9-10th grade Humanities 2007-2008
Teachers: Amir Flesher (amir@compass-school.org)
and Julia Taylor (Julia@compass-school.org)
Dear Students:
Welcome to 9-10th grade Humanities. We look forward to getting to know those of you who are here for the first time, and continuing to work with those who are in their second year. The 9-10th grade years are for building academic skills, examining the history/culture/arts/literature of this country, and working together as a group to create meaningful learning experiences.
We have planned three trimesters that will be academically challenging and engaging—full of a variety of readings, writing assignments, issues in US history, and creative pursuits. You will find yourself taking notes and (acing) tests, discussing ethical questions with your peers, writing poems as well as essays, and reading novels as well as current newspaper articles. You may also find yourself taking photographs, creating a 3-D visual, writing in a journal, as well as memorizing vocabulary words or researching the history of fashion, sports or interest of your own in the 1940’s.
Although we have a plan for each trimester, we are always open to hearing from you about what intrigues you or how you learn best, and we’ll talk about how those interests and learning styles may help us tweak or enhance our curricular units. At the same time, we want you to keep in mind that this is a class that attempts to cover US history, literature, and some of the arts. It is a group of 27 multi-grade students, all with individual needs and proclivities. This makes for both an exciting learning experience as well as some challenges. At times, you may feel impatient, baffled, confused, or (heaven forbid) bored. We ask that you stay positive and take responsibility for your own learning. Do you need extra help? More challenge? Do you understand our expectations? Please come and talk to us!
Trimester 1: Sept. 6-Nov. 2
Focus: The American Dream: Myth or Reality?
Our examination of this theme will take us from the roots of democracy and freedom, to our contemporary society of the 21st century. Our readings will frame discussions about government’s role in reaching “the dream,” definitions of success, and barriers to reaching the American dream.
It will also be a trimester to focus on academic literacy, with an emphasis on writing and speaking clearly, listening to others, thinking critically about history, and researching effectively.
Assignments and Activities: 3-D visual in groups; reading a variety of texts in order to look for bias; creative writing; contests; research; culminating project: TBA
Trimester Two: Nov. 12-Feb. 8
Focus: The Booming1940’s
We will spend this trimester focusing on one decade. What happened when America went to war? What led into this decade, and what came after? You will study the important events, people, and politics of the time, with an opportunity to delve into an independent focus (art, fashion, sports, writers, etc.). We hope to learn some dance moves, talk to people who lived during this time, and create a “living museum” of the exciting and important decade for people to visit and take part in.
Assignments and Activities: Research; note-taking; tests; interviews; visuals; primary source analysis; others TBA in separate syllabus
Skills: Note-taking, test –taking; Writing in response to literature; close reading; writing in timed situation; making connections; listening and speaking; working together
Trimester Three: March 5-May28
Focus: Art and Social Change
How can art encourage change in America? What societal or political issues do you want to learn more about and how can you take your knowledge to the public?
A long research paper involved. Photography to be created. More to be announced, but plan on a public display and/performance outside school.
Activities/Assignments:
Photography; visual and written portraits; Note-taking, reading responses; journaling, vocabulary; grammar; research paper
Skills Emphasized: Critical thinking: question & inquiry, information handling, making connections; Communication: writing, public speaking; and Community Involvement/Collaboration
General Humanities Information
Ongoing Assignments:
1-Vocabulary: SAT or theme-related words; regular quizzes
2- Reading: as assigned or independently chosen (see reading program handout)
3- Current Events: writing, discussions
3- Writing: Completion of a variety of writing assignments, including journaling, creative writing, essays, and a 7-10 page research paper
PLEASE NOTE: Keep ALL drafts of your written assignments (this may mean that you print out rough drafts before you revise) so that you have material for your writing collection. We will give you more information about this soon, but in the meantime, please know that there will be spot to keep writing assignments, and that this is a required collection.
Supplies needed:
1 – Positive attitude and a desire to learn
2 – 3-ring Binder, w/ paper and tab dividers
3 – Writing implement (pencil, pens, laptop all o.k.)
4 – Planner to write down assignments
5- Separate notebook for journal writing (decorate a cheap spiral bound, or find a cool blank book in book store)
5-Opt., but helpful at times--small post-it notes; flash drive; highlighters
Homework Expectations: Doing your HW means that you’re prepared to learn from and contribute to class. Therefore, it’s crucial! You will need to complete HW on time, and that means printing out any written assignment or emailing it to your teacher BEFORE class. (Class starts at 10:30am) Take responsibility for your learning and the HW assigned so that you get as much as you can out of class. We understand that sometimes you have family or extracurricular lives that make HW difficult to complete. If these cases, don’t wait for us to come to you. We ask that you communicate ahead of time if you know your assignment will be late. There are two indicators on your report card called, “Organization” and “Homework Completion” that reflect how well you are prepared for class, so know that your grade is impacted by how well you keep on top of your work. We will also use Studyhall assignments at lunch and after school, as well as Writing Club to help you complete assignments.
Work Completion Policy: (w/ exceptions in extenuating circumstances)
- Minor assignments that are being used in class can be no more than 1 day late
- On major assignments, such as essays or long-term projects: you will lose ½ grade per day if it is late or a forewarned number of points lost. (Example: an excellent becomes a good/excellent if it is a day late or perhaps 10 points off if we use numbers)
- After 5 school days, major essays and projects cannot be turned in for credit.
Attendance: Your presence in class is greatly important to your success and the learning and growth of the entire group. We like to hear your ideas! If you're absent more than 6 times in one trimester or 10 times in two consecutive trimesters, you face loss of academic credit.
Plagiarism: This is defined as taking language and ideas from others without giving credit. This includes “cutting and pasting” from a website for a poster or PowerPoint. Don’t do it. It’s not only dishonest, but it will result in a no credit for the assignment. If’ you’re not sure if you are plagiarizing ask Julia or Amir.
Communication with teachers:
Both Amir and Julia will maintain a website within the Compass site. You may check there for class descriptions and daily HW assignments. We also write assignments on our classroom boards and on weekly assignments sheets. Parents can expect a phone call, e-mail message, or written note if there is a recurrent problem with HW completion. Parents can also find us by phone or in person--often in the mornings before class starts or after school on W and F from 2:20- about 2:40. Those are good times to find us, and we welcome quick questions via e-mail as well.
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