Syllabus or no syllabus... that is the question

Hi everyone,
I am going to be teaching 9th and 12th grade social studies in Sept. I'm interested in hearing from the experienced teachers on the board, do you hand out a syllabus at the beginning of the year? If you don't, why? My dept. chair told me it's totally up to me, and I can't decide. Any suggestions?
Thanks!!

Re: Syllabus or no syllabus... that is the question

I teach special ed English 10th and 11th grade. I don't call what I hand out a syllabus but a "Course Expectations" sheet. This way I put certain things in writing that I expect from the students.

Personally, I think it is good to hand out some sort of expections so that the students know what is required of you.

I can email you a copy if you want.

Re: Syllabus or no syllabus... that is the question

I would love a copy if you could... FM me.

I was thinking of stting it up like a college syllabus but with the obvious changes. Seeing what someone else has done would be great.

Thanks!

Re: Syllabus or no syllabus... that is the question

fm

Message edited 8/4/2007 8:28:59 PM.

Re: Syllabus or no syllabus... that is the question

Classroom contract... last page is signed by me, the student and parent. I keep a copy on file and if there are ever any questions I say, "It says that in the contract you signed"

Grading criteria (as per course) breakdown of % weight for homework, classwork, tests, quizzes, etc. This is the same for all teachers who teach the sam course.

First unit syllabus... basically for the first for weeks of school. Topics and work due for each topic, including a list of handouts I will give out on each day (hard to do when you are first year) so if they miss a class they know they need to get certain handouts.

Re: Syllabus or no syllabus... that is the question

Re: Syllabus or no syllabus... that is the question

I each middle school Social Studies and am required to hand out a syllabus. FM if you want more info

Re: Syllabus or no syllabus... that is the question

Re: Syllabus or no syllabus... that is the question

I do a syllabus in one course and hand out a general overview the first day and a week by week syllabus.

Re: Syllabus or no syllabus... that is the question

i hand out a syllabus... their very first hwk assignment is to bring it back signed... i include grading info, needed supplies, my expectations, classroom rooms, my contact info, etc...i also have a place where the parents can put in their email address, which has come in handy when i just want to drop a note to parent about how great their child is doing or a concern-

Re: Syllabus or no syllabus... that is the question

Posted by Tah-wee-ZAH

Classroom contract... last page is signed by me, the student and parent. I keep a copy on file and if there are ever any questions I say, "It says that in the contract you signed"

Grading criteria (as per course) breakdown of % weight for homework, classwork, tests, quizzes, etc. This is the same for all teachers who teach the sam course.

First unit syllabus... basically for the first for weeks of school. Topics and work due for each topic, including a list of handouts I will give out on each day (hard to do when you are first year) so if they miss a class they know they need to get certain handouts.

Re: Syllabus or no syllabus... that is the question

In my school we have to hand out a guidelines list that discusses how grades are weighted absence/lateness policy, and I include bathroom, homework and behavior policies on mine. The students sign it and parents sign it. The students keep it as the first page of their notebook throughout the year.

Re: Syllabus or no syllabus... that is the question

I just hand out a contract that the students and the parents have to sign. It gives basic information about the class, what to expect, hw, grading, expectations, etc.