This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
- Can I hand in my homework or projects late?
- How much does class participation really count?
- Do I need to bring my book to class everyday?
- What happens if I lose my book?
- When can I come for extra help?
- What will I be learning this year?
- How will I be graded?
- What if I missed an assignment?
- I emailed you my assignment. Why didn't you get it?
- Do you really live in Pennsylvania?
- Well, if you live in PA, why are you a Yankees fan?
- You don't seriously like the Flyers do you?
- Why are you obsessed with panda bears?
Can I hand in my homework or projects late?
Yes. Homework will be accepted up until the next day you have class with me.
However, you will only be given half credit for that assignment. Projects can
also be handed in late, however, you will lose 10 points for each day it is
late. Don't forget you can always email your assignments in too so they won't
be considered late!
You can usually find most homework assignment on the handout page for your
class here on teacherweb if you lost them. Check regularly though - once the
unit is finished the posted items will be deleted from the handout page so
newer assignments can be put up.
How much does class participation really count?
All grades are done on the point system and class participation is worth 100
points. This does not necessarily mean you have to
constantly answer questions or make comments. You can earn class
participation points simply by paying attention in class and coming prepared
to class with your homework, book, notebook, etc. Also remember that if you
lose points from your class participation, you have the whole marking period
to gain them back - just because you lost points one day doesn't mean they're
gone for good!
Do I need to bring my book to class everyday?
Technically, you should because you never know when we'll use it. If I know in
advance that we definitely won't be using the textbook, I will try to let you
know so that you don't have to bring it to class.
You may take advantage of leaving your book in the classroom if both you and a
parent/guardian have signed and returned the book contract given to you in the
beginning of the year.
What happens if I lose my book?
Tell me right away so that we can get you a new book to replace it. However,
if you do not find your book by the end of the year, you will have to pay the
fine to replace the book. Prices for books are listed below:
You & the Law - $50
AP GoPo Text (big book) - $80
AP GoPo Reader (small book) - $27
When can I come for extra help?
Almost any time. Just see me (either in person or send me an email) and we'll
work out a time that works best for both of us!
What will I be learning this year?
That depends on the class you're taking!
AP U.S. Government and Politics will learn about the foundations of the
government and how our system of democracy has managed to last over 200 years.
Specific topics include the beginnings of government in the U.S.; Political
Culture & opinions; the Presidency; Congress; the Supreme Court; as well as
several other topics that will help prepare you to take the AP test in the
spring (if you choose to do so).
You and the Law students will look at several cases throughout the year to
better understand law in everyday life. Topics include ways to solve problems;
crimes and criminal justice; tort law; consumer law; family law; and
individual rights and responsibilities. We will have several discussions in
class and perform many mock trials. Possible field trips include the Scotch
Plains Police Academy and Union County Courthouse.
Global Perspectives students can expect to learn about topics relating to the
world today. The course is brand new to the school this year and focuses on
five core themes: global citizenship, comparative systems and globalization,
security issues including human rights issues, terrorism, and other conflicts,
planet awareness, and evaluations and expectations for global advancements.
How will I be graded?
Everything is worth a certain amount of points. Tests and major
projects are worth more points than homework assignments and quizzes. You can
expect a variety of assessment techniques including tests, essays, debates,
projects, presentations, mock trials (for the Law students) and anything else
I can think of that will assess your knowledge of the material (and hopefully
be more fun than just taking a plain old test!)
What if I missed an assignment?
Check the appropriate links to access handouts for your class. If it's
something that couldn't be uploaded to this site, see me in class for a copy.
Remember that if you miss a test or an essay you have one week to make it up
before it becomes a ZERO (unless there are special circumstances).
I emailed you my assignment. Why didn't you get it?
If you sent the assignment as an attachment in the email you have to make sure
you put something in both the subject line of the email as well as the actual
body of the email. Otherwise the school's server doesn't let it go through and
your email ends up somewhere out there in cyberspace.
Do you really live in Pennsylvania?
Yup. I know ... I'm nuts ;-)I got this job right out of college, so I moved to
Woodbridge for the 1st year I taught here. Loved teaching here; hated living
in Woodbridge. So I moved back to PA where I grew up with my family and friends.
Well, if you live in PA, why are you a Yankees fan?
2 words: Derek Jeter ;-) Plus my dad and grandparents were Yankees fans so I
grew up watching the Yankees.
You don't seriously like the Flyers do you?
Yes, I am a psychotic Flyers fan. I'll also root for the Hurricanes (as long
as they're not playing the Flyers) - but only because Philly traded my
favorite player there. Hockey rules. It is the best sport on the planet! And
sooner or later the Flyers will win the Stanley Cup :-)
Why are you obsessed with panda bears?
Because I am. Now go help them so they don't become extinct. And stop being so
nosy! :-P