Charles Drew High School

2016-2017 COURSE SYLLABUS

Career Pathway: Business & Technology
Course Title: Business Communications (07.45100)
Career Cluster: Business Management and Administration
Teacher Web Page:
http://myschooldesk.net/clayton/teachersite.aspx#site.26971_pid.102206_mid.314548

Teacher: Charles Stafford, M.A. LDSP Email: charles.stafford@clayton.k12.ga.us

Room Number: 2127 Google Voice: 678-723-9685
School Year: 2016-2017 Tutorial: Please read below
Textbooks: Business Communications Tutorial Hours: TBA
by Tom Means 2004 edition (classroom
textbook)/
Business Communication for Success by
The Saylor Foundation (online textbook)
Textbook Price: N/A Tutorial Location: Room 2127

CTAE Philosophy:

Career awareness in elementary school, career visualization in middle school and career preparation in
high school are vital components of ones educational career. Clayton County Public Schools, Career,
Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program provides the interdisciplinary and technical skills
to every student focused on attaining the knowledge and abilities that businesses and industries desire
for high-demand, high-skilled, high-wage occupations.

Students who graduate from high school after successfully completing a CTAE Career Pathway are
equipped for immediate employment, post-secondary education and life-long learning. In essence,
students in CTAE are college and career ready- prepared to compete in the global marketplace.

Course Description:

What message are you sending when you speak, write, and listen? As one of the most important skills
for employers, students will explore the value of communication in their personal and professional life.
The digital presence and impact of written and visual communication in a technological society will be
addressed. Students will create, edit, and publish professional-appearing business documents with
clear and concise communication. Creative design, persuasive personal and professional
communications will be applied through research, evaluation, validation, written, and oral
communication. Leadership development and teamwork skills will be stressed as students work
independently and collaboratively. Presentation skills will be developed and modeled for students
master presentation software in this course.

Various forms of technologies will be highlighted to expose students to the emerging technologies
impacting the business world. Professional communication skills and practices, problem-solving, ethical
and legal issues, and the impact of effective presentation skills are taught in this course as a
foundational knowledge to prepare students to be college and career ready. Employability skills are
integrated into activities, tasks, and projects throughout the course standards to demonstrate the skills
required by business and industry. Competencies in the co-curricular student organization, Future
Business Leaders of America (FBLA), are integral components of both the employability skills
standards and content standards for this course.

Business Communications is the third course in the Business and Technology pathway in the Business
Management and Administration cluster. Students enrolled in this course should have successfully
completed Introduction to Business and Technology and Business and Technology. After mastery of
the standards in this course, students should be prepared to take the end of pathway assessment in
this career area.

Course Prerequisites: Students will have (and should have) completed Introduction to Business
& Technology and Business & Technology.

Career Pathways: Course work must be completed listed below to complete the Pathway.

Business & Technology Pathway

Level 1 *Intro to Business & Technology
Level 2 *Business & Technology
Level 3 *Business Communications

*Required for Pathway Completion

Certifications:
The Administrative/Information Support pathway prepare students with the skills needed for the
following options of industry recognized credentials:
Microsoft Word 2013 (Introduction to Business & Technology)
Microsoft Excel 2013 (Business and Technology)
Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 (Business Communications End of Pathway
Assessment)

Course Standards
BMA-BC-1 Demonstrate employability skills required by business and industry.

BMA-BC-2 Examine and practice grammar, mechanics, and process of composing professionally
written business communications.

BMA-BC-3 Apply effective oral communication by communicating in a clear, courteous, concise, and
professional manner.

BMA-BC-4 Use active and intentional listening skills to respond appropriately to oral communication.

BMA-BC-5 Master word processing software at an expert level to create, edit, and publish
professional appearing business documents.

BMA-BC-6 Integrate multiple forms of communication in the successful pursuit of a

career/employment.

BMA-BC-7 Apply skills and strategies for the delivery of effective oral communication and
presentations.

BMA-BC-8 Use digital technologies (computers, PDAs, media players, GPS, etc.),
communication/networking tools, and social networks appropriately to access, manage, integrate,
evaluate, and create information to successfully function in professional settings.

BMA-BC-9 Master presentation software to create, edit, publish, and deliver professional-appearing
business presentations.

BMA-BC-10 Explore how related student organizations are integral parts of career and technology
education courses through leadership development, school and community service projects,
entrepreneurship development, and competitive events.

