Burke High School Freshman FOCUS Program Course Syllabus Course Title: Room Number: Instructor’s Name: Instructor’s Website: FOCUS FACTS IC2 Mr. Howard (Content) burkefocus.org U.S. History (Honors) Mr. Siecke (Content) English 1-2 (Honors) Ms. Zinn (Special Education)

Telephone Number: E-mail: Plan Periods: Best time to contact: 402-557-3200 [email protected] 1,2 Before/After school or [email protected] 5,6 during plan time. [email protected] 7,8

FOCUS Program Social Media: Twitter: @BurkeFocus Instagram: @BurkeFocus Facebook: facebook.com/burkehighfocusprogram

1. Course Description Our freshman program actually consists of three separate courses: FACTS/Honors FACTS, English/Honors English, and U.S. History/Honors U.S. History. As students in the FOCUS Program, you will attend these courses with Mr. Howard, Ms. Zinn, and Mr. Siecke every other day (Odd or Even). In this program, we will be completing work and skills for three separate courses all within the same day. This means sometimes you may not be able to tell exactly which class we are in. The bells will help set guidelines, but we are doing something truly unique. Some days we may spend more time on History than on English and FACTS. Other days we may spend more time on English than on FACTS and History. Either way, you will be learning multiple skills and concepts for each class, covering multiple standards, all within a day’s work. This program will rely heavily on our three Focus extra value standards which some of you will be familiar with already. They are: Leadership through Technology and Communication. This means that you are responsible for both the content standards as well as the FOCUS Extra Value Standards. In your Freshman FOCUS courses, you will be taught how to be a leader in the building, use effective communication skills, and integrate technology into your learning. This program will require you to take accountability for your learning and to be leaders within the classroom and school building. iPads will be distributed to each student to use for the FOCUS Program. These may be used in other classes depending on teacher discretion. There are also MacBook Air computers and a color printer available for use in our classroom. We will be actively involved in our community and in the building. Overall, you will be receiving a unique learning experience you will never forget, and we are excited to have all of you here in our program.

2. Instructional Philosophy To begin, we love what we do! We love to teach our students each and every day we get to school. Mr. Howard loves to teach U.S. History as he feels that nobody can bring it alive like he can. We include activities, technology, and other aspects to engage our students in our country’s history. Mr. Howard is also certified in English and loves to teach writing and literature. Mr. Siecke is a business, marketing, and FACTS teacher and an expert in his field as well. These skills are crucial for future success in any field you desire to go into. When you finish the first year of the program, we want you to go into your sophomore year more prepared than everyone else and continue leading in our school. You should walk away from our classes able to think critically about text and literature. You should also be able to understand where we come from and why it is so important to know why we are where we are today.

3. Content Standards: English FACTS U.S. History Focus Extra Value 1. Reading 1. Academics/Study 1. World War 1 Standards (These will be included and 2. Writing Skills 2. The 1920’s Burke High School is Dedicated to providing an exemplary education through the collaborative efforts of students, parents, staff, and community. It is the mission of the Burke High School FOCUS Program to prepare 21st Century Learners to become community leaders through the use of technology and 1 communication. 3. Speaking and Listening 2. Careers 3. The Great Depression assessed in everything we do) 4. Multiple Literacies 3. Technology 4. World War 2 1. Leadership 5. Post World War 2 America 2. Communication 6. The Civil Rights Movement 3. Technology 7. The 1960’s, and 1970’s. 8. The 1980’s, 1990’s, and new millennium 9. Primary and secondary Sources 4. Texts English U.S. History  Holt Elements of Literature 3rd course  Holt American Nation  Animal Farm  Collection of Primary and Secondary Sources*  No Promises in the Wind*  TCI handouts  “Romeo and Juliet”  The Curious Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde *Indicates that book may not be available in eBook format

5. Major Units of Study English FACTS U.S. History  Animal Farm  Career interest exploring  Causes of WW1/Post WWI  No Promises in the Wind  Pages, Numbers, iMovie, and Keynote  The economic explosion of the 20's  Romeo and Juliet  Life Skills  Great Depression  Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde  Study Skills  The New Deal  Writing and editing for multiple  Using multiple pieces of technology  WW2/The Holocaust purposes  Analyzing student academics  The Cold War / Red Scare  Reading multiple perspectives  50's culture/ The Civil Rights  Primary and secondary sources Movement  Speech and other presentation formats  JFK's presidency  Research Papers  The Vietnam War  Reaganomics  The Fall of the Soviet Union  The Gulf War  9/11  Election of Barrack Obama

6. Focus Laws: Be Respectful Be Responsible Be Reliable

Daily Procedure: (Things you will be expected to do every day as you walk in to class) 1. Get out your notebook, folders, and writing utensil. 2. Get your iPad set up as necessary for class 3. Complete the bell work for the day (as needed) 4. Get out agendas and copy down assignments or daily activities. 5. Prepare your mind and body for engagement in our work for that day.

