SHS HUMANITIES ENGLISH, SOCIAL STUDIES, WORLD LANGUAGES COURSE SELECTION 2013

CHOOSING YOUR COURSES FOR NEXT YEAR There quite a few factors to consider as you make your course selections for next year. Your teachers think about these factors when making your course recommendations. You should consider these factors as well.

MAKING GOOD CHOICES A few different factors are part of your course recommendations for next year: 1.graduation requirements 2.your current grade/academic achievement in the content area 3.skill level/content area preparation 4.work ethic/capacity for independent work 5.interests

Honors/AP/ECE Level Course Recommendations If you are considering entering or staying in the Honors/AP/ECE level for any Humanities subject, consider the rigor involved: The work will be challenging, and it will be expected that you face the challenges by working hard all the time and asking for help when you need it. The course will demand that you spend lots of time outside of class reading, writing, or studying to prepare for class time. You will be expected to participate actively in class. That means taking notes (even if you are not told to do so), listening thoughtfully, and contributing to discussions each day.

Humanities Department The Humanities Department includes World Languages, Social Studies, and English. Department faculty members have similar expectations when it comes to students and the challenges of academic work. However, it is easiest and most clear to look at the expectations of each department separately.

World Languages EXPECTATIONS Speaking/Participation- In Honors level classes, expect to speak during every class. Homework- In Honors level classes, homework is more complex and open- ended. Target Language- Each year, the delivery of course content in the target language increases, with substantial increases at the Honors level.

World Languages EXPECTATIONS Study Habits- For all levels, students are expected to complete homework and to review concepts that may require extra practice. Honors Recommendation- A grade of B or above for the first semester and at least an 80 on the midterm exam are required in order to be considered for teacher recommendation.

Social Studies EXPECTATIONS Participation- In all courses, and even more so in Honors/AP/ECE courses, active participation (listening, speaking, taking notes without being told to do so) is expected of students. Homework- In Honors/AP/ECE level courses, students can expect to spend a minimum two hours of independent work in preparation for class meetings.

Social Studies EXPECTATIONS Study Habits- In Honors/AP/ECE level courses, students are expected to take initiative in learning course content with assigned text materials and to seek additional resources when appropriate. Reading- In Honors/AP/ECE level courses, students are expected to read, comprehend, interpret, and analyze primary documents and dense college level texts to achieve mastery of content.

Social Studies EXPECTATIONS Writing- At the Honors/AP/ECE level, students should be proficient in writing essays of varying lengths. Honors/AP/ECE Recommendations- Students with a strong B or better for the first semester will be considered for teacher recommendation for Honors/AP/ECE level courses.

English EXPECTATIONS Participation- In all courses, and even more so in Honors/AP courses, active participation (listening, speaking, taking notes without being told to do so) is expected of students. In Honors/AP courses, students should be highly self-motivated in active participation. Homework- In Honors/AP level courses, daily homework requires substantial and complex reading and writing. In college level courses, daily homework requires independent reading and writing.

English EXPECTATIONS Study Habits- Both Honors/AP level and college level students should display initiative and consistency in work habits. Reading- *Honors/AP- Complex and lengthy reading assignments to be completed outside of class. *College- Reading assignments to be completed daily outside of class.

English EXPECTATIONS Writing- * Honors/AP- Writing a variety of organized pieces independently. Students exhibit mastery of fundamental grade level writing skills. * College- Writing a variety of organized pieces with some in-class coaching. Students exhibit competency in fundamental grade level writing skills. Honors/AP Recommendations- Student's first semester average is in the B+/A range in order to be considered for teacher recommendation.