Syllabus

Syllabus for the following classes:

--Building Word Power

--Communication Applications

--Film as Literature

--Graphic Novels (comic books as literature)

--Philosophy

--Science Fiction Writing

--Video Production

Contact Information:

Teacher Name: Vinnie Harris

Room Phone: 841-4911

Conference Time: 2nd Period (please call or email for appointments)

Website Address: www.brainbackbend.com& http://bit.ly/brainbend (for documents)

Teacher E-mail: coffeeandtea@gmail.com <<<<< preferred contact method & viharris@austinisd.org

Twitter: BrainBackBend (class-related account) & coffeeandtea (personal account)

Course Descriptions:

Building Word Power - in this class, students will improve & expand their vocabulary by learning about the origin of key words, meanings of words & idiomatic expressions, and use of prefixes & suffixes. Students will also gain strategies for remembering word spellings and meanings and using word reference materials such as dictionaries & thesauri.

Communication Applications (Speech) - in this class, students will learn the basic components of speech development, preparation, and delivery. Students will have ample opportunities to participate in impromptu speeches as well as expository speeches. Additionally, students will examine various artifacts (historic speeches, advertising, radio commercials) to uncover popular and effective methods of language structure and rhetoric. Students will have the opportunity for some projects to work together in problem-solving teams to address an issue of local concern.

Film as Literature: This class uses terminology and concepts from language arts to discuss, debate, analyze, speak, and write about a variety of films across different genres. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to evaluate films with respect to characters and their motivations, settings, conflicts, themes, genres, purpose, dialogue, music, relationships between these components, and more.

Graphic Novels (comic books as literature) - in this class, students will read, analyze, and create graphic novels & comic books. Students will also be asked to read about the history and evolution of the graphic novel/comic book genre, including the arguments for and against comic books/graphic novels.

Philosophy: students will read Plato's Parable of the Cave and Socrates' Apology during the First 6 Weeks. Contemporary ethical issues such as cloning, vegetarianism, and animal rights will occupy our efforts during the Second 6 Week grading period. Finally, for the Third 6 Week grading period, the focus turns to religion where we attempt to answer such questions as: What is religion? What are some of the differences and similarities between the world's major religions? Why do some people engage in religious practices? What are religious practices? What is atheism? What is agnosticism?

Science Fiction Writing: using science fiction movies, short stories, and books as a launching point, students will have the opportunity to develop and enhance their writing techniques. Attention will be given to developing characters, establishing settings, presenting conflicts and resolutions to the conflicts while following the steps in the writing process. Every grading period students will, among other projects, be asked to complete one polished piece of science fiction writing.

Video Production: students in this class will participate in all aspects of creating a video including (but not limited to) Script Development, Screenwriting & Storyboarding, Production & Filming, Editing, & Exhibit, Review, Reflect. Among many projects students will create and run the Fulmore News Network (FNN), produce various videos for different departments at Fulmore and collaborate on projects that develop out of students' own interests.

Course Materials Needed Every Day:

-pencils & pens

-colored pencils

-college-ruled writing paper

-a book or other text (related to film) for DEARS & other projects.

-Internet access (at least one hour per week)

Grades & Grading Policy:

The grading policy provides students variety in their project choices and the ability to pick the grade they want to strive for and earn each Six Weeks.

-Students and parents are invited to access the most recent Project Grid (insert address here) to learn more specifics assignments for each class.

-A select number of projects & assignments must be completed (with sufficient quality) In order to receive a 70 in the class.

-Likewise, to receive an 80-89 in the class, a select number of projects & assignments must be completed with sufficient quality.

-Finally, to earn a 90-100 in the class, students will be required to complete a series of projects and assignments displaying evidence of top-quality work and effort.

Projects for Each Grading Period:

(Note-this is a partial list of projects. Refer to the most recent Project Grid (insert address here)for a more complete look at the various projects in each class. Throughout the semester students will be asked to complete any number of the following:

-Reflection Forms (Daily Assignments & Quizzes - 35%)

-CNN Student News (Daily Assignments & Quizzes - 35%)

-DEARS (Daily Assignments & Quizzes - 35%)

-Book Report (Projects - 45%)

-Poster Projects (Projects - 45%)

-Vocabulary (Homework - 10%)

-Annotations (Daily Assignments & Quizzes - 35%)

-Viewing/reading logs (Homework - 10%)

-Multiple Intelligence Products (Culminating activity – 10%)

-Writing Assignments (Projects - 45%)

-Word Projects (Projects - 45%)

-Six Week Graphic Novel (Projects - 45%)

-Fulmore Words of the Week (Daily Assignments & Quizzes - 35%)

-Collaborative Project (Daily Assignments & Quizzes - 35%)

Dates and/or major events:

-Movie nights & field trips are being planned and will be added to the classroom calendar.

