Suggestions for Developing Grade Level or Course Syllabus
Items to consider for inclusion on a syllabus
- Items to consider for inclusion on a syllabus
- Name of the instructor.
- School district.
- Classroom number.
- Instructions and convenient times for communicating with the teacher.
- Name of the course (middle/secondary) name of grade (elementary/middle).
- Period when course instruction occurs (middle/secondary).
- A brief description of what is covered in this course.
- Course goals (middle/secondary) or classroom goals (elementary).
- Inclusive dates of the course (middle/secondary: 1st or 2nd semester; full year).
- Strategies for student behavior management.
- General student responsibilities in your classroom.
- Guidelines for the use of school equipment and materials in your classroom.
- Submission of homework and make-up work.
- A protocol for tests, quizzes, and test/quiz make-up.
- Your policy on attendance, absences and tardies.
- Description of student-to-student and student-to-teacher relationships.
- Grading procedure you will use.
- Other times relevant to your content area. Some examples are:
- Special student responsibilities required in your content area(s).
- Titles of books to be read or films to be watched.
- Topics to be discussed which may be controversial.
- Field trips to be taken, sponsors needed, and costs to students/parents.
- Costs which may be assessed for using equipment and/or materials.
- Guest speakers and the topics to be presented.
- Materials and/or equipment that needs to be provided by the student/parent.
- What students need to bring to class each day to be prepared.
- How to behave when a substitute teacher is present.
- How to behave when a student teacher or field experience student is present.
- Other items of interest or necessity.
- A list of course goals and a list of instructional materials you will be using in this course.
- Indicate that the materials will be on reserve in the school library and/or public library for parental examination. If parents have any concerns, they should contact you immediately.
- Parent and student signature line.
Dr. Robert Sweetland's Notes ©