My sophmore son will be taking a interesting class next year simply called SAI. I just got done looking over the course objectives. They include Learning and applying appopriate study skills to include: effective listening, proper note taking, what to cue in on, and a variety of other study related topics. The part I find interesting though is the two other areas of study for the class: effective leadership and oral communication. I can see these as being important but did not espect them to be included in what is considered a study hall type class. I wonder if the oral comm part is because the students receive credit for English for this course. They also teach reading type skills such as skim, scan, read, vocab, ect. The main objective of the class is to help students improve their skills in all areas. There will be student projects due such as a power point briefing on study skills, another project using the smart board, ect. This sounds like a class all freshman could benefit from no matter what their skills, I wonder why it is not mandatory for all. I think all students would benefit from being taught these types of skills.
Re: Interesting class objectives
I think the web site description eliminates those who feel they are doing just fine with all those concepts on their own, regardless of whether they are judging themselves correctly or not
My oldest has done fine without that kind of instruction. Number 2, OTOH, has hit a wall this year as a freshman. He is an EXCELLENT student who has never taken a note or studied in his life. Biology has been a huge challenge for him and I know he could have benefitted from a class like this
And, of course, ds3 who is my 5th gr LD kiddo could use it as well although I think the fact he has had to work all through school will work to his advantage.
The high school here offers a similar program for freshman. Originally, ds2 was scheduled for it but we switched out. There was a lot of confusion as to who it was for. The administration touted it as being for everyone-much like your web site description-but I heard through community gossip it was more for kids who were struggling. That definitely didnt fit ds2 and we pulled him. Let me clarify, in addition to the study skills, this group of freshman were kept together in one area and had the same teachers who took a team approach to their teaching. While ds2 would have benefitted from the skills session hour(first semester only), I do think the classes would have moved too slow for him. I understand they do college prep classes like Algebra but are chapters behind the other freshman
Now, for ds3-wow!!! I hope its still there when its his time.
Re: Interesting class objectives
This class is for students in regular ed classes who may not have proper study skills to do as well as they might otherwise. For example next year my son is taking biology, geometry, the American legal system, intro to computers, drivers ed, marching band, and a reading class. He is expected to meet all the expectations of the class just like any other student. This year as a freshman he took all regular ed classes and struggled through; although he managed a 2.6 average 1st semester (he had resourse room this semester to help). He will be taking finals on Wensday and Thursday so we don’t know his grades for this semester yet. The reason his counselor recommended the class for him besides his lack of study skills was the hope it would help him to interact more. My son is one of the quietest kids in school and this seems to scare people. The school believes that he feels he does not “belong” because he is too “smart’ for special ed but not “smart” enough for regular ed, so who does he hang out with? He is one of the students who does not fit neatly in any of the “tracks”. Why must students fit neatly in any box?
Re: Interesting class objectives
Lisa this is my son but he doesn’t know it. Socially he does well but academically is does not fit in either box.
I think it really helps that it is a very big school so most aren’t even aware where children fit in. He seems smart because he is highly verbal and does great for reports in front of the class.
I think it is great that your son is getting a program that seems geared toward taking him up to the next level rather than just accomodating the deficits or modifying the curriculum. There is far to much of that at our school.
You are lucky.
from the same web-site for the class, three types of students:
Those who fear failure
Those who anticipate success
Those who just don’t care
Is there really only 3 types? Thoughts, opinions?