Westlake High School

TOWNVIEW TAG Freshman Seminar Syllabus MS. MALONE EMAIL: [email protected] Phone: 972-998-7557

Introduction and Course Overview This course is intended to be an introduction to your experience at TAG and as a way of examining the issues around you in a practiced way. This class will rotate around three main units. The first unit will focus on “soft skills” that you need in order to be successful at TAG. In this unit you will be asked to try out methods of organization and learning that you might not have thought about before and conduct an analysis of the impact of these methods on your learning. This unit will culminate in a portfolio (Due 10-27) in which you summarize and showcase all you learned in the unit. In the second unit, we will take the same approach that we took to analyzing methods of learning to analyzing the world around us. This unit will focus on issues of social justice and how they affect you and the United States in general. This portion of the course will focus on a book study with seminar discussions lead by students. In the last part of the course you will pick an issue in the community around you that you would like to change and research how you would go about addressing that issue. You will present your team project at a Civics Fair May 4th to fellow students, professors and city leaders. Through these three units it is intended that you practice the skills necessary for success at TAG as well as learn more about the word around you.

Attendance Policy: Students will be in school 95% of the year. Four or more absences will result in a grade of “NG.” Check with the school attendance office for more information

Grading Policy: This class is a bit different in that there are three very different units highlighting different skill sets. As such the grade breakdowns will vary from 6 weeks to 6 weeks. However, you can expect to have a fair number of each of these assignments and will be given an opportunity to correct things when possible. Classwork 30-50% of grade (6-15 per 6 weeks) Things done in class. These assignments are usually completed in class, however there may be unfinished parts. You will usually have a 3-5 day turn around on these. They will not add more than 20-30 minutes to your weekly load. That said if you don’t use time I give you well, you will have much more homework. When lessons, lecture etc is going on DO NOT use that time to do the classwork following your notes. If during our class time you are working on work ahead or work for another class you will be first warned and upon subsequent infringement your work will be taken and disposed of. Homework 20-40% of grade (7-10 per 6 weeks) In the first unit this will consist of you trying out methods we have talked about in class and writing a summary of your experience. In the second unit this will consist of reading the text and completing homework questions. In the third unit it will consist of activities you do for your group civics project. Projects 0-50% of grade (varies by 6 weeks) In the first unit this will be your portfolio project. In the second unit there is no project but your ACP will be a college style essay examination over the book. In the third six week this is your civics fair project. Other (5%-15%) This class is unique and you go to a unique school. Sometimes there are other grades (TREK, TAG IT, etc). These will vary by 6 weeks, but you will receive a calendar for the entire 6 weeks up front so this shouldn’t be shocking at any point.

Course Calendar First Semester 1 *All dates are subject to change, but you will be given at least 72 hours notice on any changes in assignments. Assignments will never be due sooner than what is indicated on this calendar. At the beginning of the second 6 weeks you will receive an updated calendar if more than 1 thing has changed for the upcoming 6 weeks. BE SURE to bring things to class on the date indicated that it is due. Late work receives a -30 penalty. Date Topic/Activities Homework M 8-28 What is freshman seminar? Introduction to the course Student Survey and Syllabus due 9-1 and to each other W 8-30 How do you learn? Pick at least 2 techniques you have seen in class that -Dr. Chew “What students should know about how people resonate with you, or research another method based on learn” your learning style assessment. Document how and Learningscientists.org when you use each method and generate pros and cons Self-reflection on learning of each method. 1/2 page typed with your findings on the pros and cons of each method due 9-20 in class. F 9-1 How do you keep yourself organized? Pick at least 2 techniques you have seen in class that General systems of organization. Digital vs. Paper vs resonate with you, or research another method. other. Show multiple examples and resources. Document how and when you use each method and generate pros and cons of each method. 1/2 page typed with your findings on the pros and cons of each method due 9-20 in class. W 9-6 What do you want your TAG experience to be? Go to at least 1 club or activity meeting.. Document -Conversation about week one progress and reflections on what the meeting was like, what you liked about it and what has happened so far what you did not like about it. Explain why you will or Crafting your high school experience: Joining clubs, will not continue with this club or activity. ½ page due becoming involved on campus, class leadership (not just on your experience 9-20 in class based on fundraising), connecting to groups/ people in other Townview schools, plotting towards your future (brief conversation about internships etc.)

