BlackmanHigh School

Introduction to Critical Thinking

Syllabus

Dear Students and Parents,

Welcome to Blackman High School! As I enter my 17th year at our school, it is still a joy to work with students as they enter this new phase of their school experience. There will be challenges in their freshman year – there always are. However, know that your student is surrounded by a dedicated team of teachers, staff, and administrators who are committed to helping your child succeed and to preparing your child for what awaits him or her after graduation.

As a part of our commitment to you, we have created a first-of-its-kind course called Introduction to Critical Thinking. The purpose of this course is to help your student grow as a critical thinker, reader, and writer in all areas of academic study. There will be times when this course might feel like an English class; we will be doing a great deal of reading, thinking, discussing, and writing on a weekly basis. However, your student has a separate English I class. This class is simply designed to support and expand on that curriculum.

Our weekly routine will begin on Mondays with a discussion about a“Thinker of the Week.” These may include ancient thinkers like Socrates and Plato or more modern thinkers such as Martin Luther King, Jr., or Bill Gates. We will then read our “Article of the Week,” typically an informational/non-fiction text chosen with student interest in mind. On Tuesdays, we will analyze and evaluate the article(s). On Thursdays, we will have a student-driven discussion about the article(s), and on Fridays we will write about the article(s) in a portfolio style. Wednesday will be a computer lab day dedicated to building vocabulary and language mechanics. The following week, we will repeat the same routine with a new topic.

As a part of our school’s Tier II RTI strategy, I am committed to an awareness that your students has six other classes, each with their own homework requirements. There will be homework in this course. However, I will do my best to keep it at a reasonable and manageable level throughout the year. On the back of this page, you will find other vital information about this course. Please read this information carefully and let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you for your commitment to be a positive influence on your child’s education. We look forward to partnering with you in these next four years to see your child through the important next step of high school graduation and beyond.

Can I ask one quick favor?Will you check the Remind.com instructions below and sign up to receive text and/or email notices from this class. It will be a simple, confidential way for us to stay in touch this year.

Sincerely,

Justin Smith

904-3850 ext. 22956

Classroom Rules for Introduction to Critical Thinking
1. Bring all needed materials to class.

2. Be on time.

3. Be involved in all class activities.

4. Speak at appropriate times using the appropriate voice and language.

5. Respect everyone and everything

Consequences

Level 1: Warning

Level 2: Punishment of Teacher’s Choice (detention, essays, extra work, etc.)

Level 3: Parent Contact

Level 4: Principal’s Office

Materials Needed

  • Spiral notebook (This will remain in the classroom)
  • Paper
  • Blue or Black ink pens (for major writing assignments)
  • Pencils
  • Highlighter (any color)

Grading Scale

Tests / Essays / Projects = 50%

Quizzes = 30%

Homework / Classwork = 20%

This year RutherfordCounty will be using the Parent Portal to post grades online. More information will be sent home in the weeks to come clarifying how to use the Parent Portal.

Text Message Updates via Remind.com

Remind.com is a great tool that allows teachers to send assignment updates and reminders to parents and students in a safe, confidential way. I strongly encourage you and your student to sign up for these. To sign up, choose the option below that is best for you:

A. If you have a smartphone, get push notifications. On your iPhone or Android phone, open your web browser and go to the following link: rmd.at/bhsthink. Follow the instructions to sign up for Remind. You’ll be prompted to download the mobile app.

OR

B. If you prefer, you can get text notifications. Text the message @bhsthink to the number 81010. If you’re having trouble with 81010, try texting @bhsthink to (615) 278-9561. * Standard text message rates apply.

OR

C. Don’t have a mobile phone? Go to rmd.at/bhsthink on a desktop computer to sign up for email notifications.