Syllabus - Interdisciplinary Studies Program

Teachers:
Mr. Ben Pabst - Honors English nwpabst@smsd.org
Mrs. Haley Lukes - Honors World Regional Studies haleystojak@smsd.org
Mrs. Debra Brewer - Honors Biology nwbrewer@smsd.org
Mr. Aaron Sayers - Honors Geometry nwsayers@smsd.org
Ms. Jessica Barger - Honors Algebra 2 nwbarger@smsd.org
Welcome to an incredibly exciting school year, academic program of study, and way of thinking about
learning. Northwest is terrifically proud to offer this Interdisciplinary Studies Program, which, in addition
to teaching the Honors curricular objectives, will ask students to think about how different subject areas
integrate, how application of skills in a certain field draws on many different subjects, and the value of
these connections in cognitive development.
You will follow the same curricular standards as all honors students in these courses. You, as well as
other honors students, will be well prepared for IB or AP or any other course of study in the future. You
will see increasing crossover in content from your different core content teachers. Teachers will
sometimes collaborate on lessons. You will be asked to think about skills across curricular areas and to
apply those skills, too.
"
The Logic of Interdisciplinary Studies
," an exhaustive research report, found broad consensus among
dozens of researchers as to what the report called the "positive educational outcomes" for students in an
integrated- studies program:
Increased understanding, retention, and application of general concepts.
Better overall comprehension of global interdependencies, along with the development of
multiple perspectives and points of view, as well as values.
Increased ability to make decisions, think critically and creatively, and synthesize knowledge
beyond the disciplines.
Enhanced ability to identify, assess, and transfer significant information needed for solving novel
problems.
Promotion of cooperative learning and a better attitude toward oneself as a learner and as a
meaningful member of a community.
Increased motivation.
We live interdisciplinary lives, particularly professionally. They are not compartmentalized into Math,
Science, History and English. Why not learn the way we experience the world?
Course Descriptions:
Biology:
This course emphasizes the learning of biological principles and scientific problem solving
through an inquiry approach, open-ended investigations, and independent research. Technology and
outside reading of current literature provide additional enrichment.

English:
Students study a variety of literary genres and related literary terms, write a range of formal and
informal papers, practice the language skills needed for effective expression, participate in individual and
interpersonal oral activities, and apply study and test-taking skills to all coursework.
Geometry:
The students will study geometric relationships (both 2 and 3 dimensional) and be able to
use this information in solving problems. The students will also understand and create simple proofs.
Topics include ratio and proportion, transformational and coordinate geometry, and right triangle
trigonometry.
Algebra 2 Honors:
Students apply and extend their understanding of functions. Students are expected
to master the topics of Algebra 2 with more emphasis on the relationships between quadratic,
polynomial, and rational functions as well as trigonometry.
World Regional Studies:
This course is designed to explore the political, economic, physical, and
cultural geography of Europe, Asia, Africa, Middle/South America, and Australia; and provide an
introductory overview of the historical development and events that shaped each region. Students in this
course will investigate the cultural contributions of each region and rapidly changing landscape of these
regions. Emphasis in the Honors course is on the process and analysis skills necessary for work in future
advanced placement or honors social sciences courses. There is additional emphasis on the
interpretation and analysis of primary source materials. Higher level reading, research, and writing are a
component of this course.
Topics of Study
Henrietta Lacks
:
The topics within
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,

by Rebecca Skloot, will be addressed across all subjects throughout

the school year. This book will provide the connection that will help students tackle the interdisciplinary big questions involved with each
class.
Biology

Algebra 2H

Geometry

Chemistry
Biochemistry
Cells
Photosynthesis
Cellular
Respiration
Cell Division
Genetics
DNA
Evolution
Ecology

Algebra 1 Review
Functions
Quadratics
Polynomials
Rationals
Radicals
Exponents
Logarithms
Trigonometry
Statistics

Essentials of Geometry
Relationships within Triangles
Right Triangles & Trigonometry
Measuring Length & Areas
Reasoning & Proof
Parallel & Perpendicular lines
Congruent Triangles
Similarity
Properties of Transformations
Quadrilaterals
Properties of Circles
Surface Area & Volume of Solids
Statistics

World Regional Studies

Mapping Basics including
North America
Physical Geography
Human Geography
World Religions
Europe (Western and
Eastern)
Africa (Northern and
Sub-Saharan)
Southwest Asia
South Asia
East Asia
Southeast Asia
Russia and the Republics
Middle and South America
Oceania and the Poles
Global Issues Presentations

English
Night
by Elie Wiesel
William Shakespeares
The
Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet,
A Midsummer Nights Dream
To Kill a Mockingbird
, Harper Lee
The Odyssey
, Homer
The Good Earth
, Pearl S. Buck
Cry, the Beloved Country
, Alan
Paton
Elements of Literature
(Textbook)
Short Stories, Poetry, Nonfiction,
Vocabulary (including AP and
SAT terms), Grammar,
Creative and Academic Writing


Methods of Evaluation
Research Project
Students and will research a major global issue affecting our world. The issue may be of multiple disciplines and incorporate the materials
accumulated across all subjects from the school year. The final research project will be evaluated by all teachers and be 5% of the final exam grade in
each class.
Biology

Algebra 2H

Geometry

Quarter (weighted):
Tests - 55%
Labs - 25%
Homework - 20%

Quarter (weighted):
10% Homework
15% Project
75% Test

Quarter (weighted):
Tests/Quizzes 65%
Homework 25%
Project 10%

Semester:
1st/3rd - 42.5%
2nd/4th - 42.5%
Final exam - 15%

Semester:
40% 1st/3rd
40% 2nd/4th
20% Final

Semester:
1st/3rd 42.5%
2nd/4th 42/5%
Final 15%

World Regional Studies

English

Grade for the course is based on

total
points
accumulated.

Each Quarter - 42.5%

Semester final - 15%.

Each quarter is worth

43%
of the
semester grade and the semester final
is worth
14%
of the semester grade.

Quarter grade is based on

total points accumulated,
not weighted. Assessed,
roughly, as follows:
Tests 50-150 points
Papers 100 pts
Quizzes 10-15 pts
Daily work 5-20 pts

Quarter grade is based on total points

accumulated, not weighted. Assessed,
roughly, as follows:
Tests and Quizzes 100-130 pts
Essays/Short Writing Prompts/DBQ- 150 pts
Projects- 50-100 pts
Nightly Homework 20-65 pts
Mapping 25-50 pts
Classroom Discussion 40-50 pts
Critical Thinking Act. 15-25pts

Expectations:
Know and follow all guidelines in your student handbook, all school policies will be enforced.
Bring required materials to class every day.
Understand that failure to follow lab procedures and safety rules will result in removal from lab
work.
During class time, computers will only be used for approved activities.
You are responsible for missing work if absent. District policy states you have two days for every
missed day to make-up assignments. Some teachers use Google Classroom, others Google
Calendar. Consult with each teacher.
Late Work: 3 days opportunity to come in after/before school to make up late work for full credit.
Late homework detention: teacher supervision as interdisciplinary team Tues./Wed/Thurs.
student sign up. Exceptions: a major, long-term paper (Pabst) can be penalized up to 50% for
being late.
Laptop computers will be closed when teacher is talking
Keep graded work to help study for tests
Maintain a safe and respectful classroom environment