Speech/Forensics: Policies, Procedures, and Syllabus Ms. Lyndsey Hinckley Room 316 Hinckley.Lyndsey.G@muscogee.k12.ga.us Dear Students, Welcome to Speech/Forensics, which we will commonly call Debate. I am excited to work with you during this course as you grow into critical thinkers, competent researchers, careful readers, confident speakers, compelling writers, and charismatic orators. You must remember that while this is an elective course, you are still a student in the Columbus High School magnet program. As a result, my expectations for you are high, and the work is rigorous. I know you understand that this will require you to devote significant time and purposeful practice to this course. Please read the following policies and procedures carefully so that we will have the best possible semester together. I look forward to learning with you. Class Expectations and Content This course uses standards taken from the Grades 9-10 ELA Standards. A full list of standards relevant to/addressed by this course is available upon request. This class is designed as an introduction to and exploration of the world of competitive forensics. It is not solely a public speaking class, nor should you expect it to be an easy A. In order to succeed in forensics competition, and in this class, you must be willing to work diligently and purposefully, research thoroughly, write coherently, speak effectively, and participate meaningfully. All students will speak in front of the class, frequently, throughout the year. Non-participation is simply not an option. At the beginning of the year, we will focus on basic argumentation, rhetoric, and logic, while we learn the fundamentals of competitive debate through the Public Forum event. Later in the course, we will explore other competitive speech and debate events based on class interest and ability; these may include, but are not limited to, Congressional debate, platform speaking, interpretive events, and policy debate. Much of the course will be spent researching topics, writing cases, and debating. Even if you find that competitive debate is not for you, you will at least leave the course a more informed citizen and more capable speaker. Researching and preparing speeches are vital elements of class. This requires the student to be self-motivated and work independently. Students are expected to be on task at all times during independent work sessions and respectful, attentive audience members during presentations. We cannot have an effective study of debate without class participation. It is crucial that students be prepared for class and ready to contribute their ideas, reflections, and thoughts. All students will be required to give speeches in front of the class throughout the semester. Students will also give and receive feedback on class speeches. It is important that students understand the importance of providing respectful and constructive feedback for their peers. I expect my students to express themselves respectfully and respect their classmates right to disagree. Intentionally offensive arguments and statements are not acceptable.
Class Rules The general rule in my classroom is that behavior contributing to the learning process or benefiting another child is acceptable. Anything that takes away another child s right to learn is not. -- Marva Collins 1) Follow all rules and policies as outlined in the student handbook. 2) Show respect to everyone, including your teacher, your classmates and yourself. You show respect to your teacher by actively listening, politely speaking, and enthusiastically engaging in all activities. You show respect to your classmates by remaining open to their ideas and differences as well as being courteous at all times and honoring their rights. You show respect to yourself by completing your assignments in a manner that indicates you take responsibility for and pride in your work. 3) Stay seated and be an attentive audience when someone is speaking to the class. 4) Follow directions as they are given, when they are given, the first time they are given. 5) Come to class prepared to learn and do your best. This means bringing all needed materials, homework, assignments, and a positive attitude to class every day. These are very broad policies, and we will discuss them in detail on the first day of class. Here are a few examples of how these rules look in practice: I expect that you will be on time to class. Tardiness is not acceptable. When the bell rings, I will close the door and class discussions or a debate will begin. You should be in your seat with all needed materials ready for class. If you are tardy, you will receive detention or other consequences as outlined in the student handbook. You will participate meaningfully in class at all times. More so than most other classes, debate requires your purposeful participation and attention. This includes doing any homework/preparation/reading before coming to class. You cannot phone in your presence in class. Debate class is not time to socialize, nap, play on your phone or computer, or do homework for another class. Being off-task is disrespectful to me and your classmates who are working as expected. When any presenter (including me, guest lecturers, or classmates) is addressing the room or students are participating in a debate, the class should be silent. If a debate is happening, you should be flowing. If you are listening to a lecture, you should be taking notes and formulating questions. You might have noticed a recurring idea: my classroom operates in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Behavior that compromises or disrupts the learning environment will be dealt with quickly, directly, and severely. Depending on the offense, consequences include detention, parent contact, conferences in the hallway or after class, discipline referrals, and/or removal from the classroom. All rules and policies are in accordance with CHS and MCSD handbooks. Materials 1. You will need a large three-ring binder (at least 1 ) with plenty of paper and three tab dividers. 2. You must bring your textbook and any supplemental materials to class every day, unless told otherwise. It is imperative to have your supplies in class every day. Failure to bring your materials to class will result in consequences. This includes having all materials/cases ready on the day you are scheduled to present or debate. 3. All assignments to be turned in should be written with a blue or black ink pen unless otherwise specified. 4. You are highly encouraged to bring a flash drive to save assignments and writing drafts. 5. You will need an email address and internet access in order to complete some class assignments or access resources posted on Edmodo. Email is also the best way to contact me should you have a question or concern. Students will also be expected to sign up for notifications through our class Remind101.
