High Desert Middle School

Life Skills Syllabus

Mrs Denise Seymour

Course Description - Build life skills before you are off to high school and into the world. This class will help students learn essential tools to make teen life and the transition to adulthood easier. In this class students will: learn about nutrition, how to shop at the grocery store, financial responsibility, time management, proper communication (how to send an email, send a letter, set appointments, etc.), how to read a map, becoming a self-starter, standing up for oneself, coping with failure, using basic tools, and more. This is a semester-long course.

Section 1: Time Management

Section 2: Nutrition

Section 3: First Aid

Section 4: Logistics

Section 5: Communication

Section 6: Basic tools and sewing

Section 7: FINAL Project-Financial Responsibility and Planning

Grades: Homework/in-class assignments/projects: 50% Assessments: 30% Collaboration & Participation: 20%

Daily Materials for Success

Daily Planner

3-ring Binder 2 to 3 inch with Math section

Composition Book (100 sheets) to be used ONLY for Math class

Pencils and pens

Highlighters

Color pencils (optional)

Loose-Leaf Lined paper (college ruled preferred)

Glue sticks (optional)

Syllabus (provided by teacher)

Late Work Policy

Students may turn in late work. Students will lose 10% of their grade for any late work.

Absent Work Policy

Students have as many days as they were absent to make up missing assignments without penalty. If completed immediately, there is no penalty for missed work due to an absence. If not completed immediately, the late work policy applies

Hawk POWER:

1. Always Positive – Attitude can make all the difference in the classroom. A good one makes time fly.

2. Taking Ownership of our Learning – Learning is in your Power. Be the Best you can be and take Pride in what you may learn.

3. Working toward our Goals – It can be fun to set goals. Strive to be the best you can be.

4. Empowered to reach Excellence - All students can achieve excellence by completing the daily work and activities.

5. Respecting our Differences –Respect each other, all the time and everywhere you go.

Habit

1: Be Proactive • Arrive to class prepared with Leadership Notebook, Pen/Pencil, Paper, and Binder with assignments so you may get full credit. • Arrive on time to class before the tardy bell and sit in your assigned seat. • Go to the restroom between classes. • When absent, be sure to get the missing assignment and complete. • Class is dismissed by the teacher. Remain in your seat until permission is given.

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind • Be prepared with all materials (Leadership Notebook, Paper, Pen/Pencil) • Set Short term goals for each day and each week. Set long term goals.

Habit 3: Put First things First • Enter the classroom, sit in your assigned seat, write down the Learning Target & answer the question(s) from the board.

Habit 4: Think Win-Win • Try to do your very best even when it is challenging. • Be respectful to others and their abilities in the group.

Habit 5: Seek First To Understand: Then to be Understood • Listen to and read all instructions when given. • Write down all notes during instruction. • Remain seated and quiet during instruction. • Be respectful to peers and visitors when they enter the room. • Listen quietly to guest speakers.

Habit 6: Synergize • Work together as a group. • Understand that each person is valuable and be respectful to all in the group.

Consequences: The Discipline Policy established for High Desert Middle School will be followed.

Parent Support

Look in your student’s Daily Planner for assignments and notes from the teacher. Aside from online grades and Google Classroom, this is our daily communication tool. Please email me if you have any questions or concerns.

Students signature: ________________________________

Parent signature: __________________________________

Best method of contact phone or email: _______________________________