Teen Issues Syllabus

Welcome to Teen Issues. The information on this syllabus is provided so that you have a general idea of what you will learn in the coming school year. A timeline of events that will be covered in class looks something like this:

The Teen Issues curriculum introduces students to issues that influence our life and society. Students will research current social and cultural problems in America and globally, particularly those affecting youth. Some of the pressing problems facing our young people in a rapidly changing society will be examined in detail using a variety of media. Critical thinking skills and technology related research is emphasized. Speaking and listening skills are reinforced through round table class discussions. Debates related to different sides of researched issues/problems will play a major role in this class. Public speaking and organized argumentation play a BIG role in this class too, so you will be getting up and speaking in front of others often. Students will participate in a series of debates each semester. The student is required to research the information on the debate topic and participate in the debate. This will allow for better understanding of the issue.

Technology and Communication We will have a Google Classroom portal just for this class that students will use both in and out of school as the main hub for our lessons, assignments, and assessments.

A Weekly Agenda will be emailed out and posted on my teacher website:

https://sites.google.com/olivetstudent.org/andrzejewski/

Grades Your grade in Teen Issues class consists of TWO components: Assignments and Participation/Presentations.

Assignment grades are based on classwork and homework completion. Assignment grades demonstrate responsibility. Assignment grades make up 80% of the overall grade.

Participation/Presentation grades are based on your active role during class discussions and your willingness to engage in conversation about assigned issues. This grade is also based on research and demonstrates your understanding of an issue and your ability to take an educated, facts-based stand. Lastly, showing me what you have learned and how you have grown as an independent thinker and speaker is important too! This grade accounts for 20% of the overall grade.

Late Work Policy Anything turned in after its due date will be marked down. Also, late work for a particular topic will not be accepted after we have completed discussion of that topic.

Any missing work may result in you spending a REQUIRED period of time outside of class hours to catch up.

Lastly, DO NOT copy other student’s work or plagiarize work from the internet, this is cheating and is a breach of the student code of conduct. BE HONEST!

Materials: Materials may include but are not limited to- Newspapers and Magazines, Worksheets, Case Studies, Supplemental Readings/Texts, Computer Technology, Internet Research, and Audio/Visual Materials.