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American Civics: The Introduction. How to Succeed in Civics Without Really Trying (Very Much). Taking Notes: Note taking is a VERY important skill to practice But knowing WHAT to write down is just as important Mr. Staten (and this class) moves at ludicrous speed
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How to Succeed in Civics Without Really Trying (Very Much) • Taking Notes: Note taking is a VERY important skill to practice • But knowing WHAT to write down is just as important • Mr. Staten (and this class) moves at ludicrous speed • If you see something that is underlined…WRITE IT DOWN! • If it’s not underlined…you don’t have to write it down • COLOR WORDS are important vocabulary terms!
Arm Yourself (Helpful Hints) • If I were you I’d make sure I have: • 2 spiral college-ruled notebooks (1 per semester) • 1 Three-ring binder • Plenty of Pencils/Pens • Do Your Homework – It’s important for grades! • Homework = 25% • Tests = 25% • Classwork = 20% • Quizzes = 15% • Projects = 15%
Why Grades Add Up This Way • Homework and Tests equal 25% Each • A high homework grade WILL balance out a bad test grade (so bombing a test won’t kill you!) • BUT late homework (unexcused) = automatic zero • You can afford to miss a few assignments if you need too, but they will add up • Classwork/Quizzes/Tests combined = 50% • If you do what’s expected of you it’s virtually IMPOSSIBLE to fail this class • But it has been done…if YOU chose to…
Strategies for Excelling • There is basically ONE surefire ways to guarantee that you will fail this class: • The Gambler’s Ruin Strategy: • You do ZERO Homework and GAMBLE EVERYTHING on the tests • I had a joker try this last year • He finished with a 38%...that I curved UP
Homework Procedure • I will make a deal with you right now • I will push you hard Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday • In exchange, I will do my best to avoid giving you homework on weekends…and see to it that you ALWAYS have an opportunity to start and even finish your homework in class • How much homework you have is contingent upon how you conduct yourself and how much we get done in class
Homework Procedure • When I assign homework… • You have until close of school the next day to turn it in. (I give an assignment Monday, you have until 3:15 PM Tuesday to turn it in.) • You can turn it in anytime before this deadline • All you have to do is: • Go to the Homework Corner • Find the Maroon folder that has your class on it (A, B, D, F) • Place your Homework in the Folder and DONE!
The Deal Continued • Because you have the ability to turn your homework in at your convenience… • THERE ARE NO EXCUSES FOR NOT DOING YOUR HOMEWORK • UNEXCUSED, LATE HOMEWORK IS AN AUTOMATIC ZERO! (See school policy) • If you have a problem or need help and you come talk to me BEFORE LUNCHTIME, then we can work things out.
The Classroom Archive • Each class in American Civics has its own unique binder • This is a living record of everything our class does • Once a day, someone will take that day’s handouts, notes, packet and place in the TOP, RIGHT CORNER: • The Day of the Week, the Month, Date, and Year • And then place the packet in the binder
The Classroom Archive • Suppose you were sick and missed two days…(or you need an extra copy of that study guide! Or your internet/printer went bust!) • When you come back, you can: • Go to your classroom archive • Pick out the notes/handouts for the days you missed • Make copies at the photocopier • Return the notes/handouts to the archive in case anyone else needs them
The Noise Meter • A quick, visual cue to demonstrate where we as a class are operating: • RED: SILENT…that means absolutely NO TALKING • YELLOW: LIBRARY LEVEL…that means your voice should be at a WHISPER • This is a time for independent work, or quiet work with a close partner • GREEN: FANCY RESTAURANT…you may TALK QUIETLY
Historical Terms • B.C. : Before Christ …used to describe events and years before the birth of Jesus Christ (obviously) • So 1769 BC is how many years before the birth of Christ? • A.D. : Anno Domini – In the Year of Our Lord…used to describe events after the birth of Jesus Christ • A.D. always comes before the year – AD 2011
Historical Terms • B.C.E. – Before the Common Era (Similar to BC) • C.E. – Common Era (Similar to A.D.) • CE always appears AFTER the year (1992 CE) • Historians use both BC/BCE and AD/CE interchangeably, so either convention is acceptable. • Ca – circa (Latin for around) is used when we don’t know the exact date of an event, but we’re sure it happened…around that year!
Transformers • Sometimes, our class will have to change based on what we are doing. • Desks, chairs, and people will have to move, and move FAST…Ludicrous Speed! • So we can get done what we need to get done in creative, fun, and unique ways • Try it out! Find out which class can move the fastest!