Curriculum


 * China Exchange Curriculum 2011**

**Introduction:** The opportunity to travel to another country is always an educational experience. However, this trip is more than a tour or a vacation. You will have the opportunity to live with and learn from people in China. During the exchange you will have the opportunity to improve your Chinese language skills, learn about Chinese and American culture, and grow as a person. This curriculum will enhance your learning and provide structure to your experience. The curriculum consists of a series of culture analysis units and blog entries conducted with your teacher-chaperone as well as language and art classes conducted by the teachers of the Tangnan School. Finally, the curriculum provides structure to better enable the completion of your SHS course requirements.

**Enduring Understandings:** 1. People can learn a lot about themselves and their society by studying others. 2. The best way to learn a language is to speak with native language speakers. 3. Engaging in a personal challenge is the best way to grow as a person.

**Essential Questions:** 1. How is our understanding of culture and society constructed through and by language? 2. What aspects of tradition, society and culture are shared among people of different countries? 3. How do our personal experiences shape our view of others? 4. How do our personal experiences shape our view of ourselves? 5. How are belief systems represented and reproduced through food, history, literature, art, and music?

**Curriculum Goals:** This curriculum will allow you to: 1. Demonstrate improved Chinese language skills. 2. Exhibit personal responsibility and maturity. 3. Compare and contrast life in China with that of the United States. 4. Demonstrate skill at Chinese arts such as Tai Chi, cooking, and calligraphy. 5. Complete all SHS required work.

**SHS Mission and Expectations for Student Learning:** This curriculum addresses all of the SHS expectations for learning, but emphasizes the following: Students will: 1. demonstrate responsible citizenship with a global perspective. 2. value community diversity. 3. demonstrate an honest and moral character. 4. value the physical and emotional well being of self and others. 5. demonstrate respectful behavior. 6. participate in activities beyond the classroom

**Grading and requirements:**

**Behavior** 30% While in China you should consider yourself an ambassador of Sharon High School. It is essential that you treat your hosts and teachers with respect. You will also be away from your parents for a long time and must exhibit personal responsibility. You will also need to cooperate with the other members of the exchange. This requirement is based on your adherence to a personal behavior contract based on the SHS Student Handbook.

**China exchange experience (including culture analyses and blogs)** 15% We can learn a lot about our culture and ourselves by studying a different culture. This requirement consists of five culture units in which you will, discuss and write about aspects of Chinese culture and how it compares to that in America. You will be responsible for creating one unit and participating in four others. Topics may include: Family life, Environmental policy, Economic policy, Political structure, Reproductive rights, Women’s right, and Minority relations, Literature, among others. In addition, it is important that you be able to communicate your learning to others through your blog entries. These blog entries should also indicate your experiences using Chinese language and ways in which you feel that you have grown as a person.

**Chinese language and culture courses (including final essay)** 18% While at the Tangnan School, you will be taking Chinese language and art classes (such as Tai Chi, calligraphy, painting, drumming, and cooking). The assessment for this requirement is not based in how well you do at these lessons (as they are taught by Chinese teachers), but at how hard you work at them. You should be an active and willing participant. If you enjoy (or even pretend to enjoy!) these classes, the learning will come. In addition, the teachers at the Tangnan School will ask you to write (preferably in Chinese) an essay in which you reflect on your experience and what you have learned.

**Work on Sharon courses** 30% While in China you are responsible for material that you will miss at SHS. There is ample time during the Tangnan school day to do the required work. This is another chance to exhibit personal responsibility. You should be clear on all the requirements, communicate them to your chaperone teacher and make a study plan. This grade will be based on your effort and signs of personal independence.

**Eagle block classes and preparation for the trip** 7% You will be required to attend Eagle Block meetings in the months prior to the trip. These meetings will be used to discuss various aspects of the exchange such as planning your studies and learning about Xi’an. In addition, you will prepare for the performance that you have to give! It is important that you attend these meeting and participate actively.

**China Exchange Cultural Analysis**

**Introduction:** One of the goals of the China exchange program is to learn about the Chinese society and, by comparison, about our society. To that end, you will engage in weekly cultural analyses while at the Tangnan School. Each week a different aspect of society will be examined. Working with a partner, you will be involved in the design of one of the analyses that will be conducted by the other students. You must clear your topic with your teacher**.**

**Possible topics:**

Family planning Family life and relationships Freedom of speech The role of women Adolescence Political structure Economics Myths and folklore Religion Minority rights Environment (status, policy) Fireworks and other Chinese inventions Art Other topics may be chosen

**Your assignment:** Each analysis will consist of three parts: 1. Readings and research. · As designer of an analysis, you and your partner will select three or four short readings for the rest of the group. This selection must be done before you leave for China so we have time to copy the articles for everyone (we can’t be sure of internet access in China). For each article you should create three questions. The list of resources below is just a beginning. You will be given credit for finding your own resources and adding them to the list. · As a participant in the analysis, you should read the articles and answer the questions. · Some class time on Monday through Wednesday will be used for reading.

