Communication Applications Syllabus
**This is a High School Credit Course**
Course Objective: Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
For successful participation in professional and social life, students must develop effective communication skills. Rapidly expanding technologies and changing social and corporate systems demand that students send clear verbal messages, choose effective nonverbal behaviors, listen for desired results and apply valid critical-thinking and problem solving processes. Students enrolled in Communication Applications will be expected to identify, analyze, develop and evaluate communication skills for professional and social success in interpersonal situations, group interactions, and personal and professional presentations.
***THIS CLASS IS PRESENTATION/PERFORMANCE HEAVY!!! THERE WILL BE NUMEROUS INVIDUAL AND GROUP PROJECT ASSIGNMENTS AND THE EXPECTATION IS THAT ALL STUDENTS WILL ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE!
Course Textbook Materials/Supplies
Communication Applications Notebook paper,
Notebook/folder may be kept in class
Writing Utensil,
Index Cards (Optional)
Contact Information
Teacher—Mr. Ricketts
phone: (281)357-3000 ext. 4478
e-mail:
Website:http://tjhs.tomballisd.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=499402&type=u
GRADES:
30% - Daily Grades/Quizzes = participation, group work, quizzes, worksheets
70% - Tests/ Performance Grades = group performances, solo performances, presentations
*** Remember that 20% of your semester grade will be based on your Final Semester Exam. It is highly recommended that you keep all PPT worksheets to study for your Final Exam!
***Assignments are due at the beginning of the period. Assignments should be placed in the appropriate tray. . Assignments will be accepted up to 2 days late and graded with a 15 point deduction per day. After 2 days they will receive a zero.
2015 – 2016 School Year
CLASSROOM RULES:
1. DESTROY NOTHING!!!
2. NO FOOD
3. NO GUM
4. DO NOT WRAP SELF IN, CLIMB OR SWING ON DRAPES IN BLACKBOX
5. STAY AWAY FROM OVERHEAD, COMPUTER AND BEHIND MR. RICKETTS DESK UNLESS YOU HAVE PERMISSION
6. NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITHOUT PERMISSION
7. NO DEODERANT, COLOGNE, MAKEUP OR GROOMING IN CLASSROOM (YOU DO NOT KNOW WHO MAY BE ALLERGIC!)
8. Remember to wait your turn to talk
9. Attend to the task assigned
10. Make sure to keep hands, feet and other objects to yourself.
11. Always use school accepted language
12. Always stay in your seat unless given permission otherwise
13. Discuss disagreements with teacher calmly and quietly
14. No running
15. Raise your hand politely and wait to be called on by the teacher.
16. Students are not to have over the counter medication with them. All medication including cough drops, aspirin, allergy tablets etc. should be checked in with the nurse.
STUDENTS YOU ARE NOW AWARE OF THE CLASSROOM RULES!!! YOU CAN EXPECT YOUR PARENTS TO BE CONTACTED.
Performance/Presentation RULES
1. Participate, Participate, Participate
2. Be Prepared on assigned date to perform/present
3. Audience Etiquette: Watch, Listen, Learn and Show RESPECT
4. Clap after each performance/presentation
5. No gun violence
6. No references to gangs or drugs
7. No references to sex or sexual gestures.
8. No gymnastics, sliding or flips
9. No talking during performances/presentations
10. Use school appropriate language
Mr. Ricketts
2015 – 2016 School Year
Classroom Expectations:
1. Be Respectful – to yourself and to others.
· Listen carefully when others are performing or speaking. Please save comments until after the presentation/scene is completed. (Proper etiquette is expected at all times!)
· Be respectful to theatre and school property.
2. Be Responsible – be accountable for quality work and “star” behavior.
· Responsible students DO NOT chew gum for safety/classroom reasons.
· Nothing should ever be in a preenter’s mouth! This includes paper, pens, plastic, and candy! Water bottles (with water contents only) are allowed in the classroom.
3. Be Punctual – responsible students are always on time and ready to work.
4. Be Prepared – come to class with all of your materials every class session.
5. Observe all rules of the Tomball Junior High Syllabus.
**COLLABORATE & BE POSITIVE! Positive attitudes will take us far! Remember: Theatre is all about teamwork!**
Audience Etiquette During Presentations:
· Students should show the speaker respect by listening
· Students should raise their hands to ask questions
· Students should not be visually or verbally distracting
· Students should be able to see the person(s) speaking (or miming)
Performance Expectations:
D = Demonstrate control of your body.
