QUESTENGLISH82015-2016

Buffalo Community Middle School

Hour 2 (9:08-10:01)

Mr. Ryan McCallum

The Happiness of Pursuit

Course description and objectives

At its core, Quest English 8 is about creating meaningful connections. You’ll be connecting with literature, writing,

research, audiences, each other, yourself, and experts all over the world in new ways. You’ll also work to maximize your choices about what you read and research as well as how you show what you know. That means you’ll also be developing great organization of thought and your way of working toward a goal.

The course is dedicated to The Happiness of Pursuit -- learning to love the process of creation

and the search for meaning. Together, we’ll examine the nature of Truth, Happiness, Adventure, Growth, Conflict, the American Dream, Story, and Sharing with audiences.

You’ll enjoy breaking down arguments as you search for logical fallacies and then create your own persuasive work. We’ll think creatively and critically as we examine a variety of literature and create our own works.

Come to class ready to engage in discussion and work as a team as we create memorable and meaningful connections together.

• Read a wide range short fiction and nonfiction• Participate in reading groups and complete choice reading for novels and longer works of nonfiction.• Analyze a variety or writing• Write autobiographically• Think about our thinking• Learn from each other• Fail and recover together • Dissect and formulate arguments• Design new ways to present information and showcase learning• Imagine• Plan and organize together and independently• Understand the context of writing and schools of literary criticism• Investigate topics using firsthand research and scholarly sources• Evaluate credible sources and identify bias• Create projects, speeches, presentations, and multimedia to showcase learning.• Have lively and respectful classroom discussions• Publish writing online and in print• Ask better questions and harness the power of curiosity• Write formally and informally over a long period of time• Improve writing using the revision process and writer’s workshops• Think critically• Write creatively and with purpose for an audience• Collaborate with classmates and people around the world• Communicate clearly through a range of channels

WHAT WILL WE DO?

WHEN YOU NEED HELPPlease let me know if there’s anything that you need, anything you’re struggling with, or if you have any questions. I’ll be around before school almost every day and will respond to emails and questions on The Forum, through Twitter, or in person.

WHEN DO YOU FEEL SMART:When you’re flawless or when you’re learning?In this class, we’ll be fostering the “Growth Mindset”. People with the growth mindset delight in challenge. When we get comfortable working with the unknown, we’ll be able to the make brand new discoveries. That means that we’ll encounter challenges that may push us outside of our comfort zones and we won’t be perfect right away. If you struggle a bit, try not to worry; all great learning comes as the result of a little struggle. You’ll find that the gradebook penalties for “failing” on your first attempt at something are greatly reduced or eliminated here, because you’ll be learning through doing. Sometimes, you’ll attempt something without knowing all the rules or before you receive direct instruction. Don’t panic and definitely don’t worry about penalties in those situation. Do your best and learn as much as you can from the process. You’ll always get the chance to improve. The Growth Mindset is based on the work of Carol Dweck, Ph. D. See more about it at go.bhs.cc/2G or scan the QR Code to the right.

PROJECTS & EXPERIENCESThis list will evolve and change. We are a unique group of people with diverse and intense passions. The major projects we do in this class will change to reflect our interests. Projects will reflect your input and questions. I’m always open to your input and feedback.

BLOGSYou will be blogging every other week throughout the class. Each blog reflects your take on an essential question from the class. You’ll find sources to support your opinions illustrate your learning. You’ll participate in a blogging community.

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 revision process will play a large role here. The topic will be your choice.

ePORTFOLIO OF LEARNINGThroughout the class, you’ll be reflecting on your learning and progress. These reflections, as well as key artifacts that show learning and growth, will make up an electronic portfolio. Portfolio entries will come at the end of an assignment or unit.

READING, VIEWING, & ANALYSISYou will constantly be reading books and articles of your choice as well as shorter selections chosen for you. Your reading along with extended analysis and discussions relating to it, make up a large part of the class.

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. You’ll respond meaningfully to the presentations of others.

READING GROUPSThroughout the class, you will take part in different groups that will explore books and other texts together. You’ll set your reading schedule and meet about your texts before creating something together that reflects the most important ideas in the book.

GRADINGFORMATIVE - 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 8, you must complete a number of Experience Points each quarter. Experience Points can be earned in the area of Reading, Writing, Speaking and Viewing, and Multimedia Communication. 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+ 77-79%

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

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES

THE POWER OF CHOICE

‘A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies ... The man who never reads lives only one.’-George RR Martin

Get ready to make decisions about your learning. You’ll be choosing much of the reading you do and research topics you investigate throughout the class. You’ll do independent reading, choose a reading group, pick topics to research and people to write about, and decide how you’ll show what you’ve learned. This is your chance to take control of your learning, and you’ll need to stay organized and motivated. Make your decisions carefully and stick to a schedule and you’ll have fun while you learn about things that are relevant to you.

Photo by jonathanpberger on Flickr

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.

CLASS WEBSITE

MR. MCCALLUMrmccallum@bhmschools.orgEmail is my preferred way to communicate.

763.682.8162

Other classes taught:Journalism 1Quest English 9Journalism 2Publications Writing

BHS.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.

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.

Whenever possible, readings in this class will be available in PDF format, which can be read by any device. Longer readings may also be available in ePub and Mobi format, depending on copyright considerations. Choice reading is a big part of this class, and students often say that they feel better having their books with them on their personal devices instead of print format. The Buffalo Public Library has an eBook lending library that can be used on any mobile device.

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.

Learn more about the Bring it! campaign at https://sites.google.com/a/bhmschools.org/

bringit/ or feel free to let me know if you have any questions.

“The greatest gift we give

each other is the quality of our

attention.”- Richard Moss

@McCallumQuestquest.rocks

Get important text reminders: Send @quest2015 to 81010