Advising Syllabus

Just for your reference. Enjoy!


Middle School Advising Syllabus
2008-2009 (Semester 1)
Advising is a block class that has distinct sections. It meets Monday through Thursday from 8:30 to 10:30 and Friday from 8:30 - 12:00. Examples and grading percentages have been assigned so that students and their families can see that time must be spent with thoughtfulness and respectful engagement. Each advisor reserves the right to tailor these categories and corresponding grade-value percentages as they see fit to match the learning community of their classroom

Objectives:
Students will demonstrate their understanding of the Rights and Resonsiblities of the Trillium Constitution.
Students will participate in Trilliums's democratic process by attending and participating in weekly class meetings and middle school meeting.
Students will develop Personalized Learninig Plans. These learning plans will allow student's to pursue their own interests and passions. Students will be required to show their work and what they have learned at Trillium's Middle School Project Fair.
Student's will learn to work independently.

Course Overview:
Advising time will be spent:
Building relationships within each individualized advising group.
Building relationships with middle school staff and other advising groups.
Seeking support from advising group and advisor for academic success.
Learning skills to allow them to work independently.
Evaluation:
NOTE: Approximate percentages (%) are assigned to the categories below. This allows for a pass/no pass policy connected to a rubric that indicates exemplary, acceptable, deficient and disengaged language. To be more clearly defined 70% and above is ÒpassingÓ.

Attendance & Participation:
· On-time to class/announcements
· Current events/ class discussions
· Buddies
· MS meeting
· Class meeting/duties
Course Work, Projects, PLP Work:
· Rotations and workshops with other advisors
· Fairs and exhibitions
· Choices designed by students
· Projects worked on in-class
Community:
· Fridays
· Circle of Friends
· Service
· Lit. Circle
· Read Aloud
· Literacy

ROTATIONS:
The purpose of rotation is to:
Allow students to build an academic relationship with all middle school advisors.
Supplement Personalized Learning Plans with additional academic support.
Enhance basic skills in reading, writing , speaking and science.
Provide basic skills in a consistent manner to all middle school students.
The nature of rotation is designed to change at semester. Currently advising rotation offerings include:
Speech and Debate
Animal Biology
Human Anatomy-Introduction to Body Systems
Spelling and Grammar
Objectives:
Students will:
Participate in daily advising rotation in a way that meets the individual teachers expectations.
Demonstrate their knowledge by completing neccesary class work or projects required by rotation teacher.
Utilize academic instruction and knowledge to support and enhance Personalized Learning Plan projects.



There is rarely, if ever, a time when a student has nothing to do. All of the above listed items are happening each week in some form.

NOTE: Advising is a community activity that centers on the Trillium Constitution. Cornerstones of this program are PLPs, Buddies, Friday outings, service, ASM (all-school meeting), MS meeting and Rotations. If one or more of these have an increased emphasis from semester to semester then grading policy changes to meet the expectations of the class.
Mid-semester and end-of-semester grading reports are generated. Parent conferences are scheduled in the fall.