Speech
Syllabus
Ms. Koehn
Room 252
Course Description: This course is designed to familiarize students with the communication process and to teach students to become more comfortable and proficient in public speaking and other speech situations.
Materials: Students are expected to have paper and pen/pencil in class every day. No pink, orange, green, or metallic pens will be allowed. In addition, a three-ring binder (or a section of a binder) and a folder will be needed in which to keep notes and handouts. Spiral notebooks are acceptable but edges must be torn off before turning assignments in. In addition, 3X5 lined note cards may be used for speeches if students wish but these must be provided by the student. Student planners with computer access information and state email addresses will also be needed for computer lab research for speeches. All students are required to have required materials in class every day.
Student Evaluation: Students are expected to complete all assignments on a daily basis and turn them in when they are due. As a rule, late work will be accepted but may be docked a letter grade for each day it is past due. Tests and quizzes will be announced ahead of time either in class or on the teacher’s lesson plan page, usually both. Speeches must be given on the day they are due; late speeches will be docked one letter grade each day they are late. If speeches are not delivered by the last day of the time assigned for speeches, a grade of 1 will be assigned. All speeches are to be the student’s original work. Cheating and/or plagiarizing will result in a grade of zero.
Presentations: This is a communications/speech class. All students will be expected to present speeches and other presentations periodically through the semester. Students must deliver speeches in class in order to receive a passing grade. Speeches will include, but not be limited to, impromptu speeches, demonstration speeches, informative speeches, persuasive speeches, and multi-media speeches.
Grading: The following grading system will be used:
95-100 A
92-94 A-
89-91 B+
86-88 B
83-85 B-
80-82 C+
77-79 C
74-76 C-
71-73 D+
68-70 D
65-67 D-
64 and below F
Grades will be posted in the grade book each week. Students are responsible for keeping track of their own grades and turning in any missing work. All students will have the opportunity to do this through Student Access on the Brandon Valley website. Missing assignments will not be posted or reviewed in class. At the end of each grading period (midterm or quarter), grades of 0 will be changed to a grade of 1. Assignments with a grade of 1 may not be made up.
Absences: Students who are absent are responsible for making up work on their own. Daily assignments and class activities are available on the teacher’s lesson plan page. Work missed because of absence must be made up in a timely fashion; as a rule you will have the number of days absent plus one in which to complete the work. If you miss a speech due to an absence, make arrangements to make that speech up as soon as possible.
Classroom Expectations:
1. All student handbook rules and consequences will be enforced.
2. All students are expected to respectful of others in class. No profanity will be tolerated.
3. If it’s not yours, don’t touch it.
4. No food or drinks will be allowed in the classroom. Water is acceptable in a container with a lid.
5. Use the time between classes to use the bathroom and get a drink. You will not be allowed to go during class.
6. Students will not be allowed to leave class unless called for through the office.
7. Students are expected to have planners in class AT ALL TIMES.
Tutoring: The teacher is available before and after school for extra help should you need it. Please arrange these times in advance so as to not conflict with extracurricular teacher responsibilities.
Teacher contact info:
Ms. Koehn Reif Room 252
Phone: Brandon Valley High School 582-3211
Email: Gina.Koehn@k12.sd.us
Lesson Plans: Available on Brandon Valley High School webpage