Syllabus

Youth Issues

Mrs. Tara Hoffman

Office:SSRC

Room: S114

Phone #: 506-6251

Email: Tara.Hoffman@anoka.k12.mn.us

I. BASIC MATERIALS- EACH DAY YOU SHOULD BRING TO CLASS:

A. Paper for notes, and a working writing utensil

B. A folder for handouts/notes

C. Book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens

II. GRADING POLICY:

Grades are a product of both ability and effort. To achieve the highest grade students should maximize their efforts in both categories. I record the total points missed over the term. This means that work not handed in counts heavily against you. A zero is a much lower grade than most F grades.

A: 100-90

B: 89-80

C: 79-70

D. 69-60

F: 59-0

III. LATE WORK/MAKE-UP WORK:

A. I will accept late work for assignments. However, they will not be given full credit.

B. When absent, it is the responsibility of the student to find out what work they’ve missed. I will work with them as to a due date on a case by case basis.

IV. GENRAL RULES:

A. Students will be in their assigned seats when the bell rings.

B. Students will actively and supportively engage in class discussions and projects.

C. Students will respect and cooperate with others in class.

D. Assignments should be completed before class.

V. VIDEO NOTIFICATION:

During this course, students may be viewing several District approved “PG-13” rated movies that District teachers agree are tied to the curriculum. If there are any concerns about this, it is the student’s and parent’s responsibility to notify the teacher. The movie will be announced beforehand, and an alternative assignment will be given.

Rudy Lean On Me Radio Remember the Titans

Bugs life Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio Generation Like Be Happy

VI. Guest Speakers

During the course of the Youth Issues class we will have a variety of guest/student speakers come into the classroom to show us what it is like to walk in “someone else’s shoes” at Anoka High School. Some of the speakers that may come in are listed below:

Hmong and Asian Students

Latino and Latina Students

African Students

Alexandra House

National Guard

GSA

Know the Truth

VI. CONCLUSION:

Take an active role in this class. Appropriate questions are encouraged and they help in the retention of material. Feel free to call or Email me with any questions. I will answer these as quickly as I am able to. Current events are a part of this class. Students are expected to contribute in class discussions and also to research news on a frequent basis. Finally, this course will consist involve the discussion of some sensitive issues. It is important to be considerate of other students’ opinions and/or beliefs.

VII. Tentative Course Outline:

* Weeks 1 & 2

+ Introduction to course

+ Personal habit unit

+ Honesty

+ Being proactive

* Weeks 3 & 4

+ Support and encouragement, Goal setting (term goal)

+ Popularity, peer pressure

+ Stress management

+ Morning routine

* Weeks 5 & 6

+ Values

+ Male Female Relationships

+ Leadership

* Weeks 7 & 8

+ 40 Assets

+ Renewal

* Week 9

+ Material determined by class