makes sure all supplies get put away in the right place Lets me know if we are short on certain supplies Works with 1-4 other people

Should: be neat, be organized, and be efficient

Paper passers and collectors: Passes back papers at the end of class from the pass-back bin Pass out papers throughout class, when Mrs. Cappelletti asks for help Picks up assignments at the beginning of class Works with 1-4 other people

Should: value others’ privacy, be efficient and organized, and like to help out

Of the above committees, please pick the top three you would be interested in participating in. Remember, it is only for 9 weeks.

#1

#2

#3

Once you get in your committee, what types of things will you need to decide?

Log sheet Phase I

Record your committee contributions, (even if you do something that is “outside” of your committee!) Make sure to ask me to sign it as you go, and not at the end of the 9 weeks. DO NOT LOSE THIS!

Name: ______________________________

Committee Job ________________________

Date Job done Teacher’s signature9

The following to be completed at the end of the 9 weeks:

1. How many signatures do you have on your committee log? __________

2. The letter grade I think I should get for this 9 weeks of committee work is ___________ (A,B,C,D,E)

3. During the past 9 weeks, these are the things I did/did not do to earn this grade:

Log sheet Phase II

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Record your committee contributions, (even if you do something that is “outside” of your committee!) Make sure to ask me to sign it as you go, and not at the end of the 9 weeks. DO NOT LOSE THIS!

Name:________________________________

Committee Job ________________________

Date Job done Teacher’s signature

The following to be completed at the end of the 9 weeks:

1. How many signatures do you have on your committee log? __________

2. The letter grade I think I should get for this 9 weeks of committee work is ___________ (A,B,C,D,E)

3. During the past 9 weeks, these are the things I did/did not do to earn this grade:

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Restroom/Hall Pass

Name:______________

Date:_______________

At an appropriate time, (not while a discussion is taking place or at the start of class when you should be in your seat, for example), present this pass to Mrs. Cappelletti, go to the restroom and return in a reasonable amount of time.

(Pass 1 of 6 for the rest of the semester)

Restroom/Hall Pass

Name:______________

Date:_______________

At an appropriate time, (not while a discussion is taking place or at the start of class when you should be in your seat, for example), present this pass to Mrs. Cappelletti, go to the restroom and return in a reasonable amount of time.

(Pass 2 of 6 for the rest of the semester)

Restroom/Hall Pass

Name:______________

Date:_______________

At an appropriate time, (not while a discussion is taking place or at the start of class when you should be in your seat, for example), present this pass to Mrs. Cappelletti, go to the restroom and return in a reasonable amount of time.

(Pass 3 of 6 for the rest of the semester)

Restroom/Hall Pass

Name:______________

Date:_______________

At an appropriate time, (not while a discussion is taking place or at the start of class when you should be in your seat, for example), present this pass to Mrs. Cappelletti, go to the restroom and return in a reasonable amount of time.

(Pass 4 of 6 for the rest of the semester)

Restroom/Hall Pass

Name:______________

Date:_______________

At an appropriate time, (not while a discussion is taking place or at the start of class when you should be in your seat, for example), present this pass to Mrs. Cappelletti, go to the restroom and return in a reasonable amount of time.

(Pass 5 of 6 for the rest of the semester)

Restroom/Hall Pass

Name:______________

Date:_______________

At an appropriate time, (not while a discussion is taking place or at the start of class when you should be in your seat, for example), present this pass to Mrs. Cappelletti, go to the restroom and return in a reasonable amount of time.

(Pass 6 of 6 for the rest of the semester)

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August 23rd, 2017Dear Parent/Guardian: My name is Mrs. Cappelletti and I will be your student’s American Government teacher for this semester. Since all of the students I will have this semester are new to me, I was hoping to take this opportunity to get to know them (and you!) a little better. I am very excited to be working with your student this semester, and I encourage any form of communication between students, parents, and teachers. We are a team, and together we can work to help your student be very successful!

I hope you will take a few moments to read over the class syllabus for my course, which I am sure your student will be able to elaborate upon.  Please pay particular attention to the student expectations and requirements.  Your student will need to bring a notebook, something to write with and his or her textbook everyday. I have extra notebooks/pencils- for a limited time only!

Students will have homework a couple times a week, and I always give them at least a week’s notice before a test. I do projects periodically as well. My class website (http://csquaredgov.weebly.com) will be handy for students to find anything they will need pertaining to my class.

This letter is intended to make sure you know the general policies in my classroom. It is also a chance for me to ask permission for your student to watch an R-rated clip in my class, V for Vendetta. This rating is based upon mild violence, but the clip raises a really important question about the proper role of government in its citizens’ daily lives. Please see the second page of this letter to sign a permission slip, and to let me know you have seen the syllabus.

Also, in case you weren’t aware, you can view your student’s grades on line by going to http://www.hpsk12.net/ and signing up for Family Access (on the left hand part of the screen). Should you have any questions about the coursework, please feel free to e-mail me or call me. Lastly, I would like to use this opportunity to get to know your student and his or her needs as best as possible. There is a place on the back of this sheet for information about your student that I would really appreciate you filling out. After you have done so, please sign and date the bottom of the form. Thanks so much for your help- I am looking forward to a great semester!

Sincerely,  Hannah CappellettiAmerican Government teacherhcappell@hpsk12.net517-699-6996

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STUDENT NAME:__________________________________ Subject:_________________________________________ Class Hour:________________________

In the space below, please tell me anything about your student that you think would enable me to make this a successful year for him or her. Feel free to attach another piece of paper if you need more space. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please check the appropriate boxes below:  Y   N __  __   My student has my permission to watch V for Vendetta in class __ __ My student and I have read the class syllabus for the course listed above and understand the instructor's expectations of the students.

         ____________________________        ______________________________                    Parent/Guardian's Signature                            Student's Signature

**Please tear off this page and return it to Mrs. Cappelletti!

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