Communications Syllabus

Dear Parents:

Below a reader will find a course description and objectives, supplies, grading policy, assessment, classroom expectations, and communication with the teacher. All materials are available at my main page. Few handouts will be given.

Course Description and Objectives:

My students can attain success in this speech class. The student will be studying basic speaking skills. Emphasis is placed on helping students organize, develop, and present ideas to the audience. Students use personal experience and researched facts to present speeches varying in length from two to seven minutes, as well as learn appropriate discussion and interview techniques. The Madeline Hunter Process Model of Teaching is used daily. We also work in Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences and Bloom’s Taxonomy.

Supplies:

The student will need the following:

The student will need the following: pens, pencils, paper, folder, highlighters, binder (to keep all writing in), and dividers (4).

Please place dividers in binder. Label each 1st Quarter and 2nd Quarter. At the end of the quarter, the binder should contain all writings a student creates for that quarter.

These will be checked on Monday (Tuesday, if there is a holiday) of the second full week of school.

Grading Policy:

Grades are calculated on the board approved grading scale. 93-100 = A; 90-92 = A-; 87-89 = B+; 83-86 = B; 80-82 = B-; 77-79 = C+; 73-76 = C; 70-72 = C-; 67-69 = D+; 63-66 = D; 60 – 62 = D-; 59 – Below = F.

Each speech will be assigned a point value, depending on length and difficulty. This is a performance-based class and students will receive many speaking opportunities.

There is no extra credit.

Assessment:

Speeches are meant to be an accurate reflection of the curriculum objectives. Make up work follows the school policy in the student/parent handbook. A child must show his or her admit slip upon returning. Once back, the student has the same number of days missed to make up assignments. Please turn these assignments into the teacher.

Late work receives a one-letter grade deduction per day late. All students need to keep a weekly planner with all assignments written in it, and it will be checked from time-to-time.

Speeches

Students will have an opportunity to improve and showcase a variety of speaking skills including body language, gestures, rate, tone, posture, eye contact and vocal expression.

Classroom Expectations and Guidelines:

Upon entering the room students are to get into an assigned seat, so I may take attendance. If a student is not in his or her seat when the bell rings, he or she is late. We will have assigned seats during the first quarter. During the second, third, and fourth quarters, students may select seats. The teacher reserves the right to change seats if necessary. At the beginning of class, I will raise my right hand meaning class is beginning. In addition, this signal will be used during the class to bring the class to attention for things like announcements. When turning in or passing out an assignment, all paper work will be passed to the side.

A break down of the year is included.

SEMESTER BREAKDOWN FOR 2003 AND 2004

First Quarter

1. Personal experience

2. Pet peeve

3. Sales

4. Demonstration

Second Quarter

1. Informative

2. Award acceptance

3. Dedication

4. Persuasion

Other speeches may be added as time allows. Interviewing techniques will be offered and practiced.

Computer Lab Procedure:

A student may sit where he or she likes, but I reserve the right to change seats. Also, a student may listen to music while typing provided it does not distract from finishing an assignment; also, he or she must have headphones. A student may not listen to music without headphones.

FINAL:

Test over above material.

Hall passes are available from me. A bathroom pass will be given to a student once a week (unless there are extenuating circumstances).

All people in the room are expected to work together to ensure a safe environment. If a student has a question, please raise a hand; also, if we are working in groups or if another student is presenting a project, a student is expected to stay on the educational objective. In order to guarantee your child, and all the students in my classroom, the excellent learning climate they deserve, I am utilizing the following assertive discipline plan starting today.

Mr. Marsala’s Classroom Guideline

A student must work to reach the educational objective for each day.

If a student chooses to break this guideline, the consequences are as follows:

First consequence: Verbal warning.

Second consequence: A talk with the teacher and a detention.

Third consequence: A call home and two detentions.

Fourth consequence: Parent/teacher conference.

Fifth consequence: An office referral.

The tardy policy follows the parent/student handbook.

Parent/Teacher Communication:

If we work together, the child will have a better chance at success. Midterm and quarter notices will be sent and state a child’s progress. Please feel free to call me at (440) 933-6290. In addition, I have established an e-mail address at vmarsa@leeca.org. The phone number and email address shown are for educational use only by parents/adults. Student phone calls and/or emails will not receive a response at any time. As with any email, I can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Disclaimer:

This is not meant to be all encompassing. As the year progresses, there may be a need for additional assignments or modifications to expectations.

Sincerely yours,

Vincent Marsala

Teacher