F 9-8 What method of studying works best for you? Study Action Plan due 9-20 in class Dr. Chew- Cognitive Principles for Optimizing Learning How to study, connect how to link the note taking and organization to studying. Talk about making a study plan, how to form groups, how to make the most of the time. Explore methods that people use to study: Notecards, quizlet, outline, Khan etc. Talk about what methods work best in what class. Practice with Human Geography Vocabulary. Create a study Action Plan. Setting up learning communities T 9-12 How do you take notes? Investigation of Methods Pick at least 2 techniques you have seen in class that Note taking ideas and beginning practice on Civil Rights resonate with you, or research another method. history Document how and when you use each method and generate pros and cons of each method. 1/2 page typed with your findings on the pros and cons of each method due 9-20 in class. R 9-15 How do you take notes? This is a chance to practice the methods you might want - Sample lesson Civil Rights to try out M 9-18 How do you read about the world around you? Sign up for a Current Event Presentation day. In class Sourcing and how to use digital sources specific instructions will be given but if you are the Using the library resources presenter you must How to tell if a source is “good” 1) Pick an important event going on in the local Assign current events and sign up community 2) Post 1-3 articles about the event that you want the class to read at least 2 days before your presentation 3) Prepare a4- 5 minute presentation on the event, why it is important, how it effects our lives etc. 4) Prepare 4-5 minutes of questions for the class If you are not the presenter you must 1) Read the articles before class 2 2) Participate in the question and answer period W 9-20 What have you learned so far about the way you learn Assign Freshman Portfolio- Outlining their findings on and organize? which methods work best for them, what they plan to do Note Taking, Organization, and Campus involvement with their observations and feedback. share out. F 9-22 How do you communicate with others digitally? Typing CE Presentation 1 diagnostic and email etiquette. Set up the DISD email. How to ask for help when you need it. Keystroke shortcuts, how to attach things. BRING YOUR LAPTOPS TODAY! T 9-26 What have you learned about how you learn and how Based on Study Revision session revise portfolio- Add best to study? How to study revisited. At this point most information students will have had an exam. Students will reflect on how they studied and what they can do better next time. Have successful students explain what they did to prepare? Gallery walk with ideas for how to improve. Seniors to reflect on what they do to impart advice. Work on creating study groups writing and outside of class R 9-28 What are your goals? How can you craft your high CE Presentation 2 End of 1st school experience to meet them? 6 weeks Exercise from (http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2015/07/10/419202925/th e-writing-assignment-that-changes-lives M 10-2 How do you help others learn? CE Presentation 3 In depth work on your portfolio element How will you convey things in your Farmer Project? W 10-4 TREK F 10-6 TREK T 10-10 What is the PSAT? Introduction to the PSAT- and PSAT CE Presentation 4 Practice from Khan Academy Counseling Lesson/ PSAT Practice M 10-16 How do you present yourself to others? Interviewing CE Presentation 5 Practice- How to talk to people in authority. How to write a resume . W 10-18 Portfolio work day M 10-23 Portfolio Peer Review CE Presentation 6 W 10-25 Portfolio work day F 10-27 Portfolio Due CE Presentation 7 T 10-31 UT Southwestern R 11-2 UT Southwestern You must have the Tatum Book by this point End of 6 weeks M 11-6 UT Southwestern W 11-8 What have we learned so far? Unit reflection- Where are CE Presentation 8 you now based on where you once were. What are your biggest take away? What would you still like to learn? Introduction to Identity F 11-10 How does your identity shape your experience? What is your identity? Identity Map assignment T 11-14 Social justice, what is it why do we need it? What are Sign up to be discussion leaders some current problems in the United States, how can we address them? How do we have conversations about topics like these? How do we talk about difficult topics? Norm setting how conversations like this will go. Based on the reading generate student expectations for these conversations. R 11-16 What issues do we see in our society? How did these CE Presentation 9 issues come to our modern society (setting a historical context). How do they change over time? Excerpt from 3 Zinn "You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train." What issues have you confronted? Which issues have you been a bystander to? Thanksgiving Break M 11-27 Intro Text W 11-29 Seminar Discussion Introduction: Malone models seminar Tatum Introduction ix-xix with questions due in class. discussion. CE Presentation 10 F 12-1 Chapter 1: What is Racism? Tatum Chapter 1 Pages 3-19 with reflection questions due in class. T 12-5 Chapter 2 seminar discussion How is our identity shaped Tatum Chapter 2 pages 18-28 with reflection questions by the culture around us? What are the implications of this due in class on a larger scale? Is this positive, negative, or neutral overall? How does your identity shape your experience? What is your identity? R 12-7 Chapter 3 seminar discussion: How does racial identity Tatum Chapter 3 Pages 31-51 with reflection questions form in younger years? due in class. Identity Map Due CE Presentation 11 M 12-11 Chapter 4 seminar discussion: How is your identity being Tatum Chapter 4 Pages 52-74 with reflection questions shaped right now? What factors are an influence? What due in class used to be factors, what are becoming more prevalent? How with this change your perception of your identity and how you perceive the word around you? W 12-13 chapter 5 discussion How will your identity continue to be Chapter 5 Reading Questions Due shaped? Is there a way to craft your own identity? Should Assign Pro/Con Affirmative Action you if there is? Should we as a society work on this F 12-15 Part 1 and 2 connecting conversation CE Presentation 12 Identity discussion

