Windows of Worlds

Students in MBS will collaborate with Martha's Drawing class and other community organizations to design and install frames for WoW2.   This is a collaborative community art project hosted by Edgewood College and organized by Geswerk.   Students at Shabazz will create their frames during the first two weeks of classes.   Installation of the pieces will take place from 9/17 to 9/22 with the full display up on the Edgewood College on 9/23.

Course Guidelines -- 2012-13 -- Q1

Mind, Body, and Soul

Course Guidelines

Quarter 1 – 2012-13

Students in this course will explore and enjoy English language ideas while meeting a variety of learning style challenges, be they kinesthetic, auditory, visual, or some combination thereof.   The course is also an attempt to allow students safe ways to try out different activities with which they might struggle in the traditional English classroom.    Please note:  This course is not intended to significantly prepare one for post-secondary work although some elements of the DPI Language Arts standards will be explored.  

Earning credit in this course depends almost entirely on positive participation.   Students and instructor will determine what positive participation looks like during the first week of the quarter.  

 To earn ¼ English credit in the course, students must:

1.      spend the first two weeks of the course positively participating in a whole-class creative project, supplemented by other instructor-chosen activities. 

2.      After the first two weeks of class, students must spend every entire class period working on individual projects & assignments FOR THIS CLASS, according to the work task. 

            Students will adhere to a regular weekly schedule to include:  

·         TUESDAYS -- 1 Language Arts day participating as a class in language exploration activities (chosen, designed, and implemented by the teaching staff).

·         WEDNESDAYS -- 1 Reading day – independently and silently reading texts of choice;

·         THURSDAYS -- 1 Body day – exploring components of the physical and emotional self, which might be simply walking in the neighborhood together and silently meditating on our lives (in rain, snow, wind, or sunshine); listening to guest speakers on body topics; researching information on health; actively playing a physical game; etc.

·         FRIDAYS -- 1 Creativity day – designing and developing creative projects of individual choice (limited supplies and space available);  [Note: You must be able to work on your project in the classroom.]   

Only guest speaker schedules, the weather, or your instructor will dictate any changes to the task schedule.

3.       write a final reflection paper in the last week of the course to focusing on your learning process.   This paper will be based on your daily journal entries and  projects undertaken throughout the quarter.

4.      return all text materials checked out for this or any other English Department class.  Many books in this classroom are irreplaceable.   In order for this and other original courses to continue, we must respect all of our resources.

Expectations for Individual Work Tasks:

Language Arts Exploration Day  (TUESDAY):

Students will proactively participate in these activities.   The work will range from word games to grammar mini-lessons to creative writing prompts to vocabulary work to library skills, etc.   Some of the activities will be group oriented, while others will be individual tasks.

Reading Day (WEDNESDAY):

Students will spend the entire class period  reading a text of their choice.   They can choose to read the newspaper, comic books, a favorite novel, a book for another class, a magazine, a zine, graphic novels, the dictionary, etc.   Discussions about their text or of exterior concerns are not permitted once attendance has been taken.   Students must have their texts in their hands and ready for reading at the start of the class period.  Sorry, on-line reading is not permissible for this class.   It is just too hard to monitor progress. 

Body Day (THURSDAY):

The class will complete a variety of activities that focus on the body.   We might walk together (leisurely) in the local neighborhood.   On those walk days, we will conduct the excursion in all types of weather, so please pay attention to the forecast and wear appropriate shoes.   These walks will be undertaken in silent meditation.   Students are asked to respect that requirement.  Other body activities may include guest speakers talking about health issues, short research projects on body topics, organized play outside or inside, meditation discovery, reflective analysis of personal body issues, cooking for health, etc. 

Creativity Day (FRIDAY):

Students will work on creative projects of choice during this day.   Limited supplies are available.   Please ask and arrange for those supplies prior to the start of each class period.   Projects need to be developed and constructed in our classroom space.    Students are strongly encouraged to discuss issues and ideas during their work time.   Teaching staff only will choose the background music to be played during this day.   Students are welcome to wear headphones and listen to personal music selections on Ipods or MP3 players.   No cell phone music sources allowed.  

Final Reflection Paper:

The final process reflection paper will be due on Wednesday, October 31.   Students who do not submit a final paper on or before that date will not be eligible for credit in the course.   Papers will not be returned to students. 

Other:

All work will be completed during each class period.   There will NEVER be required homework.

NO COMPUTERS / NETBOOKS ALLOWED IN THIS CLASS (EXCEPT FOR THE FINAL REFLECTION PAPER.   PLEASE RESPECT THIS REQUEST.

Week Three Schedule -- Nov. 23-27

This is Thanksgiving Week. We only have one class session on Tuesday, November 24th. We'll be having fun with words by doing a variety of word puzzles to strength our mind muscles.

