Project+Description

====Honors Independent Study Syllabus ====

====SCA High School Gifted Education Services ====

Mr. Ryan Mensch, rmensch@scasd.us
====Course Wiki: SCAindependentstudy.wikispaces.com ==== ====Grade Level:  May be taken during any high school year; course may be repeated ====

Resources:

 * * ====Mentoring relationship with a professional matched to student’s field of interest ==== ||
 * * ====Writing workshop to improve written communication skills ==== ||
 * * ====Research day at Bloomsburg University’s Andruss Library with the assistance of a university research librarian ==== ||
 * * ====Gifted/ Talented resource room; library ==== ||
 * * ====Help from advisors available-- in group sessions and individually ==== ||

**Academic Expectations: **

 * ====Consistent, positive work ethic ====
 * ====Ability to complete work independently and responsibly ====
 * ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Critical reading and thinking skills ====
 * ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Superior verbal skills as applied to mentor interactions and oral presentations ====
 * ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Effective research and writing skills ====
 * ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cooperative and active participation in all learning environments ====
 * ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Maintains and fosters academic integrity ====
 * ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Professional dress for all visits with mentors and/or clients/ patients ====
 * ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Professional courtesy and proper telephone etiquette ====
 * ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Requested attendance at School Board meeting in May to share project ====

**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Course Description: **
====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Independent Study Research Project is a 1 credit honors level course in which talented students carry out an intensive job shadowing experience with a local professional as their mentor, over a six month period. At the same time, a research project to investigate a research question developed between the student and mentor will be completed, including a minimum15 page paper, a visual presentation (PowerPoint, poster, etc.), and an oral presentation to a panel of adults. ====

**<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Content Timeline: **
====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">__September-October__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: Recruitment of interested students ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">__November-December__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: Proposal work and due date; Mentors chosen; first meeting with mentor takes place; research/ writing workshop held at BU <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Start work on Part 1 of research paper ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">__January__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: Part 1 of research paper and portfolio due; visits to mentor continue ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">__February__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: Part 2 of research paper and portfolio due; visits to mentor continue ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">__March__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: Part 3 of research paper and portfolio due; visits to mentor continue ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">__April__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: Part 4 of research paper and portfolio due; visits to mentor continue; Conclusions due ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">__May__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: Oral/ Visual presentations; final copy of paper and portfolio due; School Board meeting ====

====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">**Assessments**: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This course is weighted at 1.03 as long as the student performs at a passing level. The following forms of assessment will contribute to the grading on a total point system: ====
 * 1) ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Proposal ====
 * 2) ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Attendance at the BU Library Day ====
 * 3) ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Portfolio ====
 * 4) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Must include the following tabbed sections in a 3-ring binder:
 * 5) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Proposal
 * 6) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">All parts of paper
 * 7) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">References
 * 8) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mentor log
 * 9) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Copies of all online articles used
 * 10) ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Separate installments of the research paper (Parts 1, 2, 3, 4 and Conclusion) ====
 * 11) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">All parts will be reviewed/edited by advisors as necessary before grading.
 * 12) ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Oral/ Visual Presentation ====
 * 13) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">use 3x5 index cards
 * 14) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">bring completed thank you letter for mentor
 * 15) ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Final copy of paper and portfolio ====
 * 16) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Final copy of paper must include cover page, correct headers and margins, bibliography as required by MLA formatting- graded with rubric
 * 17) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Final portfolio submission
 * 18) <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Plagiarism check
 * 19) ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> School Board presentation ====

==== **<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">PA Common Core Standards for English Language Arts ** ====

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Text Types and Purposes:__
====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas,concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content. ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">a. Introduce a topic; organize complex ideas, concepts, and information so that each new element builds on that which precedes it to create a unified whole; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., figures, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension. ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">b. Develop the topic thoroughly by selecting the most significant and relevant facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic. ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">c. Use appropriate and varied transitions and syntax to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships among complex ideas and concepts. ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">d. Use precise language, domain-specific vocabulary, and techniques such as metaphor, simile, and analogy to manage the complexity of the topic. ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">e. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing. ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented (e.g., articulating implications or the significance of the topic). ====

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Production and Distribution of Writing__
====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience. ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3. Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information. ====

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Research to Build and Present Knowledge__
====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation. ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the task, purpose, and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation. ====

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas__
====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective, such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning, alternative or opposing perspectives are addressed, and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and a range or formal and informal tasks. ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add interest. ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3. Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating a command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. ====

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Conventions of Standard English (Grades 9-10)__
====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. ====

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">a. Use parallel structure.*
====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">b. Use various types of phrases (noun, verb, adjectival, adverbial, participial, prepositional, absolute) and clauses (independent, dependent; noun, relative, adverbial) to convey specific meanings and add variety and interest to writing or presentations. ====

====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">a. Use a semicolon (and perhaps a conjunctive adverb) to link two or more closely related independent clauses. ====

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Knowledge of Language (Grades 9-10)__
====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening. ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">a. Write and edit work so that it conforms to the guidelines in a style manual (e.g., MLA Handbook, Turabian’s Manual for Writers) appropriate for the discipline and writing type. ====

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Conventions of Standard English (Grades 11-12)__
====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">a. Apply the understanding that usage is a matter of convention, can change over time, and is sometimes contested. ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">b. Resolve issues of complex or contested usage, consulting references (e.g., Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage, Garner’s Modern American Usage) as needed. ====

====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. ====

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Knowledge of Language (Grades 11-12)__
====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening. ==== ====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">a. Vary syntax for effect, consulting references (e.g., Tufte’s Artful Sentences) for guidance as needed; apply an understanding of syntax to the study of complex texts when reading. ====