Pulaski County High School - Maroons in Transition (M.I.T.) Syllabus
Instructors: Renee Nelson, Whitney Ruby & Al Gover
2008-2009
Week One
M.I.T. Class expectations
Freshman Center expectations
Review of school policies/procedures
Review of behavior code/dress code
Ice-Breaker activities- Connect
Agenda book usage
Locker organization/schedule routes/organization
Clarification of policies/procedures/Ms. Baker
Week Two
Discover Skills: Chapter 1: Lesson 5 Asking for Help
How to have a safe and civil school (Focus on cafeteria/hallways/procedures)
Student made video/dos and donts for a positive school environment
School Resource Orientation- Assembly
(Resources: Developing Character in Students, Discipline in the Secondary Classroom, FRYSC, Counselors, SRO, principals, extended school services)
Week Three
High school credit system, Program of Studies, diploma requirements, GPA
Grading process, academy, etc.
Keeping up w/your grades - STIHOME Password-
Individual Learning Plans-How can they help me?
Cornell note taking skills
Organizing for Success
(Resources - Discover Skills, School curriculum guide, Lisa Colyer, and guidance counselors)
Weeks Four and Five
Whats important to me?
Looking ahead-Broad Goals
Habits for Success in School and Life
Paradigms and Principles
The Personal Bank Account
(Resource - Seven Habits for Highly Effective Teens)
Weeks Six, Seven, and Eight
Habit 1- Be Proactive- Take Responsibility for your Life
'a7Discover Skills: Chapter 1: Lesson 2 - Knowing Yourself
'a7Discover Skills: Chapter 1: Lesson 3 - Working on your Attitude
'a7Discover Skills: Chapter 1: Lesson 4 - Dealing with Stress
'a7Foundation for Success CD-ROM Unit 3: Chapter 1 Know Yourself
1.Self-Awareness
2.Appreciating Diversity
3.Personal Growth Plan
4.Brain Structure and Function
5.Left-Brain/Right-Brain/How your brain works
6.Learning Style and Processing Preferences
7.Learning Models
8.Multiple Intelligences
(Additional Resources: Winning Colors personality inventory, The Way we Learn, Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom, The Memory Book, Learn to Remember)
Weeks Nine and Ten
Habit 2 -Begin With the End in Mind - Define your mission and goals in life
Discover Skills: Chapter 1: Lesson 6 Setting and Reaching Goals
Foundation for Success CD-ROM Unit 3: Chapter 8 Planning Skills and Social Responsibility
1.Making the Right Choices/Decision Making
2.Goals and Goal Setting
3.Time Management/Organizational/Study Skills
4.Healthy Choices
Weeks Eleven and Twelve
Habit 3 - Put First Things First - Prioritize and do the most important things first
Discover Skills: Chapter 3: Lesson 16 Using an Effective Decision Making Model"
Discover Skills: Chapter 3: Lesson 17 Identifying and Responding to Influences on You
Weeks Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen, and Sixteen
Habit 4 - Think Win-Win - Have an everyone-can-win attitude
o Discover Skills: Chapter 3: Lesson 18 - Challenging Advertisements
o Discover Skills: Chapter 3: Lesson 19 - Maintaining Healthy Relationships
o Discover Skills: Chapter 3: Lesson 20 - Understanding Peer Pressure
o Discover Skills: Chapter 3: Lesson 21 - Responding Assertively to Peer Pressure
o Discover Skills: Chapter 3: Lesson 22 - Handling Difficult Problems
o Foundation for Success CD-ROM Unit 3: Chapter 4 Conflict Resolution
1. Finding Solutions: Conflict
2. Finding Solutions: Conflict and Behavior
3. Finding Solutions: Mediation
(Additional Resources: YSC, Peer Mediation Facilitator; Just Two Days (JROTC interactive video assembly on bullying); PeaceTalks-videos-Dealing w/Bullies; Respect Yourself and Others, The Kids Guide to Working Out Conflicts)
Weeks Seventeen and Eighteen
Review of test-taking skills and mid-term study sessions
Review for Mid-term exam
Bring study guides to MIT -Study time for exams
Mid-term Exam
Mid-Year organization/locker checks
Christmas Break/Academy
Weeks Nineteen, Twenty, Twenty-One, and Twenty-Two
oHabit 5 - Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood - Listen to people sincerely
Foundation for Success CD-ROM Unit 3: Chapter 3 Communication Skills
The Communication Process
1.Becoming a Better Writer, Speaker and Listener
2.Creating Better Speeches
3.Communicating in Groups
4.Roles in Group Communication
5.Parliamentary Procedures
(Additional Resources: Positive Words, Powerful Results, Developing Character in Students, Roberts Rules of Order)
Weeks Twenty-Three, Twenty-Four, and Twenty-Five
oHabit 6 - Synergize - Work together to achieve more
Service Learning Project
Foundation for Success CD-ROM Unit 3: Chapter 6 Making a Difference with Service Learning
