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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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  1. Welcome to SOUNDINGS

  2. What is Soundings?

  3. SOUNDINGS Definition #1 To explore or measure the depth/height Definition #2 To make an intentional noise, so as to be heard

  4. Soundings Specifics & Myths

  5. Soundings Specific #1 • Students must elect to participate in the Soundings program with parent/guardian permission. • Lottery System

  6. Soundings Myth #1 • Soundings kids NEVER see their friends. • Math • Electives • Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Distaffs, Chorus, Musical • Sandy Hill • Dorney Park • Fall, Winter and Spring Sports and/or Clubs

  7. 8th Grade Schedule: 2011-2012 • Soundings • Advisory • Pd 1: Math • Pd 2: Elective • Pd 3: Elective • Pd 4: Soundings • Pd 5: Soundings • LUNCH • Pd 7: Soundings • Pd 8: Math/Soundings • Traditional Team • Advisory • Pd 1: Core Class • Pd 2: Elective • Pd 3: Elective • Pd 4: Core Class • Pd 5: Core Class • LUNCH • Pd 7: Core Class • Pd 8: I/E

  8. Soundings Specific #2 • Soundings is a democratic classroom based on curriculum integration.

  9. Democratic Classroom • Consensus • Decisions that are made when everyone reaches an agreement. • Community Building • Challenge Activities

  10. Curriculum Integration • Units of study are… • significant to students • integrate traditional core subjects • English • Social Studies • Science

  11. Soundings Specific #3 Soundings students… • create their own units of study/curriculum. • develop their own projects and presentations.

  12. 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

  13. Soundings Units 2011-2012 • Unit 1: Exploration Three main topics of study: • Earth • Space • Water Four Sub-topics: • Environment • Technology • Philosophy • Explorers

  14. Soundings Units 2011-2012 • Unit 2: Culture • How/why are there different cultures? • How does the structure of a culture affect the people’s lives that are in it? • How/why have cultures changed/transformed over time? Cultures studied: Australia Jamaica USA/Hawaii Scotland Ireland Russia Morocco Israel Ancient Greece Finland Ancient Egypt South Africa

  15. Soundings Units 2011-2012 Unit 3: The Brain

  16. 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

  17. Soundings Assessments • Examples of student work assessed via rubric • Log Books • Reading Journals • Current Events • Lab Reports • Focus Papers • Projects/Presentations • Self Assessments

  18. Soundings Myth #2 Since Soundings kids do not earn grades, they do no work.

  19. Soundings Work • Log Book • Daily Log Questions • Quote Responses • Reading Journal • 25 Book Goal/Validations • Literature Circles and Class Novels • Current Events • Lab Reports

  20. Coffeehouses Focus Papers Individual Research Projects Word Study (Spelling/Vocabulary) Student-Led Conferences Unit Study Research, Presentations and Projects Soundings Work

  21. Soundings Myth #3 Soundings students have “no structure” and they can do “whatever they want”.

  22. Soundings Structure • Daily Schedule • Log Question Discussions • Class Log • Independent and/or Group Work Time • Weekly Quote Responses/Discussions

  23. Soundings Structure Bi-weekly Current Events, Self Assessments, Word Study units Monthly Log Book and Reading Journal checks Individual Research Project checks

  24. Soundings Myth #4 If you are in Soundings, you will not be prepared for high school.

  25. Soundings at RHS First Semester GPA of the rest of the 9th grade: 3.26 First Semester GPA of former Soundings students: 3.56

  26. Soundings is… A classroom where students… • make their own decisions. • develop self-discipline and independence. • improve time management and organization. • focus on quality of their work. • connect their learning to the world around them.

  27. 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! Soundings is…

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