RECOMMENDED CURRICULUM CHANGES FOR THE

2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR

Freshmen SeminarInternational Academy

Current Units of Study

Unit #1: Goal Setting and Time ManagementUnit #2: Globalization and Global AwarenessUnit #3: Occupational OutlookUnit #4: Four Year PlanningUnit #5: Academic LiteracyUnit#6: The Research Paper/ProcessUnit #7: Community Service

Feedback from current International Academy students

Units worth keeping

Units to change

Units to get rid of

Units to add

Global Awareness/Globalization: Many students expressed the necessity to understand the shifting global landscape.Community Service:Students expressed a desire to get connected to the community, and proposed integrating ELO’s

The Research Process: Many students felt that the research was a valuable unit, but too much time was focused on gathering researchCareer Research: Students wanted to spend more time on expectations of top colleges—i.e. G.P.A. and portfolio work.

Goal Setting: Many students felt that they already excelled in crafting and monitoring goals and progress.Time Management: Students believed that they already managed their time well.

Test Preparation/Study Skills: Students felt that time should be dedicated to prepare for up-coming tests Writing a ThesisNote-taking skillsAnalyzing and navigating class texts.Built in time for project support

Feedback from formerInternational Academy students

11th grade feedback (never had Freshman Seminar experience)What kids “wished” they were better at/knew how to do by 11th grade:

-Vocabulary (SAT type words)-Reading faster/ more efficiently-Managing stress-How to paraphrase lecture/ ppt notes- figuring out what’s important/not-Managing rigor-Time management (managing amount of homework/reading/ study)-Organization-Citing an opinion and supporting it with facts/evidence-Effective note taking (productive/successful)-Difference between summarizing/ analyzing/ synthesizing-How to write better thesis statements/ make better arguments-How to make connections in content- seeing the big picture/big idea (zeitgeist)-Test taking skills (MC)-Study techniques/habits- how to? How often? How to make it a habit-Procrastination- dealing with it- how not to do it?-Pacing reading (time mgt)

Feedback from formerInternational Academy students (continued)

11th grade feedback (never had Freshman Seminar experience)What kids “wished” they were better at/knew how to do by 11th grade:

-Using class notes effectively (for HW/essays/study)-Analytical writing-Evaluative writing-How to skim a text and still find meaning- “reading tolerance”-How to read the textbook- figuring out what’s important and what’s not- how not to waste time and get stressed out-Using evidence to support generalizations-Going beyond summarizing (Taxonomy)-Higher order thinking skills-Making connections to other eras/subjects (cross curricular studies)-More writing practice-How to be efficient-Staying Motivated- not distracted-Doing more with less (time)-College planning

Feedback from International Academy teachers

Modifications to current units:

The Research Process: Move at an appropriate pace with an emphasis on: -thesis writing-argument development-finding and employing relevant documentation-advanced organizational structures-Perhaps consider crafting research project as part of larger Capstone Project for the International Academy.Career Research: Shift focus a bit to include the following:-College Entrance Requirements-Exposure to Application Essays and level/quality of writing samples-The alignment between majors, career fields, and courses.Academic Literacy: Shift focus to include the following:-Incorporate dense reading from Global Studies and ELA course and practice identifying main idea/supporting details.-P.O.V. analysis -Test-taking strategies-Note-taking (Cornell Notes)-Debate skills

Feedback from International Academy teachers

Modifications to current units (continued):Globalization and Community Service: -Foster connections to “Students for Hope”-Students design and implement fundraisers for ELO’s.-Integrate text or text set—A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink-Partner with schools around the world—i.e. Skype

Units to add to the curriculum:Collaborative Technology Projects: ELA/SSAP Themes and Habits of MindMoodle TrainingHumanities Enrichment

Units to get rid of:Goal SettingTime ManagementBackwards Mapping

2011-2012 Proposed units for International Academy Freshmen Seminar

Unit #1: Academic Literacy/Skills Mini-Unit #1: Dense Reading

Students will explore reading strategies to support their navigation of dense, complex texts and practice differentiating essential from non-essential information.

Mini-Unit #2: Note Taking Students will be introduced to note-taking strategies that will be pivotal to their success in the International Academy—i.e. Cornell

Notes. Mini Unit #3: Test Preparation/ Test Taking Skills

Students will examine applicable study and test-taking strategies aligned to their assessments in S.S. and ELA

Unit #2: Making and defending an argument Topic #1: Purposes of writing

Students will unpack the various purposes authors have to write and the respective role the audience plays. Topic #2: Thesis development

Students will learn multiple formats for crafting thesis statements and integrate practice into class work. Topic #3: Debate

Students will learn how to explicitly transfer writing strategies into the verbal arena.

Unit #3: Academic Research Students will develop a research question, learn database search strategies, evaluate the relevancy of sources, organize

research, and craft an extended argument on a topic of interest. Unit #4: Globalization

Students will read and discuss various grade-appropriate texts to contextualize the shifting landscape of the 21st century. Unit #5: College and Career Outlook

Students will research admissions requirements, the alignment between college majors and potential careers, as well as the quality of writing and student work that is indicative of high-performing institutions.

Unit #6: Community Service Students will research various causes or organizations of interest to them, design and implement various fundraisers.

Unit #7: Collaborative Technology Project Students will identify a theme or common world issue examined in both S.S and ELA, synthesize various sources that

represent that issue, identify resources to aid or support that issue and create, present and defend a digital presentation of their findings.