Tips for Binder Organization and Agenda Checks

BindersBinders, time and materials to create dividers, and help with organizing binders have all been provided for you during class. 

For binder checks, I am checking to see that binders are:
-3 Ring and big enough for all classes Y/N (25 points)
-Separated into class sections with dividers Y/N (25 points)
-No loose papers Y/N (25 points)
-Class papers are in date-order per section Y/N (25 points)
(100 points) Quiz Grade

Agendas 1. Use your agenda to record upcoming assignments (projects, term papers, test dates, etc.).  Record these assignments when they are given and continue to add or update the agenda through the school year. 

2. Gather a list of your in-school extra-curricular activities and place this information in your agenda (assemblies, club meetings, sports activities, etc.)  Be sure to include times and places.

3.  Next, list any out-of-school activities, i.e.-trips, hours you work, and other obligations.  Place this information in your agenda. 

Agendas Must Have:
-Important academic dates recorded-Test Dates, etc. (50 points)
-Other important obligations noted appropriately, i.e.-Work hours, mandatory tutorials, club meetings, etc.  (50 points)
(100 points) Quiz Grade

Time Management

168 hours/week
35 in school
49 for sleep
15 for eating
-----------------------
69 hours left

There are 168 hours in a 7 day week.  You spend 35 of these hours in school and about 49 hours are used to sleep.  Around 15 hours are used for eating meals.  So that leaves about 69 hours for working, playing, studying, watching TV, etc.  How do you use these hours?

Setting long and short range goals will help you manage these hours so that you can do the things you have to do and also have time to do the things you want to do. 

Goals are what you want to accomplish.  For example, as you approached (or are approaching) 15 years old, you probably wanted to drive as soon as possible.  You decided that there were certain things you needed to do to get your driver's license.  What  were they? 

Long range goals are those goals that you want to accomplish in the future and short range goals are the goals you want to accomplish "tomorrow".  Let's use the driver's license example.  The long-range goal for a 14 year old is to ___________.  The short range goals, the activities to accomplish this were___________.

Assignment:
-Think about what you want to accomplish this school year.  On a new blog entitled "Goals", list two long-term academic goals and two long-term non-academic goals you hope to accomplish this year.

Long-term
Academic Goals
1.
2.
Non-academic Goals
1.
2.

Next, choose one of your long-term goals and develop five short term goals or steps that will help you accomplish this long term goals.  For example, if your long-term goal is to get a job at the mall, then a short-term goals may be to visit the store in person to complete an application or to complete a job application online.

Long term Goal:

Short term goals (Steps to completion):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Study Skills Course Syllabus

http://studyskillsandthe7habits.blogspot.com/
Ms. Reavis adreavis@gmail.com

Course Guidelines

Study Skills is a class designed to teach students how to effectively use study techniques, time management, and discuss numerous real-world applications while implementing 21^st century technology skills.  Students will learn a variety of strategies for note-taking, listening, test-taking, and organization while understanding the best way to prioritize and manage their time in and out of the classroom.  Students will be introduced to numerous topics for academic and self-reflection.  In using these skills, students will achieve academic success and personal growth. Classroom Expectations

Be Respectful                Respect others’ personal space and property. 
                                              Keep food and drink away from computers.
Engaged and Ready    Have all materials ready when class begins.
                                            Be prepared with assignments and materials.
Show Self-Control       Take an active, positive role in classroom activities.
Take Responsibility    Hold yourself accountable for your grades.

Grading Policy Grades will be determined by Study Skills assessments, participation, and organization.  Students will be given numerous assignments throughout the semester that will be graded for completion and/or accuracy. Students will also be graded on how they use their study time in class based on teacher observations.  Students’ grades will also come from a periodic check of their organizational skills; this includes maintaining organized materials for all classes, consistently checking grades on SPAN, and using an agenda correctly.

Supplies 3 ring Binder, Binder Dividers, Notebook paper, Agenda, Pens/Pencils, Headphones-Please have by January 28th!Important Dates
Interim Reports: 3^rd Quarter February 21-28; 4^th Quarter May 3-10
Report Cards: January 28^th, April 12^th, June 19^th
Exams: May 31^st-June 10^th 

What's Your Learning Style?

Follow the link below to take an online quiz to determine your unique learning style.
http://www.edutopia.org/multiple-intelligences-learning-styles-quiz

Optional: After taking the quiz, create a Blog entitled, My Learning Style.  Explain how you may use the knowledge of your unique style to create an effective study plan for yourself.  How can you use your strengths to help you retain academic information and apply what you learn?

7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens Project

This project is going to take you on a journey through the national bestselling book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey.  Periodically we will visit the 7 habits as a class but much of the work will be completed independently. 

Each of you will be issued a red book and a yellow workbook to read and reference on your journey.  Both books should not be written in and must be returned in good condition at the conclusion of the project.

You will need to have created a Gmail account and a Blog in order to publish your journal responses each week.  Blog responses must be at least 100 words unless otherwise noted and must be posted by 2:30 p.m.on the dates noted.  You will have time in class daily to work on these and you may also work on them outside of class and at home.  Please be sure to follow the directions for each assignment carefully and turn your assignments in on time. 

If you have any questions throughout this project, please do not hesitate to ask.

Creating Your Blogger

In this class, you are responsible for creating your very own blog.  You are free to design it, include appropriate links, pictures, media files, etc.  We will work on this together and it will be used to document your learning throughout the semester.  Remember: Blogging should be a reflection of your thoughts and personality.  Be concise and careful with your words.  Just like Twitter, our blogs are being followed.  Take pride in your blog.


Follow the easy steps below to create your blog:
1. Go to www.blogspot.com
2. Sign in using your Google username and password.
3. Follow the instructions, entering in the correct information.
4. Name your Blog- use your FIRSH and LAST NAME in the following format ex: John Doe
5. Create the URL for your blog.  My suggestion would be to use your first and last name.  You cannot use symbols but you can use numbers.  i.e.- JohnDoe2013
6. Choose your template (or background) to begin with and click continue.  Your background and other customizations can change as often as you like.
7. Click "Start Blogging".
8. In the Title Bar, type the title of your first blog.  It should be entitled About Me.
9. In the box below, type your first entry. 
For your first entry, answer the following: a. What do your hope to do this semester?  (Academically, personally, professionally, etc.)
b. What are your thoughts about blogging?  Have you ever done this before?  How do you think this could be a useful tool?
c. Is there anything you want me to know as we progress through the semester? 10. When you are done blogging, click "Publish Post"
11. Most importantly, EMAIL me with the link to your blog.  Send an email to adreavis@gmail.com with YourFirstandLastName's Blog.  In the body of the message, include the URL of your blog.  You can simply copy and paste it when you View Blog from your Blogger account. 

Creating Your Gmail Account

Set up your own Gmail Account by following the instructions below:
1. Go to www.gmail.com and click on Create an account (found in the upper right hand corner of the webpage).

2. Fill out the required information.
    Note: For desired login, choose a professional name versus a nickname.  This will be an email you will be using for communications with your teachers and other professionals.  Be sure to write down your password and store it in a safe place!

3. Click on Create my account and then Show me my account.
4. You should see your new email account, along with three new emails.

5. Click on Compose New and send an email to adreavis@gmail.com with a brief message.  (This allows me to know your new email address.)

6. After you have done this, you are free to explore the many features Google has to offer.  To do this, click more (located at the very top of the webpage) and then even more.  You will be directed to a page that shows all of the features you can access with your new account.