Principles of Technology

Principles of Technology 

Course Outline and Syllabus

Teacher                   Mrs. Makenzie Koncaba

Contact                   mkoncaba@sbps.net

             308.635.6270

Planning                 1st Period 7:45-8:34 AM

Availability         Before School: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday @ 7:30 AM

                             After School: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday @ 3:00 PM, Tuesday @ 3:15 PM

 (Things come up quickly, so please try to arrange a time with me first to ensure I am available.)

Course Description: This class is a quarter-long class. It is designed to further develop skills in Microsoft Excel, while also touching on Adobe Photoshop. Students will analyze business data and prepare analysis, graphs, and explanation of the data using Excel. Principles taught include the use of Excel formulas, graphs, and organizational charts. Each activity is carefully crafted to include current data and information to make learning how to use Microsoft Excel a fun and interesting skill. The course will wrap up with an introduction to Adobe Photoshop. Students will learn the ins and outs of Photoshop, and how to apply their creativity to a variety of different projects.

Classroom Culture: I have very high expectations of you and I believe in your ability to succeed! We will work hard to have a positive and enjoyable classroom environment. Students will suffer consequences if that environment is disrupted.

Course Materials:

1.     Folder/binder with notebook paper

2.     A pen and/or a pencil

3.     Computer login information

4.     Book to read, homework, etc. if extra time allows

*Please note, these items need to be brought to class every single day.*

Course Requirements:

1.      Class participation

2.      Completion of all assignments and projects

3.      Preparation and completion of all tests

4.      Time management

Conduct and Behavior:  

Each student will…

1.      Be respectful of all property.

2.      Act in a safe and mature manner.

3.      Be respectful of the rights and needs of others.

4.      Be responsible for his/her own learning.

Attendance:  

·         Bluffs Middle School Attendance Policy

·         Ten extra credit points for perfect attendance will be awarded at the end of every nine weeks.

Tardies:

1.     Definition: Not in your seat when the bell rings.

·         Tardy #1 – 10 minute detention with me

·         Tardy #2 – 10 minutes detention with me

·         Tardy #3 – 10 minute detention with me and contact parents/guardians

·         Tardy #4 – Office referral

2.     Five extra credit points for no tardies will be awarded at the end of every nine weeks.

Absences: If you arrive to class more than 15 minutes late, you will be counted absent. It is your responsibility to see me if you miss class to get your make-up work. Please arrange a time with me to come in and get what you miss. The Make-Up Binder is always available for you to view daily agendas and objectives from the day that you were absent. As the handbook states, students have one school day for every day missed from class (excused absences) to make up assignments or assessments.

Late Work/Retake Policy: The 8th grade policies from the handbook will apply. Students will be allowed to submit daily assignments 1 week after the due date. The highest grade a student can receive on a late daily work assignment is a 70%.

Cell Phone/Earbuds/Device Usage: Due to their serious disruption of the learning environment, threat to test security and personal privacy, and general inappropriate use by students, cell phones/wireless earbuds/devices are not to be used inside of the school building. Staff will ask to confiscate the cell phone/earbuds/device if:

·         Phone/earbuds/device is heard or seen

·         Phone/earbuds/device creates a disruption of any kind

·         Student is using the phone/earbuds/device for any reason (talking, texting, reading, checking messages, viewing, playing, listening, checking                time, etc.)

If staff member asks to confiscate phone/earbuds/device, student will:

·         Without the loss of instructional time or focus, phone/earbuds/device is quietly handed over to the school employee making the request.

·         Failure to submit will be considered insubordination and consequences will follow handbook guidelines.

Leaving the Classroom: Students will be allowed to leave the classroom on a need-by-need basis. Students will use the bathroom and refill water bottles during individual worktime in class. Students must fill out the Google Form before leaving the classroom for any reason and upon return to the classroom. Abuse of this privilege of leaving the classroom will result in the loss of it.

Grading Scale:  This class uses the point system for grading purposes.  All class requirements are given a point value based on the effort required to complete and the importance of the material. The following is the grade scale based on a percentage of points earned by student:

A         90% - 100%

B         80% -   89%

C         70% -   79%

D         60% -   69%

F       59% and below