Learning Skills Syllabus

Learning Skills Syllabus

2019-2020 School Year

Instructor Information

Description

Students will have the opportunity to work in small guided groups targeting their Individualized Education Program to meet their unique learning needs. All students can learn when the instruction is geared to their strengths, and they are given sufficient opportunity to learn. This course will support individual needs through evidence-based curriculum and practices. Students will share the responsibility of monitoring progress and setting goals on a regular basis. Also, students will be able to demonstrate self-advocacy skills.

Goals

•    To assist the students in becoming independent and successful.

•    To monitor the students' progress towards meeting the IEP goals and to support the student in completing all courses of study.

•    To maintain communication with the student, parents, teachers, counselor and other staff involved with the education of the student.

•    To introduce and develop the skills needed for learning.

Expectations

•    Students are expected to take responsibility for learning. This means that students will arrive on time; bring all materials with them to class; listen to directions; use class time for completing the assigned tasks, and keep distracting items at home or out of sight.

•    Students are expected to respect the rights of others. A learning environment needs to be maintained, so this means that students must work quietly; use appropriate language, and show courtesy and respect towards those in the classroom.

•    Students are expected to treat all property with respect. Textbooks, furniture, computers and any other school property are to be taken care of; students may borrow the property of others only after asking permission.

•    Students are expected to act safely and healthily. Furniture and materials will be used appropriately; hands and feet will be kept to self; school rules relating to safety will be followed in the classroom.

•    Students are expected to follow the rules in the Parent/Student Handbook in this classroom.

Grading

During our time together in this class, we will work together to help you achieve success in all of your classes.  Learning Skills is not a study hall, so please do not expect to come here and do your homework. While there will be time to review your homework or have questions answered you do not understand, we will also spend time developing, strengthening, and improving skills for positive academic performance and achievement.  We will do this to increase your success in those classes. 

Preparedness

You need to bring the following to class daily to be successful:

•    Positive Attitude

•    Pencil or pen

•    Student Planners

Classroom Routines & Procedures

Entering the room: Enter quietly and politely; don't interrupt other students. Gather your materials and go directly to your assigned seat. You start the class instruction, not the teacher. Please do not enter the room if the door is closed. However, please knock on the door to see if it okay to come in.

Leaving the room: Only one student is allowed to use their hall pass at a time.  Students should obtain staff permission to leave, sign the log and take the hall pass.

Throwing away trash: You may throw away trash whenever you need to if I am not teaching the whole group; do not play basketball with your trash; make sure all trash lands in the can; pick up litter even if it isn't yours.

Using the Classroom Sink: Students in my classroom are more than welcome to use the sink to wash their hands.  Please make sure that the faucet is not dripping when you leave, and throw the paper towel in the trash, not on the counter.

When and how to use the pencil sharpener: You may use the pencil sharpener whenever you need to if I am not teaching the whole group.

What to do with planners: Students are required to bring and use their planners every day. When the bell rings, students must be in their seats filling out their planners or checking them over for accuracy. I will check planners for completion at the beginning of each day. You will be using my website to assist with accuracy. Please log in each day to be sure that you are correctly updating your agendas.

Cell phones/Other Technology: Cell phones will not be allowed in this class. We have several activities to complete during class so there will be little to no time to use your cell phones. I will direct you when to use your other technology (i.e.,/ personal computers) so please only use when directed.

Absence Procedures: If you are absent, bring all absence slips to the teacher to be signed at the beginning of class. You can get an admit slip from the office. All absences will remain unexcused until the student brings an admit slip from the office indicating the absence was excused.

Absence Work: When you are gone it is your responsibility to make up the work. Please check with the teacher to see what you have missed as we will be doing something each day.

Exit Procedure: Put up all your materials away and return all assignments to the file folders, remain in your seat and wait for me to dismiss you. Never line up at the door before dismissal. Remember, I dismiss you, not the bell.

Food/Drink: You may come to class with bottled water or pop – NO ENERGY DRINKS.  You will be allowed to eat food in the classroom. However, if there is an excess of trash or misuse of this procedure I reserve the right to change it at any time. You may not leave class to purchase food or drinks.

Treats: From time to time I will provide treats to the class. If the is any objection or a certain food that should not be allowed for your child please indicate on the last page of this syllabus.

Bathroom:  Attend to personal needs before coming to class.  Go to the bathroom between classes.  If you don’t think you have enough time to complete what you have done before class, check in with me first and tell me that you need to use the restroom and your tardy will be excused.  However, I expect this to be on a limit basis, so please do not ask for a pass unless you have a real emergency.

Taking out/putting away/caring for supplies: Share group supplies; recap markers and glue; check the number written on the supplies to make sure they belong in your group basket; if something belongs to another group, return it to them quietly.

Consequences:

1st Offense: A student will receive a verbal warning for the first minor offense.

2nd Offense: Student will be provided with a 2nd verbal warning and an environmental accommodation.

3rd Offense: Student will be sent to the Focus room to reflect on behavior and complete necessary problem-solving interventions.

4th Offense: Student/teacher conference which will be accompanied by a telephone call to the parent/ guardian.

5th Offense: Student will be referred to the office, and if a meeting is necessary, it will be scheduled.

This procedure may be altered according to the severity of the offense!!!!

AFTER READING AND DISCUSSING THIS SYLLABUS WITH YOUR CHILD, PLEASE SIGN BELOW AND RETURN THIS SHEET WITH YOUR CHILD. 

Parent/Guardian signature ___________________________________________________

Print Name ____________________________________________________________

Telephone Number ___________________ Best time to call _______________________­_

Your Email Address __________________________________________________

• My child my participate in any treat provided within the classroom
• My child may not participate in any treat in the classroom.
• My child may participate in some of the treats in the classroom, but cannot have the following ___________________________________________________________