Patrick Darley

Social Studies and English Teacher

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DYSTOPIAN FICTION SYLLABUS

Course / Content Area:  English Language Arts

Description: 

This course pairs dystopian fiction with real historical analysis. Students will read famous literary works while drawing connections and parallels to actual events throughout time. The class aims to engage students in the world around them by marrying real, impactful civics and social studies topics with compelling, emotional works of fiction. Students will read, write, and think critically as they go throughout the course, ultimately culminating in the creation of their own dystopian fiction. 

INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS: 

At the end of this course, you will ...

• Demonstrate the ability to analyze and critique texts or topics and support claims and reasoning with sufficient evidence for intended purpose and audience. 
• Demonstrate the ability to effectively apply narrative strategies for a variety of purposes and audiences. 
• Demonstrate the ability to comprehend, analyze, and critique a variety of increasingly complex print and non-print literary texts.
• Demonstrate the ability to connect fiction to historical events
• Appreciate fiction as a genre used often used as a means of expressing political and philosophical ideas
• Demonstrate the ability to encapsulate your ideas about life through the medium of fiction writing

COURSE SCHEDULE

• Unit 1: What is Dystopian Literature?
• Unit 2: Characteristics of a Dystopia
• Unit 3: Dystopias IRL
• Unit 4: Facts and Fiction
• Unit 5: Fiction as a Vehicle
• Unit 6: Famous Fiction
• Unit 7: Making a Dystopia
• Unit 8: Avoiding Dystopia

 

 

MINIATURES SYLLABUS

Course / Content Area:  Art

Description: This course will introduce students to the world of miniature painting.  Students will practice their painting and art skills through the three-dimensional medium of miniatures.  Throughout the course will learn a variety of painting techniques applicable to other mediums, while also studying digital design, 3D printing, and how 3D objects appear and present themselves in the real world.  

INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS: 

At the end of this course, you will 

• Know about painting with a three-dimensional medium
• Be able to apply lighting, shading, and high-lighting techniques in you art
• Understand how art can found in different, unconventional mediums
• Use a 3D printer and its associated software

Required Materials

To successfully complete this course, you will need 

• School provided art supplies and other learning materials

*Provided by Ledyard Charter School

COURSE SCHEDULE

• Unit 1 - Types of paint, brushes, and techniques
• Unit 2 - Base Coating
• Unit 3 - Layering
• Unit 4 - Highlighting
• Unit 5 - Shading and dry brushing
• Unit 6 - Terrain
• Unit 7 - Modelling 
• Unit 8 - Games
• Unit 9 - Introduction to 3D printing
• Unit 10 - Basics of digital modelling
• Unit 11 -  Digital modelling software

 

SLICE OF LIFE SYLLABUS

Course Description:  This is an English Language Arts course intended to give students an introduction to expository writing and improve both their verbal and written communication skills.  The course will use journaling, personal observations, and various texts (reference, nonfiction, and fiction) to practice and refine students’ writing skills.

The course syllabus is intended to provide the basis for a fundamental understanding of the mechanics of the English language.

Specifically, the course aims to develop: 

•     An understanding of fundamental comprehension techniques
•     The ability to use appropriate spelling, grammar, and usage mechanics
•     Genre appropriate vocabulary and comprehension
•     Proficiency with expository, academic, and technical writing
•     An appreciation of the benefits of becoming a lifelong reader/writer

NEEDS AND RESOURCES

Required Materials:

To successfully complete this course, you will need 

• Various texts TBA*

• Pencil
• Notebook with notepaper

*Will be provided by LCS

COURSE SCHEDULE:

• Unit One: Introduction to Expository Writing
• Unit Two: Journaling
• Unit Three: Observing Environments
• Unit Four: Observing People
• Unit Five: Describing Art and Media
• Unit Six: Technical Writing
• Unit Seven: Academic and Scientific Writing
• Unit Eight: Effective Communication

 

US/NH HISTORY SYLLABUS

Course Description:       

This course examines the major turning points in American history beginning with Pre-Columbian civilizations, Colonization, events leading up to the American Revolution, the origins of our constitution, reform movements, Manifest Destiny, the Civil War and Reconstruction, the impact of the frontier, the changing nature of business and government, World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, the growth of the US as a world power, the Cold War and the struggle to achieve class, ethnic and gender equality.  The course extends to the modern day.  Contemporary world issues such as globalization, economic interdependence and terrorism will also factor into our analysis of international conflict and cooperation.    The curriculum and academic expectations will be differentiated to accommodate different learning styles and abilities.  Current events are integrated into the curriculum on a daily basis so that students can see modern connections between then and now. 

