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.
