Name:___________________________________________ 

Freshman Seminar 
Syllabus 

OVERVIEW 

WELCOME TO FRESHMAN SEMINAR! As freshman, we will all be reading and discussing the same book, 
“Bronx Masquerade” by Nikki Grimes (no relation to Mr. Grimes). Each week, we will be reading vignettes, 
short character accounts, about the students in Mr. Ward’s English class. Each story relates to a bigger topic 
we will explore on Fridays through videos, news stories, articles, shows and discussions. 
 
*We will NOT be meeting on Wednesdays (Dismissal is a 1:03 pm) 
*Thursdays you will be focused on Advisory Topics 

GRADING:  
 
**You can only earn an A (86-100), C (70-85) or F (below 70) for this seminar course. 
 
 
1. READING NOTES: 40% 

What:​ Notes that help track the characters and events in the stories while we read 
When​: Monday and Tuesday 
How: ​You will complete these both individually and in a group and KEEP THEM IN YOUR FOLDERS 
Why: ​To figure out what we do and don’t know yet, so that teachers can support your learning 
 
 
2. TOPIC DISCUSSIONS: 30% 

What: W​ e will be watching videos, reading news stories and articles about the topics covered in the vignettes. 
When:​ Every Friday 
How: ​By participating 
Why: ​To share our ideas and thoughts about real-life problems 

3. FINAL PROJECT: 30% 

What: T​ o be determined later 

When: L​ ast week of Term 1 (November 5-9) 
How: ​To be determined later 
Why: ​To celebrate our work and possibly share some of our own creative pieces! 

 
HOMEWORK EXPECTATIONS: 
 
YOU WILL NEVER GET HOMEWORK​ FOR THIS CLASS AS LONG AS YOU S
​ HOW UP AND PARTICIPATE