Course Syllabus

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Forensics

Mr. Wengert

E-mail: cwengert@paplv.org

PLHS phone:  402-898-0400

 

Hello, and welcome to Forensics. Rather than studying dead bodies, this is the class that will help you develop speaking and communication abilities. We will be working over the course of the year to develop skills in argumentation, public speaking, small group communication, and oral interpretation.

 

This class also will look different than most of your other classes. Because not only will is this a class, this is as competition based team. Over the course of the year we will be traveling all across the state in order to compete against the best and brightest. Speech is not for the faint of heart, but will instill in you everything you need to work alongside the greatest people in the world.

 

However, winning is not the end all. Rather, this class will use a combination of different things in order to determine your grade. “Success” in this class is not winning every single tournament, (although that would be pretty awesome). Instead, your success in this class will be measured on individual basis. Using a “task completion” system, as well as participation and effort, your grade in this class will be a product of yourself, not others.

 

For success in this class, you are recommended to bring the following:

  • Notebook Paper
  • Folder
  • Pencils and pens
  • Two 3 Ring Binders (for portfolio and tournaments)
  • Calendar/Planner
  • Stopwatch

 

Weekly Blog:

  • You can find the schedule, assignments, due dates and everything in between on the canvas blog underneath my name. Please check frequently, as it will make your life easier.

 

Classroom Guidelines:

  • It is your responsibility to make up missing work. You get two days make it up. If you are absent when work is due, it is due when you get back.

 

  • Late work for daily work and homework will be given half credit if turn in late. Larger projects will be marked down 10% for every day late. PLHS policy regarding missing assignments will be followed.

 

  • Plagiarism is a big deal. Plagiarism means taking anything from another person and claiming it as your own. This includes ideas, and does not necessarily have to be word for word. If a you are found plagiarizing work, Papillion-LaVista policy will be enacted.

 

District Policy for Weighted Grades is as follows:                             

70%  = Summative

30%  = Formative

 

  • Summative grades will be items such as Portfolio checks, tests/quizzes, speeches, and Task Completion check-ins. Formative grades will be items such as classwork, quizzes, homework, and smaller activities.

                                               

  • I have a 100% open door policy. Please come see me for any concerns, or help on anything. Let me know if you are coming in after school. I can be found in Room ___

 

The Portfolio

            You will be required to put together, organize, and maintain a portfolio throughout the year. The portfolio will be the main evidence of your progress, effort, and commitment to the class and the team.

The portfolio will have the following items in it:

  • Copies of interpretation cuttings
  • Speeches presented in class (rough and final drafts)
  • Speeches presented in competition (rough and final drafts)
  • Competition ballots
  • Peer and teacher critique sheets
  • The Forensics Handbook
  • This Syllabus
  • A record of competition rounds
  • Souvenirs
  • Records of tasks completed
  • Records of mentee/mentor meetings

Students are required to have their portfolio with them at all times in class.

 

Creativity is encouraged. - this should represent your entire person as it pertains to speech.

 

“Task Completion” Checklist

  • Boot Camp Participation    PA, Interp, and Choice Event
  • Main Event Competition Ready 1 per semester
  • Teacher Performance (Summative) 1 per semester
  • Performance Before Small Group 2 per semester
  • After School Coaching session 2 First semester / 4 Second
  • Critique Sheets 5 per semester
  • Practice Rounds (outside judge) 1 per semester
  • Competition/Tournaments*
    • 2 fall
    • 4 spring
  • Hosted Tournament Assignment 1
  • Portfolio ongoing

  • *If you do not attend your required tournaments/competitions and there was a significant and valid reason for this, an alternative assignment will be provided. This will be on a case by case basis. The expectation is that you will meet the required minimum tournaments, as no assignment can replicate this educational experience.

 

Anticipated Tournament Schedule:

This is completely subject to change, but should give you somewhat of an idea of where and when we plan on going to tournaments.

