Small Learning Communities

1. Small Learning Communities Fall 2008 Mrs. Keipp, SLC Coordinator

2. The mission of Wilson High School is to empower all students with the skills and knowledge to become independent learners and achieve measurable success.

3. Objectives • Read about Wilson’s Small Learning Communities (SLC) and take notes 2. Decide which SLC you are going to join

4. Note taking: • If you know how to take Cornell Notes, please do it for the entire slide show. • Otherwise, take out a sheet of paper or two, and write notes about the information in the power point.

5. Reminder- The notes you take while viewing this power point are for your benefit because you have to decide TODAY about your future SLC and your education here at Wilson.

6. Small Learning Communities • Student-centered • Personalized • Thematic

7. WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE AN SLC? • You will be enrolled in one SLC for your entire time in high school. • You will have the same group of teachers and staff until you graduate. • You will have specific thematic classes. • You will not be able to take thematic classes from other SLCs.

8. What other information is there about SLCs? • Each SLC has: • It’s own area on campus. • It’s own administrator, counselor, and lead teacher. • It’s own thematic electives, which are classes only offered by the SLC. • Classes for high school graduation and a-g college requirements.

9. Every student and staff member will belong to one of Wilson’s SLCs: • Agents of Change (AOC) • Environmental and Urban Studies (EUS) • Health Sciences (HS) • Mules Business/Technology Academy (MBA) • Performing Arts • Visual Arts • (Law and Police Magnets)

10. If you have seen any of the “Harry Potter” movies, this the Sorting Hat.Wilson does not have a Sorting Hat, so you have to decide for yourself.

11. This double bubble map shows a comparison of Hogwarts (the school from “Harry Potter”) and Wilson. thematic contiguous 8 SLCs 4 houses Hogwarts Wilson robes Names,logos, colors Magic food 4 classes everyday small

12. Why mention Harry Potter? Harry made his own choice about which house he wanted to belong to- so can you! Choose an SLC based on your knowledge and interests.

13. Note Taking Check • What notes have you taken so far? • Write a paragraph or draw something that shows your initial understanding of Small Learning Communities (SLCs).

14. Agents of Change (AOC) • Create experiences for social justice ideals to become reality in the world of public service. • Strive to empower yourself and others as agents of change for today’s local and global issues. Administrator: Ms. Cortez Counselors: Ms. Lam (A-C) & Ms. Mejia (D-Z) Lead Teachers: Mr. Rudy Duenas & Ms. Andrade

15. Types of AOC thematic electives: Courses that could be identified or developed: Public Policy and Administration, Public Health, Multiculturalism and Service Providers, Public Service Oriented Statistics, Ethnic and Cultural Studies, Literature of Struggle, History of Social Movements, Civic Math, Journalism and Tracking Social Trends. Other courses such as Propaganda, Media Influences, Ethics, Minorities and the Justice System, Immigration

16. Related careers Social justice and/or public service : • Fire fighter • Lawyer/attorney • Teacher • Everything related to helping the world become a better place for everyone

17. Note Taking Check • What notes have you taken about AOC? • Write a paragraph or draw something that shows how interested you are in this SLC. (Do you like this SLC a lot? A little bit? Not at all?)

18. Environmental and Urban Studies (EUS) Focus on environmental issues in our urban setting: transportation, population density, location of jobs, schools, shops, etc. Administrator: Ms. Bravo-Uriarte Counselors: Mr. Zelaya (A-C) & Ms. Moreno (D-Z) Lead Teacher: Mr. Elizondo

19. Types of EUS thematic electives: • Students might be asked to start with a foundational course in Environmental Science and then move on to upper level courses. • Two courses already offered at Wilson that can be incorporated into this course of study are AP Environmental Science and Marine Biology. • Other courses that might be identified or developed for this thematic course of study include Architecture Design, Urban Planning, Global Warming, Biodiversity and so on.

20. Related careers • Scientist • Architect • Teacher • Everything related to environmental and urban issues

21. Note Taking Check • Review your notes about EUS and underline key words. What stands out for you? • Write a paragraph or draw something that shows how interested you are in this SLC. (Do you like this SLC a lot? A little bit? Not at all?)

22. Health Sciences (HS) Prepare students for today’s growing medical service needs to understand and participate in health-based experiences. Administrator: Ms. Ultreras Counselors: Mr. Zelaya (A-C) & Ms. Wright (D-Z) Lead Teachers: Ms. Guzman & Ms. John

23. Types of HS thematic electives: • A four year thematic sequence might start with medical terminology and technology and end with internships at hospitals for immediate employment or continued education for advanced degrees. • Additional courses that could be identified or developed might include Public Policy and Administration, Public Health, Anatomy, Chiropractics, Physiology, Environmentally Related Health, EMT Training, and so on to round out the thematic electives.

24. Related careers • Doctor/Physician • Nurse • Medical Assistant • X-ray Technician • Everything related to health science

25. Note Taking Check • What notes have you taken about HS? • What interest do you have in HS? (Do you like this SLC a lot? A little bit? Not at all?)

