By meeting the standards listed below at a proficiency of 60% or higher, students will earn credit for their speech elective course requirement.

Instructional Standards
Standard 7: Students speak with purpose to communicate clearly and effectively.
7.1 Speak for a variety of purposes and audiences
7.2 Organize appropriate speaking strategies and formats
7.3 Use content and delivery strategies appropriate to purpose and audience
Standard 8: Students listen and view to understand information.
8.1 Apply multiple comprehension and decoding strategies during listening and viewing procedures
8.2 Apply information and concepts gained from listening and viewing
Reinforcement Standards
Standard 1: Students read to understand a variety of materials.
Standard 2: Students write with purpose using strategies and mechanics to communicate.
Standard 5: Students use relevant information from print, media, and technological and other resources.

Grading Scale

A 90.0 – 100%
B 80.0 – 89.9%
C 70.0 – 79.9%
D 60.0 – 69.9%
F Below 60.0%

I do not give any grades to students... students earn their grades. At the end of the semester, you will only have yourself to praise or blame for your grade. Please take this seriously.

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Retesting
Traditional “retests” are neither appropriate nor necessary for this course. On the rare occasion that a student needs to redo a speaking assignment, this must be done during ACCESS within two weeks of the original due date. Once the 2 weeks have passed, you will either receive your original grade, or a zero (which ever is higher in point value). Students are responsible for providing an audience of not less than 15 people to observe their speech. The maximum grade a student may receive on a retest is a 70%. For instance, if on the retest you get 100% of the questions/performance correct, you will earn a grade of 70%. I will grade the test/quiz/performance/speech with the previously determined point values and then take off 30% of the total to determine your final grade... if you receive a 90% you will receive a 60%. At the instructor’s discretion, additional work may be required before retesting will be allowed.

Keep in mind that if you miss a tournament, that cannot be made up.

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*** Late Work ***
All work is expected to be completed on time. If a student fails to appear on an assigned speech date, that speech will be considered late. If a student needs to make up a speaking assignment, this must be done during ACCESS within two weeks of the original due date. Students are responsible for providing an audience of not less than 15 people to observe their speech. The maximum grade a student may receive on a make-up speech is half credit. The same rule applies for self-evaluations… these are due the class period directly following your speaking date, if you do not turn them in, it will be late and the maximum credit is 50%. No late work will be accepted more than two weeks beyond the original due date. DO NOT ASK ME DURING CLASS WHAT YOU MISSED, THAT IS WHAT ACCESS IS FOR.

Being a member of the forensics team comes with high standards and no excuses. Because this is highly individual work, you are expected to be self-motivated and self-disciplined.

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ACCESS
Whenever possible, students should attend ACCESS prior to anticipated absences (this includes school activities ~ sports, band, choir, student counsel etc.) Following absences, students are expected to attend the next scheduled ACCESS to retest, make up work, and request additional instruction when needed. In other words, if you know you are going to be gone, come speak with me so we can try to arrange for you not to be responsible for speaking on that day.

This is also a time to get additional help and critiques from varsity members and myself. You need to arrange this ahead of time so the varsity member can also obtain a pass from me.

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Attendance and Tardies
Because a significant portion of the students grade in this course is based on participation, regular attendance is vital. Following the 6th absence from class for any reason other than school excused absences, students will be dropped from the class with the grade of “F”, as mandated in the GCHS school regulations.

Because tardiness to class is both disruptive and disrespectful, students are expected to be on time. Habitual tardiness will result in increased detention after school. Students who arrive more than 20 minutes late will be counted absent. If a student is tardy, they should look to see if a classmate is speaking before entering the room. If the student enters while a classmate is speaking, the student will lose participation points for that day.

Students arriving late must sign-in in the red tardy notebook. After the 3rd tardy and for each thereafter, you will receive an after school detention.

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*** Bathroom Privileges & Extra Credit ***
* Due to excessive overuse, you will be limited to 3 bathroom passes for the semester. You will receive bathroom vouchers that you are responsible for keeping. You will receive extra credit for any unused vouchers at the end of the semester. Use them wisely!
* Beyond the vouchers, extra credit is rarely offered in this course. Make sure that you take responsibility for your grades throughout the semester so you don't run into trouble during finals week.

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*** The Flag system ***
This class will utilize a flag system in order to help remind you about upcoming assignments/tests etc. Your class will have an assigned flag at the front of the room, and a corresponding colored bin. When your flag is in the fishbowl, you have something due (a performance, a test or another assignment). You need to turn in assignments into your assigned bin.

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Assessments
This class will consist of the following assessment tools:
1. (10%) Compete in 2 forensics events ~
*For interpretation events: this includes selecting, analyzing, cutting, memorizing, writing an introduction, rehearsing, and performing in class and in competition.
*For debate and platform events: this includes researching and writing cases and speeches, building resource files, rehearsing, memorizing and performing in class and in competitions.
* Student Congress will NOT be considered your 2nd event unless you create a contract with Frenchie.
2. (35%) Tournament attendance
* 6+ tournaments = A
* 5 tournaments = B
* 4 tournaments = C
* 3 tournaments = D
* 0-2 tournaments = F
3. (35%) The accumulation of NFL points
* 75+ NFL points = A
* 50-74 NFL points = B
* 25-49 NFL points = C
* 10-24 NFL points = D
* 0-23 NFL points = F
4. (10%) In class work
4a. In-class performance (participation)
4b. Peer evaluations
4c. Peer coaching
5. (10%) Helping to run the GCHS tournament on Saturday, November 19.

A traditional final assessment is not appropriate for this course. The final grade will be a combination of the above listed items.

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Other Class Expectations
* You are responsible for your grade, there will be no passing of the buck in this class…… it is your grade = own up to it.
* Food (including candy), drink, and chewing gum are not allowed in the classroom.
* No walkmans, cell phones or pagers will be tolerated in the classroom… if I hear them, they are mine to answer and/or keep
* Hats and sunglasses must be removed upon entering the classroom.
* Come to class prepared and ready to participate.
* Be attentive and supportive of all class members. RESPECT!!!
* Remember: Pride, Class, and Dignity!!!
* When in the auditorium, students will not destroy, tamper with or disturb equipment, props, or the set.
* Since rehearsal will be taking place all over the school, it is important to respect the space that you are in or you will lose that opportunity. IT IS VITAL THAT YOU GIVE 100% EFFORT. This is a competitive team and I want you to give the team and me your best effort. If you give it your best and do not win, we can work with that... if you put forth less than 100% effort or are lazy or procrastinate and lose, then we will have problems.

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Email: sfrench@greeleyschools.org