Grades

I have uploaded grades for those who turned in the stories on democracy, the summaries and your notebooks.  

Homework Due Thursday 8/30/12 Current Event & Notebook

The next step of this assignment is to write a summary, in your own words, of an article on democracy.  Democracy is hard to attain and even harder to keep.  This is what I want:

1. Go to our new class news reel at:   http://hollandsbiz.blogspot.com/
2. Pick one of the stories that your fellow classmates have found and write what you think of it. (YOU CAN ALSO USE YOUR OWN STORY THAT YOU SUBMITTED TO ME TODAY.)
3. Email me your summary at ms.saraholland@gmail.com OR bring it on Thursday 8/30/12.
4. Pat yourself on the back for doing your work.
5. Smile.
6. See notebook rubric below 

NOTEBOOK Checklist and Rubric

Principles of American Democracy

FIRST NOTEBOOK Checklist Rubric – DUE THIS THURS. 8/30/12

Student Check	Teacher Check	Assignment
		Question 1:  What ideals are important to you?
		Question 2:  What makes a state?
		Question 3:  What political philosophy do you support?
		Question 4:  Respond to this quote by John Adams.  “The jaws of power are always open to devour, and her arm is always stretched out, if possible, to destroy the freedom of thinking, speaking and writing.”
		Question 5:  Can you think of something you have done that is courageous?
		Question 6:  Can you think of historical acts of courage?
		Classwork:  Five ideals with definition, theorist quote, founding father quote.
		Question 7:  Write one law for each of the five ideals of the US government.
		Classwork:  Graph of Six Big Ideas of the Constitution

READ THESE!

·       Your notebook MUST contain all of the above to get credit.  This checklist along with the graph is available on the class blog:  www.mshollandsgov.blogspot.com

·       THE NOTEBOOK MUST ALSO BE NEAT.  If stapled or glued it must be placed in notebook nicely.

·       Please label each of the assignments as labeled above, so I can indentify it easily.

·       You are also being graded on how well you completed the work.  One sentence answers will not do.

Classwork:Six Big Ideas of the Constitution

	A r t i c l e	S e c t i o n	C l a u s e	Quote	Say it in your own words	Ideal – Use this column to connect it to one of the five ideals (democracy, liberty, rights, opportunity, and Equality)
Limited Government
Judicial Review
Checks and Balances
Federalism
Separation of Powers
Popular Sovereignty

Websites For Stories of Courage & Democracy - DUE NEXT TUESDAY 8/28/12

For this assignment, I want you all to find stories of courage about people fighting for democracy.  This does not have to be a story that takes place today.  It can take place hundreds or even thousands of years ago.  If you are interested in stories about people fighting for democracy today I suggest you look in areas like the Sudan, the Middle East, Egypt, Syria, China, or Burma.

PLEASE EITHER EMAIL ME YOUR ARTICLE WITH A SUMMARY OF IT or BRING IT TO CLASS ON TUESDAY.  My email address is: ms.saraholland@gmail.com  Do not consider your assignment complete, if you email it to me, unless you receive a response from me saying I got it.

Here are some suggested websites where you might find these stories (DO NOT SEND ME WIKIPEDIA OR RANDOM BLOGS BY CRAZY PEOPLE):

1. British Broadcasting Co. - www.bbc.co.uk/
2. The Guardian - www.guardian.co.uk/
3. CNN.com - www.cnn.com/
4. The Economist - www.economist.com/
5. The New York Times - www.nytimes.com/

Your Questions - Answered!

1. How old am I?  What are my favorite songs? What are 3 things about me that make me a great teacher?   I am 475 years old and that means I have survived my mistakes and made some good choices too!  Three things that make me a great teacher:  1.  I LOVE SOCIAL STUDIES. 2.  I am available to help you, just ask or you might notice that I speak to you too.  3.  I spend hours trying to think of awesome ways to teach you what I know.
2. My strategies in life to be where I am.  1.  I make positive choices.  2.  I fight for what I want, I don't let negativity win, and I don't give up.  3.  I surround myself with positive people who are supportive. 
3. Why did I not run for office?  I am too young.  I want to run for office when I turn about 50.  I want to do other stuff first, like teach.  
4. I know English and enough Spanish to get me in trouble.  ;)
5. If I could be anywhere in the world I would be right here and for the month of July in Europe.
6. How do you put up with this everyday?  Well, I am enjoying your company thus far, so it is not too hard.
7. Am I a hard teacher?  Yes and no.  I don't believe in giving busy work, but I do believe in pushing what you know to the next level.  
8. Am I creative?  YES!  I paint. I never do my nails because I am always messing them up painting.
9. Working in politics was:  crazy, amazing, emotional, and demanding in the best way.  Working with politicians: sometimes like what you might see on TV, but most people I worked with in politics really did want to do great things in the world.
10. Why change from politics to teaching?  Who said I changed?  I will always work in politics but like a moth to the flame, I am addicted to teaching.  You all are awesome.
11. Hobbies:  painting and swimming
12. Do I like animals?  Yes, I have an awesome dog.  However, I fear horseback riding.
13. My favorite TV show is called "BOSS" and it is on Starz or "The Wire." You can get it on Netflix.  Right now I am listening to a lot of Frank Ocean, Masta Ace, Adele, Van Morrison, Adventure Club, Crave You by Adventure Club is one of my favorite songs.  
14. Do I help students?  YES!!!!!!! Am I mean?  I hope not.  Can you talk to me if you need help?  ABSOLUTELY!  Please do!
15. What nationality am I?  To be honest I am not sure.  All my grandparents were from the Midwest.
16. My opinion of you guys and the subject.  I love history.  I think you guys are really well behaved and pretty awesome.