1.Orientation to Service Learning
2.Plan and Train for your Exploratory Project
3.Project Reflection and Integration
The Fred Factor
1. Everyone Makes A Difference
2. Success is Built on Relationships
3. Continually Create Value for Others
(Additional Resources: Random Acts of Kindness audio, The Fred Factor, Play it Forward video, Pass it On audio, Developing Character in Students)
Weeks Twenty-Six and Twenty-Seven
oHabit 7 - Sharpen the Saw - Renew yourself regularly
oExploring new skills and talents
Week Twenty-Eight
oPracticing the 7 habits
oReflection
Weeks Twenty-Nine and Thirty
The Six Most Important Decisions You will Ever Make
oGroup Presentations
Week Thirty-One
Foundation for Success CD-ROM Unit 3: Chapter 2 Study Skills
1.Becoming an Active Learner
2.Reading for Meaning - Comprehension Strategies
3.Reading for Meaning - Vocabulary Strategies
4.Reading strategies
5.Vocabulary- CATS (Core Content)
6.Study Habits that Work for You
7.Test Taking Techniques
(Additional resources: Evelyn Wood Reading video series; study skills; test taking tips, etc. )
Weeks Thirty-Two, Thirty-Three, and Thirty-Four
Foundation for Success CD-ROM Unit 3: Chapter 7 Career Planning
1.Career Exploration Strategy
2.Career Development Portfolio (IGP)
3.Career Opportunities-Guest speakers
4.Career Opportunities (Also: Careerlocker.com)
5.College Preparation (Also: Other career training opportunities)
Becoming the BEST ME (10 Career and Character Education Essentials)
Week Thirty-Five
Average grades
Compass Testing, P.A.M. Testing, etc.
Four-year-plan-scheduling for next year
Re-visit major issues
Review for MIT final exam
Bring study guides to MIT-Review for other final exams
Week Thirty-Six
Final Exams
Freshman Award Program
Clean out lockers
Tours of building for next year
Too Good for Drugs - (Speaker one day a week throughout year)
Other resources may include but not be limited to: R.A.P. Resources for an Advisory Program, The Power of Social Skills in Character Development;
The Book of Virtues; Too Good for Drugs; Leadership and Resiliency)
Pulaski County High School
American Government and Economics
2007-2008 Course Syllabus
Instructor: Renee Nelson
Grade Level: 10
American Government and Economics
Description:
This course will be a broad study of government local, state and federal. This will include a study of the structure of government, and the operations of government. Particular emphasis will be on the obligations and responsibilities of citizens toward the government. Attention will be given to the social studies, such as economics, sociology, and psychology. The underlying theme of the course is a discussion of values the way in which they are formulated and the results that they have upon others.
Course Standards:
Students will:
-Discover the tools, processes, methods and techniques to think as an informed citizen while appreciating political science as a field of study.
-Understand the democratic principles of justice, equality, responsibility, and freedom to apply them to real-life situations.
-Accurately describe various forms of government and analyze issues that relate to the rights and responsibilities of citizens in a democracy.
-Learn to make responsible choices and decisions.
-Understand how present events and future decisions help shape government so that government meets the needs of the people.
-Gain an understanding of the organization of the United States government to allow for the protection of democratic principles.
-Learn to develop tolerance and respect for all people, cultures and ideas.
-Learn to communicate with others to resolve conflict.
-Examine the disciplines of economics, civics, and society throughout the class.
Expectations:
- Students will follow directions the first time they are given, complete all assignments, do their own work, and respect themselves and others. If this is accomplished there is no reason that everyone cannot pass this course with a good grade.
Materials:
Loose leaf paper, 3 ring-binder, and dividers for 3 sections, pens/pencils, and composition book.
Grading:
Students will be evaluated on class assignments and activities including but not limited to the following:
-Participation
Bookwork/Handouts
-Bellringer Journals
-Polished Written Pieces/Editorials
-Content Quizzes
-Tests & Assessment Projects
-Homework
Procedures/Rules:
The following make up the class rules for my class, there is only one and it is very important.
Rule 1: RESPECT. This means to respect the room, materials, your peers, me, and most importantly RESPECT YOURSELF.
