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Library Studies and Information LiteracyMrs. K.P. Sanders, Media SpecialistSouthwestern Middle School2015-2016 Parent LetterDear Parents/Guardians,4505325508000Welcome to the Library Studies and Information Literacy course! The objective for this course is for your student to master research skills and to become information literate. The American Library Association (ALA) defines information literacy as “a set of abilities requiring individuals to ‘recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information’" (2006). In today’s world, there is a flood of information at your fingertips in print and online. It takes special skills to wade through all of the unnecessary information, and find what you are really looking for. Not only will these skills serve your student well in my class, but they can also be applied to the other subject areas taught at Southwestern Middle School. In the following pages, you will see how the course will unfold as your student and I work through the semester together.If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at:Media Center Circulation Desk: (386) 822-6700 x. 22836 (Building 7, Room 5)VCS Email: kapait@volusia.k12.fl.usIf you are not able to reach me, please know that I will respond to emails and/or voicemails within 24 hours of your message.Sincerely,Mrs. K. P. SandersSupplies Needed:ItemQuantityComposition Notebook1Loose Leaf Paper1 packFlash Drive1 with at least 1 GB of spaceHeadphones/Earbuds1 pairBlue/Black Ink PensPencilsGrading Policies & Procedures:Your student will be graded according to the guidelines as outlined by Volusia County Schools. The gradebook will function as follows:Diagnostic Assessments set at 0% and not counted in the grade calculation. These measure background knowledge before a new skill, unit, or area of study is started.Formative Assessments count as 40% of the total grade. These include classwork and homework assignments. These should be done in preparation for summatives.Summative Assessments count as 60% of the total grade. These include quizzes and tests, to gauge student mastery of skill, unit, or area studied.Grading Scale:A100-90B89-80C79-70D69-60F59-0Keeping Up with GradesStudents and parents have access to the online gradebook at any time. The gradebook can be found on the Volusia Instructional Management System (VIMS) website, here: Student Gradebook LoginUsername: 1 + Student Alpha Code (1ABCD)Password: Student Birthdate (MMDDYYYY)Please see the Mrs. Debra Lane in the building 8 office for parent access to Gradebook. You can contact her at (386) 822-6700 x. 22846Components of Library Studies and Information LiteracyIn this course, the various aspects of Information Literacy will be covered, including:Tool literacy - The ability to use print and electronic resources including software and online resources. Your student will learn how to use the Media Center’s print and online resources for their research needs.Resource literacy - The ability to understand the form, format, location and methods for accessing information resources. Your student will learn how to access and navigate Volusia County School’s research databases including: eLibrary, ProQuest K-12, and Culture Grams.Social-structural literacy - Knowledge of how information is socially situated and produced. It includes understanding the scholarly publishing process. Your student will learn about scholarly work and peer-reviewed materials.Research literacy - The ability to understand and use information technology tools to carry out research, including the use of discipline-related software and online resources.Publishing literacy - The ability to produce a text or multimedia report of research results. After all information literacy components are covered, your student will be able to produce an original work based on thoughtful research.AssignmentsA variety of tasks/projects will be assigned that will target every aspect of information literacy. Tasks include, but are not limited to: the steps of the research method; proper searching techniques; unit on plagiarism; copyright law; research topic narrowing/broadening exercises; bias/point of view detection; computer based projects; collaborative research; web 2.0 assignments. TechnologyStudents will use a wide array of technology including, but not limited to: desktop computers; laptop computers; Microsoft applications; web applications; BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology); iPads; iPad applications; Volusia County research databases. Please be reminded that students may only use their personal devices during designated BYOT times in designated BYOT zones.-2857533782000Course RequirementsTo effectively perform the tasks asked of them, your student must have an Acceptable Use Agreement on file for the duration of their enrollment at Southwestern Middle School. The Acceptable Use Agreement outlines the rules and expectations for the usage of technology managed by Volusia County Schools. This includes computer software, hardware, applications, internet, as well as BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) access. The Acceptable Use Agreement form is distributed at the beginning of every school year with your student’s enrollment packet. You and your student must sign and return the form to the Media Specialist to be successful in this course. If your student does not have the form on file, please see Mrs. Sanders in the Media Center or the Clerical Staff in Student Services to obtain a copy.Absentee/Late Work PolicyStudents are responsible for making up any work missed in the event of an absence. Late work can be worked on at home, in the Support Lab with Mrs. L. Smith, or in the mornings from 8:20-8:50AM in the Media Center. Students will have one day for each day absent to make up missed work.ConductStudents are expected to be respectful of their teachers, as well as of their peers. Students learn best when the environment is positive and stress-free! Please arrive to class focused and ready to learn. In the event that these expectations are not met, disciplinary action will follow.Disciplinary Action Steps:1st offense: Verbal Warning2nd offense: Call home to parent/guardian3rd offense: Discipline ReferralExcessive referrals and/or continued placement in ISS (In School Suspension) will result in a 2 in conduct. If disciplinary issues persist, a 3 in conduct will be given.Students are also expected to arrive to class on time. 3 tardies will result in a discipline referral. Excessive tardies will result in a 2 in conduct, eliminating the possibility of making the Honor Roll.Students who exhibit exemplary behavior have the opportunity to become STAR Students of the week and participate in special school functions.Accommodations/ModificationsAll required accommodations/modifications will be made for students as they appear on their IEPs, EPs, and 504 plans. Additionally, accommodations/modifications will be made for ESOL students. If you have any questions regarding your student’s accommodations/modifications, please contact me via email or phone using the information on the first page. ................
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