R = Respect others and their property
A = Arrive on time prepared to create and/or perform
M = Maintain your focus and be sure to participate!
A = ALWAYS demonstrate audience etiquette.
***WHEN A STUDENT CHOOSES NOT TO PARTICIPATE:
The student will be asked to get a piece of paper, date the paper, write an explanation of why they are not participating, sign and turn in the completed paper to Mr. Ricketts.
PLEASE NOTE: Failure to not participate will be reflected with a zero for the activity and parents may be contacted.
If you choose to break Mr. Ricketts’ Syllabus Rules and Expectations:
Mr. Ricketts’ Classroom Discipline Steps
Step 1 = Warning/Student Conference
Step 2 = 2nd Warning/Phone call home
Step 3 = Office Referral
Serious offenses will be dealt with by the principal office immediately.
Electronics: Tomball ISD is a Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) District. However, phones and other electronics are NOT to be used in class without permission!!!
Mr. Ricketts’ Classroom Procedures
Entering the classroom
ü Assistant Director(s) for the week will assist with roll and passing out materials needed for class.
ü Get out supplies for class (binders & writing utensils)
ü Sharpen pencils during the first five minutes of class.
ü Complete the Warm Up.
WARM UPS:
Students will normally have quotes to copy when they enter the classroom. Students are expected copy the date, copy the quote, copy who said the quote and write at least 2 COMPLETE SENTENCES about the quote.
There may be variations to the warm ups, but at least 2 complete sentences are required. There will be 1 or more Warm Up Tests during the 6 weeks.
- On the Warm Up Test, students may be asked to
- write the quote from a certain date,
-identify who said the quote
- identify the date of the quote-write their 2 sentences or more answer regarding the quote. (Most students lose points for not having at least 2 complete sentences about the quote or not writing the dates and being able to ID the correct quote.)
ü Put all non-theatre related items in a neat stack under your desk.
Knowing the schedule for the day/class
ü The best way to find the schedule for the class is to read the board. All activities will be listed by class period, along with the learning goal. Homework and due dates will be listed as well.
Headings on papers
ü All papers must have the appropriate heading. If the heading is typed on the worksheet, complete the entire heading.
If you are turning in work on notebook paper, the heading should follow (Top, right-hand corner):
Name (First and Last)
Date
Class Period
When you need paper or pencil
ü Ask a neighbor if you may borrow.
ü Mr. Ricketts usually has a cup of pens and pencils on his desk. Please ask permission.
If you are suddenly ill
ü Raise your hand indicating that you need to see the nurse.
ü Mr. Ricketts may send a student/teacher to escort you to the nurse.
Participating in class discussions
ü Raise your hand to participate.
ü Listen to all peers. You may have the same question! You may miss something!
ü Respect your peers and the discussions…do not have separate conversations during class discussion.
When I need your attention:
ü Mr. Ricketts will say 5-4-3-2-1-BACK TO ONE! FREEZE!
ü Frozen, silent and all eyes on Mr. Ricketts.
Asking a Question
ü Raise your hand showing that you wish to ask a question.
Classroom Volume
ü The classroom can be a very active place…it is important, however, that all students maintain a volume that will allow all students to hear instructions.
When you are absent
ü Ask a neighbor about assignments you missed.
ü Ask Mr. Ricketts for any assignments you missed.
ü Complete the Warm-up from the previous day. You may need to ask a friend, Mr. Ricketts. . (It is not acceptable to write “absent” in your notebook or on a Warm Up Test .)
Working Cooperatively
ü Each person should have a role in the group.
ü Try to solve the assignment as a group first before asking for assistance from Mr. Ricketts.
ü The class is a cooperative art! Enjoy working with everyone! Put aside differences to complete the assignment.
Changing Groups
ü Changing groups can be a serious matter as we may move set pieces, props, desks, and so forth. Listen at all times!
ü No horse playing…move items/change groups calmly, quietly and slowly! Listen for directions.
