Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Thinking about an independent study next year?

Here is some information from Mr. McDonald. I encourage you to think about pursuing an independent study--it's a great opportunity to control your own learning and dig deep into a subject you love! I have the forms you need if you are interested, or you could see Mr. McDonald. 

-----------------------------------
In anticipation of the upcoming registration timeline, and because we have so many new staff members, we wanted to provide some information with regards to our Independent Study Program. The Independent Study option offers the chance for a student to work one-on-one with a faculty member to create a course not offered by Durham Public Schools. For example, students have created courses based on Genetics, the Civil Rights Movement, Harlem Renaissance Literature, and 3D Computer Design and Animation.  It is, for many students, an opportunity to delve into a topic at a much deeper level, complete projects not normally done in a regular class, and gain important research and presentation skills.  Fast facts can be found below:

Students
·         Any junior or senior may take an independent study course if he/she meets the requirements
·         If students are interested in more information, they should go to the Jordan High School website, click on Academics, and click on Independent Study Program.  They will find the guidelines, pre-approval form, and application packets.  They must get the course pre-approved before they can work on the application.
·         Important Deadlines: 
                --Pre-approval forms are due to Mr. McDonald or Ms. Baker on Friday, February 20th
                --Final application packets are due to Mr. McDonald or Ms. Baker on Friday, April 10th.

Faculty
·         Faculty members are not required to sponsor an independent study.
·         Only faculty members who have been here for a minimum of three years may be an instructor
·         Instructors may not have more than two students taking an Independent Study course

·         If you have an independent study student, he/she will be assigned to your room during one of your class periods next year (you would need to meet with them at least once a week outside of that class period)

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Ms. Harris, how does the snow day affect our test day?

Dear class:
Tomorrow, Thursday 1/15 is an A day. You will have class. The afterschool review/study bootcamp is on.

Friday 1/16 is a B day.

Monday 1/19 is Martin Luther King Day.

The teacher workday on Tuesday 1/20 is now a schoolday. It will also be an A day. It will be your test day.

Your DBQ will still be on Thursday 1/22.

Friday, January 9, 2015

Calendar Update

Attentive students, just an update that we will be switching up the multiple choice test and DBQ. Therefore for my classes, you can expect to have 45 minutes of wrap up and 45 minutes of a multiple choice test on Friday 1/16. Then you will take your DBQ on Thursday 1/22. Mark your calendars!!