Above and Beyond
Course Description:
Above and Beyond is a challenging one-semester elective course for seventh and eighth grade students. Class participants will practice creative, critical, and productive thinking skills, and explore a variety of topics in depth such as philosophy, law, engineering, and architecture.
During one of our units, students will consider and respond to a variety of philosophical questions and conduct a mock trial based on the trial of Socrates. In another unit, students will design and construct a variety of products as we explore the philosophy of design/engineering process. Finally, the students will study different types of architecture and design their own buildings based on specific form and function.
When possible, we will take field trips and invite guest speakers to discuss related topics. Students may also work independently to investigate relevant topics and present their research to their classmates.
First Unit: Philosophy and Law
We begin our unit on philosophy with a look at fallacies and logic. We will examine the philosophies of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and learn about the culture of Greece in ancient times. This unit will include readings from Plato’s Apology (Greek term for “defense”) relating to Socrates’ statements when he was on trial in Athens, along with many other text and video resources on related philosophical topics. Students will be taking a look at the ideas and beliefs of other ancient and more contemporary philosophers, as well.
In the portion on law, we will define justice, and explore legal scenarios to better understand the complexities of this concept.
Students will examine our court system, conduct a mock trial, and possibly visit a courtroom to see our legal system in action.
Second Unit: Philosophy of Engineering Design
In this unit, Students will learn about the different kinds of engineers and their roles in our society. They will also explore flight and the designs of aircraft, as well as the design of skyscrapers and bridges. A possible field trip to Silicon Labs will help students learn about additional fields in engineering as they tour this facility, meet with engineers, and participate in a hands-on electronics activity to design a variety of moving items.
Third Unit: Philosophy of Architecture
We will conclude the semester with a unit on architecture. Students will learn about why structures are designed in certain ways and look at both the art form and practical sides of design.
Supplies:
Folders will be provided for student use to help them organize all printed materials. Students will need to bring iPads, pens, and paper to class daily.
Grading Policy:
Major Grades: 55%, Skills Development: 45%, Practice: 0%
Retest Policy
Students will be allowed one retest opportunity per test. The student will only retest sections where a learning goal was not mastered, to earn points back on the test. To retest, the student must first schedule a re-teach session with the teacher within 24 hours of receiving the test. After the re-teach session, a date will be set for the retest. The timeline for this entire process is one week.
Make-Up Policy
Students receive one day for every missed day to turn in make-up work.
Classroom Management
All students are expected to demonstrate respect for the ideas, rights, and property of others. Students are expected to arrive in class prepared to participate in all assigned activities.
If problems arise, student and teacher will discuss behavior concerns. If problems continue, parents will be contacted regarding student behavior concerns. If problems persist, student will receive an office referral. Serious infractions will result in an immediate office referral.
Email is the best way to contact me, but you can also call and leave a message at 512-732-9220 ext 31426.
Above and Beyond is a challenging one-semester elective course for seventh and eighth grade students. Class participants will practice creative, critical, and productive thinking skills, and explore a variety of topics in depth such as philosophy, law, engineering, and architecture.
During one of our units, students will consider and respond to a variety of philosophical questions and conduct a mock trial based on the trial of Socrates. In another unit, students will design and construct a variety of products as we explore the philosophy of design/engineering process. Finally, the students will study different types of architecture and design their own buildings based on specific form and function.
When possible, we will take field trips and invite guest speakers to discuss related topics. Students may also work independently to investigate relevant topics and present their research to their classmates.
First Unit: Philosophy and Law
We begin our unit on philosophy with a look at fallacies and logic. We will examine the philosophies of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and learn about the culture of Greece in ancient times. This unit will include readings from Plato’s Apology (Greek term for “defense”) relating to Socrates’ statements when he was on trial in Athens, along with many other text and video resources on related philosophical topics. Students will be taking a look at the ideas and beliefs of other ancient and more contemporary philosophers, as well.
In the portion on law, we will define justice, and explore legal scenarios to better understand the complexities of this concept.
Students will examine our court system, conduct a mock trial, and possibly visit a courtroom to see our legal system in action.
Second Unit: Philosophy of Engineering Design
In this unit, Students will learn about the different kinds of engineers and their roles in our society. They will also explore flight and the designs of aircraft, as well as the design of skyscrapers and bridges. A possible field trip to Silicon Labs will help students learn about additional fields in engineering as they tour this facility, meet with engineers, and participate in a hands-on electronics activity to design a variety of moving items.
Third Unit: Philosophy of Architecture
We will conclude the semester with a unit on architecture. Students will learn about why structures are designed in certain ways and look at both the art form and practical sides of design.
Supplies:
Folders will be provided for student use to help them organize all printed materials. Students will need to bring iPads, pens, and paper to class daily.
Grading Policy:
Major Grades: 55%, Skills Development: 45%, Practice: 0%
Retest Policy
Students will be allowed one retest opportunity per test. The student will only retest sections where a learning goal was not mastered, to earn points back on the test. To retest, the student must first schedule a re-teach session with the teacher within 24 hours of receiving the test. After the re-teach session, a date will be set for the retest. The timeline for this entire process is one week.
Make-Up Policy
Students receive one day for every missed day to turn in make-up work.
Classroom Management
All students are expected to demonstrate respect for the ideas, rights, and property of others. Students are expected to arrive in class prepared to participate in all assigned activities.
If problems arise, student and teacher will discuss behavior concerns. If problems continue, parents will be contacted regarding student behavior concerns. If problems persist, student will receive an office referral. Serious infractions will result in an immediate office referral.
Email is the best way to contact me, but you can also call and leave a message at 512-732-9220 ext 31426.