Tentative Course Schedule:

Units/Topics
Semester 1: Semester 2:

1. Professional Business Communications 1. Employability Skills

2. Oral Communications 2. Career/Employment Communications
3. Listening Skills 3. PowerPoint
4. Word Processing 4. Oral Communication and Presentation
5. Digital Technologies 5. Digital Technologies
6. Presentation Software 6. Presentation Software
7. FBLA 7. FBLA

FBLA: The development of positive personal qualities and leadership is a vital component in
career success. In this course that development is achieved through a variety of methods, which
include Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). FBLA is a student organization that is
designed to enhance this class. FBLA provides career and leadership development through peer
interactions, adult mentoring, and competitions based on knowledge and skills learned in the
classroom. Students are strongly urged to join FBLA ($20 for general membership ) to benefit
from the wealth of opportunities the organization has to offer.

Grading Scale*
Area Percenta Area Percenta
ge ge
Quizzes 10% Final Exam/End of Grade 20%
Assessments
Tests 20% Projects 10%
Homework 15% Classwork 25%
Total 100% Total 100%

Numerical grading:
A= 90-100
B= 80-89
C= 79-71
D= 70
F= 0-69
Required Materials: 1 two-pocket portfolio 8 1/2x11, pens, pencils, multiple packs of
notebook paper, and Internet access (away from school)

Instructors Expectations:
Respect yourself and others
Respect the laboratory
Come to class ready to learn, participate, and ask questions
Complete all assignments and homework on time
Work well with others/teamwork
Think through the problem/critical thinking essential to success

Laboratory Procedures:

1. Students will enter the classroom on time and ready to acquire new knowledge.
a. All electronics are put away prior to entering the computer laboratory.
b. No ear plugs in your ears as you enter the computer laboratory.
c. All music must be turned off prior to entering the computer laboratory.
2. All conversations must come to an end once the instructor begins to speak.
3. Students are to sit at your assigned station.
4. Students should begin working upon arriving to class. All lessons and activities will be
prepared in advance. On occasions, directions will be projected on the screen or written on
the board prior to you entering the computer laboratory.
5. Please raise your hand to get the instructors attention.
6. When the administrative announcements come on the intercomm, immediately become
silent!
7. Please keep your assigned station/area clean by throwing away all trash.
8. Students will continue to work or remain seated at work station until the end of class.
9. In case of a fire or fire drill, line up at the door, stay calm, and wait for the instructors
direction.
10.All students should observe ALL the rules and regulations in the Clayton County
Public Schools Student Handbook. **

Academic Integrity: This instructor will adhere to the districts policy. Please read the
student handbook and become familiar with the districts rule. This instructor will discuss
thoroughly the districts policy on Academic Integrity during the first week of school.

Eating/Drinking: Eating should not take place in the computer laboratory, unless approved by
the instructor. If eating is necessary, students will be directed to a specific place in the
laboratory. All food and trash will be disposed of before returning to his or her workstation.
Drinking, inside the lab, is allowed under provisional circumstances. Students are allowed to have
water bottles (soda bottles) with screw-on tops at their workstation. No other drinking or
eating is allowed!

Edmodo: Each student will be required to sign up for and to use this online learning platform. A
majority of the students assignments, quizzes, and tests will be received and submitted through
Edmodo. Parents are encouraged to sign up as well to keep informed of student progress,
assignments, due dates, and direct communication between students and the instructor. The
parent code is found at the bottom left corner of the students home screen. Students are
required to check Edmodo daily for messages, direction, and communication from the
instructor.

Students will be able to respond only to the instructor. Initially, students will not be able to
communicate with each other. Communication between students will occur with instructors
approval only after a trial period. Students must protect their passwords by logging out
immediately after usage every time.
FBLA: The mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship
through innovative leadership and career development programs. This instructors goal is to
continue to build the organization to produce leaders in the business community.

Formative Assessments: After teaching lessons and providing instructions, various

assessments will be administered to do two things primarily: 1) to check for student
understanding during the learning process, and 2) to guide this instructors decision in
developing future lessons and instructions. Some of the assessments are: KWL+, Think-Pair-
Share, Kahoot.it, Quizzes, Writing Assignments, Oral Presentations, Ticket In The
Door, Ticket Out The Door, Graphic Organizers, Random Questioning, and Class
Discussions.

