Syllabus Path-College Step
Path Coach: Mrs. Akers
Conference period: 8th Period
Location: Strack Intermediate
Email:
School Phone: 832-249-5400 ext 35480
Text: Keys to Effective Learning: Study Skills and Habits for Success. Sherfield, R. M. and Moody, P. G. (2011). No online link.
Resources: Reflection Journal, Career Cruising, The College Board website, Additional Readings as assigned.
Course Requirements: Enrollment in advanced level course(s), (Not limited to): Online Portfolio, Path group community service project, research projects, career plans, research papers, individual and group projects, outside reading, 3 week goal setting projects, minor and major exams.
Course Goal: To prepare students in high school for all available post-secondary school options through a variety of college/career opportunities.
Course Description: Through active participation in classroom activities, students will demonstrate the following 21st century skills necessary for college/career success: collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, creative expression, effective written and oral communication, and time management.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, student should be able to:
(1) obtain a greater awareness of his own mental processes of learning through the analysis and practice of skills and strategies. (Metacognitive Skills)
(2) understand the many college and career choices available and design a personal action plan. (College/Career Planning)
(3) develop a greater understanding of ethics and his own character through self-reflection activities. (Ethical Codes of Conduct)
(4) acquire self-confidence through the development and improvement of important life skills necessary for positive interactions and communication. (Personal/Interpersonal Skills)
(5) associate personal responsibility to academic success by strengthening positive learning behaviors while altering ineffective habits. (Academic Behaviors)
(6) Research Skills. The student understands the need for an organized framework to identify an area of interest, collect information, record findings, and create a presentation both orally and in writing.
Academic Integrity: Dishonesty in school work is defined as the giving or receiving of assistance when the teacher has indicated or it should be presumed by the student, that the assignment is supposed to be the work of the student who is being graded. The possession or delivery of a copy of a stolen test or exam is considered to be dishonest. Plagiarism (representing someone else’s works or ideas as your own) whether from a book, another student’s paper, the Internet, or other source is dishonest. A pupil found to be dishonest in any phase of school work shall be penalized by receiving a "0" for the work.
Curriculum Units to be covered:
1st 9 weeks: Team building and Personality (1 week), Introduction to Ethics (1 week), Time management and Learning styles (1 week), Listening skills (3 days), Notetaking skills (3 days), What is Research/ plagiarism, citing sources (1 week), Test taking skills (2 days), 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens (1.5 weeks), behaviors/friendships (1 week), Goal setting (1 week).
2nd 9 weeks: Conflict resolution (1 week), Goal setting (3 days), Public Speaking (2 weeks), Community service Intro (1 week), Community service Project (1 week), Critical thinking (1 week), College Research (1 week), How to write a business letter (1 week), ethics (2 days).
3rd 9 weeks:
Career Research (2 weeks), Funding your education (1 week), Interview skills and interview (2 weeks), managing stress (1 week), Community service (1 week), effects of social media (1 week), 1st Generation scholarship Documentary (1 week), Final project work begins) (1 week).
4th 9 weeks: Ethics (2 days), Budgeting (1 week), Teacher survival kits (2 days), Video of How to survive 8th grade (1.5 weeks), Consumer Research (1 week), Completion of Final Research Project (3 weeks), essay of person they admire (1 week).
Grading System: All grades on all assignments by every teacher will be by numerical designation. The total numerical scores shall be used in determining promotion, course credit, and participation in extracurricular and other activities. A minimum of 3 major grades and a minimum of 6 minor grades* will be given each nine weeks.
*Please note reflection logs and notebook checks are cumulative grades over each nine weeks.
Explanation of grades:
SUBJECT
90 – 100 (A)
80 – 89 (B)
70 – 79 (C)
0 – 69 Failing
Procedure for Accepting Late Work:
1st day late = 10 points off
2nd day late = 20 points off
3rd day late = 30 points off
Over 3 days late the highest grade a student will receive is a score of a 70.
Students are expected to make an attempt on every question and work to the best of their ability.
Procedure for re-testing:
For failing grades, the test grades will be averaged together, with a maximum possibility of 70. If the average grade is still failing, the teacher will take the higher grade.
All minor grade re-takes should be completed three days before grades are due.
All major project re-takes should be completed three days before grades are due.
Timetable for retaking tests will be one week unless there is extenuating circumstances brought forth by the teacher, student or guardian.
Grade Repair options: Failing grades will be addressed through assistance before school, after school, and/or during Pride.
Tutoring: Wednesday at 8:45, or as otherwise previously arranged with Mrs. Akers
Test Days: Monday and Thursday
Midterm and Final Test dates: December 8th and May 14th! Midterm and final exams count for 10% of the semester grade.
Students may only make up a midterm or final exam as per Klein ISD policy. Please refer to the student handbook. Please also refer to absence policy for High School Credit Courses.
Parent Involvement: This course is designed to get students to start planning for their future. The goal is to encourage each student to be a life-long learner. Students are successful when surrounded by individuals who build their self-esteem. Parent involvement is a critical piece for student success. Parent communication letters and emails will be sent home on a regular basis.