            1st Semester

  • Millard North Novice - Nov. 3rd (novice only)
  • Bellevue West - Nov. 4th (varsity only)
  • Papillion - Nov. 11th (our hosted competition)
  • Papillion La Vista South - Dec. 2nd
  • Creighton Prep - Dec. 9th

 

            2nd Semester

  • Millard North - Jan. 6th
  • Westside - Jan. 12th
  • Millard West - Jan. 26th
  • Crete - Feb. 3rd
  • Lincoln East - Feb. 16th
  • Norfolk - March 4th

 

Final Thoughts:

Speech kids (you) are some of the most amazing people in the entire world. Knowing that gives me license to push you to the limit. But, in order to truly do well, and make this a transformative experience, you need to be able to push yourself. Be motivated, be independent, work hard, do awesome things. If that doesn’t sound good to you, please reconsider taking the class. Thanks.

 

Classroom Guidelines: How we do what we do in Mr. Wengert’s class.      

 

Golden Rule: In this class, we operate under the assumption of the golden rule. The

Golden Rule states the following: “Treat others how you want to be treated.” Based

on the contract we made at the beginning of the semester/year, the golden

rule entails the following within our classroom:

 

1) No talking when Mr. Wengert, or anyone else is talking.

If you were telling a group of your friends the most amazing story of how you

single-handedly fought off a shark while surfing in Hawaii, and someone started

talking while you were, you would feel pretty crappy right? Same rule applies

here. Everyone deserves the chance to speak without anyone talking over them;

this applies to both Mr. Wengert and your fellow classmates. If I find you cannot

control your interruptions or outbursts, you will be placed on the disciplinary

track. (Announcements fall under this category as well) 

 

2) Cell Phones are only allowed when explicitly stated by Mr. Wengert.

Cell phones are something that you do not need 90% of the time you are in class.

However, during certain times, such as when we are working on papers, or doing

silent independent study, they are allowed ONLY TO LISTEN TO MUSIC. No

other exceptions. If I find you misusing your cell phone that is not in accordance

to what is stated here, your cell phone will reside on my desk for the rest of the

class period. If things continue to be bad, I will send your cell phone to the office

for the rest of the day.  You wouldn’t want someone texting someone else while

you were trying to have a conversation with them, so don’t text during class.

 

3) You are expected to be on time.

Start time of class is non-negotiable. The moment the bell rings, class is officially

started. If you find yourself continually late, you will miss out on a ton of

material. Showing up late is like missing the first act of a movie. You will have

no idea what’s going on, and will annoy your friends as you ask them to explain

what is going on. Continual tardiness will result in:

1st Tardy – Warning

2nd Tardy – detention

3rd Tardy – Parent Contact / detention

4th Tardy – Referral to Administrator

 

4) Homework is due the moment the bell rings at the beginning of class.

Always have homework printed out or done. Do not assume we are going to the

library and you will be able to print it off. When checking assignments, I need to

be able to see the work the moment the bell rings. You will not get full points if

HW is not shown when the entire class’s is checked.

 

5) For classroom discussions, Golden Rule is king.

Everyone deserves the ultimate respect. You are to listen politely to your fellow

students. These are your colleagues. Even if you disagree with what they say,

you are to treat them with the utmost respect. Use phrases like “While I see your

point, I think that…” This will make discussions go much more smooth.

 

 

If at any point you cannot or will not follow these guidelines, the following actions

will take place in order of severity:

 

  1. You will be removed from the class to the hallway.
  2. You will be held after class for one on one discussions.
  3. Your parents will be notified through a phone call home.
  4. You will receive a referral.
  5. Further disciplinary actions will take place based on School District Guidelines.

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Hello! My name is Mr. Wengert and I will be teaching English 12. I am looking forward to working with your student, together, in an extremely important stop on their academic journey. I am also looking forward to communicating and meeting you! If you have any questions, do not hesitate to email me. In order to best communicate with you, I would appreciate you looking over this syllabus with your son/daughter as well as sending me an email at your discretion answering the following three questions. Thanks so much!

 

  1. What is the best way to contact you? What specific number or email address would work best?
  2. What are your son’s/daughter’s greatest attributes?
  3. Do you have any questions?

 

Course Summary:

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