Class Syllabus

Principals of American Democracy

Ms. Holland

Room B29 (Bungalows by the tennis courts)

Email: ms.saraholland@gmail.com   

Phone Number(s): (310) 241-5800f (ask for Mr. Maghera’s room)      

Texts: Magruder’s American Government (2006)

Period 4

Black Week Bell Schedule (ODD)

Period 4

(Tuesday/Thursday)

(Martes/Jueves)

9:50 AM to 11:32 AM – 102 minutes

Gold Week Bell Schedule (Even)

Period 4 (Monday/Wednesday/Friday) (Lunes/Miércoles/Viernes)

9:50 AM to 11:32 AM – 102 minutes

TESTS & CULMINATING PROJECTS

There will be 4 tests (examen) and 4 culminating projects (proyectos).

Your grade will be broken down like this:

·        4 Culminating projects  = (350 points total) 35% 
    Notebook = (400 points total) 40%

·        Homework = (150 points total) 15%

·        Participation (100 points) = 10%

Grade Breakdown

Grade	Percentage	Points
A	90% to 100%	900-1000
B	80% to 89%	800-899
C	70% to 79%	700-799
D	60% to 69%	600-699
F	Less that 60%	599 and lower

SUPPLIES NEEDED: 1 spiral notebook for warm-ups, lesson notes and practice/homework,  2 pencils: You should have several pencils on hand, colored pencils or markers for highlighting and to make your notes more interesting/fun

DUE DATES:

The 4 main culminating projects are due on these dates:

• Culminating Project #1 DUE September 20 (9/20/12)
• Culminating Project #2 DUE October 19 (10/19/12)
• Culminating Project #3 DUE November 15 (11/15/12)
•  Culminating Project #4 DUE week of December 12 

*LATE WORK IS NOT ACCEPTED for culminating projects, but you get two “oops passes” for homework (nontransferable). I will happily check your work before the due date if you need help.

The Rules

•             Be prepared and bring all your materials to class.
•     Be in your seat and ready to work when the bell rings.
•     Be respectful to everyone.
•     Pay attention to the teacher or whoever has been given permission to speak.
•     Follow all school rules, including respecting other people’s property.

Positive Consequences:

1.      For students who maintain a B or higher in my class with no behavior problems I will provide positive activities for them.  The first of which is an art stenciling class.

2.    Happiness!

Negative Consequences:

1.      Teacher warning

2.    Lunch Detention, call home

3.    Lunch Detention, call home, team discipline (parents may be invited to attend as well)

4.    Lunch Detention, call home, referral to counselor

5.    Lunch Detention, call home, referral to assistant principal

August 14, 2012

Dear Family,

Hello!  My name is Sara Holland and I will be your young person’s 4^th period government teacher this coming school year. I am very excited to get to know my students and their families.  I hope to bring a passion for the world to your students and show them all that I have learned.  I have included a copy of the syllabus with this letter, please sign it and have your child return the syllabus.

My educational background includes a Master’s Degree in International Relations from Queen’s University, Belfast in Northern Ireland and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from the University of California, San Diego.  I enjoyed getting my education and want to see all of my students go to college to pursue their dreams.  I have worked in politics and with charities in Europe and in the United States.  I firmly believe education, like life, is a journey.  If I can do anything to assist you with your child’s education or if you have any questions please do not hesitate to email me at ms.saraholland@gmail.com or call the school at (310) 241-5800.

Kind regards,

Sara Holland

SIGNATURE PAGE

RETURN THIS PAGE with signatures in place

Student Name:

_____________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian:

___________________________________________________________________

Home Phone: _________________________________________

Parent/Guardian name:________________________________ 
Cell Phone: ________________

Parent/Guardian name:________________________________ 
Cell Phone: ____

Parent/Guardian Email____________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian 
Email:______________________

From the parent/guardian to the teacher:

Here is some important information that I would like you to know about my child:

By signing below, I am indicating that I have read and understand the above syllabus:

STUDENT Name (printed) ____________________________________________

Student’s Signature ____________________________________________

PARENT’S Name (printed) ____________________________________________

Parent’s Signature ____________________________________________