Peer Tutoring Syllabus

Peer Tutoring Syllabus

Fall Semester 2014

Teacher: Kelly Adams

Email:

School Telephone: 606-768-8166

Class Location: MCE K-8 Room 397

Office Hours: Before & after school

Instructional Assistants: Lori Crouch, Kim Dorsey, Dana Perry

Course Description(From the MCHS Course Catalog):

This course is designed to offer students an opportunity to (1) develop an understanding of the importance of friendships for all students, (2) learn basic teaching and curriculum concepts, (3) develop positive attitudes and understanding of barriers to full social integration of persons with disabilities or those who struggle with course work, and (4) learn about career opportunities in working with students in this environment. Prerequisites: Must have teacher approval before signing up for this course.

Instructional Goals: Attheendofthiscourse,youwill:

• Furtherlearntotreateveryone,disabilityornot,equallyandwithrespect.
• Havepossiblymadeafriendforlife.Thismaybeanopportunityfornewfriendshipsforyouaswell-beopentoit!
• Becomeabetterrolemodelbothtostudentswithdisabilitiesandotherstudents.
• Haveabetterunderstandingoftheimportanceofconfidentiality,orprivacy,especiallyinthespecialeducationprogram.
• Becomeabetteradvocate,orsupporter,ofpeoplewithdisabilities.

Course Text: No text; various handouts may be utilized throughout the semester

Confidentiality: As a peer tutor, as in any relationship, you might learn sensitive information about the individual’s life, past history and disability. This information MUST be kept confidential, or private! Information learned about your peer buddy must not be shared with others outside the Resource Room, with the exception of one of the following:

1. The individual is a danger to him/herself,
2. The individual is a danger to others, or
3. The individual is suspected to a victim of abuse.

**If you suspect any of these, talk with your teacher immediately!

Grading Procedures: Description of assignments and weight of each assignment on final grade are as follows:

Daily Points (45%): A maximum of 10 points can be earned each day you are in class. It is very easy to earn all 10 points if you follow these expectations:

• Be present! Attendance is imperative to your final grade. Since your grade is based mainly on working with students, you must be present to earn those daily points! **See Make-Up Assignments section below.
• Be on time and ready to work!
• Be patient, as well as positive! Offer praise even for small successes!
• Please do not work on other class work or homework while you are in this class.
• Do not come in and do nothing and expect to get a grade. You will receive a zero!
• Be a role model for students at all times; this includes your behavior, attitude and the way you talk.
• Everything that happens in this classroom is confidential and is not to be discussed outside of the classroom. If you need to discuss something that happened, please see me.

Online Journals (20%): Peer tutors are required to complete weekly journal entries. The journal topics are provided along with this syllabus, as well as being posted on the teacher website. Online submission via Infinite Campus will be due on by class time on the due date listed (normally Friday). Each weekly journal entry is worth 50 points and will be scored depending on the effort and thought put into the response. The first journal entry is due on Friday, September 12th. Please remember that all journal entries must be submitted on the Friday on which it is due. The teacher reserves the right to deduct points or refuse to accept late assignments. This is part of personal responsibility!

Reading Responses (15%): Throughout the semester, peer tutors will be given articles which they will be required to read and provide a written response. Articles will be posted on the teacher website. Responses will be submitted via Infinite Campus. Written responses should include: (1)the title and author (if known) of the article, (2) a summary of the article by the student and (3) their thoughts on the article. Each reading response is worth 50 points.

Final (20%): There will be a final in this class. The final is a project that the peer tutor will create. A hard copy of this must be turned in. The assignment cannot be sent via email! More information will be available later in the semester regarding the final.

Class activities for peer tutoring may include:

• Going to an outside class with one of our students where you will help to adapt assignments and help the student fit in with their peers.
• Helping students learn community skills at various locations such as grocery stores and restaurants
• Working on the computer with students
• Making instructional materials for students
• Helping with exercise programs
• Participating in leisure activities with students
• Cooking with students or other daily living tasks
• Helping with written academic work

The activities you are assigned will vary with the time of day you are in peer tutoring. If you have an interest or special talent for working on certain types of skills, please let your instructor know. Please come to class prepared to work for the entire class with enthusiasm and attention to doing your best!

Community Based Instruction: We take weekly trips for Community Based Instruction (CBI). In order for peer tutors to participate and join us on these trips, we must have a Parent Consent Form completed.

Make-Up Assignments: For each excused day missed, you will obtain 0 points for that day. You can regain8/10 points for missed days by completing a make-up assignment. Make-up assignments should be complete three daysafter returning to school. Unexcusedabsence cannot be made up. Please see teacher website for information on make-up assignments.

If at any time you have a question, feel free to ask. It is very important that you check your school email as well as teacher website! As several of my peer tutors are in other classes with students, I often do not get a chance to pass along information regarding assignments, trips, etc. The teacher reserves the right to modify the syllabus &/or schedule. Students will be notified via email and teacher website if this occurs. I utilize email quite frequently to correspond with peer tutors. Please be sure to check your school email as well as teacher website! I look forward to a great semester!

Classroom Procedures and Routines:

Fire Drills:

1. Students in my class will go out our back classroom door (in the kitchen and laundry area), and through the outside door next to our classroom. Students will cross the parking lot with the teacher and assistants.
2. Students in other teacher’s classrooms will follow the fire drill plan for that teacher’s room, staying with their peer buddy during drills.

Tornado Drills:

1. Students in my class will go out the front classroom door, exiting by the vending machines, and cross the hall to the “tornado safe” wall. Students will assume the tornado position, locking arms during the drill.
2. Students in other teacher’s classrooms will follow the tornado drill plan for that teacher’s room, staying with their peer buddy during drills.

Earthquake Drills:

1. Students in my classroom will get under tables, assuming the earthquake position.
2. Students in other teacher’s classrooms will follow the earthquake drill plan for that teacher’s room, staying with their peer buddy during the drills.

Lock Down Drills:

1. Remain in the classroom that you are in at the time of lock down drill.
2. If you are caught in the hall, go to the nearest classroom and follow their procedures until drill is over.

SAFETY: Some of my students tend to get nervous or anxious during drills, both due to the change in their normal routine and the noise(s) that occur during the drills. They do not always look when crossing the parking lots or standing near the edge of a sidewalk. PLEASE WATCH ANY STUDENT(S) YOU ARE WORKING WITH!

Restroom Breaks: Personal restroom breaks should be taken on your way to my class. While emergencies always happen, please try to refrain from taking a restroom break during the time you are in my classroom/another teacher’s classroom. Students that you are working with should not be taking restroom breaks as we have multiple breaks built into our day. If this becomes an issue, please let me know.

Personal Belongings: Please do not place your belongings on classroom tables or in the floor. Due to a large number of students in the Resource Room, all table space is needed. Placing items in the floor is a tripping hazard. A designated place will be assigned for you to place your belongings.

SIGNATURE PAGE: I have read and understand the guidelines in the Peer Tutoring syllabus:

Student signature______

Parent/Guardian signature______

Date______

I prefer to be contacted by:

Home phone:______Work phone:______

Cell phone:______Email:______

1