Your work for this year will be comprised of the following pieces:
Writing Pieces
You will be composing TWO pieces of longer writing at the end of each quarter. These pieces are meant to help you put together the readings, lectures, & discussions from the quarter. You will be given several prompts to choose from. Due dates and drafts will be posted here in this section.
60% of your total grade- each piece is worth 300 points
Media Blogs
You will be analyzing a variety of different media this semester; ranging from films, TV shows, readings, etc. At the end of every week, you will respond to the prompt and post it on the site. You will also respond to at least ONE other blog post from your colleagues. In total you will be posting TWICE. However, if conversations naturally extend themselves organically, then feel free to continue the dialogue. You will see the dates, prompts, and sample blog post in the blog section of this site
15% of your total grade- Every week's blog post is worth 10 points- there will be approximately 15 per semester. The total for semester will be 150 points.
Thinking Logs
The course is structured and designed using Socrates as the inspiration for learning. This "Socratic" style uses conversation as the main element of learning. In other words, we talk a lot. Through these conversations you will build your knowledge and create an environment of critical thinking and analysis. But, how do you keep track of all these fantastic ideas, you may ask?? Easy! A Thinking Log. This is the tool we'll be using all year long. It will help you keep track of ideas created in class. This is also the tool you can use to help frame your blogs. Below is a link to the template we'll be using. Thinking Log Template
15% of your total grad- Every week your log will be reviewed- Each log is worth 10 points-there will be approximately 15 per semester. The total for semester will be 150 points
Discussion
In order for us to really hammer out the ideas being presented in class in the different ways, we need to ALL talk about it. This is how our brains work in general, we look at something, we talk about it, we have something to say. Discussion will vary, but occasionally we will have formal academic discussions (what you may know as Socratic Seminar). I will be helping your grades by sometimes giving you points for these discussions.
10% of your total grade- Each discussion will be worth 10 points. There will be approximately 10 per semester. The total for semester will be 100 points.
Assignments Breakdown
Writing Pieces (2)- 60% 300 points each total of 600 points
Media Blogs (15) -15%- 10 points each total of 150 points
Thinking Logs (15) -15%- 10 points each total of 150 points
Discussion (10)-10% -10 points each total of 100 points
Total Points for Semester = 1000 points
Attendance
If you are absent on any given day, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to make sure you know what the next steps are. Here are your options:
Late Work
There is no late work that is accepted. The verified absence is the only exception.
Academic Dishonesty
Animo Leadership Charter High School does not tolerate academic dishonesty. For further clarification of school policies regarding academic honesty consult the Animo Student Handbook. Remember—your instructor has spent years reading the work of professional historians,political scientists, economists, grading student papers, and knows how to use Google. It is NOT easy to fool him.
- 2 Writing Pieces (at the end of each quarter)
- Media Blogs
- Thinking Logs
- Discussion
Writing Pieces
You will be composing TWO pieces of longer writing at the end of each quarter. These pieces are meant to help you put together the readings, lectures, & discussions from the quarter. You will be given several prompts to choose from. Due dates and drafts will be posted here in this section.
60% of your total grade- each piece is worth 300 points
Media Blogs
You will be analyzing a variety of different media this semester; ranging from films, TV shows, readings, etc. At the end of every week, you will respond to the prompt and post it on the site. You will also respond to at least ONE other blog post from your colleagues. In total you will be posting TWICE. However, if conversations naturally extend themselves organically, then feel free to continue the dialogue. You will see the dates, prompts, and sample blog post in the blog section of this site
15% of your total grade- Every week's blog post is worth 10 points- there will be approximately 15 per semester. The total for semester will be 150 points.
Thinking Logs
The course is structured and designed using Socrates as the inspiration for learning. This "Socratic" style uses conversation as the main element of learning. In other words, we talk a lot. Through these conversations you will build your knowledge and create an environment of critical thinking and analysis. But, how do you keep track of all these fantastic ideas, you may ask?? Easy! A Thinking Log. This is the tool we'll be using all year long. It will help you keep track of ideas created in class. This is also the tool you can use to help frame your blogs. Below is a link to the template we'll be using. Thinking Log Template
15% of your total grad- Every week your log will be reviewed- Each log is worth 10 points-there will be approximately 15 per semester. The total for semester will be 150 points
Discussion
In order for us to really hammer out the ideas being presented in class in the different ways, we need to ALL talk about it. This is how our brains work in general, we look at something, we talk about it, we have something to say. Discussion will vary, but occasionally we will have formal academic discussions (what you may know as Socratic Seminar). I will be helping your grades by sometimes giving you points for these discussions.
10% of your total grade- Each discussion will be worth 10 points. There will be approximately 10 per semester. The total for semester will be 100 points.
Assignments Breakdown
Writing Pieces (2)- 60% 300 points each total of 600 points
Media Blogs (15) -15%- 10 points each total of 150 points
Thinking Logs (15) -15%- 10 points each total of 150 points
Discussion (10)-10% -10 points each total of 100 points
Total Points for Semester = 1000 points
Attendance
If you are absent on any given day, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to make sure you know what the next steps are. Here are your options:
- Make sure you look at the course site in the tab labeled Schedule, so you know exactly what work you missed
- Come to Office Hours to speak to Mr. Morgana so that you can make arrangements
- You have the same amount of days absent to turn in missed work. (Ex. absent 2 days = 2 days to turn in work)
- Readings, thinking logs, and blogs are still your responsibility to complete. An absence is not an excuse to not turn in work at all
Late Work
There is no late work that is accepted. The verified absence is the only exception.
Academic Dishonesty
Animo Leadership Charter High School does not tolerate academic dishonesty. For further clarification of school policies regarding academic honesty consult the Animo Student Handbook. Remember—your instructor has spent years reading the work of professional historians,political scientists, economists, grading student papers, and knows how to use Google. It is NOT easy to fool him.