Humanities 9
Course Description:
Humanities is not typically listed as a course at most schools, though it is an increasingly popular idea as cross-curricular visions of education develop. It is a monumental task to develop such a class since its content is vast. Essentially it is a combination of language based courses: English, history, politics, human geography, religious studies and Bible. Lessons will typically meet standards and skills required of both English and social studies; in a good lesson students will not know if the focus of the class is English or socials. I organize the class around historic content, and use classic historical fiction, poems and excerpts of stories and primary sources to analyze and understand history. For a more comprehensive look at what will be covered in this course click on PPTs and units, it will give you an idea of the material we will be looking at, and some of the books we will be reading.
Course Goals:
Class Rules:
Grade Breakdown:
Tests ... 30% (expect about 6 over the year)
I will give mostly small quizzes to test your knowledge and only for very specified content. Multiple choice and a few short answers will be the norm. It will be important to keep notes and an organized binder so that you are prepared for these tests. The regular class work are given to help you be ready for these summative tests, your level of understanding of the assignments will indicate how prepared you are for a test.
Assignments ... 50% (Expect about 15 over the year)
Since assignment are generally more fun and often better indicators of what students can DO. I have decided to make this class heavily weighted towards assignments. Assignments will include visual work, posters, PPTs, timelines, dioramas, comics, brochures, and maps. There will also be oral work, skits, debates, role-plays and presentations. There is also written work, paragraphs, newspapers, research reports, creative writing, essays and journals. These will always come with a rubric and specific instructions. Often they will be started at school and completed at home. I will give you lots of time, but if you procrastinate and do nothing at home until the day before the due-date you will stress yourself out and not do as well. Assignment grades are often directly proportional to how much time and effort you put into it. So work hard and please pace yourself. Late assignments will always be accepted but I might keep you during lunch time or after school if I feel there is little hope of you getting it done at home.
History Fair ... 20% (Final assignment)
Together with other socials classes you will be participating in a history fair. This is the equivalent of a science fair but with humanities content. You will choose a topic related to the history or historical literature which you find interesting and explore it in greater detail. You will present your findings to the entire school and have the freedom to show your learning however you see fit.
Book List: (A working List)
I use different books every year, but the titles below represent resources available to me in my classroom.
Humanities is not typically listed as a course at most schools, though it is an increasingly popular idea as cross-curricular visions of education develop. It is a monumental task to develop such a class since its content is vast. Essentially it is a combination of language based courses: English, history, politics, human geography, religious studies and Bible. Lessons will typically meet standards and skills required of both English and social studies; in a good lesson students will not know if the focus of the class is English or socials. I organize the class around historic content, and use classic historical fiction, poems and excerpts of stories and primary sources to analyze and understand history. For a more comprehensive look at what will be covered in this course click on PPTs and units, it will give you an idea of the material we will be looking at, and some of the books we will be reading.
Course Goals:
- Teach you the basis of organized argumentation. (paragraphs, essays, debates)
- Experience the interconnection of philosophy, religion, politics and history.
- Get involved with and interested in the "story" and "characters" of history.
- Understand the unique national and cultural identity of Canada
- Have a holistic understanding of imperialism and nationalism including its benefits and detrimental consequences to modern society.
- Have you express learning in ways which are natural to you.
Class Rules:
- Talk to each other (not just to me) in a way that is orderly and respectful.
- Listen to each other.
- Respect our school verbally and physically.
- Recycle and throw garbage away.
- Use technology responsibly.
- Don’t touch stuff that does not belong to you.
- Keep track of your own stuff.
- Talk to me about problems or concerns in private.
Grade Breakdown:
Tests ... 30% (expect about 6 over the year)
I will give mostly small quizzes to test your knowledge and only for very specified content. Multiple choice and a few short answers will be the norm. It will be important to keep notes and an organized binder so that you are prepared for these tests. The regular class work are given to help you be ready for these summative tests, your level of understanding of the assignments will indicate how prepared you are for a test.
Assignments ... 50% (Expect about 15 over the year)
Since assignment are generally more fun and often better indicators of what students can DO. I have decided to make this class heavily weighted towards assignments. Assignments will include visual work, posters, PPTs, timelines, dioramas, comics, brochures, and maps. There will also be oral work, skits, debates, role-plays and presentations. There is also written work, paragraphs, newspapers, research reports, creative writing, essays and journals. These will always come with a rubric and specific instructions. Often they will be started at school and completed at home. I will give you lots of time, but if you procrastinate and do nothing at home until the day before the due-date you will stress yourself out and not do as well. Assignment grades are often directly proportional to how much time and effort you put into it. So work hard and please pace yourself. Late assignments will always be accepted but I might keep you during lunch time or after school if I feel there is little hope of you getting it done at home.
History Fair ... 20% (Final assignment)
Together with other socials classes you will be participating in a history fair. This is the equivalent of a science fair but with humanities content. You will choose a topic related to the history or historical literature which you find interesting and explore it in greater detail. You will present your findings to the entire school and have the freedom to show your learning however you see fit.
Book List: (A working List)
I use different books every year, but the titles below represent resources available to me in my classroom.
- Robinson Crusoe
- Uncle Tom's Cabin (excerpts)
- Blood and Iron
- Roughing it in the Bush (excerpts)
- No Time to Say Goodbye
- The Last of the Mohicans (abridged)
- Tale of Two Cities (excerpts & abridged)
- Jean Val Jean
- Louis Riel Comic Book Biography
- Scarlet Letter (excerpts and abridged)
- Oliver Twist (excerpts and abridged)