9^th – 12^th Grade Learning Strategies 20010 – 20011

Room 202

 Contact Information:

                Brenda Leza

            Phone: 319-394-3101 ext 212 or ext 202

            Email: bleza@meposchools.org                   

Goals: Learning Strategies class is a time for students to work on areas of need, as well as study skills, organizational skills and self-advocacy skills.

·         Be on time

·         Be on task

·         Be prepared

·         Be respectful

Students in the classroom will be provided with a safe and quiet environment. Unacceptable behavior will result in a deduction in daily points as well as:

1^st offense- warning

2^nd offense- detention with teacher from either 3:30 to 4:00PM or 8:00 to 8:20AM

3^rd offense- Parents contacted and/or office referral

We will follow the Mediapolis Community School district grading scale below:

 Students can earn up to 20 points per day in the following areas.

• Arrive to class on time: --2 points
• Daily planner must be complete by beginning of class: --6 points
• To earn all points planner must list each class for that day and the activity completed and/or assignment.
• This includes Learning Strategies class- students will set goal for what assignments/activities they will work on that day.
• Prepared for class: --2 points- This means having necessary supplies, pencil or pen, paper, books, and attitude necessary to complete work.
• On task:(working on assignments, and/or organizing notes, working on study skill lessons)--5 points
• Setting and obtaining daily goals--5 points:  this year we will be adding a new component to our grading process. In order to build more independance and teach students to organize and prioritize daily work. Students will set a daily plan for homework completion at the beginning of class. At the end of class they will self-evaluate their progress and with the aide of special education staff will determine if they have met their daily goal.
• Daily points will be determined through consultation with special education staff and student self-evaluation.

      Total daily points possible = 20

Students who are absent receive an X which means they are not awarded any points for the day. Students can earn ½ credit or 10 points for the day of the absence if they have all of their teacher’s sign that they have met with them and checked on any missing work. Students must meet with their teachers and have planners signed within two days of absence in order to earn points for any day missed.

Daily Work: Students will be expected to demonstrate at the beginning of the period that they have their daily planner filled out. Students will prioritize homework and set daily goal for completion and estimate approximate time that they will work on each task. This will be completed through consultation with special education staff. 

Classroom Work: Students who do not have homework assignments to complete will work on daily living skills in the following areas throughout the semester. These assignments are part of the points earned for On Task behavior and are considered part of your grade. Student who does no have assignments to complete MUST work on the Study Skills assignments and/or the assignments aligned with the skills below that are provided by the Special Education teacher. Failure to work on the study skills assignments or skills below will result in a reduction of your daily points. 

• Organizational skills
• Communications skills
• Problem solving/ Decision making/ Goal setting skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Conflict Resolution
• Self-advocacy
• Technology skills
• Career/employment skills
• Transition skills

Computer Time:  There are a limited number of student computers in the classroom; you may not touch a computer without first checking with the teacher. These computers are for class work only, and computers will be assigned to students on a priority basis. The teacher based on due dates, student’s accommodations, and assignment requirements will determine priority. NO Games will be played on the classroom computer at anytime. Students who do not follow this rule will earn a deduction in daily points, and maybe subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the student handbook for computer usage.

Please remember that the district monitors all websites and students who use the computer for email, games or unapproved websites can be banned from computer use.

Accommodations: Your classroom teachers are advised of your accommodations at the beginning of the year. If you do not feel that you are receiving your accommodations please notify me immediately.

Parents please sign below to acknowledge that you have read through the syllabus with your student and understand the expectations.

X__________________________ Parent/Guardian          Date: _____________