SAS+culture+project



SAS Culture project **//Enduring understandings//** In this project, you will: **TASK ONE: Mission [due Monday, Aug 27]**
 * //Essential question://** **What does it mean to be part of the SAS community of learners?**
 * **“Culture” is the way a group of people behaves and interacts.**
 * **SAS has its own unique culture and special language.**
 * Goals**
 * practice using English to speak, write, read and listen
 * learn some new vocabulary words
 * learn more about life at SAS high school
 * meet some new people


 * Read the [|SAS Mission Statement]
 * Using this mission statement, make an A4 poster (by hand or electronically)
 * 1) translate it into your home language
 * 2) illustrate it showing what it means for you (you may use photos or draw images)
 * 3) Bring a copy to class to discuss
 * TASK TWO: Describe a place at SAS [due Wednesday, Aug 29]**

//Practice your descriptive writing skills.// TASK THREE: Vocabulary **[due Friday, Aug 31]**
 * 1) Choose a place at SAS
 * 2) Do an observation for 10-15 minutes (break is perfect) and write notes. Use all your senses: what do you see, hear, smell, feel?
 * 3) Write 200-300 words describing this place.
 * Practice using figurative language: metaphors, similes, onomatopoeia
 * Use dialogue to make it more engaging
 * Remember to "show" not "tell"
 * use the writing process (draft-revise-edit) and **post your final draft on your wiki page**

//SAS has its own language!// TASK FOUR: Faculty Names **[due Friday, Aug 31]**
 * //Find out what each of these terms means. You can look in the student agenda, the SAS website or ask another student. When we are finished, you should be able to explain each one to a classmate.//
 * EAGLEs, Powerschool, China Alive, The Lounge/Orange Couch Room (OCR), Library Lecture Hall (LLH), ASA, APAC, Spirit Week, assembly, STUCO, Block schedule, IB, AP, Equitrac
 * //Learn about three clubs at SAS and be prepared to explain them to class. You can choose from://
 * Animal Rescue, Roots and Shoots, Habitat for Humanity
 * //What do each of the following mean?// Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior
 * //Slang: Find three examples of English slang used at SAS. Be ready to explain them to our class.//

//It is important for you to know your teachers' names and be able to say them out loud so you can ask questions when necessary.//
 * 1) Look at your schedule and find the name of each of your teachers.
 * 2) Make sure you know how to pronounce each name - ask a friend or your teacher if you are not sure
 * 3) You'll need to say these names aloud for our class - __for a speaking grade!__
 * 4) Look in the SAS student handbook/agenda [|here] or on the PowerSchool directory for the list of email addresses
 * highlight each of your teachers
 * add their email addresses to your email contact list/address book on your computer

WHEN YOU FINISH PARTS 1-3 TAKE THIS QUIZ

TASK FIVE: Staff Interview **[due Thursday, Sept 6]**

//Interview any staff member at SAS high school (in English). You will need to write questions (on paper or on Keynote).// **//>> When you finish __write a short summary__ and add his/her picture.//**
 * Questions** (include these and __add two more__ of your own):
 * How do you spell your last name?
 * What is your job here at SAS?
 * How long have you been working here?
 * How many years of teaching experience do you have?
 * Do you sponsor a club or activity? Can you tell me about it?
 * What's your advice about how to be a successful student at SAS? (this is __important__, pay attention to this!)
 * At least two other questions that you write…

TASK SIX: Learning Strategies **[due Monday, Sept 10]**
 * Tips** to help your interview go smoothly:
 * 1) Ask if you can do an interview and tell how much time it will take (May I ask you a few questions? It should only take about 5 minutes.)
 * 2) Arrange a time to meet for the interview (morning break and lunch are good options). Do this in advance; it's better than just grabbing someone in the hallway and starting to ask questions.
 * 3) Write down your questions in advance and practice asking them.
 * 4) During the interview, try to make eye contact. Try not to not look away, even if that is polite in your culture.
 * 5) Record the interview (using Photo Booth or Keynote) so you won't have to take notes.
 * Finishing** up:
 * 1) Get a picture! Ask if they mind if you take a picture- either with a phone/camera or using Photo Booth on your Macbook.
 * 2) Double check your questions- did you forget anything?
 * 3) Say “thank you!” loudly, clearly and sincerely.
 * 4) Give a great handshake.

//Learn about some behaviors to help you be more successful at SAS high school.//
 * 1) What is the difference between "studying" and "learning" in your opinion? __Post a reply__ to the discussion at the top of this page. (click the button next to "edit")
 * 2) Take [|this survey] about learning styles. When you finish, reflect on what you think it tells you about yourself as a learner and how this might affect your studying. Be sure to look at the [|helpsheets]. __Add a section to your wiki page__ called "Learning Strategies" and write 5 bullet points about how you can help yourself study more effectively.
 * 3) Download the Learner Profile below. Do a self-assessment showing where you see yourself in each category. __Attach this to your wiki page__.[[file:AIR Learner Profile Rubric .docx]]
 * 4) Think about homework. __Print a copy__ of "The Simple Guide" to getting homework done (click on the thumbnail image below). Using three different colors, show things you do well and things you need to work on by using green-yellow-red highlights. Turn this in to Mr. N.
 * Green: I do this well
 * Yellow: I do this sometimes
 * Red: I really need to work on this


 * TASK SEVEN: Summary** **[first draft due Friday, Sept 14]**

Review parts 1-6 in this project. Write a well-organized paragraph summarizing your learning about SAS school culture. You may use the following sentence frames:
 * **//I learned that SAS is...//**
 * //Successful students at SAS...//
 * //Teachers at SAS believe...//
 * //Knowing my learning style will help me ...//
 * //SAS is different from my old school because...//
 * **//I have learned that in order to do well at SAS I will need to....//**

Follow these steps:
 * 1) Think, discuss and make a __mindmap__
 * 2) Write an __outline__(use the model below)
 * Topic sentence
 * First supporting idea
 * Point
 * Evidence
 * Explanation
 * Second supporting idea
 * Point
 * Evidence
 * Explanation
 * Closing sentence
 * 1) Draft a paragraph (print out and turn in)
 * 2) Make revisions and then post your final copy on your wiki page
 * ASSESSMENT**

Your writing (for tasks will be evaluated according to the following criteria. 0 pts || **somewhat** 1 pt || **yes** 2 pts ||
 * Checklist for writing || **no**
 * You answered the question/prompt ||  ||   ||   ||
 * You wrote a clear topic beginning, middle and end ||  ||   ||   ||
 * You provided examples and used specific details ||  ||   ||   ||
 * You wrote a variety of accurate sentences (no run-ons or comma splices) ||  ||   ||   ||
 * Your verbs are all the right form (tense and agreement) ||  ||   ||   ||
 * Word choice: You used precise and interesting word choice ||  ||   ||   ||