Okay...here is what is happening:
New schedules for Q2 handed out Tuesday morning. There is ONLY this week to decide on whether to add/drop a class.
Thanksgiving break begins at 12:00 noon on Friday, November 16th. The quarter resumes on Nov. 26th.
Advising: Buddies, read aloud, circle of friends, class and MS meeting are all continuing. However, this quarter in advising will see more writing and literacy expectations/workshops, tutorials, and up and running PLPs for ALL students!
Grades for Q1 will be turned in and sent out this Friday the 16th.
Syllabi for my classes next quarter are as follows. PLEASE note the attendance and tardy policies:
Course Name
Philosophy and Ideas
Subject (Content) Area
Language arts, social studies
Teacher
Kirk Ellis
Time/Day
Intensive: 12:35 – 3:15 Monday and Wednesday
Required Materials
Pens, pencils, paper, pocket folder
Prerequisites
Recommended for students interested in writing and analyzing ideas. Grade-level reading highly recommended, assumed maturity around the six rights and responsibilities of the constitution
Course Explanation
This class is designed to explore ideas.
Every week there will be a menu of topics up for discussion with represented viewpoints of western and eastern thinkers, debatable issues of our current day, voices of pundits and spiritualists, and the work of artists, musicians, and writers. With the help of teaching assistants, our class conversations will be the main vehicle of understanding the various theories and ideas.
Assignments and readings will be given each week on the voted upon topic. There will be formal written reflection(s) included in the course as well. There will also be an opportunity for students to create their own project on the material of the class for presentation at the end of the quarter.
The instructor will share leading the discussions and providing background material. Circle discussion and Socratic methods are expected.
There will also be a class within a class for a small group of middle school students interested in debate. Formal procedures for pro/con argument formation, speaking and questioning in turn, and documented research will be taught and practiced. IF high school students have interest in helping these groups they may as part of their graded, individual projects.
There will be two teaching assistants in the class. Discussion prompts, managing and encouraging engagement, and research will be part of their job. They will NOT grade student work.
Framework Goals (in part):
Listen critically and respond appropriately
Evaluate the significance and accuracy of information and ideas in all forms of writing
Understand, interpret, and make connections between wide varieties of literature/research material of varying complexity
Be able to investigate topics of interest and draft a personal learning plan that will display the results of that study
Examine a controversial event, issue, or problem from more than one point of view
Apply critical thinking skills in discussion, writing, and problem solving
Access and demonstrate learning in multiple ways
Demonstrate an understanding that culture includes language, literature, arts, traditions, beliefs and values, and behaviors
Demonstrate knowledge of and act in accordance with the constitution of the school
Course Requirements and Grading
There will be a decent bulk of readings (hopefully) in a packet.60% - Attendance, Participation, and In-Class work/effort including a tardy and absent policy as follows: Participation is essential. IF a student has three (2) unexcused absences the best grade they can receive is a “C”. For each absence after that they will go down a letter grade e.g. 3 = D, 4 = F. Work must be made up regardless.
Snacks and a break will happen with regularity.
Since the class is right after lunch, tardiness will not be tolerated. Three (3) tardies will result in falling one whole letter grade. Five (5) unexcused tardies will result in a failing (F) grade.
40% - Cumulative Average of two (2) projects. For one assignment, the requirements will be determined and will include either essays on topics and class material or an instructor-approved creative piece(s) designed by the student. The second assignment is a daily journal. Checked weekly for progress. See instructor for format and direction.
A-F grades will be given. Narratives will be written for each student.
Lesson Plans (may be attached)
TBA
Field Trips (actual or proposed)
Probably a couple of forays into the city and the beautiful world (including library or universities). Coffee…?
Course Name
Musicianship
Subject (Content) Area
Art & Performance, language arts
Teacher
Kirk Ellis
Time/Day
Block 3: Tuesday/Thursday 12:35 – 1:50
Required Materials
Pens, pencils, paper, pocket folder, musical instrument (strings, picks, headphones, CDs, iPod, tuner – if available)
Prerequisites
Committed interest in music as a performer and/or musicology (assumes grade level understanding of texts)
Course Explanation
This is a distillation of all previous guitar, sound, and songwriting classes. The material will be leveled.
Instruction will be provided in small groups for more beginning work on guitar and music theory. Peer teaching is encouraged. There will be a unit on musicology and the social study of music in the class (approx. 2-3 weeks long) that will break up the performance schedule. Once songs are selected for the first performance, this unit will begin (most likely after Thanksgiving break).
