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Welcome to. SOUNDINGS. What is Soundings?. SOUNDINGS. Definition #1 To explore or measure the depth/height Definition #2 To make an intentional noise, so as to be heard . Soundings Specifics & Myths. Soundings Specific #1.
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Welcome to SOUNDINGS
SOUNDINGS Definition #1 To explore or measure the depth/height Definition #2 To make an intentional noise, so as to be heard
Soundings Specific #1 • Students must elect to participate in the Soundings program with parent/guardian permission. • Lottery System- choice
Soundings Myth #1 • Soundings kids NEVER see their friends. • Math • Electives • Lunch • Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Distaffs, Chorus, the Musical • Sandy Hill • Dorney Park • Fall, Winter and Spring Sports and/or Clubs
8th Grade Schedule: 2012-2013 • Soundings • Advisory • Pd 1: Math • Pd 2: Soundings • Pd 3: Soundings • Pd 4: LUNCH • Pd 5: Soundings • Pd 6: Elective • Pd 7: Elective • SOS • Traditional Team • Advisory • Pd 1: Core Class • Pd 2: Core Class • Pd 3: Core Class • Pd 4: LUNCH • Pd 5: Core Class • Pd 6: Elective • Pd 7: Elective • SOS
Soundings Specific #2 • Soundings is a democratic classroom based on curriculum integration.
Democratic Classroom • Consensus • Decisions that are made when everyone reaches an agreement. • Community Building • Challenge Activities
Curriculum Integration • Units of study are… • significant to students • integrate traditional core subjects • English • Social Studies • Science
Soundings Specific #3 Soundings students… • create their own units of study/curriculum. • develop their own projects and presentations.
Units of Study In building a unit of study, students… • write questions about topics that interest them individually • analyze questions and develop possible themes as a group • incorporate Radnor and Pennsylvania State Standards
Soundings Units 2012-2013 • Unit 1: The Mind and Body • What is the relationship between the mind and body? • What is the relationship between the mind, body, and environment? • Topics • Senses • Subconscious Mind • Sports Injuries • Evolution • Fear, Stress, Depression, & Addiction • Mutations • Autism • Dreams • Schizophrenia
Soundings Units 2012-2013 • Unit 2: Aspects of Civilization • How does the past affect the present, and how does the present affect the future? • What is the relationship between humans and civilizations? • Topics • World War II • Medieval Warfare • Historical Movies • Hawaiian Culture • Ancient Greece • World War I • Surfing • Ancient Egypt • Civilizations in Extreme Climates • Armenian Culture • Australia
Soundings Specific #4 Soundings students are assessed via rubric • Rubric • Narratives that have specific criteria • Feedback is detailed and personal • http://www.rtsd.org/Page/3724
Soundings Assessments • Examples of student work assessed via rubric • Log Books • Reading Journals • Current Events • Lab Reports • Focus Papers • Projects/Presentations • Self Assessments
Soundings Myth #2 Since Soundings kids do not earn grades, they do no work.
Soundings Work • Log Book • Daily Log Questions • Quote Responses • Reading Journal • 25 Book Goal/Validations • Literature Circles • Current Events • Lab Reports
Soundings Work Coffeehouses Focus Papers Rewrites Individual Research Projects Word Study Student-Led Conferences Unit Study Research, Presentations and Projects
Soundings Myth #3 Soundings students have “no structure” and they can do “whatever they want.”
Soundings Structure • Daily Schedule • Log Question Discussions • Class Log • Independent and/or Group Work Time • Weekly Quote Responses/Discussions
Soundings Structure Bi-weekly Current Events and Self Assessments Monthly Log Book and Reading Journal checks Individual Research Project checks
Soundings Myth #4 If you are in Soundings, you will not be prepared for high school.
Soundings at RHS Rest of 9th Grade First Semester 2005: 3.25 First Semester 2010: 3.26 Former Soundings Students First Semester 2005: 3.45 First Semester 2010: 3.56
Soundings is… A classroom where students… • make their own decisions. • develop self-discipline and independence. • improve time management and organization. • focus on the quality of their work. • connect their learning to the world around them.
Soundings is… A classroom where students… • challenge themselves to step out of their “comfort zone” and try something new. • learn how to learn! • become a “family”. • have FUN!