HULL HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENT COURSE EXPECTATIONS
2011-2012
475 EXCEPTIONAL POPULATIONS IN SCHOOL & SOCIETY ~~~~~~~~~~~~
MS BLAIR / MR DEVINE~~~~~~~~~ 3 CREDITS~~~~~~~~~~~~~ROOM C113
CONTACT INFORMATION: ~
Phone Number: ~Blair – (781) 925-3000 ext. 2120; Devine – (781) 925-3000 ext. 106
COURSE DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES: This is a one semester course designed to provide students with a general understanding of the characteristics and supports provided for individuals from exceptional populations.
ØIncrease students’ individual comfort level of living and working with individuals from exceptional populations
ØProvide information related to the formal criteria used to determine if an individual has exceptional needs
ØProvide experiences that will assist students in better understanding the differences within exceptional populations
ØChallenge myths and misperceptions about people from exceptional populations
COURSE CONTENT: ~The following is a list of topics that students will be learning in EPSS:
ØDown syndrome
ØDepression/Bipolar disorder
ØAddiction
ØAlzheimer’s & Aging
ØBlindness & Deafness
ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS: During this course students will:
Øwrite effectively
Øread actively and critically
Øpresent information and ideas fluently and comfortably before an audience
Øbe a competent problem solver
Ødevelop the knowledge and understanding necessary for informed citizenship, social action, and collaboration
Øuse technology appropriately to acquire, integrate, evaluate, create, and impart information in a knowledge economy
REQUIRED READING: ~The following is a list of reading materials that will be used in EPSS: Scientific journals, periodicals, newspaper articles, internet sites, etc.
REQUIRED WRITING: The following is a list of possible writing assignments in EPSS: Lab reports, laboratory abstracts, journal/reflection writing, research projects, etc.
COURSE EVALUATION CRITERIA: ~Grades will be based on a point system. Students will be graded on the number of points earned vs. total points available.
The following is a list of evaluation tools that will implement writing in EPSS:
ØHomework & Classwork = up to 10 points
- This grade includes in-class assignments & homework. Students should expect to have homework each night.
- The format of homework will vary, i.e. review sheets, worksheets, written response, media assignment, research.
- Homework is used to reinforce and/or assess student learning. Homework assignments will not be accepted late because of its importance to the learning process.
- No credit will be given for homework or assignments that are late, misplaced or turned in without a name.
- The student will receive 0, 5, or 10 points out of 10 possible points per homework/class assignment. ~If 100% of the homework is complete, the student will receive a grade of 10. ~If at least 50% of the homework assignment is complete, the student will receive a grade of 5. ~If the student completes less than 50% of the homework assignment, the student will receive a grade of 0. At the end of each marking period, a percentage will be averaged as a homework grade for that marking period.
- Homework assignments will be posted on Ms. Blair’s School Web Site daily. To access homework assignments via the web, perform the following:
- Web Site: www.town.hull.ma.us
- Click “Hull Schools”
- Scroll down and click “Hull High School”
- Scroll down and click “Faculty”
- Scroll down and click “Ms. Blair” or “Mrs. Jacoby”
- Click “EPSS Homework”
ØQuizzes = up to 50 points
- Students will be quizzed several times during each unit.
- The format of quizzes will vary, i.e. multiple choice, matching, short answer/open response, etc.
ØTests = up to 200 points
- Students will take a test at the end of each unit.
- The format of tests will vary, i.e. multiple choice, short answer/open response, matching, essay, presentation, etc.
ØJournal (Reflection Writings) = up to 25 points
- Students will be required to complete between 10 and 15 personal reflections in their journal.
- All journal assignments must be typed and at least one page in length.
ØProjects = up to 300 points
- Students will be assigned projects to be completed in and/or out of class.
ØLab Reports / Abstracts = up to 200 points
- During the school year, most lab activities will be collected and graded.
- Inappropriate behavior during a lab activity will result in a “0” for that particular lab activity and may result in permanent exclusion from future labs. ~
- Specific laboratory experiments require written laboratory reports.
ØClass Participation = up to 2 total average points
- Students are expected to participate in all classroom discussions and activities.
- The teachers will determine the amount of points that a student earns per quarter, and students will be asked for their input.
Ø Retake Policy: Students may retake tests and/or quizzes within five school-days of taking the test or quiz ONLY IF both criteria below are met:
- the student stays after with the instructor to receive additional instruction, AND
- the student retakes the test or quiz after school with the instructor.
- PLEASE NOTE: this requires two separate days after school.
- Students who retake a test or quiz will keep the higher of the two grades they receive on the assessment.
Ø Make-up Policy: ~The Hull High School Science Department Make-up Policy: 1) Missed assignments, such as tests, quizzes, labs, class work, and homework, may only be made up before or after school, NOT during class time, 2) For each day of absence, the student has two school days to complete any and all missed work, or two school days to communicate with the teacher and schedule a make-up time, 3) If missed assignments have not been made up according to the “make-up policy,” the student will receive a “0” for that particular assignment. ~
IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTACT THE INSTRUCTOR REGARDING A MISSED TEST, QUIZ, LAB, CLASS WORK OR HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT!!
Ø Extra Help: ~Do not hesitate to ask for help. ~Ms. Blair is available before and after school. ~Please schedule a time with Ms. Blair for extra help (see contact information above). ~Please seek help as soon as possible.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: The students in this course are expected to come to class everyday with the following:
- a three-ring binder / section designated solely for EPSS
- writing implement
- all previous work
- access to internet (please see instructor if you do not have home access to a computer or internet).
COURSE POLICIES: Please carefully read and follow the Hull High School policy regarding attendance, tardiness, behavioral consequences and academic dishonesty as printed in the student handbook.
HULL HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENT COURSE EXPECTATIONS
20011-2012
475 EPSS~~~~~~~~~~~~~MS BLAIR / MR DEVINE~~~~~~~~~~~3 CREDITS~~~~~~~~~~~~~ROOM C113
STUDENT/PARENT ACKNOWLEDGMENT
~~~~~~~~Your signature indicates that you understand the terms of these expectation sheets
~~~~~~~~and know what is expected of you for the successful completion of this course. ~
~~~~~~~~Please keep these sheets in your notebook and refer to them whenever you have
~~~~~~~~any questions concerning this course.
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~Student Signature: ~_________________________________ Date: ~_________
Your signature indicates that you have had the opportunity to read these expectation sheets and discuss the expectations with your son or daughter. ~I thank you for your cooperation, and please do not hesitate to call me at the high school at 925-3000 ext. 2120 or email me at sblair@town.hull.ma.us, or sjacoby@town.hull.ma.us, should you have any questions or concerns about your child’s progress or if you would like to schedule an appointment with me.
Parent/Guardian Signature: ~__________________________ Date: ~________ ~
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