Two performances are expected; one is an initial song that will mark the students’ ability to work in groups and in public (after 2 ½ weeks into the term), and the other will be a final piece for portfolio (at the end of the 8 weeks, giving roughly 5 ½ weeks to practice). Film, guests, and field trips will be incorporated, including recording opportunities.
Framework Goals (in part):
Observe, discuss, analyze and make critical judgments about artistic works
Exhibit learning in the performing arts grounded in production and performance
Demonstrate willingness to take creative risks, try new things, and be productive
Use music to express ideas
Learn and develop the essential skills and technical demands unique to music
Demonstrate knowledge of and act in accordance with the constitution of the school
Think critically about bias and point of view from multiple sources
Understand the complex ways in which behavior, beliefs and values vary among groups and across time
The value of arts in culture
The HUT: This is a class for students who want to study music and perform, not for students looking for a place to “jam” and hang out. The Hut will be checked out for that purpose and clear guidelines for its use will be shared and respected. Rehearsal time in class will require cooperation because the Hut is not available in this block. Acoustic instruments, amplifiers with headphones, and NO drumming are encouraged. IF a student wants to use the Hut for practice, it must be checked out according to a calendar of availability and prearranged.
Course Requirements and Grading
40% - Attendance, Participation, and In-Class work/effort including a tardy and absent policy as follows: Participation is essential. IF a student has three (3) unexcused absences the best grade they can receive is a “C”. For each absence after that they will go down a letter grade e.g. 4 = D, 5 = F. Work must be made up regardless.
Since the class is right after lunch, tardiness will not be tolerated. Three (3) tardies will result in falling one whole letter grade. Five (5) unexcused tardies will result in a failing grade.
40% - Cumulative Average of two (2) performances.
20% - Material assigned in support of musicology unit. Requirements to be determined (i.e. personalized and according to the framework) and will include, in addition to class discussion, either an essay on topics and class material or a creative piece designed by the student, or a reflective piece on the main points of class discussion or approved student-interest topics. Assignments may vary.
A-F grades will be given. Narratives will be written for each student.
Lesson Plans (may be attached)
TBA
Field Trips (actual or proposed)
To take in the fresh air…
Course Name
Musical Theater – Little Shop of Horrors
Subject (Content) Area
Art & Performance
Teachers
Kirk Ellis & Yoko Niki-Breyfogle
Time/Day
Tuesday/Thursday 1:55 – 3:15
Required Materials
Brains, and a folder with pockets to hold papers, YOUR SCRIPT!
Prerequisites
Cast in the show and instructor approval
Course Explanation
This is a continuation of a yearlong class that will be the workshop and rehearsal space for staging Trillium’s 5th drama production, Little Shop of Horrors. Yoko, the show’s musical director, will continue to provide vocal coaching and lessons for the cast, and blocking and performing direction will begin as the term gets underway.
Commitment and cooperation is essential. Crew will begin to design and build sets and work on fundraising and production of the show, from film to costumes. Cast and crew presence and participation will be essential in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Some drama and acting games and assignments will fill the downtime between projects and scheduled rehearsal times with Kirk and Yoko.
Lines will be due COLD at the end of this quarter, including all songs memorized and blocking/choreography sketched out. Character and cast biographies will be created, program finished, all fundraising and front of house duties will be undertaken. Set design and construction begun.
Framework Goals (in part):
Exhibit learning in the performing arts grounded in production and performance
Demonstrate willingness to take creative risks, try new things, and be productive
Learn and develop the essential skills and technical demands unique to theater
Work cooperatively within diverse populations
Make and meet deadlines
Contribute to community by sharing expertise in music and theater
Turn passions into a plan for production
Observe, discuss, analyze and make critical judgments about artistic works
Demonstrate knowledge of and act in accordance with the constitution of the school
Course Requirements and Grading
50% - Attendance, Dedicated Participation (in the form of a rehearsal schedule and fulfilling assigned jobs related to the production). In-Class work/effort is important and it includes a tardy and absent policy as follows:
Participation is essential. IF a student has three (3) unexcused absences the best grade they can receive is a “C”. For each absence after that they will go down a letter grade e.g. 4 = D, 5 = F. Work must be made up regardless.
Tardiness will not be tolerated. Three (3) tardies will result in falling one whole letter grade. Five (5) unexcused tardies will result in a failing grade.
50% - Effort, behavior, and respectful participation in all final rehearsals, class activities and performance dates.
A-F grades will be given. Narratives will be written for each student.
Lesson Plans (may be attached)
TBA
Field Trips (actual or proposed)
TBA
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