In order to be competitive in the 21st century, this class will model and require 21st century values and abilities which include:

• Research Skills
• Group Work
• Technological applications
• The habit of reading critically from a variety of sources
• Oral Presentations
• Critical Thinking Skills
• Art or graphic projects

NEEDS AND RESOURCES

Required Materials:

To successfully complete this course, you will need 

• Various texts TBA*
• Pencil
• Notebook with notepaper

*Will be provided by LCS

COURSE SCHEDULE:

• Unit One: Early Cold War
• Unit Two: The 1960s and 70s
• Unit Three: The 1980s and 90s

• Unit Four: WWI and the Interwar Period

• Unit Five: World War II
• Unit Six: The Civil War
• Unit Seven: Reconstruction
• Unit Eight: Imperialism and the Progressive Era
• Unit Nine: The Colonial Period
• Unit Ten: The American Revolution 
• Unit Eleven: Early America

 

CIVICS SYLLABUS

Course Description:  Civics/American Government is a required course for graduation. The focus of this course is to prepare students to participate in exercising their political responsibilities as thoughtful and informed citizens.  Civics provides a basis for understanding the rights and responsibilities for being an American citizen and a framework for competent and responsible participation.  Emphasis is placed on the historical development of government and political systems, and the importance of the rule of law; the United States Constitution; Federal, State and local government structure; and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.  Students will actively investigate local, state and national issues, read and participate in discussions, and develop informed arguments using a variety of writing forms.

Specifically, the course aims to develop knowledge and understanding of the following:

•         The ideals and beliefs shared by Americans and the meaning of citizenship.
•         The historical, cultural, and philosophical foundations of the U.S. government system.
•         The U.S. Constitution and the components and balances of the federal government.
•         The importance and relevance of the Bill of Rights and amendments in the past and today
•         The role and development of political parties and the election process in our two-party   system.
•         State and local government in order to understand how public policy is formed and why it is important to participate in local government.

NEEDS AND RESOURCES

Required Materials:

To successfully complete this course, you will need 

• Various texts TBA*
• Pencil
• Notebook with notepaper

*Will be provided by LCS

COURSE SCHEDULE:

Unit One: The Purpose of Government

Unit Two: The Nature of Government

Unit Three: The Structure of the State and Federal Government

Unit Four: The Function of the State and Federal Government

Unit Five: The World

Unit Six: The United States in the Global Community

Unit Seven: Rights

Unit Eight: Responsibilities

 

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR ALL CLASSES

General Rules: 

Students cannot miss more than 15 classes and receive credit for the course. 5 late arrivals/removals equal an absence.

Student Responsibilities:

• Arrive to School/Class on time daily
• Be prepared and ready to learn
• Voice opinion in a respectful way
• Strive for academic excellence
• Take responsibility for your own actions

Schoolwide Expectations:

Our goal is for each student to identify his/her learning style; learn to effectively advocate for oneself; be respectful in communications and actions; acquire self-determination skills necessary to succeed; and to develop transition plans for life after high school.

• Learning Style:

Learning style is developing an understanding of yourself and how you learn.

• Self-Advocacy:

As a student, self-advocacy is communicating your needs so you can have control of your life.

• Respect:

As a student, using social skills will allow you to respect yourself, your environment, and others.

• Self-Determination:

Self-determination skills will allow you to manage and overcome obstacles in your life and to ultimately achieve success.

• Transition:

Transition is learning to effectively manage change.

 

Grading Policies:

Each student is graded on participation and fulfillment of student responsibilities (5 pts per day) in addition to formative assessments (5-10 pts each), and summative assessments (10-20 pts each). Assignments turned in more than a week after returning from an absence will receive no credit.      

Grading Scale: 

A+	97-100	B+	87-89	C+	77-79	D+	67-69
A	93-96	B	83-86	C	73-76	D	63-66	F	0-59
A-	90-92	B-	80-82	C-	70-72	D-	60-62

CONTACT INFORMATION

• Patrick Darley, LCS 
• (603) 727-4772 M-F 8am-4pm
• This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.