Language Expression
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Public speaking is often a dreaded feat among people today, but Language Expression focuses on developing students’ confidence and speaking abilities. The class targets their presentational skills, organization, note-taking, incorporation of visual aids, and much more to help them be more prepared when speaking with/in front of others, whether that be at the workplace, college, an event, or simply a personal conversation with friends.
NECESSARY MATERIALS:
- School handbook (student planner)
- Class notebook
- Class folder
- Pencils and pens
FOCAL GENRES OF SPEECHES:
- Informative - Demonstrative - Persuasive
FOCAL TOPICS:
- Organization - Note-taking - Confidence
- Presentational skills - Communication - Visual aids
COURSE WORK LOAD:
Grades are weighted as follows: Semester grades are calculated as follows:
- Daily assignments 30% - Quarter 1 45%
- Quizzes/Tests 30% - Quarter 2 45%
- Presentations 40% - Semester Final 10%
GRADING SCALE:
95-100% A 86-88% B 77-79% C 68-70% D
92-94% A- 83-85% B- 74-76% C- 65-67% D-
89-91% B+ 80-82% C+ 71-73% D+ 0-64% F
LATE WORK: Students are given two “free passes” for the semester that allow them to have an extra day to turn in an assignment. They may be used for two different assignments, granting one more day each, or they may be used for one assignment, granting two extras days. However, the “free passes” may NOT be used on any presentation, quiz/test, or
formal project. Students will be warned which projects do not apply for passes. If the passes are not used, they can be turned in at the end of the semester for 5 points extra credit per coupon.
* Work turned in one day late without a pass will be docked 10% of the grade earned. After the second day, missing work will receive 0%.
TARDINESS: All students receive 25 points at the beginning of each quarter for a punctuality grade; therefore, all students have a 100% for this “assignment.” The first tardy receives a warning. Every subsequent tardy is docked 5 points from their punctuality grade. A parent will be contacted on the third tardy. After the fifth tardy, the student will receive 0% for his/her punctuality grade as well as an office referral for an after school detention for each following tardy.
CELL PHONES: Students who use the phone during class are to be considered disruptions to the learning process, so the phone or electronic device will be confiscated. Should a device be confiscated, it will be turned into the office to be picked up at the end of the school day. (Taken from the school handbook, page 20.)
SCHOOL APPROPRIATE: For many speeches throughout the semester, students have the privilege to choose their own topics to design, prepare, and research to share with the class. Even though students are encouraged to be creative, they must keep their work and presentations completely school appropriate. If a student’s work is deemed inappropriate by the teacher, that assignment will receive 0% and a parent/guardian will be contacted. If a student’s presentation is deemed inappropriate by the teacher, the speech will be terminated without completion, the speech will receive 0%, and a parent/guardian will be contacted. Further discipline may be used depending on the severity on the incident.
NECESSARY MATERIALS:
- School handbook (student planner)
- Class notebook
- Class folder
- Pencils and pens
FOCAL GENRES OF SPEECHES:
- Informative - Demonstrative - Persuasive
FOCAL TOPICS:
- Organization - Note-taking - Confidence
- Presentational skills - Communication - Visual aids
COURSE WORK LOAD:
Grades are weighted as follows: Semester grades are calculated as follows:
- Daily assignments 30% - Quarter 1 45%
- Quizzes/Tests 30% - Quarter 2 45%
- Presentations 40% - Semester Final 10%
GRADING SCALE:
95-100% A 86-88% B 77-79% C 68-70% D
92-94% A- 83-85% B- 74-76% C- 65-67% D-
89-91% B+ 80-82% C+ 71-73% D+ 0-64% F
LATE WORK: Students are given two “free passes” for the semester that allow them to have an extra day to turn in an assignment. They may be used for two different assignments, granting one more day each, or they may be used for one assignment, granting two extras days. However, the “free passes” may NOT be used on any presentation, quiz/test, or
formal project. Students will be warned which projects do not apply for passes. If the passes are not used, they can be turned in at the end of the semester for 5 points extra credit per coupon.
* Work turned in one day late without a pass will be docked 10% of the grade earned. After the second day, missing work will receive 0%.
TARDINESS: All students receive 25 points at the beginning of each quarter for a punctuality grade; therefore, all students have a 100% for this “assignment.” The first tardy receives a warning. Every subsequent tardy is docked 5 points from their punctuality grade. A parent will be contacted on the third tardy. After the fifth tardy, the student will receive 0% for his/her punctuality grade as well as an office referral for an after school detention for each following tardy.
CELL PHONES: Students who use the phone during class are to be considered disruptions to the learning process, so the phone or electronic device will be confiscated. Should a device be confiscated, it will be turned into the office to be picked up at the end of the school day. (Taken from the school handbook, page 20.)
SCHOOL APPROPRIATE: For many speeches throughout the semester, students have the privilege to choose their own topics to design, prepare, and research to share with the class. Even though students are encouraged to be creative, they must keep their work and presentations completely school appropriate. If a student’s work is deemed inappropriate by the teacher, that assignment will receive 0% and a parent/guardian will be contacted. If a student’s presentation is deemed inappropriate by the teacher, the speech will be terminated without completion, the speech will receive 0%, and a parent/guardian will be contacted. Further discipline may be used depending on the severity on the incident.