This syllabus is for your records.

Please fill out the questionnaire page and return it

to Ms. Hughes ASAP

Literature & Science Enrichment Syllabus - Grades 7 & 8
Liberty Bell Middle School, 2014--2015
Jeana Hughes, White Building: 232-2192
hughesj@jcschools.org


Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians,

Hello. My name is Jeana Hughes and I will be leading 7
th
& 8th graders in their
pursuit to understand and participate in literature, history and science
simulations to introduce science fiction and non-fiction in the theme of
neuroscience - YOUR BRAIN. Students will be conducting investigations and
completing activities to expand their knowledge of how the brain works
during cinematic events, design and creativity. Im excited for the coming
year. Before I describe the course content, I want to emphasize that I cannot
successfully do my job without the participation of students and their
parents. I look forward to working together to help make this a meaningful
learning experience for all of us. Please fill out the attached sheet of
paper and return it to class as soon as possible.

Course Focus
The study of neuroscience using literature on film and text with science
enrichment will help students to identify how our brain works. During the
school year, we will be expanding our knowledge through
educational/dramatization clips, experiments, research projects, and
challenges designed to extend learning and further develop understanding of
how to design a cinematic performance (comedic/drama about the brain),
theatrical script, examine case studies, and cultural experiences. Students
will build on cinematography and camera experiences in order to design a short
drama/comedy to be performed at the end of the year for parents. In addition
to the simulations, dramatizations, and our own experiences; websites and
text by John Fleischman, Scholastic, Nova, Interact and health/government
websites with movie clips (example documentary about a boy with a incredible
brain) using facts, drama, comedy and creative/visual puzzles about the brain
will be incorporated.
*Please note any concerns or requests about curriculum or individual student needs on questionnaire page.*














General themes for the quarter include:
Week 1-2: Introduction- About Neuroscience? How does society think?
(http://teachhealthk-12.uthscsa.edu/curriculum/brain/brain.asp)
Week 3-4: Phineas Gage : A true story about Brain Science. Book Review by
John Fleischman.
Week 5-6: Film/Cinema versus Case Studies. (documentary, drama, and comedy).
Week 7-9: Project presentations (done in class) and guest speaker
*A design project with cinema will be completed this quarter + assignments of weekly homework
clips will be completed this quarter.*

Required Materials
The price of greatness is responsibility Winston Churchill
Students should bring pen/pencil, and a daily planner to each class.
Students are expected to keep a notebook in class of daily activities. Your
notebook will have a tab for notes and assignments to be kept and will be
collected periodically throughout the quarter. We will be using Scholastic,
Interact curriculum, and a wide variety of websites. However, critical
thinking questions will be required on website. Any extra designs for the
project can be done at home to be completed.

Classroom Expectations
Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.
Albert Einstein
Students are expected to arrive to class on time, have all of their supplies
(assignments/homework included) and be ready to work. The agenda for the day
will always be posted on the board along with a Warm Up Activity. Students
are to have a seat and begin the warm up. Classes will include a variety of
lessons, activities, and investigations. Students will have the opportunity
to work alone, in pairs, and in groups.
Our Golden Rule is to Be Respectful of Self, Others, and Property. When
needed, students will be reminded to be respectful and if necessary, they
may be asked to Take a Break. Take a Break gives the student a chance
to move to a new seat in the classroom in order to reflect for a moment or
to refocus so that they can rejoin the class. Repeated disruptions will result






in parent contact, written behavior paragraph and will follow building-wide
policies.

Homework & Projects
Creativity is intelligence having fun. Albert Einstein
Homework will be given starting on week 4 and will be listed on teacher web
site; (small clips will be provided for the student to watch and respond to).
This year, our projects will be done as a group in the class (research projects
for design and discussion about the brain and skit/drama design). This will
usually be due on Friday or Monday. There will always be class time given
to work on the project. However, there is a good chance that some project
work will need to be completed outside of class talking to group members about
the script, drama/comedy design or props.


Make Up and Late Work
Completion of assignments, homework, and projects are the students
responsibility. If a student is absent or missing class for one reason or
another (even if it is an excused absence), it is his/her responsibility to
make up the work. Deadlines for the make up work will be worked out with the
teacher. If a student misses a class, it is expected that he/she will meet
with another student and/or Ms. Hughes to make up the work. Students can meet
with me on B days to get help on any assignment; other times can be arranged
as needed. Late assignments, homework, projects will not receive full
credit. Any assignment received more than one week late will earn no higher
than a B (90%). Quizzes and Tests are not included.

Grading System
Attendance & Participation - 25%
Students will receive points per day for coming prepared and participating
in classroom activities.
Assignments, Quizzes - 50%
These assignments will include work done individually and in groups. Students
can expect to be updated on their grade status regularly. Parents can expect
a grade report sent home at midterm and end of quarter average.
End of quarter project - 25%
Students will present a project, selected during Week 6 of the quarter.

A word about grades they have their supporters and those that say grades
get in the way of real learning. I look at grades as snap shots at






a certain point in time they give us feedback about how we look at that
moment, but they dont nearly tell the whole story of all that we are
or learned. I do not believe that grades should be the focus of our efforts
as learners (teachers, students, families), but they are one evaluative
tool to help us answer the question, How am I, how are we doing?

A Few Closing Thoughts
I want to end this syllabus returning to where I began. I believe that we
(teacher, students, families) need to work together to be successful. I
encourage communication and feedback and hope that we can maintain an open,
respectful dialogue as the year progresses. Feel free to contact me at the
address listed at the top of the page.





This syllabus is for your records. Please fill out the questionnaire page and return it
to Ms. Hughes ASAP

Literature With Science Enrichment Signed Syllabus Page &
Questionnaire for Ms. Hughes, 2013-2014

August 05, 2014

Dear Parents/Guardians,
Thank you in advance for filling out another one of these forms. I know that
you will probably be asked to complete similar questions for other teachers,
but know that your time will help facilitate future communications.

Student Name: _______________________________________ Period: _____
Student Signature: _____________________________________
Parent/Guardian (Please
Print)______________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature:
________________________________________________________
Phone Number (Home) ________________________ (Work/Cell)
____________________
Email Address (If you have an email address and are open to communicating
via this format):






________________________________________________________________

When is a good time to reach you? ________________
What is your preferred method of communications?______________________
Do you have access to the internet at home or does your child have access
somewhere else?_________________________________________________
We will be studying about Our Brain this year. Would you be willing to share
any of your expertise with our classes?
___________________________________________________
The curriculum lends itself to a wide range of possibilities such as
cinematography and research design. If you are able and willing, please let
me know what youd like to share and when are good times for
you._________________________________________________________

Parent concerns/requests about curriculum or individual student needs:
_____________________________________________________________