Methods:

This course will operate as a seminar. While I will present lectures every week, the course will depend largely on small and large group discussions. I expect careful and deep thinking about schools and children, about learning and possibility, about who we are in the world of teachers. No seminar can function at full potential unless every member of the seminar comes to every meeting thoroughly prepared. Being prepared means more than simply having "covered" the assignment. It means specifically having grappled with the assignments, having gone beyond the assignments, and having reached some conclusions about the assignments

Participation:

The content presented in this class is essential to your knowledge base as a competent and effective teacher. Careful preparation for, and participation during, class is critical. Participation points are the basis for 10% of your grade. Students are responsible for (a) studying the content covered in class lectures, handouts, discussions and activities, and (b) satisfying criteria for in-class assignments by engaging in discussions, relating content to discussions from previous classes or readings, and applying course information to problems. Students are also encouraged to prepare and present questions when information is unclear.

Work Completion:

1. All assignments should be completed and turned in at or before the class meeting on the assigned due date. Early submission of assignments for instructor feedback is encouraged. Unexcused late assignments will not be accepted. Under unusual circumstances and with advance instructor permission, a student may be allowed to turn in a late assignment. Timelines for excused late assignments must be negotiated between the instructor and student, but generally 10% of the total points will be subtracted for every day late. Assignments not turned in within one working week will be returned ungraded.

2. All written assignments should be prepared in a professional manner. Narrative parts of the assignment are to be typed and proofed carefully for spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Lesson plans and student materials may be neatly handwritten where appropriate. In addition, products must adhere to the guidelines for preparing manuscripts outlined in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (4th ed.) (American Psychological Association, 1994). Products that are unreadable or prepared in an unprofessional manner will be returned ungraded to the student and may be assigned a lower evaluation.

Academic Standards:

From the Catalog (1997-99):

Students are expected to meet the traditional standards of honesty and truthfulness in all aspects of their academic work at UW, Tacoma. In particular, all work submitted to an instructor in fulfillment of course assignments, including papers and projects, written or oral examinations, and oral presentations and reports, must be free of plagiarism. Plagiarism is using the creations, ideas, or words of someone else without formally acknowledging the author or source through appropriate use of quotation marks, references, and the like. Student work in which plagiarism occurs will not ordinarily be accepted as satisfactory by the instructor and may lead to disciplinary action against the student submitting it. Any student who is uncertain whether his or her use of the work of others constitutes plagiarism should consult the course instructor for guidance before formally submitting the course work involved. (p. 20).

Additional Writing Assistance:

I will provide extensive feedback to you on your written products. However, students who experience difficulty in writing are strongly encouraged to make use of the Writing Center (2nd Floor Walsh Gardner Building, 692-4417). The Center is a place where all student writers can access professional help with their writing. It provides an opportunity for students to work one-on-one with an experienced writer and tutor or engage in group sessions or classes.

Disability Services:

If you would like to request academic accommodations due to a permanent or temporary physical, sensory, psychological/emotional or learning disability, please contact Lisa Tice, counselor for Disability Support Services (DSS). Ms. Tice can be reached at (253) 692-4493 (voice), 692-4413 (TDD), or ltice@u.washington.edu (email).

Inclement Weather:

In case of rain or snow, please follow these procedures:

1. Call 383-INFO for status on campus closure.

2. Call (253) 692-5695 and check my voice mail for information on classes and assignments.

3. Call (253) 692-4430 only after calling my voice mail.