Mr. Degner
email: jdegner@rivervalleyschools.org
Phone: 756-9541, extension 1119
Current Events
Course Description: This is an introductory course that will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of current events in The United States and will have an emphasis on world events as well.
Course Outline: The course of study has been developed to correlate to the Michigan State Social Studies guidelines. Each unit will have a central theme that will correspond with at least one of the social science state standards. This course seeks to develop students’ written and verbal skills as they give voice to their opinions about the events that are covered. The course includes a highly structured format that will require all students to demonstrate their understanding through high-quality production.
In addition, we will be using a best-selling book called, “Freakonomics” by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner. This book looks at several phenomena in our culture and describes how people react to different incentives in society.
Grading Criteria: The grading scale will be based on the total accumulation of the points that the student receives on all of his or her assignments. Those assignments will include:
- Journal Writing
- Daily Quizzes
- Projects
- Tests
Grading Scale:
A=90%-100%
B=80%-89%
C=70%-79%
D=60%-69%
F=Below 60%
Grading Policies: All late or incomplete work will receive zero credit. Students with excused absences will be allowed to make up assignments as per the student handbook. If assignments are turned in with any profanity, vulgarity, or obscenity those students will receive a zero on that assignment.
Behavioral Requirements:
- Always give 100% Respect for all People, Ideas, and Property
- Always stay on Task
- Always follow directions the 1st time
- Always raise your hand before speaking
- Never bring the following into class: Cell Phones, I-Pods, Any other electronic device, food, drinks, hats, gang-based paraphernalia, clothing, or symbols. These items will be confiscated on sight and the student will be issued a disciplinary referral.
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Current Events Assigments/Homework
Check here for class assignments
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Economics
Course Description: This is an introductory course that will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the framework of Economic Systems. The main objective for students will be to demonstrate understanding and to analyze the behaviors and roles of buyers and sellers in both the Consumer Market and the Factors Market. The role of government in the economy, personal finance, and the conflict between Keynesian and Austrian economics will be taught.
Course Outline: The course of study has been developed to correlate to the Michigan State Social Studies guidelines. Each unit will have a central theme that will correspond with at least one of the social science state standards. This is a two-semester course which is required for graduation. The course includes a highly structured format that will require all students to demonstrate understanding through high-quality production.
Grading Criteria: The grading scale will be based on the total accumulation of the points that the student receives on all of his or her assignments. Those assignments will include:
- Daily Quizzes
- Chapter Notes
- Chapter Reviews
- Projects
- Tests
Units of Study:
This 1 semester course will include units that last for 3 weeks at a time. They include:
-Unit 1: Buyer/Demander Behavior
-Unit 2: Seller/Supplier Behavior
-Unit 3: Money and Banking
-Unit 4: Government Interventions
-Unit 5: Keynsian vs. Austrian Economics
-Unit 6: Personal Finance
Grading Scale:
A=90%-100%
B=80%-89%
C=70%-79%
D=60%-69%
F=Below 60%
Grading Policies: All late or incomplete work will receive zero credit. Students with excused absences will be allowed to make up assignments as per the student handbook. If assignments are turned in with any profanity, vulgarity, or obscenity those students will receive a zero on that assignment.
Behavioral Requirements:
- Always give 100% Respect for all People, Ideas, and Property
- Always stay on Task
- Always follow directions the 1st time
- Always raise your hand before speaking
- Never bring the following into class: Cell Phones, I-Pods, Any other electronic device, food, drinks, hats, gang-based paraphernalia, clothing, or symbols. These items will be confiscated on sight and the student will be issued a disciplinary referral.
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Economics Assignments / Homework
Check here for class assignments
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Government
Course Description: This is an introductory course that will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the framework of the US Government. The main objective for students will be to demonstrate understanding and to analyze the structures and roles of the 3 branches of government, as well as the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Course Outline: The course of study has been developed to correlate to the Michigan State Social Studies guidelines. Each unit will have a central theme that will correspond with at least one of the social science state standards. This is a two-semester course which is required for graduation. The course includes a highly structured format that will require all students to demonstrate understanding through high-quality production.
Grading Criteria: The grading scale will be based on the total accumulation of the points that the student receives on all of his or her assignments. Those assignments will include:
- Daily Quizzes
- Chapter Notes
- Chapter Reviews
- Projects
- Tests
Units of Study:
This 1 semester course will include units that last for 3 weeks at a time. They include:
-Unit 1: The Origins of American Government
-Unit 2: The Legislative Branch
-Unit 3: The Executive Branch
-Unit 4: The Judicial Branch:
-Unit 5: The Electoral System
-Unit 6: Comparative Government
Grading Scale:
A=90%-100%
B=80%-89%
C=70%-79%
D=60%-69%
F=Below 60%
Grading Policies: All late or incomplete work will receive zero credit. Students with excused absences will be allowed to make up assignments as per the student handbook. If assignments are turned in with any profanity, vulgarity, or obscenity those students will receive a zero on that assignment.
Behavioral Requirements:
- Always give 100% Respect for all People, Ideas, and Property
- Always stay on Task
- Always follow directions the 1st time
- Always raise your hand before speaking
Never bring the following into class: Cell Phones, I-Pods, Any other electronic device, food, drinks, hats, gang-based paraphernalia, clothing, or symbols. These items will be confiscated on sight and the student will be issued a disciplinary referral.
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Government Assignments / Homework
Check here for class assignments
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US History
Course Description: This is an introductory course that will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the framework and events of American History. The main objective for students will be to demonstrate understanding and to analyze American History from Reconstruction to the present.
Course Outline: The course of study has been developed to correlate to the Michigan State Social Studies guidelines. Each unit will have a central theme that will correspond with at least one of the social science state standards. This is a two-semester course which is required for graduation. The course includes a highly structured format that will require all students to demonstrate understanding through high-quality production.
The course will be broken into 12 three week units that cover the history of the United States from the era of Reconstruction to the Persian Gulf War. The units will proceed in this way:
-Unit 1: Reconstruction
-Unit 2: The Guilded Age
-Unit 3: The Progressive Era
-Unit 4: World War 1
-Unit 5: The Roaring 20s
-Unit 6: The Great Depression
-Unit 7: World War 2
-Unit 8: Post War America & Korean War
-Unit 9: Cold War
-Unit 10: Civil Rights Era & Vietnam War
-Unit 11: The 1970s
-Unit 12: The Collapse of the USSR & Persian Gulf War
Grading Criteria: The grading scale will be based on the total accumulation of the points that the student receives on all of his or her assignments. Those assignments will include:
- Daily Quizzes
- Chapter Notes
- Chapter Reviews
- Projects
- Tests
Grading Scale:
A=90%-100%
B=80%-89%
C=70%-79%
D=60%-69%
F=Below 60%
Grading Policies: All late or incomplete work will receive zero credit. Students with excused absences will be allowed to make up assignments as per the student handbook. If assignments are turned in with any profanity, vulgarity, or obscenity those students will receive a zero on that assignment.
Behavioral Requirements:
- Always give 100% Respect for all People, Ideas, and Property
- Always stay on Task
- Always follow directions the 1st time
- Always raise your hand before speaking
- Never bring the following into class: Cell Phones, I-Pods, Any other electronic device, food, drinks, hats, gang-based paraphernalia, clothing, or symbols. These items will be confiscated on sight and the student will be issued a disciplinary referral.
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US History Assignments / Homework
Check here for class assignments
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