Mrs. Elizabeth EricksonRoom: 605
Academic DecathlonE-mail:
Course Description:This is an honors elective course that is aligned with district and state standards and supports the school wide efforts in increasing student achievement. Academic Decathlon, like its ancient Greek counterpart, consists of ten events. However, this is an academic, rather than an athletic, competition and a team competition as well as one for individuals. In a typical day long Decathlon, high school students are tested in seven areas: economics, art, language and literature, mathematics, music, science and Super Quiz. In addition, students amass points in three communication events: the prepared and impromptu speech event, the oral interview and essay writing events. This year’s theme for all ten events is India.
Course Objectives:By the time the students complete this course of study, the student will know or be able to:
- overcome intellectual mediocrity through intellectual competitiveness
- combat academic over-specialization by broadening academic horizons
- promote the ability to communicate
- become more interested in intellectual activities
Grading Policy: Grades are determined as a percentage of total points earned (90-100%=A, 80-89%=B, 70-79%=C, 60-69%=D, below 60%=F).
The semester grade is a cumulative grade for the 18 weeks weighted at 80% and the semester final exam grade weighted at 20%.
Powerschool Access: The Powerschools site allows parents/guardians and students to access the student’s grades, attendance, and other information. Powerschool access information was mailed to registered families. If you did not receive your access information, please stop by the front desk during business hours. You will need a photo I.D.The web address is: ps.dvusd.org/public
Make-Up Work Policy
Upon return to class after an absence, a student has one school day for each day missed to make up work/test assigned during his/her absence regardless of the number of days absent. For example, if a student is absent on Thursday and Friday, he/she will have Monday and Tuesday of the following week to make up work and must turn in the work that was assigned during the days absent on Wednesday.
Coursework and assessments assigned prior to the absence(s) may still be due on the date assigned. It is the student’s responsibility to check with teachers immediately upon return for work missed and possible adjustment of due dates. Teachers may choose to schedule an appointment with the student to arrange due dates as needed.
Long Term Project Policy
Long term projects are assignments given at least two weeks in advance. Teachers should note that the assignment is a long term project in the written instructions provided for the students. Long term projects are due on or before the date assigned, even if the student or teacher is absent on the due date.
See the Student Handbook for additional details.
Suggested Materials:
- Blue or black pens and pencils
- Highlighters
- Flash drive
- Loose leaf college-ruled paper and an ACA DECA notebook
- All ACA DECA materials (novels, resource guides, etc.)
Competitions:
The Arizona Academic Decathlon team consists of nine members broken into three divisions. The divisions are as follows:
Varsity 1.00- 2.99 GPA
Scholastic3.00- 3.74 GPA
Honor3.75- 4.00 GPA
*note-honors GPA does not count. EX. An “A” in an honors course counts as 4.0 not 5.0
There will be at least three competitions throughout the year. There is an Invitational Competition in November, where the entire team participates. The Regional Competition takes place in February and the State Competition is in March.
IF YOU NEED HELP: Please make an appointment to see me after school when we can talk about ways to help you succeed in your school year.
Classroom Behavior Expectations and Consequences:
Respect others: speak courteously and listen carefully
-Respect the classroom environment: keep the floor and desks clean; no food, drink, or gum
-Come to class prepared to work: bring necessary supplies and be involved in the proper activity
-Keep your hands, feet and body to yourself
Disciplinary Consequences: If you are unable to abide by the course rules, your consequences will follow suit in a succeeding manner (verbal warning, detention with teacher+ parent phone call, administrative referral+ parent phone call). Because of an important part of student growth and success is learning through work, plagiarism and other forms of cheating will result in immediate disciplinary consequences.
Communication
Please contact the teacher for any student concerns. It is crucial that teachers, parents, and students maintain open lines of communication. Contact information is provided at the top of the first page.
Adherence to the Boulder Creek Academic Integrity Code
All students enrolled in Academic Decathlon will adhere to the framework and guidelines set forth in the Boulder Creek High School Academic Integrity Code. Cheating and Plagiarism will not be tolerated. The purpose of this code is to promote a positive learning environment for all involved. As humans, we will make mistakes as we grow. It is understood that we can learn from those mistakes and become better individuals in the future. Any student who violates this code will be referred to the Students Rights and Responsibilities handbook and assignment of appropriate consequences. Please refer to the Academic Integrity Code in its entirety for definitions and examples of plagiarism and cheating and strategies on how to avoid these infractions.
Thank you!