Mrs. Dorau

RHAM Middle School 2023-2024
Study Skills Syllabus

Gold Team
Room 112
(860) 228-9423

Dear Student and Parent/Guardian: 

Welcome to the 2021-22 school year at RHAM Middle School!  In a meeting last spring with your elementary school and parents/guardians, it was decided that you would participate in a Study Skills class as part of your schedule at RHAM Middle School.  The topics listed below include some of the areas we will cover in Study Skills this year.  

• Self-awareness and self-advocacy are important tools for school success.

  • How does knowledge of one’s own learning style make schoolwork more manageable?

  • How does goal setting and tracking facilitate a higher level of academic performance?

  • How does self-advocacy increase school success?

• Attentive listening, active reading, and focused writing aid learning.

  • What are the essential skills needed to become effective, self-directed, and focused listeners, readers, and writers?

• Organization is essential to success in school.

  • How does an ability to organize materials, information, tasks, and time help learners be more successful?

• Success in the content area courses is dependent upon test/quiz performance, assignment/homework completion, and class participation.

  • What are the necessary steps in preparing for and completing a test?

  • How does assignment/homework completion and participation impact one’s academic performance?
    
    

Course Requirements

In order to accomplish the above topics, you are required to maintain a three-ring binder for all classes.  Within the binder you are required to have: 

• Subject dividers (one for each of your classes)

• A pencil pouch with writing tools (pens, pencils, highlighters, erasers)

• An additional pocket folder marked as your ‘Homework Folder’

• A calculator (basic)

• Loose leaf blank lined paper, graph paper and index cards (will have to be re-stocked throughout the year).

• Headphones / earbuds for school use

School provided Chromebooks should be with you for all classes, fully charged and in good working order.

Classroom Expectations 

• Arrive on time to class and prepared with headphones / earbuds, chromebook, assignments, agenda, and any other materials you may need.  

• Mask must remain on at all times for students and staff in the building. 

• Treat fellow classmates, teachers and property kindly and with respect. Demonstrate appropriate behavior.

• Use your agenda to keep track of assignments and maintain a system of organization of materials. 

• Work for the entire class period. 

• Seek help when you need it and/or accept help when it is offered. 

• Accept responsibility for your grades and your actions. Always try your best!
  
  

Student Responsibilities

• Attending class.

• Participating fully in their education.

• Communicating with teachers regularly (in-person, via Google Classroom and email)

• Appropriately using and maintaining their chromebook.

• Contacting RHAM’s student IT services Technology Helpdesk if your chromebook is not working properly. This can be done through the RHAM website.

• Adhering to all school policies, including safety policies, as outlined in the student handbook.

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities

• Supporting student learning and providing a space where students can work effectively without interruption.

• Monitoring students’ computer use for proper behavior.

• Checking PowerSchool regularly for work completion and attendance.

• Communicating with teachers/co-teachers/paraprofessionals/case workers regarding academic or attendance concerns.

• Reaching out to the Technology Helpdesk with any technology concerns or issues.
  
  

Grading Policy 

You will be graded through the use of a self-evaluation rubric, which you will be a google form submitted at the end of the class. This means that you will be grading yourself each class according to the Study Skills classroom expectations.  Your grades will be reviewed for accuracy on a daily basis by the teacher.  This process encourages self-reflection and enables you to be accountable for your own learning and performance.  

I am looking forward to assisting you in taking advantage of the Study Skills program offered at RHAM Middle School.  Parents/Students- You are encouraged to contact me if you have any questions or concerns throughout the school year.  I look forward to helping you navigate your first year here at the middle school!