The
Systems and Structures cluster is an interdisciplinary course that studies
structures and systems created by humans to build and organize their
societies and contrast them with the same systems created by nature. In
the American Government class, students learn about the structure of the
United States government with particular emphasis on the Constitution, the
Bill of Rights, the Separation of Powers, the Federal and State systems,
and the Supreme Court. Students will also explore how various systems and
legal processes work within those structures.
In the English component of the cluster, students will study the structure
of the family and how the governmental system and conimunity affect the
family. They also study the structure of different forms of literature
including short stories (from Drown by Junot Diaz), novels (about
families - students will read them in reading groups according to
levels), poems (dream poems by Langston Hughes), and plays (Lorraine
Hansberry�s A Raisin in The Sun).
In Chemistry, students learn about the foundations of chemical structures,
the composition of elements and compounds, the periodic table, and
chemical reactions.
The health class examines the effects of certain chemical and nuclear
reactions on the human body and the transmission of l-HIV. All classes
provide students with opportunities for native language development.
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�
What is a system, what is a structure?
�
How do systems and structures affect you and your environment?
�
Why must we have systems and structures?
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� American Government
�
Constitution project -
(including
an exploration of constitutions from
nations represented in the student body)
�
Role playing activities -
American
revolution
�
Trip to Washington D.C. and follow-up project
�
Supreme Court Cases Re-enactment
�
Chemistry
�
Analysis and application of the scientific method
�
Exploration of physical and chemical properties
�
Laboratory experiments analyzing chemical reactions
�
Exploration of atomic structure and its application in
understanding
chemical properties
�
English
�
Short story unit
�
Novel unit
�
Poetry unit
�
Play unit with theater performance
�
Health
�
Radiation Project
�
AIDS/HIV projects and discussions
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As a result of their
studies in the �Systems and Structures� clusters, students will be
able to:
�
understand various manifestations inour world of systems and
structures.
�
explain the structure of American government and how various
systems within it
function.
�
compare and contrast US Constitution to native country Constitution
(use of native
languages).
�
reflect on/describe trip to Washington D.C.
�
participate in role-plays and simulations of famous events in US
political history.
�
understand how government affects their lives. respond effectively
to literature.
�
write a literary essay.
�
understand the structure of short stories, novels, poems, and
plays.
�
express creativity through writing a scene and poem.
�
learn public speaking techniques.
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plan self-directed experiments showing applications of scientific
methods.
�
author detailed lab reports on self-directed experiments.
�
write a science based research paper.
�
explain how chemistry influences our daily lives.
�
understand the transmission of HIV
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�
Oral presentations to demonstrate conceptual and content
understanding of the cluster
classes.
�
Essays and research projects
�
Quizzes and tests
�
Participation/contribution in debates and school wide discussions
�
Theater performance
�
End of semester cluster portfolio presentations to exhibit
mastery in the areas of
concentration.
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