ACT Prep/Study Skills Information
Course Description and Materials
Required Materials: 1 - 11/2 in. 3-ring binder (any color)
5-Tab insertable dividers
***I do have used binders and dividers that students may use if they are unable to get their own***
ACT Prep
In this portion of the class, students will learn strategies to prepare for and take the ACT and Work Keys tests. These tests will be given in March and are required of all juniors in the state of Michigan. Students will be given daily assignments including practice tests in all areas of the ACT and Work Keys. Correct answers to these tests will be reviewed and notes, including strategies for answering certain types of questions, will be given for each. Students are expected to take these tests, make the necessary corrections and record the notes presented, as this will be graded and will constitute 50% of the students’ final grade for this class.
Study Skills
In this portion of the class, students will be instructed in ways to improve study habits and skills, and be guided in the use of these skills. The intent of this class is to give students an opportunity to learn the strategies necessary for successfully completing the academic classes required for graduation with a high school diploma. Students need to have an IEP or 504 Plan to receive this service and they must be willing to use the time given to them for this purpose.
Students may use their time gaining assistance on classroom assignments, working on or completing assignments and projects, preparing study materials for tests and quizzes, studying for tests and quizzes and taking tests and quizzes, with requested accommodations, when provided from the IEP or 504 Plan.
It is very important for students to use their time wisely every day. Students will be responsible for choosing the most important assignments from other classes to work on each day. There may be times when this class will be used for test-preparation and/or test-taking, so students will need to plan accordingly for such times.
Grades for Study Skills will constitute 50% of the final grade for this class and will include points for each of the following:
Organization/Preparation
Students are expected to bring all materials needed to ensure participation for the entire Study Skills portion of the class period. Students should have an organized binder or folder for every academic class, or some other system of organization. If they do not have the means to purchase these items, they should let me or their other teachers know and we will most likely be able to help. Students are encouraged to bring books and materials for all academic classes whether they think they have homework in them or not. Students will most likely not be allowed to return to their lockers once the class period has started. Points will be deducted when preparation for Study Skills is not complete. Points for Participation will most likely be reduced as well, if proper preparation for this class does not take place.
If students consistently come to class unprepared for participation the entire Study Skills portion of the class period, the Study Skills teachers will assist the students in implementing strategies to help them remember what they need to do on a daily basis.
Participation
Students are expected to stay on task and to use their time wisely in Study Skills class in order to learn and use the strategies necessary to be successful in their academic classes. Points will be deducted when time is spent off task. Excessive off-task behavior will be grounds for removal from this class.
Citizenship
Students are expected to act in a way which will allow themselves and others in the class to learn most effectively. If students need to be spoken to about misbehavior, points most likely will be deducted. In addition, the following steps will be followed: 1. Verbal Warning 2. Conference with Teacher 3. Detention and Parent Contact 4. Meeting with Principal
Excessive disruptive and disrespectful behavior will be grounds for removal from this class.
Responsibility
In order for students to be successful in high school, they must take on increasing responsibility for their education. Students with IEP’s have goals and objectives written for them which are designed to help them gain the skills necessary to be successful in their academic classes. In addition, all students are given accommodations to help them as well. Students are expected to know what their goals and objectives and their accommodations are. Students are also responsible for making sure that they are working on achieving their goals and using the accommodations given to them. If, as the year progresses, the students feel that the goals, objectives or accommodations are not meeting their needs, or are not necessary, then we will discuss this at the next IEP meeting.
Students will be responsible to check Power School often for information on grades and missing assignments. They will be allowed to do this on a daily basis, if necessary, in Study Skills class. Every Thursday/Friday they will do a grade and homework check to see what materials should be taken home for the weekend. The homework check form should be reviewed by parents or guardians each week. In some cases this may need to be signed and returned the following Monday. Points will be deducted if this is not completed weekly.
Grading Scale
A 92-100
A- 90-91
B+ 88-89
B 82-87
B- 80-81
C+ 78-79
C 72-77
C- 70-71
D+ 68-69
D 62-67
D- 60-61
F < 59
Final Semester Grades – Quarter 1 = 40% Quarter 2 = 40% Final Exam = 20%
Or
Final Semester Grades – Quarter 1 = 50% Quarter 2 = 50%
Teacher Website
My website can be found at www.myeagles.org under Columbia Central High School and Teacher Websites. Subject area information and helpful links as well as monthly calendars are included in this site.
Classroom Guideline
My classroom guideline states,
“You are expected to act in a way in which you and others in the class can learn most effectively.”