ACPS Identity- Relating your own identity to Tatum’s argument for identity formation

Google Classroom: Google classroom will be used to post updates and documents. I do not anticipate that you will submit work via google classroom but that could change. The course code is z2t2x5f. There is a link posted in materials that will take you to the drive which will have all class documents, powerpoints, and other materials in it. The folder named “intro docs” contains this syllabus, and all course calendars.

Extra Credit: Throughout the semester there will be opportunities for extra credit. These may be in the form of film viewing opportunities, worksheets, or extra projects. If students go above and beyond on any class assignments extra credit may also be awarded. Usually this extra credit will result in an extra credit coupon, which can be stapled to any homework or class work. Extra credit cannot be applied to projects or exam grades.

Late Work: All work is due IN CLASS on the day it is due to be turned in unless the assignment states otherwise. Late work will result in an automatic penalty of -30 points. I reserve the right to not accept any excessively late work (more than 3 weeks late). All late work for a given 6 weeks is due on the Thursday before the 6 weeks ends at 5:00 pm unless you have been instructed otherwise. These deadlines are on the calendar in the course calendar.

Absent Work: If you are absent you have one class day to turn in the work (i.e. if you are absent on Monday you get the work on Wednesday and turn it in by Friday). All missing work can be found in the hanging folder by the class information. If you were absent when homework was due, that work is due on the day you return to TAG as you were given homework assignments well in advance. Please write 4 “absent” on the top of any absent work. If there is a major project due on the day that you are absent you need to email me a picture of your completed project no later than your scheduled class time. Unless this is done projects on days you are absent will be considered late.

Correction of Low Grades: If you make less than an 80 on an assignment you may make the assignment up to receive up to an 80 on the assignment if it was turned in on time. If the assignment was late you are not permitted to do corrections on the assignment. Turn in the corrected sheet with the old sheet so I can tell what you corrected.

Returned Work- You are responsible for keeping all work that has been returned to you. I suggest that you keep it in a binder. All work will be returned to you. I HIGHLY recommend that you keep all work each 6 weeks. I am human and make mistakes. If you are missing an assignment you turned in according to the grade book or you made a higher grade than what is in grade book you will need to show me the paper with the grade on it. If you cannot find the paper I can only assume that the grade in the grade book is correct.

Tutoring: Tutoring is available to all students after school and before school. At the beginning of each week the days and times of tutoring will be placed on the chart near the window. I am usually available for tutoring at least 6 hrs per week. Please speak with me if you are not able to find a time to come to tutoring. If there is sufficient demand I can also do Saturday school.

