Pursuing Truth, Wisdom,
and Excellence
8th Grade Speech Syllabus
Fall 2016
Mr. Rodney Gutsch
Speech Grade 8
Room 192
Email: (preferred method of communication)
Phone: 303.289.8088 Ext. 192
Course Description:
8th Grade Speech is intended for students to cultivate their understanding and skills in effective public speaking. Students will prepare and present informative, instructional, entertaining, and persuasive speeches. Additionally, students are introduced to basic researching, argumentation, questioning, and rebuttal skills through a variety and range of debate disciplines.
Course Expectations:
Students in this 8th Grade Speech class are expected to cultivate oral communications, writing, and research skills. Students must keep up with presentations and academic assignments, and positively participate in all class activities. Students are expected to come to class prepared and to complete assignments on time.
Classroom Behavior Guidelines:
●I will treat you with respect, so you will know how to treat me.
●Feel free to do anything that doesn't cause a problem for anyone else.
●If you cause a problem, I will ask you to solve it.
●If you can't solve the problem, or choose not to, I will do something about it.
●What I do, will depend on the special person, and the special situation.
●Your behavior will remain consistent with the policies established in the The Academy Secondary Student Handbook.
●“Call Me On Its”: These are derogatory comments and offensive statements made in the classroom. They will not be tolerated.
Materials and Textbooks:
All students will need the following:
●Interactive Notebook
●2 Pencils
●1 pack of 3 x 5 note cards
●Planner
Speech for Effective Communication
In addition to readings from classroom textbooks (which are not to leave the classroom), there will be reading materials photocopied from a variety of sources.
Grading Plan:
Grading for 8th Grade Speech will be comprised of formative and summative assessments.
Formative Assessments: Activities and skills students accumulate to demonstrate mastery.30% of Final Grade / Summative Assessments: Specific projects that demonstrate student mastery.
70% of Final Grade
Individual Participation / Final Speeches: 50%
Group Participation / Projects: 20%
Daily Assignments
Quizzes
Grading Scale:
We will follow the Academy’s Traditional Grading Scale.
A90-100
B80-89
C70-79
D60-69
FBelow 60
Course Policies:
Student Work: Students will be expected to complete assignments outside of class time on a regular basis. All students are expected to prepare thoroughly, read class materials, think critically, and write effectively.
Interactive Notebooks:
Students will complete almost all of their class work in their interactive notebooks. They will be given instructions on how to set up and effectively use their interactive notebooks. The interactive notebooks will be graded via an open notebook quiz twice a semester. This will count for a significant portion of the student’s grade!
Group Activities: Students will be working in groups on a regular basis. Their group will be given cooperative learning activities to complete. Students will be expected to be an active member of their group and participation points will be assessed accordingly. Students will always be graded as an individual.
Absences:It is your responsibility to complete any work missed due to an absence. You will find the lesson flipcharts, homework, and any other materials posted to the class fusion page. Please see The Academy Secondary Student Handbook for further details.
Communication:
Communication is the key to a successful education. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Email is the best way to communicate with me. All of my contact info can be found at the top or on The Academy website. Fusion page is also a line of communication where everything from homework to announcements are posted. Please make sure to log on and become a member of my fusion page.