Mrs. McDaniel's syllabus

Bishop Carroll Catholic High School

Study Skills Applied Studies A+VPL

Study Skills

Year 2007-2008

Instructor: Mrs. Jennifer McDaniel

Contact Information: Office 722-2390 or mcdanieljennifer@bcchs.org

Home Room: Room 407

Office Hours: **7:20 am to 7:55 am and 3:15 pm to 3:45

Planning Period: **2^nd Hour approximately 9:10 to 9:55 am.

**Please let me know in advance if you plan to come in during my office hours.

Workbook: “How to Improve Your Study Skills – Workbook”

By Marcia J. Coman and Kathy L. Heavers

Materials: Pen/Pencil and Highlighter

Agenda/ Student Planner – will be checking for assignments

3-Ring Binder – 1” with side pockets

Loose Notebook Paper

Study Skills Workbook (Class Set Provided) / Or other requested materials

***Other Class Textbooks – Notes – Homework – Library Book

3 x 5” Index Cards – for flash cards, studying, and note taking

8-tab Dividers – 1 set

*** WE WILL WORK ON STUDY SKILLS FIRST AND FOREMOST AND WILL APPLY THOSE SKILLS TO ALL OTHER SUBJECTS AS NEEDED. THEREFORE IT IS IMPORTANT TO BRING MATERIALS FROM OTHER CLASSES.

Openings Covered in Study Skills:

Learning Styles Inventory Time Management Motivation

Note Taking Developing Study Skills Taking Tests

Improving Understanding Outlines/ Study Guides Organization

Increasing Reading Speed Increasing Vocabulary Skimming and Scanning

Prioritizing Procrastination Using the Dictionary Understanding Analogies

Goal Setting Gathering Organizing Info Stress Management

Keeping it Together Develop Positive Relationships

Classroom Goals: To become better disciples of time, talent, and treasure regarding academic progress and achievement.

Objectives:

Recognizing individual learning styles and embracing the challenges of applying those styles for student progress.
Show improvement in academic subjects by using a variety of study strategies.
Apply effort and perseverance to overcome academic challenges.
Utilize test taking strategies and time management to improve outcomes.
Develop a customized and affective organization system to improve academics.
Embrace RESPONSIBILITY for their own academic and personal BEHAVIOR.

Classroom Expectations

We will treat each other with respect
We will come to class prepared and on time
We will participate in all discussions and activities
We will keep the classroom clean and organized
We will obey all school rules

Classroom Policies:

Assignments and Homework

All assignments and homework will be posted on the board. Homework will be handed in at the beginning of class the next day, unless otherwise stated. Grades on late homework will receive a 50% reduction if turned in one day late and a zero after that.

Grading Information

I will be reviewing grades weekly with students in all their classes. Agendas will be reviewed daily and points given for complete information for all classes. Grades will also include participation points along with assignments, quizzes, and tests.

Your semester grade will be cumulative and based on the following:

1^st 9 Weeks: 45% Daily points, assignments, tests, and other projects.

2^nd 9 Weeks: 45% Daily points, assignments, tests, and other projects.

Semester Exam: 10% Comprehensive Test

Make Up Work: Will be in a folder at the front of the classroom with a label for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND IT AND COMPLETE THE ASSIGNMENT IN A TIMELY MANNER. Work assigned prior to an excused absence is due on the date of the student’s return or on the due date. If an absence is unexcused (this includes suspensions) students will receive NO credit.

Make Up Test: Will be given before or after school on the day the student returns or by appointment or other arrangement agreed upon by both parties. Tests not made up within three days will receive a zero.

Cheating: Will not be tolerated in my class. If a student is caught cheating he/she will be given a zero on the assignment/test and parents and administration will be notified.

Attendance: Students are expected to be present in class both mentally and physically every day. Students are to be in the classroom and in their seats ready to learn when the bell rings. Students who are tardy may choose between a demerit and serving 10 minutes before or after school in my classroom (room 407). If you know in advance that you will miss a class please see me ahead of time so we can discuss assignments.

Hall Pass-Sign In/Sign Out: Students will have 10 passes per semester to use at your discretion to get items from your lockers, go to the restroom, get a drink, etc… Any passes you use after that will require you to come in for 15 minutes after school to make up the time. Agendas must be filled out and signed and you must have your study skills hall pass. If you do not have these you will not be permitted to leave my room. You will get 1 extra credit point for each pass you have left at the end of the semester.

Cell Phones: In accordance with school policy any cell phones that are visible will be confiscated. This includes cell phones that are in pockets, purses, and backpacks if they can be seen or heard. If I catch you with a cell phone during a test or quiz I will assume you are cheating and you will receive a zero.