Work Ethic: We hope you all have this already, but if you do not, you will by the end of this year. By “work ethic,” we mean your effort put forth in our classes. We have a very strong work ethic and feel that it is the reason we are where we are today. We have found a lot of success with a big part of that due to working hard. I realize you all are still young and still learning these things. We want to help you in this regard as well. We guarantee you that we will be working just as hard, if not harder than you, this year. We want you to show us your best effort every day and nothing more. If you feel you

2 cannot complete a task, what do you think you should do? Find out how; ask us, or a friend. Please don't just say, “I can't do this,” and give up. That's the easy way out. Find a way to complete your task. Maybe that means coming in early, staying late, or emailing questions. If you get stuck, find a way around it. We’re not encouraging you to cheat; we are encouraging you to challenge yourself every day and take responsibility for your learning. We understand crazy things happen some times. If you can make it through this year and work hard you will have a better set of skills to take with you and build upon the next year. This is a fresh start for you. What you have done in the past stays in the past. This is your chance to show people and yourself what you are made of. Take the chance. Seize the opportunity!

Housekeeping:

Procedures and Routines: We have a set of procedures and routines we follow and practice daily. We reserve the right to reinforce or take the opportunity to practice/re-teach our expectations for these as necessary and demonstrated by you, the student. Some important “p/r’s” are outlined below:

Restroom: We are not known for letting students use the restroom. It can create a distraction and many times students simply take too long and miss vital information. Therefore, there will be no restroom passes given unless it is an absolute emergency. If we feel you are abusing the “emergencies only policy,” we will call home. Please use the restroom on your time between classes. Please don't come to class 30 seconds to a minute before the bell and ask us to go. If you think you can make it go. If not, wait until the next passing period. Don't make this a bigger issue than it has to be.

Passes: We also do not give out passes frequently. However, if you need a pass before school, after school, to the library during a study hall or non-class occasion, or for a late bus pass to attend PEEPS or Teen Center, we will be happy to write you one. Please let us know at a convenient time (not during instruction or class time).

Seating Charts: We will try to provide a new seating chart at the start of each month. This may vary depending on how this is handled by you. We do this to encourage student respect and allow students to work with others they may normally not work with. We also like to switch things up every now and then. Some days, the desks may be organized in a different manner. You never know what you'll get from day to day, week to week, and month to month.

Outside Technology, Food, and Drinks: This one is simple. You can't have them. If you do have them, keep them put away or we will be forced to take them and give them to the administrators. Food and Drinks will be tossed.

Leadership Expectations: 1. Model proper student behavior in all classes and encourage classmates in non-FOCUS classes to lead and not follow. 2. Introduce yourself and shake hands with any adult you meet in the building. Continue those beginning relationships by holding conversations with adults on a regular basis before, during, and after school hours. 3. Encourage students, rather than ridicule or tease. 4. Sit with different people on the bus or at lunch and get to know other students besides your FOCUS classmates. 5. Join a club, sport, or program that allows you to be a leader or make important decisions regarding leadership within the building.

Respect: This concept is the most important expectation in our classroom. We require students to respect everyone and everything including the teachers, classmates, the property/building, and, most importantly, yourself. The Bottom Line is this: Do not disrespect anyone in your class for any reason regardless of what you think you know about that student. We won't tolerate it and consequences will follow. Our class won't tolerate it either. We are teaching students how to lead and be leaders in their classrooms and communities. Our classroom is your sanctuary. Everyone in the class should feel safe enough in here to voice their thoughts or opinions, or answers to questions without fear of others laughing at them or talking about them behind their back. This will not be allowed to happen in our class. If you are found to be someone who cannot show this respect, we will be speaking one on one and with parents and administrators about other options for you this year.

Burke High School is Dedicated to providing an exemplary education through the collaborative efforts of students, parents, staff, and community. It is the mission of the Burke High School FOCUS Program to prepare 21st Century Learners to become community leaders through the use of technology and 3 communication. With all that being said, we are excited to be your FOCUS Program teachers this year and hope you are ready for a challenge. Let's get started off strong and head into winter break with no stress and no worries.

