The Cornerstones of the Shepard Academy
Sophomore Block Course Description
The Sophomore Academy Block is a year-long course designed to engage students in the critical analysis of topics related to world literature, world history, and composition, as well as, Asian and African studies, The course develops skills in expository writing, close reading of a variety of fictional and informational texts, critical thinking, leadership, group discussion and public speaking. Guest speakers, field experiences, and project-based learning provide students with practical knowledge and experience.
By enrolling in this course students have committed themselves to a program of reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking on a level above that of the advanced high school sophomore. Upon completing the Sophomore Block, students will earn eight high school credits.
1st Semester Courses 2nd Semester Courses
English 10H English 10H
World History H World History H
Linguistics Advanced Composition
Critical Thinking Current Problems
By enrolling in this course students have committed themselves to a program of reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking on a level above that of the advanced high school sophomore. Upon completing the Sophomore Block, students will earn eight high school credits.
1st Semester Courses 2nd Semester Courses
English 10H English 10H
World History H World History H
Linguistics Advanced Composition
Critical Thinking Current Problems
The Academy Spirit
The Shepard Academy Spirit - an intense energy and enthusiasm for learning and academic inquiry - is expected from all students. A spirit of peer cooperation and willingness to take on a leadership role is expected when working collaboratively.
Respect, response, and responsibility are the three ideas that set the tone for our community of learners. We will respect our ideas and the ideas of others. We will respond thoughtfully to each other and will accept responsibility for our own learning and actions.
Respect, response, and responsibility are the three ideas that set the tone for our community of learners. We will respect our ideas and the ideas of others. We will respond thoughtfully to each other and will accept responsibility for our own learning and actions.
Qualities of Academy Students
The courses in the Shepard Academy are designed to offer students interested in these subject areas a rigorous course of study. Following are some qualities expected in Academy students:
- Multi-taskers. Students enrolled in Academy courses will be required to multi-task at an advanced level. Sophomore Block students will be expected to handle at least 4 to 5 different tasks simultaneously.These tasks may include independent reading, vocabulary studies, varied writing and reading assignments and/or projects.
- Strong Time Managers. Academy students should have strong time management skills. Part of these skills will include using a planner to ensure adequate preparation for long-term projects.
- Responsible Self-learners. Academy students are independent workers who are self-starters and naturally seek resources to answer questions and accomplish tasks. In addition, they are resourceful and pursue additional enrichment of studied topics. They use previously corrected papers and assignments as guides and references for improvement of future work.
- Advanced Readers. Academy students should be able to identify major concepts in fictional and informative texts. Furthermore, they are willing and expected to read increasingly difficult texts in specified time frames. Academy students will read several books/plays per nine weeks. One novel or biography will be done independently. In addition, these students can respect, appreciate, evaluate and critique aspects of a writer’s style and identify the author’s purpose.
- Skillful Writers. Academy students should expect to write every day in a variety of modes which will include in-class timed writings, summary/responses, literary analysis, reader’s response, and researched writing. Students use the writing process - prewriting, drafting, revision, and publication - and serve as thoughtful peer reviewers of their classmates' work.
- Willing Speakers. Academy students are expected to participate in a variety of speech situations which can include seminars, class discussions, presentations, debates, and recitations.
- Careful Listeners. Students enrolled in the Academy are adept at listening, reflecting and responding to either written work or discussion. In seminar, debate, and class discussions these students will evaluate and respond to statements after synthesizing what has been previously stated. Mere repetition and rewording would be minimal.
- Serious-mindedness. Students in the Academy are focused on learning and achievement. This focus includes strong study skills.
Academic Integrity
The faculty and students of the Shepard Academy uphold the qualities of honesty, integrity, and truthfulness. Because we are a community of honor, honorable conduct is expected at all times:
1. Students will not give or receive aid on tests, quizzes, and exams from other students or
electronic resources.
2. Students will not copy or allow to be copied any homework or other assignments.
3. Students will not plagiarize any part of published materials, essays, or work of another.
4. Academy faculty will uphold standards of honesty and integrity.
Any evidence of plagiarism, presenting someone else's work as the student’s own, the student allowing someone else to present his/her work, or collaborating without proper permission, results in failure for the specific assignment. Students must do their own work. Penalties for plagiarism/cheating range from a 0 on an assignment to loss of Citizenship to disciplinary action through the administrator’s office.