-The Multiple Intelligence product is due several days prior to the end of the six weeks. The specific dates for this semester are as follows: February 10/11 March 7/8. Here is the official AISD calendar: http://www.austinisd.org/academics/calendar/

-Please check the online calendar for current information. Here is the classroom online calendar with key events highlighted: (insert address here).

Fulmore Grading Guideline for All Classes:

Formative Assessments

-Homework - 10%

-Daily Assignments & Quizzes - 35%

Summative Assessments - 45%

-Major tests

-Projects

-Essays

-Research papers

Comprehensive 6-week Assessment/

And/or culminating activity - 10%

TOTAL: - 100%

Late Work Policy:

5 points off per day. Late work will not be accepted after the 6th day. Late work will not be accepted during the 4 days before the grading period ends.

Student Expectations:

1. When someone else is talking, you are silent, paying attention, and looking at the speaker(s). You are not allowed to interrupt the learning of other students.

2. No stealing from the classroom or each other. If you are caught stealing, I will show up at your house, request that your parents make me a cup of tea, and we will all sit around your kitchen table discussing the details for your 50 hours of community service. DO NOT BE A THIEF!

3. Be respectful to your fellow students and teacher.

3. You will not vandalize the Art I room: No graffiti; no writing on tables; no writing on walls.

4. Complete your assignments on time (or even early).

5. Arrive to class on time, and make your way to your assigned seat.

6. As soon as the tardy bell rings, you are starting on the Warm Up.

7. You are not allowed to swear/cuss at the teacher or fellow students.

8. You are not allowed to yell/scream in the classroom.

9. You are not allowed to wear inappropriate clothing (no sagging - follow the school dress code).

10. Students are required to answer the following questions regarding our academic work: -What are we doing? -Why are we doing it? -How do I know if I am doing a good job? -How does what we are doing relate to the world outside Fulmore?

11. You should (on a regular basis) brush your teeth, floss, and take care of your personal hygiene. Also, especially with regards to increased awareness about the flu, please follow these guidelines: (1) Do not share water bottles, and (2) Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Use your hand to cover your mouth, or cough into your shoulder

Parent Expectations:

1. It is the responsibility of the parents and guardians to check your child’s grades and attendance online (via Gradespeed) at least once per week . I am sorry if you do not have online access at home. There are many public library branches around Austin offering free online access. Please check your child’s grades once per week and make sure your child is staying current with his/her work. Also, I suggest that you teach your child how to access Gradespeed so that he or she can learn to be more responsible with regards to keeping informed about grades.

2. Please make sure the school has a working phone number & email address for you. If you do not have a phone at home, then please leave the phone number of a relative or neighbor who can take and deliver messages to you if needed.

3. You should be just as involved as I am in the learning process of your child. Most of us will agree that getting a good education is one of the most important things in a child’s life. Please make a point to have frequent discussions with your child about what he or she is learning in the class and what we are doing with respect to projects, activities, assignments, etc. Also, please have conversations with your child about his/her behavior. Students who are ill-behaved disrupt the learning process for themselves and the students of other parents who want educational success for their children.

4. Please be aware that students are required to access the www.brainbackbend.com& http://bit.ly/brainbend website at least once per week. If you do not have Internet at home, students can stay afterschool (in my room or the library) and have access to computers with Internet.

5. Please make sure that you and your child review the rules and guidelines for the class. For example, it is not acceptable that students come to class without the proper supplies: pens, pencils, etc. Also, it is not acceptable that students use inappropriate language in the classroom. Reviewing the rules with your child will help to put him/her on the path to academic and behavioral success.

Teacher Expectations:

1. Create interesting assignments and activities

2. Help develop a solid foundation of reading and writing skills

3. Set high standards for student work and behavior

4. Return graded work within one week

5. Be fair when dealing with assignments & discipline

6. Be aware of events going on in Austin related to the course and arrange field trips when appropriate

7. Do not allow students to disrupt the education of other students

8. Make class information available online

9. Invite and involve parents to class-related events

Doodle Area:

SYLLABUS ASSIGNMENTS 1-3

(The following pages get returned to me)

Name:_______________________ Period #___________________

Assignment #1 –

Please pick 3 words from the syllabus that you think are the most important. Write each word below. Write an appropriate definition for each word, and include a picture that helps you to remember the definition.

Word #1

Word #2

Word #3

Assignment #2 Parent Contact Information –

Parents, please help me to keep you informed. If you fill out the following contact information, I will keep you updated about class activities. Please write your information clearly. Also, please sign the form on the flip side of this page. Thank you.

Parent/Guardian name #1:

· Main contact phone #:

· Email:

Parent/Guardian name #2:

· Main contact phone #

· Email:

Parents,

Please review the syllabus with your child, and sign below.

Student Name:____________________________

Assignment #3 - Acknowledgement Statement & Signatures

1. I have read the syllabus and understand it.