7. Assessment Course grades will be determined by planned assessments such as tests, quizzes, presentations, and projects; scored with rubrics. There will also be scored discussions, literature circles, and class activities such as debates, re-enactments, and peer editing. These will make up the formative assessments for the year. Each semester, you will have multiple state tests and projects to complete as well as a capstone project. First semester is outlined for you, but is subject to change. Your summative and major assessments might look like this for semester one may be similar to the following:

English FACTS U.S. History  Animal Farm - Test  Presentations  WW1 - Project  No Promises in the Wind - Project  Projects that tie into History and  Prohibition - CBA test (could be tied to History project) English projects  Great Depression - Project  Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - Essay  Projects that demonstrate skills in  WW2 - CBA project for whole 1st  Short Stories Projects various aspects of the use of semester  Research Papers technology  Required Semester Project (RSP)

Student-Led Conferences: Take place in both spring and fall. Student’s grades will be majorly impacted by their demonstration of Focus and course standards at these conferences. It is VITAL that both students and parents/guardians plan to attend. Fall Conferences are October 26th and Spring Conferences are February 15th. Second semester will look very similar to first as far as the major assessments and projects are concerned. Students will have multiple opportunities to learn concepts and knowledge to prove they have mastered the standards and are ready for the next level of the education.

8. OPS Secondary Grading Practices* All coursework and assessments are judged based on the level of student learning from “below basic” to “advanced.” This course will provide multiple opportunities to achieve at the “proficient” to “advanced” levels. Students are evaluated based on a proficiency scale or project rubric. Proficiency scales for this course are available on the FOCUS Program Website. For the standards based grading scale, refer to the Burke High School Student Handbook pages 11 and 12.

9. Redoing/Revising Student Coursework* 1. Students are responsible for completing all coursework and assessments as assigned. 2. Students will be allowed redos and revisions of coursework for full credit as long as they are turned in during that unit of study while a student still has an opportunity to benefit from the learning. 3. Students are expected to complete assessments when given to the class, or, if a student was justifiably absent, an assessment may be taken at a time designated by the teacher. 4. Redoing, retaking, or revising will be done at teacher discretion in consultation with the student and parent(s). Teachers may schedule students before, during, or after school to address needed areas of improvement if not convenient during class. The time and location for redoing, retaking or revising will be done at the teacher’s discretion in consultation with the student and parent(s). 5. Scores for student work after retaking, revising or redoing will not be averaged with the first attempt at coursework, but will replace the original score. *Indicates standardized language FOCUS Late Work Expectations  Late FORMATIVE assessments: accepted until the final assessment of the unit. After the final unit assessment, no late assignments will be accepted. *Once the unit is complete (after assessment) all missing assignments will be counted as a zero.  Revised FORMATIVE assessments: Formative assessments may be revised until the end of the unit. A solid effort must have been made on the first attempt in order to revise formative assessments, not simply your name and a small portion of the assignment completed.  Late SUMMATIVE assessments: will NOT be accepted (i.e. essays, projects, group presentations, etc…). It is due on the preset date in electronic or hard copy format.

4  Revised SUMMATIVE assessments: To be eligible to revise a summative assessment (exam, essay, project, etc…) all formative assignments for that unit must have been completed and turned in prior to the scheduled summative assessment date. If you have any missing formative or summative assessments from that unit, you CANNOT revise the final summative assessment. This is the final demonstration of learning, so to be able to revise is a privilege.  Revision Timeline: Essays/Projects: revised, with original copies attached, within one week after receiving it back. Exams: revised within 48 hours of seeing your score. Exams may have more specific requirements and will be explained for each exam.  Final Score Remember that you must show a greater understanding of the content and material to receive a higher score on any assessment. A revision does not guarantee you a better score. **If you are a student with extended time per your IEP, please utilize that accommodation accordingly by requesting extended time prior to the due date of the assignment.**

10. Class Rules and Expectations 1. Students will be expected to read all reading that is assigned and come prepared to class to discuss it the following day. 2. Students are expected to bring all materials and any homework needed each day without reminder from parents or teachers. (Agenda) 3. Students are expected to be in class unless absolutely necessary to be gone. (Illnesses, family emergencies, etc.) Please communicate your needs to be absent with teachers before you are gone, if possible. 4. Students are expected to be on time to class. Coming in late will often prevent that student from completing the activity, and thus will have to complete a makeup assignment in its place to demonstrate skills learned. 5. Students are expected to be responsible. This means having everything you need each day or using your resources to find a way to get what you need such as a pen/pencil, paper, something printed off, or something that was left at home, etc. Find a way to get what you need or have it with you. Be responsible. Your learning is your responsibility. Take it seriously. 6. Students will write several papers and complete many projects to demonstrate skills and learning of subject matter in all FOCUS courses. 7. Students will work cooperatively with others to complete activities and assignments that show skills learned.

Revised August 16, 2017

Signatures of receipt and review

I have read and understand the expectations and requirements of participation in the Burke High School Freshman FOCUS Program.

Student Name: ______Student Signature______Date______

Parent/Guardian Name: ______Signature______Date______

Burke High School is Dedicated to providing an exemplary education through the collaborative efforts of students, parents, staff, and community. It is the mission of the Burke High School FOCUS Program to prepare 21st Century Learners to become community leaders through the use of technology and 5 communication.