Welcome to United States Government!

Mr. Mark Hoffman 
(Email: hoffmanm@trenton.k12.mi.us)
(Web: http://www.geocities.com/mrhoffman_2000)
(Best Times to Reach Me: Whenever you want, via email)

I'm honored to be your teacher!  I look forward to a great semester of learning with all of you!

Grading:
It's all based on points--proportional to what you do.  Everything will be worth a specific amount, and you'll usually know up front how much everything's worth.  
Formula: pts earned / total pts:
>100 = A+	99-94 = A	93-90 = A-
89-87 =	B+ 	86-83 = B	82-80 = B-
79-77 =	C+	76-73 = C	72-70 = C-
69-67 = D+	66-63 = D	62-60 = D-

A bit more on the Ground Rules:
PREPAREDNESS: Come to my class ready with the following:
1)	Pens and Pencils
2)	A Spiral Notebook (Better yet, more than one, since you can fill them up fast)
3)	A folder (for handouts, which I'll inundate you with by the end of the year)
PUNCTUALITY: Be on time!  I tolerate NO excuses for tardiness!  This includes the infamous "I'm going to be late so don't mark me tardy" nonsense . . .
PARTICIPATION: You learn a LOT this way, for many reasons, which is why I grade it . . .
RESPECT: It's required all around (you to me, me to you , and each other . . . I value the latter the most).
RESPONSIBILITY: This is best done by following the ground rules, doing your best on the grading scale, and GETTING TO WORK!
Other things to know:

About Extra Credit: 
	You'll want to pay close attention to this—or see the class site . . .
If you need extra help,
1)	ASK, ASK, ASK!!!  The odds are that I'll be on hand to help while you work in class.
2)	We can set up a time to meet after school if necessary.
3)	Email me!
4)	Check my Web site!

Other Matters:
1)	About Food, Drink, Backpacks and Other Provisions

2)	The Warmup Board and the “For Next Time”

3)	“What’s Going On?”

About how to write in this class:
Every so often, I'll ask you to write something for me.  I'll give you one of two broad writing formats:

1)	"Do a Type _______ writing on . . ."
2)	"Do an expository essay on . . ."

The way to do the first format is as follows:
a)	In the upper-right-hand corner, write:
-	your name
-	the date
-	the writing type (I, II, III, IV, V)
-	the number of pages
b)	In the upper-left-hand corner, write:
-	Any requirements (other than number of pages) that the writing assignment has, including page limits
-	Due Date
c)	Skip lines as you write

THE WRITING TYPES:
•	Type I: Writing without a correct answer--just your "reasonable best effort" at something.
•	Type II: Writing that makes a point and has a CORRECT ANSWER (or answers).
•	Type III: Writing with serious content, and 2-3 or more requirements.
•	Type IV: Writing that's been read out loud, critiqued by another, and 2 copies submitted (one with corrections and a final draft).
•	Type V: Writing suitable for publication--the BEST WRITING POSSIBLE.
 
The way to write in the second manner (an expository essay) is as follows:

1)	It must have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
2)	Each paragraph must tie in some way to the one before and/or after it
3)	It looks like this:

Introduction

Body (separated by paragraphs, whenever applicable).

Thesis Statement
& Restatement

Conclusion

Write in a manner that narrows down your thoughts to the thesis, proves what you said in the thesis, and then restates the thesis and "writes your way out of the essay."