Speech & Debate SYLLABUS 2014-15 Mr. Saenz Dear Students and Parents, I hope everyone had a great summer. Welcome back to the 2014-2015 school year! This year I will be teaching Speech and Debate. This class will require, research, writing and public speaking. We will cover everything from simple nonverbal communication to speechmaking and debates. I encourage all of my students, no matter their level, to challenge themselves to work above and beyond their own expectations. I look forward to the new school year and am excited for months full of rich learning experiences! You will be able to stay in touch with me through email at jsaenz@somersetacademy.com, my school web page, or by calling 954-442-0233 (EXT 316)
Methods of Evaluation Students will be evaluated using the following method: Exams/Quizzes/Speeches: 40% Classwork: 15% Homework: 15% Participation: 30% Quizzes are given based on the teacher s discretion. Quizzes can be given any day. The quiz can be based on the previous night s homework, class work, or lecture notes. Class work can and will be graded based on the following: Notes taken in class Participation Completed assignments Homework is MANDATORY. It will be checked at the beginning of class. Students who do not complete their homework will earn a zero (0) for the day. NO EXCEPTIONS are given. When the student is absent, he/she is responsible upon returning to class to ask the teacher for any missed work; the student will have two days to make up any missed assignments and turn them to me. Speeches/Research will be assigned with enough time and will be counted as either a quiz or exam grade depending on the assignment. Students will be chosen at random to give speeches, if the student is not prepared to give their speech when called upon they will receive an AUTOMATIC zero. NO EXTRA CREDIT work will be given nor accepted as I provide extra credit opportunities on individual assignments.
Student s Responsibility/CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS. 1) Begin work immediately.. 2) Be Prepared.. 3) All assignments must be turned in on time-neatness counts!. 4) Walk in and out of class quietly and orderly.. 5) Raise your hand if you have a question or comment and wait your turn to speak.. 6) Stay in your assigned seat while in class.. 7) Do NOT speak when the teacher is speaking.. 8) Bring ALL required materials to class every day.. 9) Be respectful to other students.. 10) THE TEACHER DISMISSES THE CLASS, NOT THE BELL! Infractions and Procedures If these expectations are not met, there will be disciplinary actions taken: 1. Students will receive a verbal warning 2. Parent Contacted (usually via email) 3. Detention after school 4. Referral to the office; parents will be notified again of any disciplinary actions that are assigned to a student.
Absences Verbal warning will be issued Parent contact (phone call) and will be logged Mandatory 1 hour detention Administrative Consequence with Mr. Sotomayor(Assistant Dean Of Discipline) Referral submitted to Dean of Discipline An excused note is required for every absence. It is the student s responsibility to obtain the excused note from the Parent and turn it into the main office. If the student is absent, he/she has two days to make up the work missed. It is the student s responsibility to ask the teacher for missed work and also to turn it in. Late Work NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED! REQUIRED Materials 1. 1 black 3-ring binder (1 ) with filler paper 2. Composition Book (for R.E.A.D) 3. Note Cards 4. Pen Black or Blue 5. Pencils (mechanical preferred) 6. 1 ream of COPY PAPER WISH LIST (for Volunteer Hours) - Highlighters - Dry-erase markers - Pencils - Copy Paper
Parent-Teacher Contact I spend much time online and responding to emails. It is for this reason that the easiest way to communicate with me is via email. I can be reached at jsaenz@somersetacademy.com. In addition, please visit my school web page at somersetacademy.com. (I ask that you please also add my class so that you will get updates whenever my webpage is updated or changed.) Follow the prompts to view your teacher s notes. I advise that you check it weekly to find out what will be covered in class and what the daily homework assignments are. If you wish to schedule a conference, please send me an email or call the office and they will transfer you to my voice mail and together we will schedule a convenient time and date. Cordially, Mr. Saenz (CUT ALONG THIS LINE AND TURN THIS IS IN BY THE END OF THE WEEK) Student name (please print) Student signature Parent signature required Parent Cell Phone Parent Email address Period: Date: