Wednesday, August 02, 2006

2006-07 Open Door and Honors

            Open Door 8^th Grade Students and Honors Students in 8^th Grade

Periods 3 & 4

8^th Grade        Honors

• Students in 8^th grade Honors will integrate public speaking opportunities such as; historic lectures, debates, panel discussions and reenactments.  This block offers curriculum support from primary and secondary historic literature sources.  Students will expand on more complex writing and communication skills which will include; comparison/contrast essay, personal opinion essay, speech and debate development.  Students will apply their studies and higher level thinking skills by producing and completing projects emphasizing National History Day competitions.  Students from Housel Middle School will apply to participate in both regional and state level competitions that will incorporate communications and technology skills. 

• Fall Semester:            Honors

·         Two Periods:        Current World Affairs and English

      Open Door / Honors Block:    This class will integrate literature, primary and secondary historic sources, and civics of the United States and World.  The class will look at the history of the Twentieth Century and the causes of many of today’s current world problems.  The roots of terrorism and other world problems will be examined as the students are provided the opportunity to consider the relevance of these issues with Washington and United States History.  Students will use writing, artistic, and technology skills to compliment classroom discussions, debates, and essays.  Individual evaluation of class subject matter will be encouraged in order to develop the students’ own self concept of the world around them and how it impacts them and their future personally. Production of projects used for National History Day competitions will be a final and culminating component for the second quarter History grade.

• Spring Semester:       Honors

·         Two Periods:        Washington State History and English

      Open Door / Honors Block:    This class will integrate literature, primary and secondary historic sources, and civics of the Pacific Northwest in general and Washington State specifically. Students will use writing, artistic, and technology skills to compliment classroom discussions, debates, and essays in a multiple intelligence setting.  Historic exploration along with independent study and research will be the emphasis.  Development and completion of projects used for National History Day competitions will be a final and culminating component for the third quarter grade English grade.

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