Introduction to SeminarSt. Johns High SchoolFreshmen Seminar
What is Seminar?Seminar is a...
◦Time to make up missing tests, quizzes & other work
◦Time to get extra help in a class◦Time to work on group projects in
other classes◦Time to attend club meetings◦Time to read for leisure◦Time to prepare for your future
What seminar is NOT.Seminar is not...
◦Nap time, social time, game time and/or “I have nothing to do” time
How does seminar work?Seminar is approximately 40
minutes. You may stay in your class and work or you can pass to a class that you have arranged to visit. If you pass to a class you MUST stay there until the end of seminar.
How do I get a pass?Go to the teacher you would like
to pass to, ask for a pass. Make sure you do this ahead of time...not right before seminar. The best time to get a pass is at the end of class on the previous day.
Do I get a grade in seminar?Yes. The grade is Pass or Fail.
Most home rooms have 18 lap tops to use freely. Take advantage of this time to get homework done.
Are there any days I cannot pass?Mondays or the first day back are
known as “no passing days”. These are dedicated to seminar tasks, so do not plan on having any time to work on your own stuff on Mondays.
9th GRADE—this is when everything begins to “count”. Get involved and document it!Work hard to get good grades…your grade
point average starts now. If you fail a class, you have to take it again. Become involved in a wide variety of
activities. Start keeping a record of what activities you
are involved in with and any volunteerismSelect appropriate 10th grade coursesBe careful with your internet useThink about what career path you may be
interested in pursuingTake practice standardized tests (ACT…)
How important can freshman year be? Researchers target 9th grade as the make or
break year for completing high school. During the 9th-grade year, many students for the first time have to earn passing grades in core courses, and these core courses are typically some of the toughest and most rigorous academic classes a student must take in high school. Furthermore, the rising use of standardized tests to measure school performance, and exit exams required to earn a diploma add to the difficulty and importance of doing well in high school. Statistics generated from freshman year are concerning. Ninth graders have the lowest grade point average, the most missed classes, the majority of failing grades, and more misbehavior referrals than any other high school grade level.
BE SURE TO GET THIS PAPER SIGNED AND RETURNED TO ME ASAP.
Daily ScheduleEach class is about 62 minutes except
seminar◦1st Hour 7:45 – 8:48◦2nd Hour 8:54 – 9:56◦Seminar 10:02 – 10:42◦3rd Hour 10:48 – 12:21◦4th Hour 12:27 – 1:29◦5th Hour 1:35 – 2:37
Lunch Schedule (during 3rd hr)◦A Lunch 10:42 – 11:09◦B Lunch 11:54 – 12:21
Seminar Schedule◦2nd Hour Over at 9:56◦Passing Time 9:56-10:02◦Admin Time 10:02-10:07
Stand, face flag & say pledge of allegiance
Silent during announcements
◦Passing Time (only if leaving) 10:07-10:10
◦Seminar Work Time 10:10-10:42
Passing Out- Mrs. Gnegy’s Red Folder
Mary Billips Feldpausch
9 8
Mary asks Mrs. Gnegy if she can pass to her room for seminar. She says yes and gives Mary an orange pass asking her to complete the first two columns in her Red Folder.
Passing Out- Daily Work Log
Paige Shinabarger
X
9/8
Mary comes to seminar and records that she is passing on the Daily Work Log located on the clipboard.
Mary Billips
Owen Broadwater
Passing Out- Mr. Feldpausch’s Red Folder
Mary Billips Mrs. Gnegy9/8
Then Mary records her information in my red folder and leaves her pass beside it.
Passing Out- Mrs. Gnegy’s Red Folder
Mary Billips Feldpausch
9
Mary Billips
When the passing bell rings Mary goes to Mrs. Gnegy’s room and signs in next to where she previously recorded her name and seminar teacher in the red folder. 8
Staying Put- Daily Work Log
Paige Shinabarger
X
9/8
Mary Billips
Spanish II – verbs wkst
Owen Broadwater English 9 – practice persuasive essay
Seminar Behavior ExpectationsBe on time & prepared to work.
◦ Inside door when bell is done ringing◦ Materials with you◦ Body prepared
Bathroom◦ Consequence:
Must use your 1 weekly locker/bathroom pass
Then its 3 min or 30 min
Seminar Behavior ExpectationsDo your work.
◦ Consequence: 1 daily warning, then character writing 1 monthly free-day pass is available
◦ If Repetitive: Writing gets longer
Seminar Behavior ExpectationsUse appropriate language.
◦ Swearing◦ Teasing◦ Disrespect of faith
Includes saying Lord’s name in vain◦ Consequence:
50 cents or… 50 pushups or… 50 words
Seminar Behavior Expectations
Seminar Behavior ExpectationsIt is also expected that you 1not skip class or
leave the classroom without permission (including passing time when you are not passing). You must also 2not whine nor complain in front of other students regarding seminar activities or expectations, but be respectful towards the teacher and your peers and maturely discuss the issue after class. Finally, you are expected to be 3passing all of your classes. Consequences for these behaviors may vary but could include 1unexcused absences, 2character writing and/or 3required passing to failing class.
Earning Seminar CreditYou must comply with all
consequences issued above or your parents will be contacted. Repeated failure to observe consequences will lead to failure of seminar.
You must also complete all required
grade level activities by the end of the assigned trimester in order to earn credit for seminar.
Freshmen Seminar Activities This is the schedule of tasks you must complete as freshmen to
receive seminar credit.
Trimester 1◦ Introduction to High School◦ Basic Technology Skills◦ Club Day◦ Study Skills◦ Career Cruising: Learning Styles Inventory◦ Readfest◦ Exam Study Skills
Freshmen Seminar Activities This is the schedule of tasks you must complete as freshmen to
receive seminar credit.
Trimester 2◦ Freshmen Class Meeting: Senior Speakers◦ EDP◦ Interest Inventory◦ Career Exploration #1◦ Enroll for 10th grade◦ Readfest
Freshmen Seminar Activities This is the schedule of tasks you must complete as freshmen to
receive seminar credit.
Trimester 3◦ 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens◦ Resume◦ Interest Inventory◦ Career Exploration #2◦ Career Cruising Checklist◦ Readfest
◦ CPR once Freshmen year
Working in SeminarAs I had mentioned, you MUST be
working the entire time during seminar. This includes days when you do NOT have any homework to do.
In order to be sure that this happens:◦ You are to supply a book of some sort and
keep it in your folder in the black crate.There should never be a day when
you are not working on something. No video games, card games, catalogs, or other mindless materials or activities are allowed.
Best Practices for LaptopsAvoid laps, clean solid surface is bestNot a touch-screenClose lid before walkingDon’t shut off with power button – use Start
Menu- Shut downLogging off? Wait for log-in screen before
closing lidShutting down? Wait for lights and screen off
before closing lidReturn to correct slot number & plug in