BYOD/Technology Policy: Research is a major component of this class, which will be made infinitely easier if you have a laptop or tablet to bring to class. You are not required to bring your own device, and we will have days when we have reserved a set of netbooks from the library, but we cannot book the school s computers every day. Remember that the use of technology in the classroom is a privilege, which can and will be revoked if you are off-task or violate the terms of the BYOD Contract for my classroom. Cell phones are not allowed in my classroom for any reason, including research. Grades and Assessments Grades in this class will be divided into three basic categories. Tests/Quizzes 20% Debates, Speeches, and Presentations 40% Classwork/Homework 40% This class does not have a state-mandated Georgia Milestone. However, you will take a Student Learning Objective (SLO) test, which WILL count as a grade in your final average. Academic Honesty and Plagiarism Students are to submit only their own, original work. Cheating of any kind is not acceptable and demonstrates a lack of integrity that is inconsistent with the expectations for a Columbus High School student. Should you choose to cheat on an assignment, you will receive a zero for that assignment, a discipline referral, a notice sent to your parents, referral to Honor Council and documentation on your school record. Your honor pledge should be included on all assignments. Cheating includes: Copying, faxing, emailing, or in any way duplicating assignments that are turned in, wholly or in part, as original work. Exchanging assignments with other students, whether handwritten or computer-generated, whether you believe the assignment will be copied or not. Using any form of memory aid during tests or quizzes without the expressed permission of the teacher. Giving or receiving answers during tests or quizzes. Taking credit for group work when you have not contributed an equal or appropriate share to the final product. Accessing, copying, or possessing a test or quiz in advance of its administration. Plagiarism includes: Taking someone else s assignments or a portion of an assignment and submitting it as one s own. Submitting material written by someone else or rephrasing the ideas of another without giving appropriate citation information. Presenting the work of tutors, parents, siblings, or friends as one s own. Submitting purchased papers/cases as one s own. Submitting papers/cases from the Internet written by someone else as one s own. Supporting plagiarism by providing work to others, whether it is believed it will be copied or not. If you are not sure whether something counts as plagiarism, it is best to ask the instructor.
Make-up Work and Late Work This year, we will all be adjusting to shorter classes during the day. This means that while we will ultimately have more seat time in this class, our daily meetings are shorter, so we must make effective and responsible use of our time. To that end, class moves quickly, so it is imperative that you avoid being absent whenever possible. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed, including scheduling make-up tests and quizzes, the day you return. I will not track you down or remind you of your responsibility to make up missed work. You may speak with me before or after class to discuss what you missed and coordinate arrangements for making up the work. In accordance with school policy, you must have arranged to complete and turn in all work missed due to an EXCUSED absence within three (3) days of your return to school. If you have an unexcused absence, or no excuse is submitted within the three (3) days allowed by school policy, you will receive a zero for ALL missed work. The following procedures are in place to govern the completion of missed work due to excused absences: Tests and quizzes: If the test or quiz (or reading for the quiz) was assigned prior to your absence (meaning you had prior knowledge of the assessment), you will take the test or quiz in class the day you return. I reserve the right to give an alternate version of the test or quiz that was administered in class on the day you were absent. Homework: If a homework assignment has already been graded and returned to the class, you must complete the assignment in my room after school. If I have not yet returned the assignment to the class, you may make up the work at home and turn it in within the three day window following your return. The following procedures concern absences regarding TMAs, projects, group work, and other extensive assignments: TMAs, Projects and Extensive Assignments: The three day make-up policy does NOT apply to assignments that are given far in advance of their due date. You will know about these assignments well ahead of time and will not receive extra time by being conveniently absent on the day the assignment is due. THIS INCLUDES SCHEDULED DEBATES. You MUST give your debate on the day that it is due, or you will receive a zero. If you are going to be absent, you may submit your assignment early or ask your parent/guardian to drop off the assignment at school. Late Work: Due to the nature of debate class, in which preparation and participation are essential components of an individual student s success and in the progression of the class s learning as a whole, late work is not accepted in my Speech/Forensics class. All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period; if a student does not have his/her work at that time, (s)he will receive a zero. Students will not be allowed to go print an assignment at the start of class. Remember that you cannot make up assignments or tests missed due to an unexcused absence unless/until you attend Academic Saturday School. I reserve the right to administer different versions of tests or make-up assignments for any student who misses an assignment or for students who accrue more than 7 absences in my course.
Extra Help and Extra Credit I have planning during 2 nd period, and I am available after school almost every day if my students need help in my class. Students are welcome to schedule an appointment if they have any questions or need additional assistance on an assignment. I do ask that students schedule a time for help so that we can avoid conflicts with faculty meetings, field trips, absences or other school obligations. Students are also welcome to email me at any time, though it may take up to 24 hours for me to reply. Students who somehow come into possession of my phone number should not call or text me about class (or anything else). This is inappropriate. Email is the correct way to contact me if you have questions outside of school hours. Extra credit opportunities are infrequent. It is my belief that extra credit should not serve as a substitute for purposeful participation and effort in class, but should instead reward students who go the extra mile to extend, enrich, or apply their learning. Extra credit opportunities will be announced in class as they arise. Test Corrections are not an option in my class. Thank you for your attention to these pages. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have regarding this class. Please sign the contract on the following page indicating your understanding of the policies and procedures established in this syllabus.
Speech/Forensics Procedures and Policies Contract I have read and understand all parts of the policies and procedures handout for Ms. Hinckley s Speech/Forensics Class. I have had the opportunity to ask questions, and I understand that I can talk to Ms. Hinckley about any further questions or problems I have in this class. I will adhere to these policies and procedures, and I will accept the consequences of acting in conflict with these standards. I understand that I am not entitled to an A in this class and I am responsible for my own work and performance on assignments. I have let my parent(s)/guardian(s) read the policies and procedures for this class and I have discussed the class expectations with them. Student Name (Print) Student Signature Date I have read and understand all parts of the policies and procedures handout for Ms. Hinckley s Speech/Forensics class. I understand that I may contact Ms. Hinckley regarding any questions that I may have about these standards after I have discussed them with my child. I understand that my child must adhere to these policies and procedures in order to function in a safe and productive educational environment. I will support my child in adhering to these standards, and I will encourage him or her to accept the consequences when he or she strays from the established policies and procedures. I have discussed these policies and procedures with my child and I believe that (s)he understands them as well. Parent Name (Print) Parent Signature Date Parent Email Address (please print clearly):