Grading system: How will I be graded? Students will be rewarded for laboratory participation.
Also, students will receive grades for mastering and meeting course standards. On many
occasions, the instructor will be tasked with providing background/procedural knowledge and
content for students to mentally absorb in developing notes and activities. Next, it is the
teachers mission to assist students in meeting and exceeding learning objectives and course
standards. At the end of this process, students will earn grades for meeting/exceeding standards
and participation grades for building capacity in doing so.

Incentive/Rewards- The following will be used for rewards and incentives: bonus points (10
pts on any quiz/test), 1-time 1-day choice of seating, snacks, late assignment pass, 1-
time pass to media center, drop 1 low quiz grade pass, teacher assistant for the
day/week, announcement recognition, good phone call home, 1 no-homework pass
(only students w/ B or higher), print 2 copies pass.

Summative Assessments: Tests will be given at the end of every unit gauging the total
amount of student learning. Also a final exam will be given.

Homework: Completing homework is a requirement of this course and will require students to
have access to the Internet at home or away from the school. To assist some students and
parents, the instructor will try to place at least 1 day in between date assigned and due date
when homework involves the use of the Internet.

Late Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted but assessed a 10% penalty before
grading. However, late assignments will not be accepted or graded beyond the grading
period it was assigned. The grading periods are 4.5 weeks, 9 weeks, 13.5 weeks, and 18
weeks for each semester. This instructor will provide, through Edmodo, the dates for each
grading period in advance. Please speak with the instructor prior to the deadline
concerning an extension.

Make-up Work Rule: The instructor will adhere to the districts policy pertaining to this
particular issue. Please read the student handbook and become familiar with the districts rule.
Students will make up tests on a designated date chosen by the instructor after school. This
instructor strongly recommends that students/parents email the instructor or send a
message via Edmodo to request and obtain missing work once the student returns
from his or her absence.

**Make-up work is defined as work missed during an excused and/or unexcused absence. For
example, if a student was present at school and failed to turn in an assignment upon the due
date, this is not considered or fits the districts Make-up policy. This instructor will not provide an
alternate assignment when the student has failed to complete the original assignment or has
failed to turn in the original work. Make-up packets are not an option!

Consequences: Each level will be applied to the same infraction.

1st Verbal Warning
2nd Student-Teacher Conference
3rd Academic/Behavior Contract (PBIS)
4th Parent Contact
5th Scheduled Parent Meeting/2nd Parent Contact
6th Referral to Administration

Re-do work: Students will have the opportunity to redo work where he or she was not
successful originally. A prerequisite of this rule is to have submitted work previously. Students
will not get the opportunity to redo a missed assignment beyond the current grading period.
The same applies for quizzes and tests.

Resources/Online Textbook:

Means, T., (2004). Business Communications. Mason, Ohio. South-Western Cengage Learning.

The Saylor Foundation. Business Communication for Success. Retrieved from

http://www.saylor.org/site/textbooks/Business%20Communication%20for%20Success.pdf.

Students will experience business-like situations through viewing videos and through listening to
professionals in the field.

Student Attendance: The instructor will report student attendance daily and accurately. In
reference to other attendance issues, the instructor will defer to the schools attendance office
and the districts school attendance policy.

Tardiness

Students are expected to be on time to class. Instructions will begin at the ringing of the late bell
(second bell). The instructor will allow late students to enter the class once class has started and
instructions have been given out to students present and on time. Tardiness will be tracked per
student and reported to administration for further intervention and/or correction.

Teacher Website: The teacher website will be used as another tool to disseminate information
concerning course work and activities. The website will also serve as a bulletin to keep
stakeholders informed with FBLA. The website will be updated regularly.

Tutorial

Tutorial services are provided upon request. If a student needs after-school tutoring, he or she (or
parent/guardian) should make a request with this instructor at least 1 day in advance. Tutoring
will not occur on Friday-Sunday. Tutoring sessions will last for 1 hour, no longer than 90 minutes.
Students and parents are responsible for students transportation after tutorial
session.
Acknowledgment of Receipt: By signing below, the student and parent/guardian
acknowledge that they have read and understood the contents in the 2016-2017 Business
Communication syllabus.

Syllabus Receipt

Student Name (Print) _________________________________________ Date________________

Student Signature ____________________________________________ Date________________

Parent Name (Print) __________________________________________ Date________________

Parent Signature______________________________________________ Date________________