8th+Skills+III

2015-2016
 * Course || 8 th Skills ||
 * Times || MW 4:30-5:20 ||
 * Instructor || Nick Alden ||
 * Phone || (512) 914-5320 (call or text M-F 8am-10pm) ||
 * Email || nalden@chinquapin.org ||
 * Textbook || Empathy: Why it Matters and How to Get it; Krznaric ||
 * Textbook || Empathy: Why it Matters and How to Get it; Krznaric ||
 * Textbook || Empathy: Why it Matters and How to Get it; Krznaric ||

About Me
I was born and raised in the Austin area. I lived there up until I attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock. At Texas Tech, I attended the Rawls College of Business Administration where I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing. My desire to teach stems from my summers spent at Camp Longhorn, a summer camp for kids from the ages of 8-16. I have an older brother, J, who lives in Austin. I also have a younger sister, Lindsay, who lives in Germany. I look forward to getting to know each and everyone one of you as the year progresses.

Course Objectives & Learning Outcomes
This course is designed to supplement other academic classes that students are currently taking. Students should foster academic and life skills that might not be found in other classes. Students are going through a stage of many transitions, and this class will help to equip students with the necessary skills to effectively deal with those changes. The course will focus on skills in the following areas: 1.Academic Skills 2.Character Education 3.21 st Century Technology 4.Health/Wellness Awareness 5.Career/College Readiness

Expectations
This class will be an environment in which we are able to learn and grow together. In order to achieve this, the following is expected of you: 1. Come every day excited to learn something new. 2. Treat others with respect. This includes their personal belongings as well as their thoughts, opinions, questions and answers. 3. Never be afraid to ask a question. 4. Never be afraid to give a wrong answer.

Rules & Procedures
There are rules and procedures that all students are expected to follow this year. Along with the rules listed, students are also expected to abide by all rules set forth in the Student Handbook.
 * If you are late or absent from class, bring a note or have a teacher contact me with a reason.
 * Homework Assignments must be turned in at the beginning of specified class. If it is not ready at that time, students may turn it in late but will deducted 15% for each calendar day (not class day) that it is late.
 * Be respectful and wait your turn to talk. Whether it is the teacher or another classmate, listen and be respectful of what is being said.
 * Must also follow rules in the Student Handbook. Especially cheating and plagiarism.

Discipline
If there are any issues with a student not following one of the class rules, that student will earn the following consequences:
 * First Offense – Will receive a warning from me. Warning can be a look, reminder, or tap on the desk.
 * Second Offense – Will speak individually about behavior and it will likely go on the infractions list.
 * Third Offense – Will have a discussion with your Dean and student’s parents about the unacceptable behavior and how it will be fixed.

Grading Policy
Students will receive grades according to the following: Semester 1: Q1(40%) + Q2 (40%) + Culminating Project (20%) Semester 2: Q3(40%) + Q4 (40%) + Culminating Project (20%)

Each Quarter’s grade consists of the following: Homework 20% Projects/Papers/Presentations 40% Class Participation/In-Class Assignments 40%

5 and 10-Year Plans
This year, students will create and present goals that they have set for themselves 5 years from now (as freshman in college) and 10 years from now (as recent college graduate). The plan will describe goals and analyze the path it will take to achieve those goals. The 5-year plan will be created during the fall semester and the 10-year plan will be created in the spring. Both plans will be presented at the end of the spring semester.

** Course Outline **
This year, we will cover the following topics. Technology Skills Study Habits Building Character Healthy Relationships Healthy Lifestyles