
Course Syllabus and Assignments
Credit Hours: 3 Semester Credits Grade Type: Letter Grade
Course Readings: Best Practices to Help At-Risk Learners by Franklin Schargel 2005. Larchmont, New York: Eye on Education. 158 Pages
Course Description:
This course presents 46 research-based tools, worksheets and resources which have been field-tested at schools and in dropout prevention programs nationwide. They help teachers, administrators, counselors and special educators who work with at-risk learners. It also explores the 15 strategies identified by the
National
Dropout
Prevention
Course Objectives:
1. Educators will acquire a framework of working knowledge to teach at-risk students.
2. Participants taking this course will learn about ways of encouraging students to think about staying in school and how to make schools family friendly.
3. Educators will learn how to identify high-performing at-risk students and what parents can do to intervene when their child begins to fail in school.
4. Participants will explore the best practices and strategies that can help reduce school disenfranchisement and potential dropouts.
5. Educators will research the topic, develop a lesson or activities that utilizes strategies
in the book and use the instructional techniques for improving student achievement.
Chapter Review/Reflections: Write several paragraphs summarizing the main ideas or information you thought was significant from each chapter in the book. Extended bullet points of main issues are also acceptable. See rubric for guidelines.
Introduction: 15 Strategies
1. Family Engagement 2. Early Childhood Education
3. Mentoring and Tutoring 4. Service Learning
5. Alternative Schooling 6. After-School Opportunities
7. Professional Development 8. Instruction and Improving Achievement
Writing Assignments:
After the chapter reviews, write a two-page paper linking key concepts from the book, Best Practices for Helping At-Risk Students by Franklin Schargel.to your specific classroom context. By focusing your essay on an area of interest that is relevant to your teaching or professional experience, you will enhance your capacity to apply new concept learned in this class. You may choose to specifically focus your paper on classroom-management strategies from the book that are a change from your typical teaching methodology or practice.
Required assignments 1. Book readings 2. Chapter reviews 3. Research article review. 4. Project or activity 5. Final application essay. (APA or MA writing style format.)
Email Assignments:info@graduatecoursesonline.com Instructor Joseph C'de Baca 727-258-7233
Mail registration: Teachers Learning Center 11246 68th Ave. Seminole, FL 33772
Grading |
|
Grade Distribution |
Chapter Reviews & Reflections |
30% |
90 - 100 = A |
DVD Movie Review/Reflection |
20% |
80 - 89 = B |
Project or Activity |
30% |
70 - 79 = C |
Application Essay |
20% |
0 - 69 = D - F |
Total |
100% |
|
Letter Grade |
% |
Possible Points Points Earned |
A |
90-100 |
100 |
B |
80-89 |
70 |
C |
70-79 |
50 |
Re-Write Assignments |
|
Based on Rubric Score |
Best Practices for Helping At-Risk Learners
Course Assignments and Rubric with Video Assignment:
Chapter Reviews/Reflections
Chapter Reviews |
Basic (50 pts.) |
Proficient (60 pts.) |
Advanced (70 pts.) |
Read the book and write chapter reviews and reflections for each chapter.
Write 3 to 6 paragraphs summarizing the ideas, knowledge, and information that you thought was significant from each chapter.
Consider reflecting on a paragraph or a concept that was enlightening and applicable to teaching.
Address or apply any state, district, or national academic standards.
Expanded bullet points of main issues are also acceptable. Include your personal experiences, ideas, and critical analysis.
|
Writes a basic narrative of the chapters’ contents.
Includes major points expressed by the author.
Includes at least one citation or example.
|
Writes a general narrative of the chapters' contents with limited personal reflection.
Expresses major points of each chapter.
Writing includes any state, district, or national academic standards that apply.
Includes several citations or examples.
|
Writes a complete narrative of the main points of each chapter.
Writes personal reflections that include the student's experiences with these issues as they relate to their personal classroom experience.
Expresses major points of each chapter and provides in-depth elaboration.
Includes any state, district, or national academic standards that apply.
Includes critical analysis of the course’s positive and/or limiting content and offers solutions as they apply to instructional applications in classrooms and schools.
Error-free. |
Academic Standards: Academic standards that apply to this course will vary from state to state. Visit your district or state educational websites for academic standards that may apply to specific courses or subject areas and apply them as needed.
Research Article Review Rubric Assignment:
Article Review |
Basic (10 pts.) |
Proficient (15 pts.) |
Advanced (20 pts.) |
Research course topic and locate a relevant article that relates to the course content.
Write an article review and personal reflection connecting article with the course content and school environment. (3 to 6 pages)
*Include a copy of the article utilized in this assignment. |
Writes review of article with basic citation information and briefly shows connection between course and article content.
|
Writes review of article with a few references of information.
Some critical analysis and solutions.
Explores the connection between course and article content, showing full understanding of both interrelationship for teaching considerations.
|
Writes review of article with several informative references and thoroughly demonstrates the connection between article and course content.
Reflection incorporates abstract and critical analysis and alternatives or solutions.
Personal experiences and perspectives are included. Review applies information learned to potential classroom situations.
|
Best Practices for Helping At-Risk Learners
Required Lesson Unit Plan or Activity Rubric
Activity Lesson/Unit Plans |
Basic (10 pts.) |
Proficient (20 pts.) |
Advanced (30 pts.) |
Write a unit or lesson plan, project or activities that demonstrate the course concepts in a school classroom or instructional environment. (3 to 6 pages) Other activities include: staff development, state academic standards, parent outreach, department or committee work, curriculum development, presentations, and school events. |
Creates a minimal activity and lesson plan that briefly demonstrates a simple application of a course concept or strategy that can be utilized in classrooms for instructional and/or evaluative applications.
|
Creates a general activity and lesson plan or unit plan that demonstrates two or more course applications of the various topics or concepts.
Includes any state, district, or national academic standards that apply.
Contains a variety of teaching or learning styles and concrete or abstract practical applications of a concept from the course materials.
|
Creates a detailed activity and lesson plan or unit plan that includes a variety of teaching and learning styles.
Contains concrete and abstract activities for practical classroom applications of several concepts from the course content.
Addresses any state, district, or national academic standards in the activity.
Creates a lesson plan or activity that helps students utilize course content to apply the knowledge or skills to school curriculum for their affective needs and improving academic achievement. |
Final-Application Essay Rubric Assignment
Final-Application Essay |
Basic (10 pts.) |
Proficient (20 pts.) |
Advanced (30 pts.) |
Write an essay (3 to 6 pages ) combining all the course content or assignments and show how they can be applied to teaching students, schools settings and staff and personal development. |
Writes an essay addressing how the course content can be applied to classroom instruction, student achievement, and the overall school environment.
|
Writes an essay with one or two examples of how various course concepts can be developed and implemented in the classroom and school environments.
Writing addresses any state, district, or national academic standards.
Addresses instructional methods, teaching strategies and effective lessons as well as students' affective needs and academic achievement.
|
Writes a thorough essay with multiple examples of how various course concepts can be developed and implemented in classroom and schools. Includes student's personal and experiential reflections and any state, district, or national academic standards that apply. Writing has critical analysis of the course’s positive and/or limiting content and offers solutions as they apply to instructional applications in classrooms and schools. Addresses instructional methods, teaching strategies and effective lessons as well as the affective needs of students along with academic achievement. |
