Science Fiction 2012-2013 Mrs. Chausse

The Morgan School Mission Statement: The Morgan School cultivates intellect and character in partnership with families and the community. Students learn in a rigorous academic and student-centered environment that prepares them to become resourceful, productive, healthy citizens in a global society [email protected] http://chausseclasses.wikispaces.com/

Required Materials: notebook wikispaces.com account folder Google account blue or black pen Reading journal turnitin.com account text

Academic Expectations (AE): A student  AE1: Uses standard English to read, write, and speak effectively  AE2: Communicates and receives information through oral, written, visual, artistic, and technical means of expression  AE4: Utilizes critical and creative thinking skills for problem solving and decision-making  AE5: Employs tools of technology to research, process, and communicate information  AE6: Works independently as well as cooperatively to achieve goals

Civic and Social Expectation: A student  Demonstrates respect for all members of the school community  Manages time to meet the demands of academic responsibilities along with social and extra-curricular activities  Accepts responsibility for his or her own actions and behavior  Recognizes the importance of social and civic responsibilities to a community  Exhibits an understanding of diverse perspectives and cultures  Understands the importance of physical fitness and healthy lifestyle choices

Course Overview- Science fiction is speculative fiction. It poses the question: “What if?” Science fiction writers imagine human beings in new situations and new worlds that allow us, the readers, to understand how human beings might react in those new environments. Furthermore, science fiction can be prescient by describing futures that actually come to exist.

Essential Questions- 1. How is science fact extrapolated to science fiction? 2. When has science fiction become science fact? 3. What aspects of basic human nature are explored by works of science fiction? 4. What are the basic elements of the short story? How are they manifest in the works of science fiction writers? 5. How is some science fiction allegorical?

Homework Policy:  Homework is posted on the class wiki: https://chausseclasses.wikispaces.com/Science+Fiction+Spring+2013  Assignments are due at the start of the period of the due date.  All papers must be world processed. Computers are available in the library, the computer lab, across the street at Henry Carter Hull. The computer in room 43 (my classroom) is available each day before and after school. If you are having difficulty assessing a computer, see me before the due date.  Print all papers before class begins. If you have difficulties printing, you may email me the paper before school begins: [email protected]. I will print the paper if I receive the email before school begins. I will place the printer in the class tray at the back of the room. If you have to print the paper, you must print the paper before class. You may use the printer and computer in my classroom (room 43). Any paper not printed out by the start of class is late.

Page 1 of 3 Attendance/Missed Assignments:  You are responsible for all work when they are absent. Consult https://chausseclasses.wikispaces.com/Science+Fiction+Spring+2013 for assignments, and email me with any questions.  Email me (as an attachment) ([email protected]) any papers or major projects due on the day of the absence in order to receive full credit.  See me immediately after an absence to set a date to make up tests and quizzes.  If you are going on a field trip, see me before the trip about assignments.  If a paper or project is due on the day of a field trip, you must submit the paper or project on the due date.

Grading: I use a point system for grading. Tests, major papers and projects are 100 points. Quizzes, homework, reading checks and class work are assigned a point value based on the complexity of the assignment.

Honesty & Academic Integrity : Cheating, plagiarism, or falsification (lying) of any kind will not be tolerated. Students are cheating if they:  Copy or allow to be copied any assignment by any method  Use any unauthorized aid on quizzes, tests, or exams  Steal, possess or view a copy of a test beforehand  Give or receive help on a test  Take someone else’s work and submit it as theirs  Scan, alter or forge any school document  Plagiarize, i.e. submit material written or designed by another without giving the author/creator credit or identifying the source, or submit work created by family, friends or tutors.  Submit work that they completed for another course or teacher.

Assignments: Assignments will include  Weekly reading assignments- a story from October Country or reading from Dead and the Gone o Write a journal entry on the short story o Take a quiz on the reading assignment  Response sheets on stories and video we read and watch in class  One film presentation during the semester  Various projects: creative essays and multimedia projects based on our units of study

Page 2 of 3 Clinton Public Schools K-12 Foundation Skills and Competencies

The following skills and competencies are essential for all learners and must be incorporated in all disciplines. A student…

1. Reads a variety of literary, informational, and persuasive texts with understanding, and is able to analyze, interpret, evaluate text; reads for enjoyment.

2. Uses appropriate forms of expressions and conventions of Standard English to communicate and develop thoughts, share ideas, influence and persuade, and create and entertain.

3. Applies understanding of a writing process (drafting, revising, editing and rewriting) to improve writing.

4. Listens and views verbal and nonverbal presentations in order to analyze, clarify, follow directions and ask and answer questions.

5. Delivers oral and visual presentations using standard conventions, forms of expression, coherent sequence of thoughts, suitable vocabulary, and tools appropriate for the purpose and audience.

6. Applies computational skills, number sense and mathematical techniques to solve problems and judge reasonableness of results.

7. Collects, organizes and presents data using charts, tables, and graphs to interpret findings, defend or refute predictions, and draw conclusions.

8. Investigates and evaluates information and arguments from various sources and points of view applying prior knowledge, and inductive and deductive reasoning to establish a personal stance and defend a rationale.

9. Accesses a wide range of resources (print, non-print, and technological) to expand knowledge, conduct research, communicate information, create original works, and investigate complex problems.

10. Designs and applies techniques for investigating real world issues and problems including posting questions, hypothesizing, observing, collecting and analyzing data, and communicating findings.

11. Works collaboratively in a group to accomplish a goal by exchanging ideas, synthesizing information, investigating solutions to a problem, sharing workload and completing assigned tasks.

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