Freshmen Seminar 2016 – 2017

Mrs. Yasui (C-02)

To educate and support every student, every day, for success now and in the future.

How to Reach Me:

(541) 386-4500 ext: 4571

Prep Periods: 2 and 7

Course Description:

This intervention course focuses on improving writing skills and best practices that students need in order to be successful in all courses across content areas. Topics covered include writing for a variety of purposes and audiences, writing modes and forms, the writing process, basic keyboarding, document management and tools, basic business communications (emails, addresses, and applications), traits of effective writing and grammar instruction and review. This is a split-period class (runs for 42 minutes 2-3 times a week) and will last the year.

Course Objectives:

The class will be paced out into themed months. Themes include, but are not limited to, communication, organization, personal responsibility, and reflection. We will also be collected a variety of skills along the way to aid in your success across all classes. Skills include, but are not limited to, keyboarding, MLA formatting, reading strategies and endurance, analysis of written work, on-demand writing, and vocabulary development.

Required Materials:

  • Planner (issued by the school for free)
  • 3-prong folder (available to purchase for $.25)
  • Paper
  • Writing utensils

Student Responsibilities:

A large portion of the success for every student in this class is to attend every class and to be present for the entire period. There are strict school rules for tardiness. At the third tardy a letter will be sent to the students’ parent/guardian and every tardy after that will result in a detention with an administrator or myself.

Failure to follow the rules and expectations for this class will result in a consequence. The severity of the consequence will be based on past behavior and the policy broken. A consequence may be a verbal warning, and student/teacher conference, a call home, a seat change, a referral to the office, or removal from the class. Another consequence to classroom disruption (by one or many) is the start of “My Time”. At the first warning, I will write “My Time” (or MT) on the board. Second warning, I will look at my watch or the clock on the wall and keep time. This is your clue to get quiet. I am simply counting the time the class is wasting and will hold the whole room after the bell or at the passing time to get it back.

Classroom Rules:

  • No electronic devices of any kind! If I see or hear it, it’s mine for the day and you can pick it up from the office at the end of the day. (* I may allow you limited use of devices but ONLY when I say.)
  • Drinks are okay until they become a problem. Spills, fighting, teasing, tardiness and all other acts of tomfoolery = PROBLEM. No food.
  • Only one person may use the hall pass at a time.

Make-up Work:

I will accept make-up work for emergency absences only! These cases will have two additional days for each excused absence to turn in work. If a test or quiz is missed, students must make it up before school, after school, or during lunch. These arrangements must be scheduled with the teacher. Also, students are responsible for obtaining notes and work done in class from other students. It is every student’s responsibility for obtaining and completing missing assignments!

If you know beforehand that you’re going to be missing class and you know an assignment is due it is your responsibility to turn it in before your absence (sports, band, choir, drama, clubs, vacation, etc…).

Grading Policy:

When assignments and homework are assigned they are expected to be turned in on time and written neatly. All formal writing assignments must be typed or written in blue or black ink. NOTE: Technology failure is not an excuse for turning in work late. Work loses 10% of its total score for every (school) day it is late up to 50%. This is not to say you should not turn in late work, but there will be consequences for procrastinating and missing deadlines.

Criteria for Evaluating Speeches:

  • A (90-100%): Outstanding! Superior writing, organization, and delivery. Excellent supporting points for arguments. Creative and original. I learned something valuable from you.
  • B (80-89%): Good work! Skillfully delivered and well organized. Arguments are well supported. Interesting topic. Perhaps a minor flaw or two.
  • C (70-79%): Ok. Fulfills requirements of assignment. Adequate but uninspired delivery. Main points have some sort of support. Has flaws, but no major problems.
  • D (60-69%): You can do better! Does not meet all the assignment requirements. Poorly delivered and organized. Little support for main points. Several key flaws.
  • F (↓-59%): Do we really need to go over this?

Parents may call or e-mail the instructor with questions regarding curriculum, activities, or assessments.

Parent Signature: ______

Student Signature: ______