1. Students will not give or receive aid on tests, quizzes, and exams from other students or
electronic resources.
2. Students will not copy or allow to be copied any homework or other assignments.
3. Students will not plagiarize any part of published materials, essays, or work of another.
4. Academy faculty will uphold standards of honesty and integrity.
Any evidence of plagiarism, presenting someone else's work as the student’s own, the student allowing someone else to present his/her work, or collaborating without proper permission, results in failure for the specific assignment. Students must do their own work. Penalties for plagiarism/cheating range from a 0 on an assignment to loss of Citizenship to disciplinary action through the administrator’s office.
Netbooks and Personal Electronic Devices
Because we strive to be a "paperless" course, your netbook is essential for your work in the Academy. When used properly for note taking, research, inquiry, and class activities, netbooks are a valuable educational tool. However, when used for social media, gaming, or unrelated Internet surfing, netbooks can be a distraction and can negatively impact your performance in class. Students are expected to make responsible choices regarding netbook use in this class.
Students are to bring their netbooks, sufficiently charged, to class each day. The classroom’s design does not allow for easy access to multiple electrical outlets, so students should not expect to charge their netbooks in class on a regular basis.
In consideration of your instructors and classmates, please keep your cell phone and other electronic devices out of sight during class.
Students are to bring their netbooks, sufficiently charged, to class each day. The classroom’s design does not allow for easy access to multiple electrical outlets, so students should not expect to charge their netbooks in class on a regular basis.
In consideration of your instructors and classmates, please keep your cell phone and other electronic devices out of sight during class.
Assessments and Evaluations
Throughout the course, students are assessed via observation, discussion, in-class writings, formal writings, creative and analytical performances, individual and collaborative projects, and formal examinations. Each assessment is designed to address the unit’s essential question or a related focus question. Many units of study will end with students completing a cumulative project. Whenever possible, students will be offered choice in content, process, and/or product.
In the pursuit of being a “paperless” course, whenever possible, assignments are submitted, evaluated, and returned through Haiku Learning . All course materials are posted as content or document files on the Weebly site.
Graded work is evaluated using points and weighted categories. Each course grade is divided into component parts, or categories, each part being worth a percentage of the total course work grade for the course (100%).
The two 9 week grading periods in a semester are cumulative. The cumulative course work grade counts 80% of the semester grade. The final exam/project counts 20% of that semester's grade.
In the pursuit of being a “paperless” course, whenever possible, assignments are submitted, evaluated, and returned through Haiku Learning . All course materials are posted as content or document files on the Weebly site.
Graded work is evaluated using points and weighted categories. Each course grade is divided into component parts, or categories, each part being worth a percentage of the total course work grade for the course (100%).
The two 9 week grading periods in a semester are cumulative. The cumulative course work grade counts 80% of the semester grade. The final exam/project counts 20% of that semester's grade.
High School Attendance Policy - as stated on EVSC website
A student is expected to attend school regularly to derive maximum benefits from the instructional program.
Possible Consequences of Irregular Attendance:
After students miss 10 days, they and their parent(s) may be notified of the need to attend a pre-court conference. At that time, legal notice is given. Students who miss additional days of school after the pre-court conference are required by Indiana law to have a medical statement from a physician or be seen and possibly sent home by the school nurse. Failure to follow this law will result in a referral to Child Protective Services or Juvenile Court, depending upon the circumstances and the age of the student. There can also be a pre-court conference called if the student has missed 5 consecutive days (habitual truancy).
Students may have credits denied for excessive truancies. This is not automatic but at the school administrator’s discretion and based on individual circumstances. Continued truancies may also result in loss of a driver’s license or work permit.
Possible Consequences of Irregular Attendance:
After students miss 10 days, they and their parent(s) may be notified of the need to attend a pre-court conference. At that time, legal notice is given. Students who miss additional days of school after the pre-court conference are required by Indiana law to have a medical statement from a physician or be seen and possibly sent home by the school nurse. Failure to follow this law will result in a referral to Child Protective Services or Juvenile Court, depending upon the circumstances and the age of the student. There can also be a pre-court conference called if the student has missed 5 consecutive days (habitual truancy).
Students may have credits denied for excessive truancies. This is not automatic but at the school administrator’s discretion and based on individual circumstances. Continued truancies may also result in loss of a driver’s license or work permit.