Learning Strategies

Irmo High School 

International School for the Arts

LEARNING STRATEGIES

2024-2025

Teacher:      Ms. Maria Dea Planning Periods: 4A and 7B  Room: 213

Email:  mdea2@lexrich5.org Academic Assistance: Mon and Thurs from 3:40-4:10pm

Phone:  (803) 476-3118 Website: https://www.lexrich5.org/ihs

Parents and Guardians, please complete the Syllabus Acknowledgement form below or linked here:  https://forms.gle/m2hLagkMcd4GGLTY8

I. Course Catalog Description 

This course is designed to provide instruction to students with a focus on academic, social, study, and behavioral skills. The direct instruction format will focus upon remediation, learning strategies, organization/study skills, and transitioning from high school to postsecondary goals. Students will work on IEP goals through teacher direction and instruction. Students may be allowed to complete content mainstream coursework as needed.

II. Instructional Goals

Students will complete work towards meeting their IEP goals in the areas of reading, writing, math, behavior, affective skills, and transition.

III. Major curricular topics/ Instructional Organization

1. Self-advocacy

2. English/Language Arts

3. Math 

4. Transition

5. Behavior Skills/Affective Skills/Social-Emotional Skills

IV. Course Grading Policies and Assessments

1. Students will be provided multiple opportunities to demonstrate mastery of content through minor and major assignments. Minor assignments include formative assessments - quizzes, simple answers, and/or multiple choice assessments. Major assignments include summative assessments - unit/chapter tests, lab reports, extended projects, essays, assessments with essay responses, and complex written or mathematical responses.

2. Grades for this course will be calculated using a point system.  Each assignment will be assigned a total number of points depending on the difficulty and nature of the assignment. The student’s grade will be determined by adding up the total number of points earned by the student for that grading period, dividing by the total number of points possible, and then multiplying by a hundred to get the numerical average.  The final exam or End-of-Course Examination will count as 20% of the student’s final grade.

The grading scale is as follows: 

A=90-100

B=80-89

C=70-79

D=60-69

F=Below 60

3. Homework: Work that is not completed during the scheduled class will be expected to be completed for homework and returned the following class period.

V. School Attendance and Make-up Work Policy

Students are encouraged to attend school regularly. If a student must be absent from school for any reason, it is their responsibility to make up all work missed. 

Students who miss more than one-half of an instructional block will be marked absent for that block of instruction. See the Student Handbook on the school website for the full attendance and absence policy.

Since it is in the student’s best interest to make up all missed work as quickly as possible, the following guidelines have been established for make-up work: 

A student who does not submit assignments with established due dates because of absences, whether excused or unexcused, will be allowed to make up the work. Arrangements for completing the work should be made within five school days of the student’s return to school. Arrangements should include a schedule for the completion of the work. The student or parent/guardian must initiate contact with the teacher. The student will maintain responsibility for completing all work. 

Teachers may extend the deadline for submitting late assignments for students who miss multiple consecutive days of school. The teacher should communicate the deadline to the student and document the deadline. The teacher’s deadline is final.

Credit for late work should be awarded according to the following guidelines:

• If a student was present in class on the due date, the assignment will be given less credit.

  • The student may receive a maximum score of 89% if the assignment is turned in late.

• If the student was not present on the due date because of an absence and the assignment is turned in within five (5) school days, the student will receive a maximum of 100% credit on the assignment. 

  • Assignments turned in after five (5) school days may receive a maximum of 89% credit on the assignment. 

• Late assignments will not be accepted for credit after the current quarter. For example, late assignments from the first quarter will not be accepted during the second, third, or fourth quarter.

• Students may receive a zero for work not submitted. The lowest grade for assignments will be determined at the teacher’s discretion.

• Teachers will indicate the assignment is late and when it was submitted in PowerSchool.

VI. Suggestions for Success in Course

Academic Assistance is available in room 213 on  Mondays and Thursdays from 3:40 pm-4:10 pm.  Students may use the time provided during the school day, Extended Learning Time (ELT), as scheduled, to receive academic assistance. 

VII. Honor Code

In order to foster an environment of mutual trust and respect, we believe, within the community of School District 5 of Lexington & Richland counties, each individual should accept the personal responsibility to exhibit and promote academic and social integrity. The Academic Honesty Policy (Policy IKABA) is implemented to ensure students submit credible work that is evident of their content mastery. Students should complete their own work and be evaluated based on its originality. Every effort should be made to avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its forms, including plagiarism, fabrication or falsification, cheating, and other academic misconduct.

VIII. Classroom Management Plan 

1. Students are expected to be respectful of others, their opinions, and their property.  Additionally, students must arrive to class on time with all materials prepared to learn.

2. Students are expected to follow all rules and guidelines listed in the Student Handbook on the school’s website.

3. Students are expected to use school and personal technology responsibly and follow rules included in the 22-23 District 5 Mobile Device Guide and Acceptable Use Agreement.  This includes:

   1. Having a charged mobile device (district-issued Chromebook or comparable personal device) at school every day.

   2. Not using devices assigned to other students. 

   3. Being responsible for their own devices and should keep them secured at school and off campus.  

   4. Following all teacher directions regarding appropriate times for the use of the device.

IX. Chromebook Expectations

Each student will be expected to have their Chromebook with them on a daily basis. Chromebooks should be fully charged each school day.  Students who do not have a charged Chromebook in class may be referred to their administrator for disciplinary action.  Please make sure you have your Chromebook every day.  

*Chromebooks are necessary for in-class lessons, virtual learning, and distance learning lessons and instruction.

VIII. Request Classroom Materials/Supplies

• Hand sanitizer

• Disinfectant Spray

• Kleenex/Tissues 

• Pencils

• Highlighters

• Markers for projects

• Paper plates

• Solo Cups

• Expo markers

• Large Paper Clips

• Peppermints or similar individually wrapped candies

• Amazon wish list 

XII. Student/Teacher and Parent/Teacher Communication 

1. All students should use district-issued email accounts for communicating with teachers (studentnumber@stu.lexrich5.org). 

2. All students should check school email, Google Classroom, and Google Calendar every school day.

3. Parents and students should check the teachers’ websites for classroom calendars/assignment sheets.

4. Parents may contact teachers via email in order to receive invitations to Google Classroom parent/guardian summaries. Parents will receive an email from Google and then need to register to receive emails from Google Classroom. Once a parent is registered to receive emails from one class, he/she will receive emails from all Google Classroom groups. It is not necessary to contact all teachers to register.

5. Emails and phone calls to teachers will be returned within two business days.

6. Parents and students who would like access to the parent/student PowerSchool portals should contact the school registrar for login information.

XIII. Syllabus Acknowledgement and Information Form

Please complete the Syllabus Acknowledgement form below or linked here:  https://forms.gle/m2hLagkMcd4GGLTY8