Course: Civics/Econ/CWP Semester 2

Credit: 1.0 (year long) - this the second half of a course meets state and district mandated graduation requirements.

Enduring Understandings

This course is a thematic study of Contemporary World Problems. Students will, as a class, select a particular issue to explore over the course of the term, and will make connections between that issue and aspects of geography, economics, global politics, and the effect this issue has on their local community

Thinking

Skills

Grading

Semester 2 

Late Work/Make-Up Policy

Students need to make every effort to turn in assigned work on time.

Work turned in after the due date will incur an automatic 20% penalty.  This means the maximum score possible for a 10 point assignment becomes 8 points, and the maximum score possible for a 15 point assignment becomes 12 points.  Tests will not be penalized for being done late, but for timed, in-class tests the student will need to arrange to make it up during office hours.

Generally, all work will be due at 11:59pm on the due date.  An exception will be in-class participation assignments which will be due at the end of the class period.

Submitted assignments may not be re-done.

Attendance

All school wide attendance policies apply. These policies are changing and evolving in the district. The easiest way to comply is to show up and engage during all sessions. Show up promptly during scheduled class meetings and stay until you are dismissed.  

If you are having internet connection issues, it is important to contact Mr. Spasojevic and Mr. Van Wyck as soon as possible.  

On Wednesdays, which are considered asynchronous days, it will be necessary to fill out the Google attendance form in order to be marked present for that day.


Classroom Distractions and Disruptions (The Rules)

We are here to learn. Behavior and actions that distract from the learning of any student are not acceptable. It is necessary to demonstrate respect for other students, teachers, the classroom space (both virtual and real), and yourself. If we all demonstrate this respect for each other and our classroom, disruptions disappear.


All school wide rules from your handbook apply. Please, do not share our login information with anyone. We must protect privacy. Do not capture screen shots of people on Zoom. If information is being presented, ask and I may share that information in Canvas.

Zoom Norms 

  1. Dress the way you would in school, whatever that means. There are school rules around dress and those do apply, but clothing is an expression of oneself. Express yourself the way you want to and respect the way others express themselves.

  2. When joining a Zoom meeting, do your best to be in a distraction free, quiet place.

  3. When you log in, be sure that you are using your real last name in your username. Otherwise, you may not be admitted to the Zoom session.

  4. Please try to encourage those around you (family members, etc.) to respect your learning in an online class so that they do not unknowingly or unnecessarily interrupt you.

  5. Please keep your audio on mute until you want to speak. This will help to limit background noise. If you would like to speak or ask a question or answer a question, raise your hand and move it slightly near the camera and wait to be called on. Real hands work better with me than Zoom hands.

  6. The chat feature can be a useful tool. If it is turned on, limit your chat to the topic of conversation in class. This is not a place to make jokes or have sidebar conversations.

  7. If you need to be off camera for a quick minute, leave your camera on and do what you must. If you need to leave for a longer period, get the teacher's attention and ask. Act like we are in the classroom.

  8. Be present and engaged in class. As much as possible, have your cameras on, pay attention to what is happening, and participate in whole class and breakout room discussions. There is nothing less respectful than being ignored. Ignoring questions and contributions from others communicates a lack of caring and concern.

  9. Aside from attendance rules, coming and going is distracting. It is not polite to be coming and late and/or leaving early. It is clear from comments that many students, and staff, are bothered by this and view it as a lack of respect.

  10. Expect technical problems. If you are having serious issues, do your best to communicate this to those you are trying to interact with. We are all new to this and we will need to be creative in letting others know we are having problems without disrupting class.

  11. Assume positive intentions in others. We are all learning to deal with a new and strange way of learning. If you are concerned with something, ask questions first. Ask why something is happening rather than just thinking the worst of someone. Sometimes something that seems rude is actually just a misunderstanding.