Wednesday afternoon we will be feasting -- how appropriate for Body Day.

Thursday & Friday are vacation days for you to take care of your mind, body, and soul on your own.

This Week's Schedule -- November 16-20

Tuesday -- Exquisite Corpse Writing
Wednesday -- Aric to present Tai Chi
Thursday -- Reading Day -- bring your books
Friday -- Creativity Day -- bring your projects

Mind, Body, and Soul

This course will explore and enjoy English language ideas while meeting the learning styles of all participating students, be they kinesthetic, auditory, visual, or some combination thereof. The course is also an attempt to allow students safe ways to challenge themselves to try out different activities with which they might struggle in the traditional English classroom. Please note: This course is not intended to significantly prepare one for post-secondary work although some elements of the DPI Language Arts standards will be explored.

To earn ¼ English credit in the course, students must complete all of the following:

1. fulfill the Shabazz attendance requirement (6th period class / no more than 4 absences; 3 tardies = 1 absence).

2. spend every class period working on individual projects & assignments FOR THIS CLASS, according to the work task schedule determined by the instructor.

3. All students must adhere to a regular group schedule to include:

• 1 Reading day – independently and silently reading texts of student choice;
• 1 Body day – exploring components of the body, which might be simply walking in the neighborhood together and silently meditating on our lives (in rain, snow, wind, or sunshine); listening to guest speakers; researching information on health; actively playing a physical game; etc.
• 1 Creativity day – working on designing and developing creative projects of individual choice (limited supplies and space available); [Note: You must be able to work on your project in the classroom and may need to provide your own materials.]
• 1 Language Arts day participating as a class in language exploration activities (chosen, designed, and implemented by the teaching staff).

4. maintain an “experience response” and project reflection journal, documenting your thoughts on what you are reading, exploring, and creating for the course. All students need a separate writing journal (spiral notebook is fine) just for this class. You must leave your journal book in the class box, so your writing materials will always be available to you during class time.

5. write a final reflection paper in the last week of the course to focus on your learning process. This paper will be based on journal entries and projects undertaken throughout the quarter.

6. return all text materials checked out for this or any other English Department class. Many books in this classroom are irreplaceable. In order for this and other original courses to continue, we must respect all of our resources.

Expectations for Individual Work Tasks:

Reading Day:
Students will spend the entire class period (45 minutes + attendance & check in time) reading a text of their choice. They can choose to read the newspaper, comic books, a favorite novel, a book for another class, a magazine, a zine, graphic novels, the dictionary, etc. Discussions about their text or of exterior concerns are not permitted once attendance has been taken. Students must have their texts in their hands and ready for reading at the start of the class period. Sorry, on-line reading is not permissible for this class. It is just too hard to monitor progress.

Body Day:
The class will complete a variety of activities that focus on the body. We might walk together (leisurely) in the local neighborhood. On those walk days, we will conduct the excursion in all types of weather, so please pay attention to the forecast and wear appropriate shoes. These walks will be undertaken in silent meditation. Students are asked to respect that requirement. Other body activities may include guest speakers talking about health issues, short research projects on body topics, organized play outside or inside, meditation discovery, reflective analysis of personal body issues, cooking for health, etc.

Creativity Day:
Students will work on creative projects of choice during this day. Limited supplies are available. Please ask if supplies are available and arrange for your own resources prior to the start of each class period. Projects need to be developed and constructed in the classroom space. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss issues and ideas during their work time. Teaching staff only will choose the background music to be played during this day. Students are welcome to wear headphones and listen to personal music selections on Ipods or other MP3 players (but not Iphones).

Language Arts Exploration Day:
Students will proactively participate in these activities. The work will range from word games to grammar mini-lessons to creative writing prompts to vocabulary work to library skills, etc.

Final Reflection Paper:
The final process reflection paper will be due in the last week of the quarter. That is an absolute deadline. Students who do not submit a final paper on or before that date will not be eligible for credit in the course. Papers will not be returned to students. Directions for the final reflection paper will be clearly defined and given to students two weeks prior to the due date.

Other:
All work will be completed during the class period. There will NEVER be homework.

Course Description -- Quarter Two -- 2009-10

Transitioning into high school or transitioning out? This basic English class will combine elements of all learning styles to explore the English language and creativity. Two days will be quiet reflective days and two will be more active and collaborative. One day a week we will focus on the body or the physical self with walks, active play, guest speakers, and information. One day will be spent working on creative/artistic projects of choice in the classroom. (Students must provide their own “special” materials. Projects need to be completed in Rm 35.) One day will be spent silently reading whatever we choose. And, one day will be spent actively playing with words and language as a full class. Students will be assessed on their participation, willingness to challenge their abilities, effective use of class time as required, and a final short reflective paper on each individual’s learning process. All work will be completed during class time, so excellent attendance and participation is expected to earn credit.