Course Title:   College Entrance Preparation

 

Room:   B1.3

 

Course Description:

Major Concepts/Content: The College Entrance Preparation course is designed to review and reinforce knowledge of content included on the Scholastic Aptitude test. In addition, the course should help students get better acquainted with the SAT, and in the process, alleviate some of the anxiety associated with taking this important test which could result in major implications for future educational pursuit. 

Major Instructional Activities: Strategies and reasoning will be used to improve student's ability to solve problems on the math portion of the SAT involving arithmetic, elementary algebra, and geometry. Activities for under-standing the verbal portion of the test (to include vocabulary verbal reasoning, and understanding of what is read) will also be a focus of an appropriate balance of the course. Recommended coverage is 9 weeks for the verbal section and 9 weeks for the math section. 

Major Evaluative Techniques: Students will engage in taking many practice tests throughout the course. Improvement on performance will be a major factor in evaluation.

Essential Objective: Upon completion of the College Entrance Preparation course, the students should be able to

·       Differentiate among types of math skills needed to solve problems.

·       Analyze and apply strategies for solving math problems

·       Apply arithmetic and algebraic concepts to solve problems.

·       Interpret geometric figures and apply appropriate geometric properties to solve problems.

·       Compare quantities of different expressions or figures for equality or inequality.

·       State and compare relationships to answer analogy questions.

·       Distinguish between uses and meanings of words for antonym questions,

·       Recognize relationships among parts of a passage or a sentence.

·       Answer questions of what is stated or implied in a passage.

·       Recognize and practice good test-taking strategies. 

 

CSP GOAL:

AFNORTH International Middle/High School’s CSP (Continuous School Progress) goal is, “All students will improve their written communication skills across the curriculum.” The 6 + 1 trait is the model selected to improve school-wide writing in all subject areas. The 6+1 Trait writing framework is a powerful way to learn and use a common language to refer to characteristics of writing as well as establish a common vision of what “strong” writing looks like. Teachers and students will use the 6+1 Trait model to identify areas of strength and weakness as they continue to strive towards continued writing improvement. Success of all students requires that the 6 + 1 Trait become a consistent and integral component of each course taught at AFNORTH International Middle/High School.

As obvious from both the course content and standards, writing is embedded throughout the College Preparation course content and materials.  The six traits of ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency and conventions will be taught through models, practice exercises, and the writing process.  Both informal and formal presentations are part of the planned curriculum. The 6+1 rubric will be used extensively.     

 

 

 

COURSE GRADING/ASSESSMENT:

 

   College Entrance Preparation grades are online at www.mygradebook.com    Students will be given  login IDs and passwords to use to access their grades.  Those login Ids and passwords will also be emailed to the parents at the beginning of the school year.  Students will be evaluated several ways. On completion of given assignments, participation in class activities and discussions, quizzes, tests, reports and projects.

Formal tests will be administered on completion of a unit, midyear, and at the end of the year. Quizzes and writing will be utilized throughout the course to assess the student’s abilities, knowledge and skills.

 

Grading Scale: See Student Handbook

 

Quarter Grades are assessed:

            Class work                   10-25 points                 Homework                   10-25 points

            Quizzes                        20-50 points                      Tests                            100 points

            Projects                        20-40 points

Assignments will be graded one of three ways: checked for completion, collected and graded or rubric scored.

 

The final semester grades are calculated as follows:

 

1st Semester                                         2nd Semester

                        1st Quarter Grade         40%                 3rd Quarter Grade         40%

                        2nd Quarter Grade        40%                 4th Quarter Grade         40%

                        Semester Exam 20%                 Semester Exam 20%

 

 

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS/CONSEQUENCES:

          Students are encouraged to participate actively and take responsibility for their own learning; they should show respect for themselves, others, and school property.  They should quietly enter the classroom with all their necessary materials and with the anticipation of learning.  Students are expected to follow rules of etiquette and dress; these include the removal of hear wear inside the room and use of appropriate language.  Should counseling and detentions prove ineffective in maintaining appropriate classroom decorum, parental and administrative support will be sought.