Academic Dishonesty: Students caught copying from other students, plagiarizing other’s work or ideas, or submitting work that is not of their own creation will receive a zero on that assignment and will f ace disciplinary action. If another student has given that student the work BOTH students will recei ve a zero for the assignment. On the first offence, a parent conference can be held and a new assign ment will be issued. On a second offence no makeup assignment will be given and further adminsta tive actions will be taken. If you are unclear about what constitutes plagiarism please ask me or visi t this website http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml. BEWARE of the intern et. There are MANY ideas out there and sometimes it might seem easier to grab ideas from there rather than to generate your own. You are always better served by working through an idea on your own and often because this class is so catered to TAG ideas generated from online will lead you down an incorrect path. If you are struggling to generate ideas come talk to Malone or to a fellow student.

Classroom Supplies: Bring something to write with, a highlighter and paper every day. If you need something else I will let you know far in advance.

Optional: You may want to invest in a binder for this class in order to keep your materials. A 1-2 inch binder will be sufficient. If you have another organization system that is fine as well.

Text: “Why are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria” by Beverly Tatum. ISBN 0465083617. You will need this text by November 2nd. If you are going to borrow a school copy please let me know ASAP as we have limited copies.

Electronics Policy: No computers will be allowed in class unless it is part of the lesson. You will be given one warning and then your computer will be taken and given to the office. Cell phone policy will operate in much the same manner. During full group discussion/lecture you will be warned and then your phone will be confiscated until the end of the period. I welcome a discussion on this policy but I’m a 5 pretty strong believer that multitasking isn’t usually done well and that notetaking is best done on paper. If you want more information check out these cool studies http://www.aabri.com/manuscripts/10498.pdf, https://seii.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/SEII-Discussion-Paper-2016.02-Payne-Carter- Greenberg-and-Walker-2.pdf (if you don’t want to read a whole study this article breaks down the first studies’ main argument http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/multitasking- confronting-students-with-the-facts/) For information on note taking check out http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/08/18/taking-notes-is-the-pen-still-mightier-than-the-keyboard/ or https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-learning-secret-don-t-take-notes-with-a-laptop/

Classroom Values and Expectations: Determination Come to class ON TIME ready to learn with all of your supplies for the day Turn in work complete and on time Come to tutoring and review sessions as needed Curiosity Stay engaged in the class No sleeping/texting etc. Ask questions and give answers Seek out and respect opposing points of view Raise your hand to be heard so everyone gets a chance to be heard and to give their opinion Engage with difficult ideas respectfully Do not leave the classroom without permission Respect and follow all Malone directions Consequences: 1. Verbal Warning 2. Removal from the group/ loss of privileges 3. Call home/Detention 4. Office referral Discipline will be handled according to current school policy. All major and critical violations will be referred to the office immediately.

Rewards: Throughout the year rewards will be given for superior academic performance and actions. Rewards can take the form of Homework passes, extra privileges, or treats. Also through the year you will gain knowledge and skills which are in themselves their own rewards.

Desks: This doesn’t really fit in anywhere else, but the desks get SUPER gross through the year because people put junk in them. All that should be in your desk is a dry erase marker, eraser and board. It is your responsibility to check your desk each day. If your desk is full of junk and it is reported the next period I can only assume that it is your junk that has been left. You will be required to come to my room for 30 minutes one morning or afternoon within the week to clean out all the desks if your desk is found by the next occupant to have junk in it.

Final Note: I know that each and every one of you has it in you to be successful in this class. I also believe that this class is incredibly helpful in helping you to be successful at TAG which I know each of you can be. It is my job to help you be successful in this class and at TAG and to help you reach your full potential. If you ever have any questions about content, the course, the school or difficulty completing assignments, please contact me so that we can work out a solution. Be proactive; don’t wait until an assignment is late to tell me you’re having trouble. Look up at the top of this syllabus. You’ll find my personal cell phone number and my e-mail address. Do not hesitate to contact me.

6 I have read and understand all policies for Freshman Seminar as stated in the syllabus. If I have any questions I will contact the instructor in person, by email at [email protected], or by phone at 972-998-7557. Please detach this page and keep the syllabus for your records. The syllabus can also be found in Google Classroom under the folder “Intro Docs.”

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Do you have any questions about the course or concerns about your student you would like me to be aware of?