26. Mules Business/Technology Academy (MBA) Acquire practical knowledge, skills, and hands-on experiences to prepare for success in business and/or computer ventures and further study in business, computer science, or related fields. Administrator: Mr. Gomez Counselors: Mr. Zelaya (A-C) & Ms. Williams (D-Z) Lead Teacher: Mr. Andrews

27. Types of MBA thematic electives: • The faculty of this SLC will be able to build on existing courses offered at Wilson HS such as Virtual Business, Keyboarding, and Digital Computers in order to develop a four-year thematic course of study encompassing both thematic areas. • ROP courses such as Computer Repair and Computer Graphics can also fit into this SLC’s thematic electives. • Members in this SLC will have the opportunity to decide not only which courses will be included in the four-year course of study, but also to incorporate or develop additional courses (e.g., Game Design, Game Evaluation, Business Ownership, Business Law, Sales, Media Tech, Desktop Publishing, Web Design, Technical Writing, etc).

28. Related careers • Accountant • Business Owner or Manager • Computer Programmer • Website designer • Everything related to finance, business, computing

29. Note Taking Check • Review your notes for MBA. • Rate your interest in MBA and write it in terms of money. Do you want to join this SLC a lot? ($$$) A little bit? ($$) Not at all? ($) Write the dollar amount and explain your answer.

30. Performing Arts Provide students with a performing arts based education to develop their talents and gifts in theater and/musical arts. Administrator: Ms. Rosin Counselors: Ms. Lam (A-C) & Ms. Updegraff (D-Z) Lead Teacher: Mr. Shock

31. Types of PA thematic electives: • There are a number of courses currently offered at Wilson High School that can be considered for this thematic course of study including Band, Film Making, Acting, Drama, Dance, etc. • Other courses currently offered such as Filmmaking and Stage Design could be offered to students in either Visual Arts or Performing Arts depending on how the faculty of each SLC defines their thematic course(s) of study. • Alternatively, these courses might provide an opportunity for a joint project between the Arts SLCs such as the production of a school musical with performing arts students acting, directing, etc. and visual arts students designing sets, creating flyers, and so on.

32. Related careers • Entertainer • Choreographer • Script writer • Everything related to the performing arts

33. Note Taking Check • What notes have you taken about PA? • Write a paragraph or draw something that shows how interested you are in this SLC. (Do you like this SLC a lot? A little bit? Not at all?

34. Visual Arts Provide students with a visual arts based education to develop their talents and gifts through print, sculpture, or other media. Administrator: Ms. Cazares Counselors: Ms. Lam (A-C) & Mr. Johnson (D-Z) Lead Teacher: Mr. Stone

35. Types of VA thematic electives: • Students can create a four year thematic course of study including Ceramics, Stage Design, Photography, Drawing, Cartoon Animation, Graphic Arts, Painting, Sculpture, and Digital Imaging, Fashion Design, etc. • Additional courses that could be identified or developed in the future might include Art History, Script Writing, Film Critique, Film Genres, Architecture Design and so on depending on the interests and skills of the SLC faculty. • A sequence of courses might start with a foundational course on Art Appreciation and/or Art History or Design Principles and then branch off into specific upper level courses.

36. Related careers • Artist • Curator • Graphic designer • Teacher • Everything related to visual arts

37. Note Taking Check • What notes have you taken about VA? • Draw something that shows how interested you are in Visual Arts. (Do you like this SLC a lot? A little bit? Not at all?)

38. Law and Police Magnets • LAW: Dedicated to exposing students to all aspects of the legal system • POLICE ACADEMY: Prepare young men and women for careers in law enforcement and related fields within the field of criminal justice. Administrator: Mr. Lossada Counselor: Ms. Gonzalez Lead Teachers: Ms. Miller and Mr. Verdin  Enrollment in the magnets have a different process! See Mr. Wagner in the Magnet Office (Mule Bungalows).

39. Magnets Law Magnet: • offers specialized classes in Mock Trial, Constitutional Law, Psychology, and Sociology, as well as, core classes that emphasize the development of the law through out history and literature.  Police Magnet: • assists the Los Angeles Police Department in achieving effective community-based policing, while providing Los Angeles Unified School District students with opportunities to explore the broad range of careers within the field of criminal justice.  Cadets will understand the relationship between  academic achievement and success in the work place and will develop the skills necessary to make well-informed career choices.

40. Next steps • Review your notes and any parts of this Power Point to help you decide which SLC best fits your educational needs. • If you need additional time, please talk with any of the administrators, counselors, or SLC Coordinator (Mrs. Keipp) if you have questions about any of the SLCs. • Make a decision about your SLC.

41. WHY SHOULD I PAY ATTENTION TO THE SLC ENROLLMENT FORMS? • You will be enrolled in one SLC for your entire time in high school. • You will have the same group of teachers and staff until you graduate. • You will have specific thematic classes. • You will not be able to take thematic classes from other SLCs.

42. When do you enroll in your SLC?? • NOW!! • Complete your form today; the form is in your registration packet. Choose your 1st, 2nd, 3rd, to 6th choices.

43. Blank SLC form:

44. Example of a completed form:

45. You finished! • Read about Wilson’s Small Learning Communities (SLC) and take notes • Decided which SLC you are going to join If you have further questions, please visit Mrs. Keipp, SLC coordinator, in the Wilson Welcome Center.