            Students should complete class assignments on time and maintain prompt, regular class attendance.  A student who has been absent is responsible for checking the homework webpage.  The student is expected to hand in assignments and take quizzes on the due date.  If the student is absent for any number of days, they are to check the homework webpage for assignments given during those absent days.  The  homework webpage is available on internet.

 

Certainly, emergencies arise.  Homework assignments are on the webpage.   If a student is unable to complete the work during their absence, a parent must email me or call to ask for an extension BEFORE THE START OF THE NEXT CLASS SESSION.   If I do not receive an email or call before the start of the next class session, I will assume that the student checked the homework webpage and was able to finish the work before school or has decided to attend the quarterly after-school extra credit session to make up the lost points.  If a test is scheduled on the first day of the student’s return after their absence, I will ask that the student go ahead and take the test.  If the parent contacted me prior to the start of the class immediately after the absence, we can discuss the option of a make-up test if needed.  The make-up test is ONLY an option if the parent phoned or emailed me BEFORE the start of that class session.  It is up to the student to check the homework webpage and complete the homework or ask his or parent to phone me or email me to discuss the situation.  If you are ill and do not have Internet access at home, call me at school and I will call you back with the homework assignment or email the parent using the parent’s email address on file here at school.  It is also recommended, just as a back-up, that students always carry their agenda/planner with them to every class so that they may write down the homework assignments directly from the classroom chalkboard at the time the assignment is given.

 

STUDENTS PLEASE REMEMBER:   

 

1)      Headgear: I am an old fashioned type of person; these items will not be worn in my class. This is non-negotiable.

2)      Be on time, this school has a serious tardy policy, which is enforced.

3)      Come to class prepared to learn. Bring everything you need with you.

4)      Check the board for information.

5)      Maintain an atmosphere that helps everyone learn.

6)      Pay attention, take notes, listen and learn.

7)      NO GUM. No food or drinks other than a water bottle with plain water.

8)      My desk is off limits.

9)      Be respectful of others.

10)  I dismiss the class, not the student.   Do not plan on packing up 10 minutes early.

 

           

 

 

SUPPLIES (REQUIRED/RECOMMENDED)

          Students are asked to have the following items:  1” binder to use as a portfolio, 3 ring binder, loose leaf paper, dark blue or black pens, 2 pens or pencils with vivid colors, 1 pocket folder.     

 

 HOMEWORK POLICY:

          Class notes should be written in the student’s notebook.  Homework should be completed before entering the classroom and will be turned in to the teacher when requested. All work is expected to be turned in on time.  No late work will be accepted. Homework must have the following information in the top right corner:  name, date, period, page number and problem number (when applicable).  The title of the assignment should be on the top line.

Homework, like class work, is given to reinforce learning.  The student, who is expected to use feedback for improvement, should correct all homework.  A student should seek help with any part not understood. 

 GRADED WORK:  

             It is my policy to keep the students’ work in a portfolio in my classroom.  I will have numerous individual conferences with students throughout the year especially after in-class essay exams.  Portfolios give students every chance to improve their writing skills.  I will review portfolios at the end of each grading period.  If significant improvement is shown, I will keep that improvement in mind when calculating the effort portion of final grades.

 

 PLAGIARISM:

             Please review the plagiarism policy in the Parent Handbook.  Remember that plagiarism involves using someone else’s ideas and/or words without citing your source. 

 

 APPOINTMENTS:

Students learn best when they are cooperating with parents and teachers in a joint effort. I am available before and after school, at lunch, and Seminar for students to make up work or receive extra help.  If you have questions or concerns, please e-mail, call, or set up an appointment through the guidance office 

 

 

I have read, and I understand the course outline and requirements in this syllabus.

 

 

Print Student’s Name___________________________________________________________

 

 

Student’s Signature____________________________________________________________