The Morgan School Freshman Course

The MorganF1f School – Freshman Course Fall 2010

Mission Statement: The Morgan School cultivates intellect and character in partnership with families and the community. Students learn in a rigorous academic and student- centered environment that prepares them to become resourceful, productive, healthy citizens in a global society.

Teacher: Leslie Chausse Class Wiki: http://freshmancourse.wikispaces.com/ (please bookmark this site) [email protected] Credits: Half year / ½ credit

Required Materials:  Notebook or 3-ring Binder with loose-leaf paper  Folder for all handouts and assignments  Working email address / Google Account  Flash drive (**optional**)  Pen / Pencil

Essential Questions:  How do we prepare ourselves to be 21st century learners?  What technologies help create 21st century learners?  How can we use these technologies in the classroom?

Course Overview: This course is designed to introduce you to a variety of technologies that will enhance your knowledge base regarding the Internet and increase your media literacy. The four units of this course will prepare you for both your Morgan experience and your real-world experience. These four units are:  Introduction to Morgan  Current Events  I-Search Paper  Career Exploration A new “tool” or “technology” will be introduced and utilized within each unit to help you gain a better understanding of how to find, synthesize, and present information. Some of these technologies include: Animoto, Audacity, Photo Story, and Movie Maker. Class will be held in the computer lab

While there won’t be any homework assigned in Freshman Course, this course will demand your focus and attention during class. You will be held accountable for the work assigned, and work not submitted on time will be considered late and receive zero credit. We will spend class time working on small and large-scale projects, each having its own timeline and deadline. Please be sure to use your time wisely and effectively.

Class Expectations:  You must come to class prepared each day. This means having your notebook, a class folder, a pen/pencil, and any material that will be necessary for class.  Plan to meet in room 65 unless I inform you otherwise.  Actively participate by listening to your classmates and teacher.  Stay focused and involved by asking questions and expressing your opinions and insights.  ALWAYS treat your classmates with respect. The MorganF1f School – Freshman Course Fall 2010

Attendance/Missed Assignments:  You are expected to be in class on time, every day. If you are more than 10 minutes late to class without a pass, you will receive a cut. Three cuts will result in a loss of credit for the course.  You are allowed 10 absences per semester. After 10 absences, you will lose credit for the course unless you can provide the office with valid documentation of extenuating circumstances.  If you are absent from class, you have 1 week from the day you return to make up any missed work. It is YOUR responsibility to obtain the work missed (notes, handouts, etc). There is a labeled tray for your class period where you will find any handouts that were distributed in class during your absence. Please be timely about retrieving these, as I will empty the tray at the end of each week. Class Work Policy: Class work is critical to your success in the class, as you will receive a grade for Freshman Course. Please come to class ready to work.  We will spend class time completing all assignments, each with its own timeline and due date.  Late work will NOT be accepted. Assignments are due at the start of class on the posted due date.  If you are absent on the day a long-term assignment is due, you must find a way to get me that assignment by the close of the school day (2:10). Late work will not be accepted.

Honesty and Academic Integrity: Cheating, plagiarism, or falsification (lying) of any kind will not be tolerated. Students are cheating if they:  Copy or allow to be copied any assignment by any method  Use any unauthorized aid on quizzes, tests, or exams  Steal, possess, or view a copy of a test beforehand  Give or receive help on a test  Take someone else’s work and submit it as their own  Scan, alter, or forge any school document