Dear Parents;

First I want to thank you for taking the time to read over this syllabus. I know that your time is valuable and I thank you for caring enough about your student’s education to take time out of your busy days. As a teacher I understand and appreciate the faith you are placing in me to help educate your student. I believe each one of the students in my class has been placed here for a reason. Hopefully, working together we can help your student reach their full potential and help them become the successful person that God made them. I want you to know that I take this partnership very seriously. I look forward to working with you to help accomplish the school goal of assisting you in forming disciples of Christ who enrich the culture as stewards of God’s gifts. In doing this I hope to accomplish the classroom goal of helping students become better disciples of time, talent, and treasure regarding academic progress and achievement.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me through the office at 722-2390 or preferably through email at mcdanieljennifer@bcchs.org If you have access to an email account please include an email address on this form. Students will have the opportunity to earn extra credit by bringing in supplies for class use. Points will be awarded for the following: Kleenex, markers, colored pencils, crayons, construction paper, copy paper, poster board, antibacterial hand gel, scissors, glue, and folders. The maximum number of points available is ten. Again, I look forward to working with you and your student this year. Please detach this sheet and sign and return the bottom portion by August 24, 2007.

Sincerely,

Jennifer McDaniel

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I understand the requirements of this class. I understand what actions are expected of me (or my student) when in this class and I agree to abide by the rules set forth by Mrs. McDaniel and Bishop Carroll Catholic High School.

___________________________________ _________________________________

Parent Signature email address

___________________________________

Student Signature

Please sign and turn in by August 24, 2007

Applied Skills

Year 2007-2008

Instructor- Contact Information:

Mrs. Jennifer McDaniel mcdanieljennifer@bcchs.org

Home room: Room 407 (604 and 605)

Office Hours: 7:30am to 7:55am and 3:15pm to 4:00 pm

Planning Period - **2^nd Hour, approximately 9:10 am to 9:55 am. **

**4^th Hour, approximately 11:00am to 12:30pm**

** Please let me know in advance if you plan to come in during my office hours. I will be in meetings during my 2^nd hour planning period on Tuesdays . Also, I may have other meetings on occasion or may not be available in my office. Thank You.

Textbooks from other classes:

Materials: C Pen/Pencil and Highlighter

C Agenda/ Student Planner- will be checking for assignments

C Loose Notebook Paper

C Other requested materials

C *** Other Class Textbooks -Notes - Homework- Library Book

C 3 x 5” Index Cards- for flash cards, studying, and note taking

***EXPECT TO HAVE SOMETHING TO DO EVERYDAY. ***

IF TIME IS NOT USED WISELY STUDY TIME WILL BE LOST AND REPLACED WITH LECTURE OR ASSIGNMENTS. DURING STUDY HALL DAYS STUDENTS WILL BE GRADED ON HOW THEY INCORPORATE TAUGHT STUDY SKILLS IN OTHER CLASSES. I WILL ALSO BE TRACKING THE STUDENTS PROGRESS IN OTHER CLASSES AND REVIEWING IT WITH THEM DURING THIS TIME.

Covered in Applied Study Skills if time allows:

Learning Styles Inventory Time Management Motivation

Note Taking Developing Study Skills Taking Tests

Outlines/Study Guides Organization Increasing Vocabulary

Skimming and Scanning Prioritizing Procrastination

Analogies Goal Setting Gathering Organizing Info

Stress Management Keeping it Together Develop Positive Relationships

Classroom Goals: jTo become better disciples of time, talent, and treasure regarding academic progress and achievement. j

Objectives:

URecognizing individual learning styles and embracing the challenges of applying those styles for student progress.

UShow improvement in academic subjects by using a variety of study strategies.

UApply effort and perseverance to overcome academic challenges.

UUtilize test taking strategies and time management to improve outcomes.

UDevelop a customized and affective organization system to improve academics.

UEmbrace RESPONSIBILITY for their own academic and personal BEHAVIOR.

Classroom Expectations:

< Students will come with all requested materials & agenda

<Students will be in their seats for opening prayer when the bell rings.

<Computer use will be for approved purposes only (with teacher permission)

<Respect others, your teacher, and yourself as you would like to be respected.

<No eating, drinking (water bottles ONLY allowed) or chewing gum in class.

<I dismiss you at the end of class not the bell. (stay seated until I dismiss you)

<Respect your Classroom- no writing, sitting, leaning on desks.

<Follow all posted rules and those in the BCCHS Handbook

(demerits will result if any of these expectations are abused)

Assignments and Homework All assignments and homework will be posted on the board. Homework will be handed in at the beginning of class the next day, unless

otherwise stated. Homework must have in the upper Right Corner:

Name

Hour

Date

Make Up Work: IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND IT AND COMPLETE THE ASSIGNMENT IN A TIMELY MANNER.

