FRESHMAN SEMINAR – full year course (every other day) ½ credit
Freshman Seminar is designed to assist freshman in a successful transition to high school and in planning for a future beyond high school. A major concentration of the course is helping students to project into the future and realize how today’s actions may have long term consequences. The importance of a good education and the necessity of a varied high school learning experience are stressed. Students learn important decision-making processes by pondering the questions of 1) Who am I? 2) What do I want? 3) How do I get it? The course is one of personal discovery and short and long-term goal setting.
Course topics include, but are not limited to:
· Self-awareness: passions, values, personality traits, strengths, skills
· Understanding the importance of a balanced lifestyle
· Realistic goal setting
· Career exploration
· The importance of relationship building – in school and in personal and professional lives
· Study skills
· Problem solving
· Decision making
· Attitudes and how they affect all aspects of life
· Time management
· Character education
· Familiarization with the high school Code of Conduct
Teaching Materials:
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey
Career Choices by Mindy Bingham and Sandy Stryker
Various films and guest speakers
Timely articles of interest
Grading Policy:
1/3 Homework and Class work
1/3 Projects
1/3 Participation/Preparedness to Learn