Keeping your Comm. Apps. Notebook
ü Each student should have a theater notebook/binder in the classroom. Your binder should be kept in the crate box in the classroom by class period.
ü The notebook/binder should be kept neat and in order.
ü
Turning in work
ü Each student should turn in homework in the tray at the start of class or when asked to do so or before you leave the class.
ü
When visitors are in the classroom
ü Follow all classroom procedures as normal.
ü The class will be held accountable for all actions (good and bad!)
ü When the door is locked, wait outside in a line for Mr. Ricketts or the sub to return.
School Announcements
ü It is expected that ALL students get quiet immediately so that ALL students can hear the important information.
Responding to a Fire Drill
ü Immediately turn off all voices. Wait for the teacher to ask students to line up.
ü Mr. Ricketts will ask for one student to turn off the lights and close the door.
ü Students should file out quietly and in a single line.
ü Students should stay in line, even after we have arrived at our “safe location.”
ü Those who do not take the drills seriously will be sent directly to the office.
Returning Student Work
ü Student work will be returned in a timely manner.
ü Positive classroom leaders/Assistant Directors will be asked to help pass out papers.
ü Student work goes directly into your Comm. Apps. Notebook/binder
Extra Credit
ü Students will have the opportunity to receive extra credit for attending live fine arts programs during this semester. These can include plays, music concerts, ballet, or other performance art.
In order to receive extra credit students must bring a program from the Extra Credit
Extra Credit (cont’d)
ü production or show and HANDWRITE a one page paper about what they liked and/or did not like about the show and what they feel would have made the show better.
To earn positive points as a class
ü Everyone is working on the Warm Up without being reminded to do so.
ü Everyone remembered their homework.
ü Everyone worked together as a team to complete the scene(s).
Walking in the hall during class time
ü Line up in a single file line.
ü Mr. Ricketts will ask one student to turn off the light and close the door.
ü Walk in the hallway quietly. It is not appropriate to disturb other classes while in the hallway.
When you finish work early
ü Make sure all work is turned in.
ü Organize your Warm Up.
ü Read quietly.
ü Work on homework from another class.
ü Draw/Color
ü It is not appropriate to talk and distract others still working.
ü Make EVERY minute COUNT!
End-of-Period Dismissal
ü Put work in your Comm. Apps. Notebook..
ü Make sure all supplies are picked up.
ü Sit and get quiet…get ready to be dismissed.
ü Wait to be dismissed by the teacher. (The bell does not dismiss you, Mr. Ricketts does! J)
ü Throw away trash on your way out.
ü File out of the classroom in an orderly fashion.
PLEASE NOTE:
*** Students are expected to be utilizing class time wisely. Class time will be appointed for group and individual work.
“When you break goals into increments and start controlling your time, things begin to happen.”
Zig Ziglar
***Mr. Ricketts reserves the right to make modifications to all project rules and DUE DATES, especially when students are NOT utilizing appointed class time for work.
**Communication Applications
Syllabus Acknowledgement Form **
***Please return this page to Mr. Ricketts by Friday,
August 28, 2015 this is worth three daily grades worth 100 points!
*** Failure to turn this page in completed and on time will result in a zero grade***
Student name: ______
Class period______
Parents:
I have read the Communication Applications syllabus and will contact Mr. Ricketts if I have a question concerning the course.
______
Parent Signature Date
Student:
I have read the Communication Applications syllabus, and know that if I have questions about it I can ask Mr. Ricketts.
______
Student Signature Date
WARM UPS:
Students will normally have quotes to copy when they enter the classroom. Students are expected to write the date, copy the quote, copy who said the quote and write at least 2 complete sentences about the quote.
There may be variations to the warm ups, but at least 2 complete sentences are required. There will be 1 or more Warm Up Tests during the 6 weeks. On the test, students may be asked to write the quote from a certain date, identify who said the quote or identify the date of the quote on their Warm Up Test. Most students lose points for not having at least 2 complete sentences about the quote.
EXTRA CREDIT:
Students will have the opportunity to receive extra credit for attending live fine arts programs during this semester. These can include plays, music concerts, ballet, or other performance art.
In order to receive extra credit students must bring a program from the production or show and handwrite a one page paper about what they liked and/or did not like about the show and what they feel would have made the show better.