High School American Gov't. & Econ

​Teacher: Kenny Katz
Email: kkatz@stanbridgeacademy.org

Grading
  • 50% Google Classroom assignments
  • 25% Classroom participation
  • 25% Assessments
Description: American Government provides students with an understanding of civic life, politics, as well as a short history of American government’s foundation and development. Students will learn how power and responsibility are shared and limited by government, the impact American politics has on world affairs, the place of law in the American constitutional system, and which rights the American government guarantees to its citizens. Students will learn how to become active and alert participants and how they can influence their government. Students will also examine how the world is organized politically and how civic participation in the American political system compares to that in other societies around the world today. For our first topic, we will delve into elections, where we will thoroughly examine political parties, nominations, electing of the President, as well as the impact money has on elections. In the second half of the year we will gain a greater understanding of economics, studying the viewpoint of the individual consumer or small business owner to the global economy. We will study the law of supply and demand, forms of business, labor unions, government finances and influence on the economy, money and prices, as well as inflation and deflation cycles.
Google Classroom Links (click to go to the login page) Parents have to accept invitations to Google Classroom in order to receive notifications.
In order to foster greater student independence, Stanbridge does not provide parents with student log-in information.
If you would like access to your student’s google classroom, you will need to ask them for their log-in information.

American Government and Economics Curriculum Resources
  • Core Text: Magruder’s American Government by Shea; 2018 Pearson Education, Inc
  • Secondary Text: Economics: Principles in Action by O’Sullivan and Sheffrin; 2016 Pearson Education, Inc 
  • Resources: All assignments will be posted on Google Classroom. Students should check their Stanbridge Academy email daily for updates on what work we will be doing during class.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to do the following:
  • Understand the basic concepts of democratic thought.
  • Analyze the formation, concepts, and components of the United States Constitution.
  • Investigate the idea of federalism and explain the role of states and the national government in America’s political environment.
  • Explore America’s political culture and examine the traits and beliefs of the American voter.
  • Identify America’s major political parties, their core beliefs, and the impact minor parties and special interest groups can have on their actions.
  • Understand the electoral process in the United States.
  • Investigate the modern media and its impact on public opinion.
  • Understand the concept of scarcity, opportunity costs, and marginal benefit.
  • Learn about the labor market and marketing methods.
  • Explore the relationship of the concept of incentives to the law of supply & demand.
  • Identify and differentiate the types of business organizations that exist.
  • Analyze aggregate economic behavior of the U.S. economy.

Executive Functioning Support
In order to support long term planning, organization, and work completion, the following procedures are in place:
  • Classwork is assigned on Google Classroom.
  • Classroom routines and procedures are explained and reinforced each class period. 
  • Assignments include clear, step by step instructions and a timeline for completion.
  • Specific skills are practiced daily during class.
  • Students are allowed opportunities to improve their grades by correcting quizzes and tests.

Classroom Expectations
  • Accept challenges.
  • Ask questions.
  • Learn from mistakes.
  • Keep trying.

Attendance Expectations 
  • Have parent email teacher, Linda, and student's Advisor when you are going to be absent.
  • Arrive on time.
  • Bring all materials, including Daily Planner.
  • Request break from teacher using private chat feature.