Seminar Syllabus
2010-2011
Dori Ceisel
Room 112
847-825-4484 x 1389 OR
847-692-8303
Email: dceisel@maine207.org
Seminar period 9
Purpose: To provide students with an opportunity to work on activities that will
promote their success in their academic classes.
This is achieved through:
 Regular communication between student, case coordinator, classroom teacher,
and parents/guardians.
 Providing IEP accommodations that are not feasible in the regular classroom.
 Working with related service providers to progress toward IEP goals.
 Providing supportive curricular activities to promote student learning.
 Regular monitoring of student progress toward IEP goals.
 Establishment of daily work goals by student and self-monitoring of
achievement of those goals.
Activities students will be engaged in:
 Self-advocacy skills
 Academic tutoring
 Test-taking skills
o ACT preparation
 Study skills
 Reading / Literacy skills
 Vocabulary development
 Organizational strategies
 Time Management skill building
 Counseling / support for emotional struggles
 Problem solving and decision making activities
 Prevention / intervention of disciplinary issues
 Networking / connecting with other students
Grades
o Students will earn either a pass or a fail grade. Students will earn credit with a
grade of “pass,” but it does not factor into the GPA. A grade of “fail” does not
earn credit but does factor into the GPA.
o Students will earn a pass if they meet the criteria at 70% success rate or higher.
A maximum of 10 points can be earned each day according to the categories
listed below.
1. Organizational Skills (up to 2 points)
-brings all necessary materials to class
-maintains an organized assignment notebook
-maintains organized notebooks/folders for each class
2. Social Skills (up to 2 points)
-demonstrates cooperative interaction with others
-respects the learning environment
-seeks and accepts assistance appropriately
3. Productivity (up to 6 points)
-uses time wisely; sets goals and monitors progress daily
-works on any of the following: academic tutoring/assignments, test prep
prep, test-taking skills (ACT, PLAN, EXPLORE), study skills,
reading/literacy skills, vocabulary development
-prioritizes tasks and works through completion
-initiates work independently
o Daily and weekly point totals will be recorded on the “Daily Seminar Points”
form .
Student Accountability
o The teacher will discuss and issue points with each student individually and
then initial the students’ assignment book.
o The Seminar teacher will record each student’s points on a weekly master list
which will be entered into Student Information System for parents to monitor
how their child is doing.
Tardiness / Truancies: You are expected to be in your seat and ready to begin class
within 30 seconds of the bell. You must be in the room when the bell rings, not just
your belongings. Tardies will result in the consequences stated in the Tardy Policy in
the Discipline Procedures Code (which is located in your Assignment Notebook). If
you are truant you will lose all points for that day.
Cheating: Students are expected to complete all tests and assignments honestly and will not
collaborate in dishonest actions. Students will not give or accept answers or assignments unless
directed to by the teacher. Students caught cheating or plagiarizing will be subject to discipline
as stated in the Student Handbook, p. 37. You only hurt yourself and the others you involve.
Don’t do it!
Expectations: You are expected to follow the 6 “P”’s to success in this class. This ensures you
and your fellow classmates’ right to an environment conducive to learning and your success in
this class. The 6 “P”s are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Prompt (be on time)
Polite (use good manners and body language at all times)
Prepared (have all your materials and assignments needed each day)
Positive (use only positive language and comments about yourself and others)
Participate (on in class assignments and group work)
Produce (deliver high quality work on all you