Integrated Studies Syllabus 2007-2008

 

 

 

Core Values of the Integrated Studies Program

Inclusion—Essential because inclusion gives all students equal and appropriate access to challenging

and interesting work.  Students have a greater opportunity to learn from a diverse group of peers.

 

Integration—Essential because an integrated curriculum helps students make connections and deepens

their understanding.

 

Collaboration—Essential because collaboration establishes shared expectations and a common culture for all 10th grade students.  Teachers who work collaboratively are able to challenge one another to provide the best possible learning experience for students.

 

The Five Habits of Mind (used building-wide at Nathan Hale)

Evidence         How do we know what's true and false? What evidence counts? How sure can we be?

Connection      Is there a pattern? Have we seen something like this before?

Supposing       Could it have been otherwise?  What would happen if…?

Significance    Why does it matter? Who cares about this?

Viewpoint         What if we were looking at it from a different direction? What if we had different expectations?

 

Bloom’s Taxonomy (in order from least to most complex intellectual skills)

Knowledge                  recalling information

Comprehension          translating knowledge and interpreting facts

Application                   using information and solving problems

Analysis                       seeing patterns, organizing information, and recognizing subtleties

Synthesis                    relating knowledge from several areas

Evaluation                   assessing the value of different ideas, verifying the evidence

 

Units and Major Concepts

 

Unit One:       What happens when a system is changed?

Language Arts:            Othello, Playwriting, Race and Class Conflict, Acting Companies Project

World History:             Global Exchange—1492 to 1650

Biology:                       Microbiology, Infectious Disease, and the Immune System

IS Project:                   Causes and Effects of Major Epidemics Project

 

Unit Two:       What is human nature?  Can it or should it be changed?

            Language Arts:            Lord of the Flies, Literary Analysis, Characterization

            World History:             Revolution and Enlightenment 1650 to 1789

            Biology:                       Ecology, Evolution and Sociobiology

            IS Project:                   Mock Trial Project

 

Unit Three:    What are the costs and benefits of change and progress?

            Language Arts:            Things Fall Apart—Tradition and Cultural Perspective

Brave New World—Cause and Effect, Logic, Psychology, Media,

            World History:             Industrial Revolution and Colonialism

            Biology:                       Genetics and Biotechnology

            IS Project:                   Technology Project

 

Unit Four:       How can we be the authors of change?

            Language Arts:            The Kite Runner and Personal Narrative

            World History:             Sources and Legacy of 20th Century Economic, Political and Social Conflict

            Biology:                       Environmental Studies and Ecology

            IS Project:                   Culminating Action Project