Teacher: Brittany Bechtel Room: A101 Phone #: 797-1965 After School Tutoring: Wednesdays & Fridays 3pm-4:30pm and by appointment Reminder text messages: text @bbecht to 703-665-5323 to sign up (see flyer) Facebook page: Mrs. Bechtel s Class Email: brittany.bechtel@fresnounified.org OR bubechtel@gmail.com Class Website: sites.google.com/site/mrsbechtelsclass Course Description: The Journalism I course is designed to give students a basic understanding of journalism and newspaper writing techniques. Students will eventually write, edit, and layout several issues of the school newspaper, in print and in video and/or online versions. Students in this course do all the work for publication of each issue of the school newspaper (frequency TBD) with my guidance. Students will develop their writing abilities and editing skills by creating numerous articles some which will be published in the paper. Students will also develop skills in photography, Microsoft Publisher, comic drawing, and interviewing. The course will also require some after school deadlines as well as some out-of-school time for news coverage. Meeting deadlines is crucial. Course Objectives: 1. To write effectively for a variety of audiences, purposes, and occasions. 2. To develop skills needed for visual communication in the print or broadcast media today with an emphasis on writing, but including interviewing, reporting, reacting and synthesizing. 3. To develop speaking, listening, viewing, critical thinking and personal/social skills needed to publish a school publication. 4. To use current technology to enhance learning. 5. To produce quality issues of the school newspaper. 6. To practice ethical journalism. To help the student understand and accept the legal, moral and ethical responsibilities inherent in a free press. 7. To develop student responsibility in meeting deadlines. 8. To understand, appreciate and develop skills in journalism. 10. To develop critical thinking skills in order for students to become intelligent consumers of the mass media. 11. To discover and explore the various forms of writing utilized in journalism. 12. To provide the student with opportunities to critique his/her own writing, the writing of others and to have his/her writing evaluated by a teacher. 13. To utilize copy rules and tools necessary for preparation of copy for newspapers, radio, television and magazines. 14. Understand the necessity of research and add validity, emphasis and depth to writing. 15. To present student writing in an attractive, inviting manner including headlines, graphics and photography. 12. Explore journalism as a unique outlet for creativity. 13. To discover in the student an awareness of the world around him/her, both social and political. 14. To stimulate an interest in journalism as a potential career. District Goals: All students will excel in reading, writing, and math All students will engage in arts, activities, and athletics All students will demonstrate the character and competencies for workplace success All students will stay in school on target to graduate Materials Required (Daily): 1
McLane Agenda Single Subject Notebook/Composition Book (College-ruled 70+ sheets) Reporter s Notebook (4 x 8 70 sheets, lined, sold at Office Depot) or a similar size small notebook Binder Binder paper Pen and Pencil Folder (exclusively for this course) Highlighter Assessments May Include: Online Tests Oral Presentations Class Work Class Contributions/Discussions Newspaper Articles and other writing Interviews Cumulative Journalism Portfolio Grading: Student s grade will be comprised of the following with weighting indicated below: Class Assignments, Projects, and News Articles 55% Quizzes, Tests, Portfolio (including finals and midterms) 25% Group/partner collaborative planning and work 10% Presentations 10% Grading Scale: Semester grades will be awarded on a percent scale as follow: A = 90% - 100% B = 80% - 89 % C = 70% - 79% D = 60% - 69% F = 0% - 59% ATLAS will be updated at least every two weeks. Late Assignments: Effect of Absence on Grade/Credits: o If a student s absence is excused under Education Code 48205, he/she shall be allowed to complete any missed assignment or test that be reasonably given, as determined by the teacher of that class. The student shall be given full credit for the assignment or test if he/she satisfactorily completes the assignment or test within a reasonable period of time. (Education Code 48205) Excused Absences Absence from school shall be excused only for health reasons, family emergencies, and justifiable personal reasons, as permitted by law and Board policy and specified in administration regulations. (Education Code 48205) I AM NOT INCLINED TO ACCEPT LATE WORK. However, I do understand that emergency situations may prevent a student from turning in an assignment on time. In these emergency situations, a student may submit an assignment late (within the assigned quarter) for no more than 70% credit; however, you may not have more than 3 late assignments per semester. For major assignments and assignments with strict deadlines assigned in advance, no late work will be accepted. If student is absent, he/she must submit the assignment via email by the start of the class period or it will not be accepted. If there are extenuating circumstances, the student must speak to me privately outside of class time. 2