Seating:
All seats are open at the beginning of the school year. Seating determination will be based on student behavior and achievement. I reserve the right to change and assign seats at anytime!!! REMINDER: You are to be in your seat when the bell rings, not a second after or you are tardy and I do keep up with them!
Do I have to have my agenda book?
No agenda book, no going ANYWHERE!
When can I ask to go to the restroom?
I prefer you go in between class, but if you must go during my class time, please wait until a moment that I am not busy teaching/lecturing or doing some other activity.
When can I go see the nurse?
See the information about when can I go to the restroom.
If you will use this syllabus as a guide to any questions you have, I believe you will be successful. Best wishes,
Ms. Nelson
WORLD CIVILIZATION/GEOGRAPHY
Teachers: Ms. Nelson
Course Description: The world civilizations course will extend students' knowledge of the world cultures, both past and present, while incorporating the five themes of geography.
Students will study World History from 1500 to the present and make connections from the past to the present. Students will also understand how place, region, human/environment interaction, movement, and location are interrelated with history. This is a required, one-credit course.
Classroom Expectations/Requirements: Students are expected to complete all assignments and contribute positively to class each day. All assignments are based on Kentucky Core Content and are designed to meet State Standards.
Grading Policy: All assignments and tests are based on points. Tests will be worth 100 points and homework and in-class assignment points will vary. Tests will include multiple choice, short answers, and open responses. Final grades will be based on the school-wide scale outlined in the student handbook. Grades are kept on STI and may be accessed by students and parents/guardians.
100 - 90 = A
89 - 80 = B
79 - 70 = C
69 - 60 = D
59 - 0 = F
Homework Policy: Students are expected to turn homework in on time and will be allowed to make up missed assignments only with an excused absence.
Textbook: World History Book and World Geography Book
Contact Information: Ms. Renee Nelson- 4th period planning 11:05-12:00
Phone: 679-1574, Ext. 113
E-mail: renee.nelson@pulaski.kyschools.us
Topic Outline:
Historical perspective
Five themes in Geography
Renaissance
Reformation
World Religions
Growth of Technology
European Exploration
English and French Political Revolutions
Industrial Revolution
Enlightenment
Nationalism, Militarism, Imperialism
WWI
Russian Revolution
WWII
Holocaust
Origins of the Cold War
The United Nations
20th Century social, political, and economic change
War on Terror
Iraq and the Middle East
United State History
Text Book: United States History: Reconstruction to Present
Course Requirements:
Students will need the following supplies:
1.Binder with pockets - this will be graded
2.Pencils and paper (pens should be either black or blue ink)
3.Composition Book
Topical Course Outline
Reconstruction
The Expansion of American Industry
Immigration and Politics
Gilded Age
Progressivism
World War I
Roaring Twenties
The Great Depression
World War II
Cold War
Postwar Years
Civil Rights and the 1960s
Social Movements
Vietnam War 1960
Nixon and Watergate
1992 to the Present
Dates for tests and outside assignments will be announced in class.
Grading:
Your grade will consist of performance on notebook assignments, classroom activities, and projects assigned in class as well as quizzes and tests. The total points earned on the assignments will be divided by the total points possible and converted to a percentage. Letter grades are assigned according to the following scale:
90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
0-59% F
Homework Policy
Homework Policy: Students are expected to turn homework in on time and will be allowed to make up missed assignments only with an excused absence.
Expectations and Policies:
1. Always be on time for class. When the tardy bell rings, each student should be seated and ready to begin class.
2. While the teacher or another student is talking, your undivided attention will be expected.
3. Always remain seated during class time with your feet on the floor, not the furniture.
4. Always raise your hand before asking or answering a question.
5. (Assignment and Make up Policy) If you have an excused absence from school you will have the number of days stated in the Agenda book to make up all assignments. Failure to make up missed work will result in a zero for that work. Work cannot be made up for unexcused absences!!!
Let's Have a great year!
Ms. Nelson
renee.nelson@pulaski.kyschools.us
Room A130 Ext 113
- 1st 8:20-9:10 MIT (Maroons in Transition) Girls Room A217
- 2nd 9:15-10:05 American Government Room A217
- 3rd 10:10-11:00 Planning Room A130
- 4th 11:05-12:00 World Civilization & World Geography Room A130
- 12:00 -12:25 Lunch Room A130
- 5th 12:30- 1:20 US History Room A130
- 6th 1:25-2:15 American Government Room A130
- 7th 2:20-3:10 Girls MIT (Maroons in Transition) Room A217