OPEN HOUSE FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS

AND STUDENTS OF SOUNDINGS XIV

2014-2015

WELCOME TO SOUNDINGS

Soundings Basics

Students create their own curriculum.Students do NOT receive grades.Students work in small groups,

individually and as a whole class.Students always have work to be done

each night.Emphasis is put on the quality of the work,

not the quantity or a grade.Work is not “finished” until the student

decides it is their “best”.

Soundings Work

Log Book:Daily Log QuestionsQuotes Twice per WeekDaily GoalsDaily AccomplishmentsUpcoming Due DatesNotes from discussions

Soundings Work

Self AssessmentsSoundings students create the Self Assessment rubric

Begin October 8thBi-weeklyDue dates are set for the year

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Self Assessments (cont.)Students fill out assessment in school on

Wednesday. Teachers write comments and return to

students by Friday.Students take home assessment on Friday.Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are asked to read,

comment and sign assessment.Students return with assessment by

Monday.

Soundings Work

Reading Journal: Validations of Books Read

Types of Validations:Book TalkLetter to the AuthorPictures/CollageNew Ending/EpilogueCritique of the Novel

Notes from Coffeehouses

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Coffeehouses Students identify favorite genres of

literature Students put into genre groups Groups present the genre to the rest of

the class Presentation dates will be set for the

year Info/aspects of the genre are presented Recommended novels Activities related to the genre Food

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Current Events Bi-Weekly First one due October 1st

All class Due dates set for the year Due on Wednesdays Students choose the article Write summary of article with connection(s)

and/or impact(s) One to two pages typed

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Individual Research Projects Students choose topics IRP #1:

Method of presentation – student choice Due dates are set by teachers Final Presentations – Mid-January

IRP #2: Method of presentation – research paper Due dates are set by students Final Research Paper – Late May

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Focus PapersWriting Prompts Five or more assigned each yearTwo to Four pages in lengthRelated to goal setting, Units of Study, genres of literature, and modes of writing

Soundings Work

Lab Experiments and Lab Reports Lab Experiments are generated by teachers Students are encouraged to do their own Lab Reports

Typed Conclusion – Essay

Primary focus on Physical Science (8th Grade) Physics Chemistry Electricity/Magnetism

Student-Led Conferences

Soundings Students run their respective conferences.Conferences are offered twice each year

November – Required Offered same week as the rest of RMS. Two additional evenings offered in November.

May – Optional Two or three evenings are offered.

Showcase completed work and progress.Parent-Teacher conferences on Traditional teams – 20

minutesSoundings Student-Led Conferences – 40 minutes

(average)

Website

Soundings website is a very valuable tool.

Contains most of the information you and your child will need.

http://www.rtsd.org//Domain/416