QUEST ENGLISH 9Where do we gofrom here?Mr. Ryan McCallumrmccallum@bhmschools.orgBlock 3 (11:04-12:26)Buffalo High School - Room A-204

THE PURSUIT CONTINUES9

Poetry

A new style each weekCreate a portfolioOf your favorite work

Reading

PlatoWilliam ShakespeareWilliam GoldingChinua AchebeLaura HillenbrandHugh HoweyYour favorite authors

Where do we go from here?Course Description and Objectives Last year, the Quest English experience focused on the Happiness of Pursuit. This year, we’ll try to find where the pursuit of our passions will lead us from here. As you reflect on your strengths and educational journey, you will take control of your own learning and share your expertise with the class. We’ll explore literature from 2,300 years ago as well as works created this year with an eye toward discovering enduring questions that give purpose to our experience and help us understand each other. You’ll become a better writer as we focus on writing for meaning and for an audience. You will become a more polished, organized, and interesting writer. Together, we will take a close look at what it means to grow as individuals and civilizations, the nature of good and evil, the role of writing in our lives, how cultures rise and fall, the quest for justice, and the journey from darkness to understanding. You will participate in meaningful discussion and dialog with your classmates, mentor younger students, and learn from CIS Writing and CIS Literature students.

In addition to reading works of short fiction and non-fiction, choice novels, and excerpts from longer works, you will read a range of texts spanning 2300 years. Authors include;

SpeakingFrom discussions and debates to formal presentations and acting, you will become more comfortable and confident as a speaker and presenter.

Writing

Weekly blog entriesSharing your poetryCritical writing practiceCreative writingEmploying MLA StyleImproving mechanicsExpanding vocabularyA nonfiction projectEthnographic writing

You’ll write every day, in a variety of styles. You will leave this class a better writer. Here are just a few ways you’ll write;

Here is a haiku to describe our poetry component:

Multimedia

Collaboration

Much of your learning will be demonstrated by the creation of multimedia projects or through combining images, audio, and video into your research and writing.

Knowmad:a creative, imaginative, and innovative person who can work with almost anybody, anytime, and anywhere.

In a world consumed with uncertainty, how can we ensure the success of ourselves as individuals, our communities, and the planet?

Learning and thinking are deeply social processes. Our minds often work best in collaboration and interaction with other minds. You will work in a positive team environment throught the class, sharing your expertise and learning from others. A lifelong teaching project will highlight your first quarter experience. You’ll explore a passion deeply and then teach the class something meaningful based on your learning.

GRADING

FORMATIVE - 15%15% of your grade is based on points earned on Formative Assessment. This includes daily work, first drafts, quizzes, most blogging assignments, homework, and in-class assignments.

SUMMATIVE - 75%75% of your grade is based on Summative Assessment. This includes your major assignments, which consists of;

• Research and preparation• The revision process• Final Drafts• Presentations• Online portfolio entries • Projects

EXPERIENCE POINTS - 10%10% of your grade is made up of Experience Points.In order to earn an A in Quest English 9, you must complete a number of Experience Points each quarter. Experience Points can be earned in the area of Reading, Writing, and Speaking and Viewing, a Students will pick assignments from any of these areas from matrices provided at the beginning of each quarter.

GRADING SCALEA+ 98-100%

A 94-97%

A- 90-93%B+ 87-89%B 83-86%B- 80-82%

C 73-76%

C- 70-72%

D+ 67-69%D 63-66%D- 60-62%F Under 59%

MATERIALS NEEDED DAILY• A notebook solely for this class• Something to write with• A two-pocket folder• Your current choice reading book• Any required assignment for that day

• A three-ring binder• A personal digital device (laptop, Chromebook, tablet, Kindle, etc.)

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES

THE BLOCK SCHEDULE

‘In today’s complex and changing environment, the challenge is to build skills that allow young people to think critically and creatively, as well as to effectively process information, make decisions, manage conflict, and work in teams.”

The block schedule is a fantastic way to learn. Because we only have one semester together, each day matters more. Please make the most of our class time together. We’ll be doing something that matters every day. Many days, we’ll have some work time built in to class to minimize the amount of homework you take home. Please make the best use of that time and stay active. At certain times, you will have more homework than you did in Quest English 8, however, you can minimize your workload by planning ahead.

EXPERIENCE POINTS?For much of the class, you’ll have the chance to choose your homework. Experience Points encourage you to pursue a path of learning that relates to your strengths and interests. Experiences range from following your favorite people on Twitter and staying after school to watch a movie to producing original work and keeping a showcase of your creations. Typically, the length of time or the amount of energy an experience requires is directly related to its point value.

Each quarter, you’ll get several matrices that outline possible experiences you can choose from. Pick the path that seems the most interesting and never be afraid to suggest new ideas for experiences to Mr. McCallum. Some experiences can be completed more than once. Don’t wait until the end of the quarter to get started.

You’re going to do well here. If you make an honest effort and turn in work that doesn’t meet your expectations or show your best work, you’ll receive feedback and have a chance to revise and improve it.

C+ 77-79%

MR. MCCALLUMrmccallum@bhmschools.orgEmail always works best.

763.682.8162

Other classes taught:Journalism 1Quest English 8Journalism 2Publications Writing

CLASS WEBSITEBHS.CC

The class website at bhs.cc serves as a hub for the numerous online tools that you will be expected to use as a part of the class. The site also contains detailed summaries of each day of class – including copies of handouts, notes, and other materials. If you are absent, you will be expected

to visit the website to learn what you missed. Students will

frequently use Google Docs through bhmschools.org. More

instructions will be available when the class begins using

these tools.

@bhscc

Get ready to turn your technology into powerful learning and creation experiences. Your class is mobile device friendly. That means you’re encouraged to bring the following technologies to class;

• Smartphones,• Laptops and Netbooks,• iPods and iPads,• Android devices and tablets, and• Kindles, Nooks, and eReaders.

You’ll be able to access coursework, readings, calendars, and assignments from your device. We’ll also find ways to put them to use in the creation of multimedia projects, research, writing, and reporting. From blogging and photography to reading and responding, we’ll find ways for you to get the most out of your technology. You may also find it helpful to use your own devices to keep yourself organized and connected during the school year.

We will practice responsible and respectful use of technology in the class, focusing on using technology appropriately and always keeping the focus on learning and creating, not the tools themselves.

You are not and will never be required to bring a personal digital device to class. While you may want

to use their devices in group situations, you will not be asked to share a personal device with another student. The classroom will always be locked when devices are in the classroom. A limited number of

charging cables will be available.

“The greatest gift we give

each other is the quality of our

attention.”- Richard Moss

BLOGSYou will be blogging every week throughout the class. Each blog reflects your take on an essential question from the class.

ePORTFOLIO OF LEARNINGReflections and key artifacts that show learning and growth, will make up an electronic portfolio of learning in Quest English 9.

MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATIONSYou will create several presentations individually and in groups. They will use a variety of media, from paper and markers to Prezi and iMovie to illustrate concepts and inform audiences.

NON-FICTION PROJECTYou will create at least one investigative project based on both firsthand research (interviews and observations) and articles found using scholarly databases. The topic will be your choice.