In other words, please come to class on time and prepared with your materials, work hard while you are here, and respect yourself and others at all times.
***Students are expected to follow this guideline on a daily basis***
Unacceptable behaviors
The following are behaviors that are unacceptable in my classroom and will result in first a warning, followed by a meeting with the teacher, detention or an office visit to speak with the principal, or all three:
- Disrespecting the rights and properties of others (playful pushing, poking, slapping, hitting and/or kicking, and/or taking or hiding other people’s property)
- Talking when the teacher is talking or when asked to stop
- Swearing or inappropriate language or discussions (this will result in a written letter of apology to me and the class as the first step, after that, detentions will be assigned)
- Sleeping
- Using cell phones or other electronics without permission
- Choosing to do nothing
The following are behaviors that will not be tolerated in my classroom and will result in an automatic office visit to speak with the principal along with a detention or suspension if the offense warrants it:
-- Teasing and/or cruelty to others
-- Verbal/physical abuse
-- Destruction of school property or the property of others
-- Angry threats of violence toward others
-- Swearing at others or inappropriate language or discussions
Absences and Tardies
Students who are absent are responsible for getting make-up work the first day back in class. Please make sure that absences are excused. Parents should call in to excuse absences as soon as possible. (See School Attendance Policy)
Students are expected to be in class on time with the materials they need to participate in the daily activities. Students will receive a detention and a phone call home if they reach 3 tardies in a marking period. If tardiness continues to be a problem, additional detentions and meetings with the principal and parents will take place. (See School Tardy Policy)
Cell Phones and Ipods/Ipads
Cell phones, Ipods, Ipads, tablets and other media devices may only be used with permission. If these devices are being used without permission, they will be taken for the remainder of the class period. If this continues to be a problem, parents and the principal will be contacted.
Powerschool
Parents and students should frequently check Powerschool for grades, attendance and assignments. Students should know their Powerschool log-ins and use them to check their progress in their classes on a regular basis.
Hall Pass Coupons
Each student will receive 3 hall pass coupons per marking period. This will allow students to take care of needs that arise during the class period. Each unused coupon will be worth 1/2 % extra credit on the final exam for the semester, therefore, if all six hall pass coupons are turned in at the end of the semester, students will receive 3% extra credit on their final exams.
Required Materials: 1 - 11/2 in. 3-ring binder (any color)
5-Tab insertable dividers
***I do have used binders and dividers that students may use if they are unable to get their own***
ACT Prep
In this portion of the class, students will learn strategies to prepare for and take the ACT and Work Keys tests. These tests will be given in March and are required of all juniors in the state of Michigan. Students will be given daily assignments including practice tests in all areas of the ACT and Work Keys. Correct answers to these tests will be reviewed and notes, including strategies for answering certain types of questions, will be given for each. Students are expected to take these tests, make the necessary corrections and record the notes presented, as this will be graded and will constitute 50% of the students’ final grade for this class.
Study Skills
In this portion of the class, students will be instructed in ways to improve study habits and skills, and be guided in the use of these skills. The intent of this class is to give students an opportunity to learn the strategies necessary for successfully completing the academic classes required for graduation with a high school diploma. Students need to have an IEP or 504 Plan to receive this service and they must be willing to use the time given to them for this purpose.
Students may use their time gaining assistance on classroom assignments, working on or completing assignments and projects, preparing study materials for tests and quizzes, studying for tests and quizzes and taking tests and quizzes, with requested accommodations, when provided from the IEP or 504 Plan.
It is very important for students to use their time wisely every day. Students will be responsible for choosing the most important assignments from other classes to work on each day. There may be times when this class will be used for test-preparation and/or test-taking, so students will need to plan accordingly for such times.
Grades for Study Skills will constitute 50% of the final grade for this class and will include points for each of the following:
Organization/Preparation
Students are expected to bring all materials needed to ensure participation for the entire Study Skills portion of the class period. Students should have an organized binder or folder for every academic class, or some other system of organization. If they do not have the means to purchase these items, they should let me or their other teachers know and we will most likely be able to help. Students are encouraged to bring books and materials for all academic classes whether they think they have homework in them or not. Students will most likely not be allowed to return to their lockers once the class period has started. Points will be deducted when preparation for Study Skills is not complete. Points for Participation will most likely be reduced as well, if proper preparation for this class does not take place.
If students consistently come to class unprepared for participation the entire Study Skills portion of the class period, the Study Skills teachers will assist the students in implementing strategies to help them remember what they need to do on a daily basis.
