AFNORTH International Middle/High School

 

Creative

Thinking

Course Syllabus

 

 

Mrs. Doherty

SY 2004-05

 

 

 

Course Title:  Creative Thinking:  Seeing Television, Radio, Music, Print Media, and Advertising in a Different Way

 

TEACHER:  Mrs. T. Doherty

ROOM:  B1.3

E-MAIL:  Theresa_Doherty@edu.odedodea.edu

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This Creative Thinking course is designed to give students practice in recognizing media communication imbedded within our print, audio, and visual forms of media in our society.  Students will see just how words and images and sounds create their own means of persuasion lying hidden inside our media messages.  Students will learn basic tools needed to critically evaluate television and radio programming, music lyrics and videos, and print media.  Students will learn to “read between the lines” as they become more responsible media consumers.

 

 

COURSE GOALS/OBJECTIVES/STANDARDS:  

 

Media Literacy Content Standard 1:  Students recognize that media messages are constructed using specific techniques which manipulate sound, image, text and movement to convey meaning.

 

Students will analyze how media content are influenced by media form.

 

 

Media Literacy Content Standard 2:  Students distinguish among and use appropriate types of media for a variety of purposes.

 

Students will select and apply appropriate media to a task or topic.  Students will compare the historical and cultural differences in media.

 

 

Media Literacy Content Standard 3:  Students apply knowledge, skills, and strategies to design and create media messages.

 

Students will design or create media messages that integrate images, music, sound effects, graphics, etc.    Students analyze and evaluate strengths and weaknesses of personal media messages.

 

 

Media Literacy Content Standard 4:  Students identify, analyze and evaluate the imprints of media on individuals and societies.

 

Students will analyze the individual and social consequences of unethical use of media.  They will analyze point of view and embedded values in media messages.  Students will illustrate how media influence the way meanings and perception of reality are created and shared.

 

 

CSP GOAL:

AFNORTH International Middle/High School’s CSP (Continuous School Progress) goal is, “All students will improve their written communication skills across the curriculum.” The 6 + 1 trait is the model selected to improve school-wide writing in all subject areas. The 6+1 Trait writing framework is a powerful way to learn and use a common language to refer to characteristics of writing as well as establish a common vision of what “strong” writing looks like. Teachers and students will use the 6+1 Trait model to identify areas of strength and weakness as they continue to strive towards continued writing improvement. Success of all students requires that the 6 + 1 Trait become a consistent and integral component of each course taught at AFNORTH International Middle/High School.

As obvious from both the course content and standards, writing is imbedded throughout the ninth grade English Language Arts program.  The six traits of ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency and conventions will be taught through models, practice exercises, and the writing process.  Both informal and formal presentations are part of the planned curriculum. The 6+1 rubric will be used extensively.     

 

 

 

 COURSE GRADING/ASSESSMENT:

 

   Students will be evaluated several ways. On completion of given assignments, participation in class activities and discussions, quizzes, tests, reports and projects.

Formal tests will be administered on completion of a unit, midyear and at the end of the year. Quizzes and writing will be utilized throughout the course to assess the student’s abilities, knowledge and skills.

 

Grading Scale: See Student Handbook

 

Quarter Grades are assessed:

            Class work                   10-25 points                 Homework                   10-25 points

            Quizzes                        50 points                      Tests                            100 points

            Projects                        20-40 points

Assignments will be graded one of three ways: checked for completion, collected and graded or rubric scored.

 

The final semester grades are calculated as follows:

 

1st Semester                                         2nd Semester

1st Quarter Grade         40%                 3rd Quarter Grade         40%

                        2nd Quarter Grade        40%                 4th Quarter Grade         40%

                        Semester Exam 20%                 Semester Exam 20%

 

 

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS/CONSEQUENCES:

          Students are encouraged to participate actively and take responsibility for their own learning; they should show respect for themselves, others, and school property.  They should quietly enter the classroom with all their necessary materials and with the anticipation of learning.  Students are expected to follow rules of etiquette and dress; these include the removal of hear wear inside the room and use of appropriate language.  Should counseling and detentions prove ineffective in maintaining appropriate classroom decorum, parental and administrative support will be sought.

            Students should complete class assignments on time and maintain prompt, regular class attendance.  A student who has been absent is responsible for checking the homework webpage.  The student is expected to hand in assignments and take quizzes on the due date.  If the student is absent for any number of days, they are to check the homework webpage and for assignments given during those absent days.  The homework webpage is   www.webspawner.com/users/doherty2/index.htmL

 

Certainly, emergencies arise.  If a student is unable to complete the work during their absence, a parent must email me or call to ask for an extension that is in accordance with school policy.  If a test is scheduled on the first day of the student’s return after their absence, I will ask that the student go ahead and take the test.  Later, we can discuss the option of a make-up test if needed.  The make-up test is ONLY an option if the parent phoned or emailed me BEFORE the start of that class session.  It is up to the student to check the homework webpage and complete the homework or ask his or parent to phone me or email me to discuss the situation.

 

STUDENTS PLEASE REMEMBER:   

 

1)      Headgear: I am an old fashioned type of person; these items will not be worn in my class. This is non-negotiable.

2)      Be on time, this school has a serious tardy policy, which is enforced.

3)      Come to class prepared to learn. Bring everything you need with you.

4)      Check the board for information.

5)      Maintain an atmosphere that helps everyone learn.

6)      Pay attention, take notes, listen and learn.

7)      NO GUM. No food or drinks other than a water bottle with plain water.

8)      My desk is off limits.

9)      Be respectful of others.

10)  I dismiss the class, not the student.   Do not plan on packing up 10 minutes early.

 

  

SUPPLIES (REQUIRED/RECOMMENDED)

          Students are asked to have the following items:  3 ring binder, loose leaf paper, dark blue or black pens, 2 pens or pencils with vivid colors, 1 pocket folder.     

 

HOMEWORK POLICY:

         

Class notes should be written in the student’s notebook.  Homework should be completed before entering the classroom and will be turned in to the teacher when requested. All work is expected to be turned in on time.  No late work. Homework must have the following information in the top right corner:  name, date, period, page number and problem number (when applicable).  The title of the assignment should be on the top line.

Homework, like class work, is given to reinforce learning.  The student, who is expected to use feedback for improvement, should correct all homework.  A student should seek help with any part not understood. 

 

GRADED WORK:  

            It is my policy to keep the students’ work in a portfolio in my classroom.  I will have numerous individual conferences with students throughout the year especially after in-class essay exams.  Portfolios give students every chance to improve their writing skills.  I will review portfolios at the end of each grading period.  If significant improvement is shown, I will keep that improvement in mind when calculating the effort portion of final grades.

 

PLAGIARISM:

 

            Please review the plagiarism policy in the Parent Handbook.  Remember that plagiarism involves using someone else’s ideas and/or words without citing your source. 

 

APPOINTMENTS:

Students learn best when they are cooperating with parents and teachers in a joint effort. I am available before and after school, at lunch, and Seminar for students to make up work or receive extra help.  If you have questions or concerns, please e-mail, call, or set up an appointment through the guidance office 

 

EXTRA CREDIT:

 

Quarterly, I will offer an extra credit session after school.  Extra credit points will not be added to the progress report grade but will be added to the quarter grade.  I will be sure to schedule extra credit sessions so that the students will have time to catch the activity bus.  These sessions are optional.

 

 

 

 

I have read, and I understand the course outline and requirements in this syllabus.

 

 

Print Student’s Name___________________________________________________________

 

 

Student’s Signature____________________________________________________________

 

 

Parent’s Signature____________________________________________________________

 

 

TEXTBOOKS: