Course description
In the Springboard
program, the units of instruction are focused on the academic skills in
reading and writing, collaborating and presenting that are needed to
prepare students for success in college and beyond. In this course, the
units of study focus on world literature in order to broaden the literary
landscape of high school students. The units begin with an investigation
of culture, working towards a definition and an understanding of the
commonalities and differences among human cultures as represented in
literature, media, and non-fiction from around the world. Students will
read widely and deeply and will be asked to write about and research ways
cultures communicate and the conflicts that sometimes arise between
cultures. The following are the units covered during the first semester
of the course:
·
Unit 1:
Cultural Conversations
·
Unit 2:
Families and Celebrations.
·
Unit 3:
Community
This course will
cover the Colorado Model Content Standards for reading and writing. For a
complete description of these standards you can visit the following
website:
http://curriculum.dpsk12.org/standards/read_writing.pdf
Materials
Responsibilities
Students will come to
class prepared to work every day with no exceptions. Cell phones, pagers,
CD players, and other similar electronic devices will not be permitted in
class. If these devices are visible or audible during class, they will be
confiscated and turned over to a Dean. Soda and candy will not be
permitted in class; however, bottled water will be allowed. All South
High School polices will be followed in class, and each student will be
respectful to his or her self and others in the classroom.
Course Requirements
In each unit, you will participate in a
student-centered, active learning environment. Within the different
activities, you will complete embedded assessments that will require you
to create, present, write and perform. You will also be required to create
and maintain an assessment portfolio. The assessment portfolio is an
important tool for organizing your work in this course. It also provides
another form of assessment to demonstrate how successfully you have met
the course objectives. The portfolio will include items that illustrate a
wide range of work, including examples of reading, writing, oral literacy,
and collaborative activities. You will be given opportunities to revisit
those pieces, revise them and reflect on the strategies used and successes
and challenges encountered.
Attendance and Tardy policy
Regular classroom
attendance is required to be successful in this course. On the third
unexcused absence a parent/guardian conference will be required with the
Counselor and the Academic Dean. Students may be assigned to the Academic
Success Room to complete missing course work and obtain tutoring
assistance. Students with habitual attendance issues may be placed on an
attendance contract, face legal intervention through State attendance laws
or may be referred to an alternative school. Students who fail courses and
do not obtain credits will be required to attend after-school credit
recovery courses. Habitually truant students over the age of 16 may be
withdrawn from school by an administrator. Also, it is the
student’s responsibility to find out what materials have been
covered in class when an absence occurs. It would be advisable to get at
least one classmate’s phone number in order to find out what material has
been covered in class.
All students will be
granted three tardies in each class per grading period. On the second
tardy, I will inform parents of the current tardy status and the next
consequence. On the fourth tardy, a referral will be given to the Dean of
Students listing the dates of the tardies and the date of parent contact.
The student will then receive an assignment to Saturday School. On the
fifth tardy, the student will receive an in-school suspension and a parent
conference for re-entry into school.
Grading
Grades will be based
on participation in class, homework assignments, embedded assessments and
the assessment portfolio. Grades will be measured by the standard letter
grade scale. The following is the grading scale adopted by DPS for the
2008-2009 school year:
Grading:
A 93-100%
A- 90-92%
B+ 87-89%
B 83-86%
B-
80-82%
C+ 77-79%
C 73-76%
C- 70-72%
D 60-69%
F 0-59%
A note on submitting assignments in electronic format or via e-mail
Since I am a firm
believer in students learning how to function in an increasingly digital
environment, I gladly accept written assignments saved on USB drives, CDs
(no 3½ disks, please) or via e-mail; however, if your document will not
open on my computer and is submitted at the last minute, the assignment
will be considered late. If your e-mailed assignment does not show up in
my inbox or the attached file will not open, it will be considered late.
Check with me for Word format compatibility questions and possible
blocking issues of e-mailed assignments.
Also, please remember
that I am here to help you. I am available 30 minutes before school,
during lunch and during my planning periods. You may also contact me via
e-mail with any questions you may have and I will respond as soon
possible. I want each and every one of you to be successful in this
class!
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Student
Signature Parent/Guardian
Signature
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