Participation
Students are expected to stay on task and to use their time wisely in Study Skills class in order to learn and use the strategies necessary to be successful in their academic classes. Points will be deducted when time is spent off task. Excessive off-task behavior will be grounds for removal from this class.
Citizenship
Students are expected to act in a way which will allow themselves and others in the class to learn most effectively. If students need to be spoken to about misbehavior, points most likely will be deducted. In addition, the following steps will be followed: 1. Verbal Warning 2. Conference with Teacher 3. Detention and Parent Contact 4. Meeting with Principal
Excessive disruptive and disrespectful behavior will be grounds for removal from this class.
Responsibility
In order for students to be successful in high school, they must take on increasing responsibility for their education. Students with IEP’s have goals and objectives written for them which are designed to help them gain the skills necessary to be successful in their academic classes. In addition, all students are given accommodations to help them as well. Students are expected to know what their goals and objectives and their accommodations are. Students are also responsible for making sure that they are working on achieving their goals and using the accommodations given to them. If, as the year progresses, the students feel that the goals, objectives or accommodations are not meeting their needs, or are not necessary, then we will discuss this at the next IEP meeting.
Students will be responsible to check Power School often for information on grades and missing assignments. They will be allowed to do this on a daily basis, if necessary, in Study Skills class. Every Thursday/Friday they will do a grade and homework check to see what materials should be taken home for the weekend. The homework check form should be reviewed by parents or guardians each week. In some cases this may need to be signed and returned the following Monday. Points will be deducted if this is not completed weekly.
Grading Scale
A 92-100
A- 90-91
B+ 88-89
B 82-87
B- 80-81
C+ 78-79
C 72-77
C- 70-71
D+ 68-69
D 62-67
D- 60-61
F < 59
Final Semester Grades – Quarter 1 = 40% Quarter 2 = 40% Final Exam = 20%
Or
Final Semester Grades – Quarter 1 = 50% Quarter 2 = 50%
Teacher Website
My website can be found at www.myeagles.org under Columbia Central High School and Teacher Websites. Subject area information and helpful links as well as monthly calendars are included in this site.
Classroom Guideline
My classroom guideline states,
“You are expected to act in a way in which you and others in the class can learn most effectively.”
In other words, please come to class on time and prepared with your materials, work hard while you are here, and respect yourself and others at all times.
***Students are expected to follow this guideline on a daily basis***
Unacceptable behaviors
The following are behaviors that are unacceptable in my classroom and will result in first a warning, followed by a meeting with the teacher, detention or an office visit to speak with the principal, or all three:
- Disrespecting the rights and properties of others (playful pushing, poking, slapping, hitting and/or kicking, and/or taking or hiding other people’s property)
- Talking when the teacher is talking or when asked to stop
- Swearing or inappropriate language or discussions (this will result in a written letter of apology to me and the class as the first step, after that, detentions will be assigned)
- Sleeping
- Using cell phones or other electronics without permission
- Choosing to do nothing
The following are behaviors that will not be tolerated in my classroom and will result in an automatic office visit to speak with the principal along with a detention or suspension if the offense warrants it:
-- Teasing and/or cruelty to others
-- Verbal/physical abuse
-- Destruction of school property or the property of others
-- Angry threats of violence toward others
-- Swearing at others or inappropriate language or discussions
Absences and Tardies
Students who are absent are responsible for getting make-up work the first day back in class. Please make sure that absences are excused. Parents should call in to excuse absences as soon as possible. (See School Attendance Policy)
Students are expected to be in class on time with the materials they need to participate in the daily activities. Students will receive a detention and a phone call home if they reach 3 tardies in a marking period. If tardiness continues to be a problem, additional detentions and meetings with the principal and parents will take place. (See School Tardy Policy)
Cell Phones and Ipods/Ipads
Cell phones, Ipods, Ipads, tablets and other media devices may only be used with permission. If these devices are being used without permission, they will be taken for the remainder of the class period. If this continues to be a problem, parents and the principal will be contacted.
Powerschool
Parents and students should frequently check Powerschool for grades, attendance and assignments. Students should know their Powerschool log-ins and use them to check their progress in their classes on a regular basis.
Hall Pass Coupons
Each student will receive 3 hall pass coupons per marking period. This will allow students to take care of needs that arise during the class period. Each unused coupon will be worth 1/2 % extra credit on the final exam for the semester, therefore, if all six hall pass coupons are turned in at the end of the semester, students will receive 3% extra credit on their final exams.