Mr.

Hosler 7th/8th Grade Syllabus

Phone 459-3189 (school) / 514-8356 (cell) E-mail jhosler@sisnet.ssku.k12.ca.us (school) / jhosler@snowcrest.net (personal) Expectations:

You will need a GREAT ATTITUDE in order to be successful at Big Springs Elementary School, specifically in our 7th and 8th grade class. Students will demonstrate behavior that is Safe, Respectful, and Responsible at all times, including but not limited to, outstanding citizenship, trustworthiness, fairness, integrity, honesty, and maintaining a caring & kind attitude towards everyone while at school. My personal philosophy is to hold the highest of behavior expectations, while maintaining consistency and fairness. I am FIRM, FAIR, & FUN. Students will be treated like individuals, and not like kids. The high expectations will match that level of treatment given to students.

Student Success:

Classwork and homework will always be challenging by providing differentiated instruction for each student. Each child will be taught utilizing a variety of modalities. Materials utilized are state adopted & district approved, and vary from grade level to grade level. With content standards focused primarily on the annual CST, district API does play a role in determining our course of study. We do NOT teach to the test, however we emphasize key California content standards, which are also frequently addressed on the STAR Test, resulting in those standards primarily driving our course of study. Students will be graded on notes, essays, quick writes, quizzes, homework, review sheets, exams, and overall participation. There will also be projects and/or presentations that will be added wherever appropriate. Individual progress will always factor more significantly than individual knowledge and performance. Therefore, no one will fail if they put in real effort, as the teacher may reward students based on actual student learning. A B C D F 90-100 % 80-89% 70-79 % 60-69 % under 60 %

Grading:

Scale:

Tutoring:

I am available Monday thru Friday, both mornings (before 8:00am) and afternoons (after 2:45pm) by appointment with only minimal notice. I will NOT be available for tutoring during the academic day, or during recess/lunch time due to supervision duties & other staffing obligations. Students may schedule assistance on the same day, up to and before lunch recess. If students require additional assistance beyond regular class time and tutoring, please contact me by phone, email, or stop by & discuss the issue(s) in person, and we will make the necessary arrangements. I CAN GIVE YOUR EXTRA HELP & SUPPORT WITH ASSIGNMENTS, HOMESWORK, REVIEW SHEETS, PROJECTS, AND TESTS ANY TIME!

Quick Writes:

Points are given on most days during the first 15-20 minutes of class for Quick Writes and Short Essays. No make-ups will be allowed, however FREE QW points will be given each quarter to make-up for student absences and reward those with low absenteeism and low tardiness. Points are given for each assignment, and there is a weekly homework quiz (typically in Math), given on Monday mornings to assess the weeks learning & track individual student progress. To be given each unit, with a review sheet assigned as assignments are complete (Approx. 100 pts for each unit) Review Sheet Answers will be checked before students take each chapter assessment to allow for extra questions & further clarification. Test may be taken at a later date if necessary (due to absences, extra-curricular activities, etc). Please contact Mr. Hosler PRIOR TO AN ASSESSMENT if other arrangements need to be made. Students are expected to keep a record sheet, including all assignments and scores (comparable to balancing a checkbook). We will complete these together, during class time, as a tool to teach students responsibility and as a method of tracking his or her own academic progress. Extra Credit will generally NOT be given, except for special circumstances and as announced with proper notice. The value of this course should be derived primarily by the skills you learn, understand, and are able to use now and into your future. NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN FOR WORK THAT IS A RESULT OF CHEATING, NO MATTER HOW SMALL THE AMOUNT! It is my philosophy that it takes TWO to cheat, and BOTH/ALL PARTICIPATING STUDENTS will receive appropriate levels of discipline, up to but not limited to: A) failing the assignment, B) suspension from extra-curricular activities and sports competition, C) failing the course, and D) appropriate district discipline measures as determined by the administration, such as detention, community service, or in-school suspension. Academic honesty is critical in this class. There is an event / homework calendar specific to each grade level / class that will be sent home daily (M-F), called a Homework Log. Homework is typically REVIEW, and requires little / no assistance from home. Assignments and notices are tracked & recorded onto their logs by individual students, and confirmed by Mr. Hosler daily. If parents or students would like an electronic copy of daily/weekly assignments, please provide your email address and a list of that weeks assignments, notices, and homework will be sent to you every Monday afternoon.

Homework:

Exams / Rev. Sheet:

Record Sheets:

Extra Credit:

Academic Honesty:

Homework Log:

Parent Communication:

We will have TWO required Parent/Teacher Conferences during the school year (week of Oct. 29th & week of Mar. 18th), and other meetings as needed & requested by either Mr. Hosler or the Parent. Notes and Newsletters will come home frequently with information about school and class business. Homework Logs will come home daily with samples of class work and student progress. We are also going to develop an interactive classroom website (should be up and functional by the end of September), where parents and students alike may obtain information & comment on class / school business on regular basis. We will have a class email list, however, we

may also implement a texting list, where parents and students who provide their cell phone number may receive regular updates on special assignments, upcoming events, exams, and projects.

Please cut below and return signatures back to Mr. Hosler

We have read and understand the requirements and responsibilities of this class.

______________________________ Student Signature

______________________________ Parent Signature

Date: __________________________ Syllabus Feedback / Questions / Comments: ____________________________________________________________

Parent E-mail address:

Secondary E-mail address:

I would like my child to be assigned an email address for school business/communication purposes Parent Signature / Date

My childs email address is

and may be used for school communication(s) Parent Signature/Date

Parent(s) Name(s) & Cell Phone Number(s) (for texting list) *Optional:

Student Cell Phone Number(s) (for texting list) *Optional:

Other Questions / Comments: