Power Lab/9th Grade Study Skills

Tracy L. McCown
Room 214
Phone: 606-768-8214

Email:
Office Hours:8:30a.m. -9:30a.m. (Also via email)

Course Description

*To develop awareness of, and evaluate, current study practices and habits.

*To determine effective study practices.

*To increase awareness of personal learning strengths and weaknesses.

*To develop awareness of self-defeating or helpful learning/study practices based on personal learning strengths and weaknesses.

*To develop awareness of strategies for memory and concentration improvement.

*To compare current practices with recommended strategies for concentration and memory improvement.

*To investigate and practice the Cornell method of effective note taking

*To increase awareness of active listening techniques and strategies.

*To develop awareness of personal intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.

*To develop strategies to improve person intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.

*To investigate and practice the SQ3R Method of effective reading.

*To increase awareness of effective reading techniques and strategies.

*To develop awareness of strategies for stress and anxiety reduction.

*To compare current practices with recommended strategies for stress and anxiety reduction.

*To develop awareness of strategies for improved time management.

*To develop a realistic view of current time management practices.

Grading Scale

Weighted Categories / Grade Equivalents
Category / Weight / Percent / Grade
90 - 100 / A / Proficient
Proficiency Assessments/Test Summative / 80% / 80 - 89 / B / Proficient
Proficiency Checks/Formative and Summative / 20% / 70 - 79 / C / Below 80% will retest to be able to score Proficient on all assessments. / Mandatory
60 - 69 / D
0 - 59 / F

Students are responsible for turning in COMPLETED assignments when due and to study assessments. Homework will be reviewed each class period and students are encouraged to ask questions when necessary. Corrections, when needed, should be made to homework problems before the next class period.

Everyone is class will be expected to have a three ring binder with a rubric for the unit of study, data information, and all assessments showing proficiency on each bulleted content. A pencil for all work and a pen for grading papers will be required. Make-upwork is the sole responsibility of the student.

Cheating: Whenever you claim another person’s work as your own, which is considered cheating. If you are caught cheating on any assignment (for any class), I will take that work from you. If it is for one of my assignments (test, quiz, homework…) you will receive a zero.

Classroom Expectations:
o Be polite and respectful to all people in the classroom
o Try your best on every assignment
o Stay after school if you have questions visit me during your breaks
o Complete your own work on time
o Raise your hand to speak
o No food, drinks, cosmetics, Walkman’s, CD players, IPOD’s. Only plain bottled water is acceptable
(Exceptions will be made for those with medical conditions that require snacks).
o Be prepared each day, which means bringing all materials and being active in the classroom experience of learning (no sleeping is allowed without penalty of ASD even for just a few minutes).

CELL PHONES/TABLETS: these devices may be used during the class for online quizzes and online activities. Only at these times should your cell phone be visible.

Tardies to class will not be tolerated. You must have a valid excuse for being tardy such as you have just arrived at school. Not being in your seat after the bell rings is a tardy in this class. It does not matter if you are in the room, you must be in your seat or you are TARDY.
Consequences:

1.Warning
2.Warning and break detention
3.After school detention /parent contact
4.Parent contact and/or office referral

Leaving class will not be tolerated. I will give you one free bathroom pass each grading period. If you have a medical condition that requires you leaving the class, please provide a doctor’s note. If I can see that you are truly in need of a bathroom pass, I will allow you to go without consequences. Please do not make a habit of asking to leave. If you need to see the nurse go during breaks not class time.
Consequences: Free first time

1.Break detention
2.Writing penalty/parent contact
3.After school detention/parent contact, then: Referral to office/parent conference

Any classroom disturbance that becomes a habit will not be tolerated. We are here to learn and it’s my job to make sure that is happening. Guidelines for discipline can be found in the student handbook. Any classroom rule that is broken will follow the following consequences:

1.Warning
2.Warning and/or break detention
3.Break detention/ parent contact
4.After school detention/ parent contact
5.Office referral/ parent conference

There will be progress reports sent home periodically that would require a parental signature and it would be given a grade.
I understand the expectations written in this syllabus
Student signature______Date______
I have read and understand what will be expected on my child during the 2015-2016 school year.
Parent signature______Date______