Make Up Test: Will be given before or after school on the day the student returns or by appointment or other arrangement agreed upon by both parties.

Cheating will not be tolerated in my class or from any other class. If a student is caught cheating he/she will be given a zero on the assignment/test and (the other teacher) parents, and administration will be notified.

Grading Information

I will be reviewing grades weekly with students in ALL their classes. Agendas will be reviewed daily and points given for complete information for all classes. Student will have participation points everyday along with assignments, quizzes and tests.

Your Semester grade will be based on the following

1^st 9 Weeks: 45% Daily points, assignments, tests, and other projects.

2^nd 9 Weeks: 45% Daily points, assignments, tests, and other projects.

Semester Exam: 10% Comprehensive Test

Grading Scale

A+ = 99-100 B+ = 91-92 C+ = 83-84 D+ = 74-75

A = 95-98 B = 87-90 C = 78-82 D = 72-73

A- = 93-94 B- = 85-86 C- = 76-77 D- = 70-71

Hall Pass-Sign In Sign Out

Students will have 10 passes per semester to use at your discretion to get items from lockers, go to the restroom, get a drink, etc... Anytime you step out my door you will sign out on my clipboard by the door with the date and time, why you are leaving, where you are going, and must sign back in upon returning with the time. Agendas must be signed as well and if you do not have it you will not leave my room. You will get 1 Extra Credit Point for each pass you have left and the end of the semester.

______________________________________________________

“Do the BEST you CAN

With What you’ve GOT

WHEREVER you’re at RIGHT NOW”

“When setbacks occur, you do not change your decision to go for the goal, you simply change your direction in order to get there.” Zig Ziglar

* Keep this Syllabus in you’re Applied Studies 3-ring binder to reference.*

*PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SEND A BOX OF TISSUES FOR CLASSROOM USE**

Parents/Guardian(s):

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the class! You can reach me through the office by phone at 722-2390, please know that it may take some time to get the message to me, but I will return your call. I am also available during my plan time as indicated in the syllabus. I can also be reached through e-mail and would like to get in touch with you by e-mail if possible as well. Thank you for your time and continued help in forming your child into a

Disciple of Christ

Mrs. Jennifer McDaniel

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This is a written promise that you and your student agree with the terms outlined in the syllabus. Please sign on the given lines below along with your student. Detach the information and return to school for 5 points.

Student______________________________ Date______________

Parent(s) Signature ___________________________ Date_____________

Parents Printed Name _________________________

Phone ________________________ E-mail _______________________

Materials required for each class: 3-ring binder/notebook paper or spiral notebook with pockets

Students must bring their agenda books to serve as hall passes. The agenda books are also excellent for recording class assignments.

What is A+? A+ is a virtual prescriptive learning program VPL and is used in many Kansas schools to provide courses for credit and for skill assessment. Courses for high school credit are comprised of an initial assessment and lessons prescribed based on this assessment, offline assignments, and a final review test.

Grades: Students must earn at least 80% on all assignments and lesson mastery tests, and must complete the review test to receive course credit. Students will also earn daily points. Daily grades are based on the student having his/her notebook and being on task all period and respectful of people & equipment, for a possible 10 points per day. The daily grades will be combined and recorded as a weekly grade.

Students will be assigned lessons by the computer program based on their performance on the initial assessment. Points will be earned by taking acceptable notes for each lesson and performance on the lesson mastery test.

Students will be expected to show adequate weekly progress as they complete their assigned lessons. Failure to meet weekly completion goals will result in mandatory before and/or after school work sessions to catch up.

All lesson mastery tests and the final exam must be completed in the classroom, with prior instructor permission. All coursework must be completed by the scheduled end of the semester to receive course credit.

The final semester grade is based on 1^st Quarter grade (45%), 2^nd Quarter grade (45%), and semester final (10%).

30% - Mastery Tests Completions-with 80% or better on all assignments and lesson

50% - Worksheets, Weekly Participation points, Quizzes, and Projects, Review Tests

If necessary the student will be sent out of the classroom for unacceptable behavior. In this case the student will receive a zero for any daily work.

Parents/Guardians: Please feel free to e-mail me at any time to get updates on your student. I want to keep you involved and email is the best way to reach me. If that is a good way to reach you, please provide your email address below. If you call the school please leave a message and I will return your call as soon as possible. Please note that I plan to update PowerSchool at least once a week. In the comments section I will regularly update you on your student’s progress.

My goal as a teacher is to help each student to do his or her best to achieve academic success. Students must exercise the virtue of fortitude to meet their individual challenges. Working together we can have an enjoyable and productive semester!