All absence make-ups for in-class quizzes/tests assigned in advance will be given only during lunch or after school the day you return. Otherwise, the grade will be a zero. Missed assignments due to absence must be turned in the day after the student returns to class. It is the student s responsibility to make up missed work, speak with me and make arrangements to make up tests and missed work and, if necessary, to discuss specific circumstances regarding missed work with the teacher in a timely manner. It is the student's responsibility to check the Absent Binder and/or the class website upon his/her return to see what needs to be made up. All previous days work is located in the filing box labeled Absent Work next to the Absent Binder. The class website is sites.google.com/site/mrsbechtelsclass and is updated daily with our agenda and assignments. (For major assignments and tests, students and parents can sign up for text message updates from me via Remind. See the last page for details.) *Student Expectations: 1. Be respectful: students are expected to be courteous and respectful of other students, the teacher, substitute teachers, visitors, and the classroom itself. Use kind words and have a good attitude! 2. Be prepared: students are expected to come to class prepared with materials on your desk before the bell rings and be ready to participate in class discussions. 3. Be on time: students are expected to be in their seats before the bell rings and to turn in work on time. 4. Do your best! Students are expected to put forth their best effort academically and behaviorally at all times. 5. Do your own work! Honesty is expected at all times. Cheating and/or plagiarism will not be tolerated under any circumstance and any corresponding work that resulted from cheating will result in a zero grade. 6. Cell phones/electronics must not be visible unless teacher permits it to assist in classwork. Students are expected to silence and store all cell phones and head/ear phones before entering the classroom. Charging of electronic items is not permitted. Electronic use violations will result in items being confiscated and turned over to administration. 7. No food, drinks, or gum. Water is allowed and recommended! 8. Citizenship and/or Effort code will be determined by Professionalism/Employability criteria. This reflects your classroom attitude, cooperation, participation, and employable skills. The classroom is a special environment in which students and teachers come together to promote learning. It is essential to this learning environment that students respect the rights of others who wish to learn. Any concerns can be expressed to the teacher when class is not in session. Hall Pass and Restroom Policy: Students are expected to use the restroom and drink water between periods and during lunchtime. However, students are allowed to use the restroom or get water if necessary with teacher permission and a McLane agenda signed by the teacher after the first 10 minutes and before the last 10 minutes of class only. Tardy Policy: As part of our school safety plan, a school-wide tardy policy will be enforced. To be considered on time, you must be in your seat BEFORE the bell rings unless you have a pass excusing you. Beginning at 8:15, students must get a pass from an administrator. First and second tardies will marked in ATLAS and students must quietly fill out the Tardy Log (clipboard) upon entering the room. On the third tardy, I will contact the parent/guardian and, should they continue, a counselor then administrator will address it. On the 6th tardy, a full lunch detention will be assigned and served in A-110. MCLANE HIGH SCHOOL AGREEMENT LETTER 2015-2016 Journalism I 3
Greetings Parents and Guardians, I am eager to be working with this year s junior and senior class for the revival of Journalism and the McLane school newspaper! One of my goals is to keep you well informed of your child s progress in the class and aware of assignments and due dates by updating the information on my class website and ATLAS regularly. (A copy of this syllabus is also available on the class website: sites.google.com/site/mrsbechtelsclass). Please review and discuss this syllabus with your child. To acknowledge the course expectations I am requesting that both you and your child sign and date this document. Please sign and return the following signature portion by Friday, August 21. Please let me know if you have any questions! Your involvement is crucial to your student s success. My email address is brittany.bechtel@fresnounified.org or bubechtel@gmail.com. You can reach me by phone at 797-1965. I also provide tutoring every Wednesday and Friday after school until 4:30 pm and by appointment. Your child s education is important to me and I look forward to assisting in his/her ongoing success. Sincerely, Brittany Bechtel McLane High School MCLANE HIGH SCHOOL AGREEMENT LETTER 2015-2016 Journalism I 4
My student and I have read and discussed the expectations, consequences, procedures, and policies as outlined in the Journalism I course syllabus and we understand them. We also agree to abide by these policies. If I have any questions or concerns, my child will discuss the matter with you and/or I will contact you. We understand that this document will be kept with the teacher in a student file. The syllabus will be kept in the student s class binder for future reference. NOTE: Electives are a requirement for GRADUATION. It is the parent/guardian s responsibility to work with the teacher to carefully monitor student grades over the course of the year and to discuss any concerns with the student and teacher immediately. Failure to do so could result in late graduation, summer school, and/or adult school. I have read and understand my responsibility as a parent/guardian of a journalism student. To be completed by Parent/Guardian X Parent/Guardian Signature Print Parent/Guardian Name (neatly) Date Home # Work # Cell # Parent/Guardian Email Address: What is the best way for me to contact you? (Circle one): Home# Work# Cell # Email During what time of day are you most likely available? To be completed by Student I have read and understand my responsibility as a student journalist. X Student Signature Print Student Name (neatly) Class Period Student Email Address: Questions/comments for the teacher: PLEASE COMPLETE AND HAVE YOUR STUDENT RETURN TO ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! 5