2. Class discussion: · As designer, you should plan a short presentation and lead a discussion on the topic. This will require you to plan the discussion structure (open, Socratic, debate) and discussion questions. · As participant, you will, well, participate fully and respectfully in the discussion. · Usually, discussions will take place on Thursday. 3. Essay: · As designer, you will create a essay prompt (or prompts) sufficient for the participants to write a short (1-2 page) essay. · As participant, you will write a short (1-2 page) essay on the topic assigned. · Essays will be due on Friday.

**Resources: (we’ll be adding to these!!!)** General Information and culture: [] [|http://weber.ucsd.edu/~dkjordan/chin/china.html] [] [] [] [] [] []

Chinese etiquette and values: [] [] []

Family planning: [] [] [] [] [] []

Family life (relationships, the role of women): [] []

Environment: [] [] [] []

Politics and history: [] [] [] []

** China Exchange Rubric 2011 Name_ ** Your contributions to group discussions and individual essay writing are incomplete or show a lack of thought and interest. || You complete all assigned readings. Your contributions to group discussions and individual essay writing show care and thought about Chinese and American culture. || You critically analyze assigned readings and do additional research. Your contributions to group discussions and individual essay writing show care and insightful thinking about Chinese and American culture. || X 1 || /3 || /3 || You appear to lack interest. || You treat the teacher with respect and pay attention to your lessons. Good participation in class. You offer some assistance in keeping the classroom clean || You treat the teacher with respect and pay attention to your lessons. Excellent participation in class. You take an active role in all classroom activities (including cleaning). || X 5 || /15 || /15 ||
 * ** Category ** || ** Standard 1 ** || ** Standard 2 ** || ** Standard 3 ** || ** Weight ** || ** Self score ** || ** Teacher score ** ||
 * ** Behavior contract ** || There are 3 or more violations of the behavior contract or you need excessive warnings (as judged by the teacher) to remain in compliance. || There are 1 to 3 violations of the behavior contract or, you need many warnings (as judged by the teacher) to remain in compliance. || There are no violations of the behavior contract or you only need a few warnings to remain in compliance. You are an exemplary ambassador of SHS and a valuable member of the exchange team. || X 20 || /60 || /60 ||
 * ** Culture unit 1 ** || You do not complete all assigned readings.
 * ** Culture unit 2 ** ||^  ||^   ||^   || X 1 || /3 || /3 ||
 * ** Culture unit 3 ** ||^  ||^   ||^   || X 1 || /3 || /3 ||
 * ** Culture unit 4 ** ||^  ||^   ||^   || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">X 1 || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/3 || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/3 ||
 * ** Culture unit design ** || You provide fewer than 3 articles, each with 3 questions that cause the reader to summarize. Your discussion is not well designed and does not require the students to participate. Your essay prompt leads to superficial reflection || You provide 3 or more challenging articles, each with 3 questions that will lead the reader to think about the topic. Your discussion is well designed and challenges the students to think. Your essay prompt causes the writer to reflect on Chinese society. || You provide 3 or more challenging articles, including at least one of your own discovery, each with 3 questions that will lead the reader to think about the topic and compare US society. Your discussion is well designed and compels the students to actively participate. Your essay prompt causes the writer to reflect on their own experiences, Chinese society and life in America. || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">X 2 || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/6 || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/6 ||
 * ** Blog 1 ** || Your blog is not submitted on time. You do not present a clear picture of your experiences, language use or personal growth. Your writing is inhibited by proper grammar and spelling. || Your blog is submitted on time (or given an extension by the teacher). You effectively communicate your experiences in China but minimally illustrate how you have improved in your language use and grown as a person. Your writing is enhanced by proper grammar and spelling. || Your blog is submitted on time. You effectively communicate your experiences in China. The blogs illustrate how you have improved in your language use and grown as a person. Your writing is enhanced by proper grammar and spelling. Figurative language is used. || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">X 1 || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/3 || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/3 ||
 * ** Blog 2 ** ||^  ||^   ||^   || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">X 1 || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/3 || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/3 ||
 * ** Blog 3 ** ||^  ||^   ||^   || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">X 1 || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/3 || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/3 ||
 * ** Blog 4 ** ||^  ||^   ||^   || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">X 1 || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/3 || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/3 ||
 * ** Sharon School Work ** || Your daily work is not completed according to your study plan. Work is completed but with excessive prompting (as judged by the teacher) from your teacher. || Your daily work is completed according to your study plan. Work is completed but with consistent prompting (as judged by the teacher) from your teacher. || Your daily work is completed according to your study plan. Work is completed with minimal prompting from your teacher. You assist others as needed. || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">X 20 || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/60 || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/60 ||
 * ** Chinese language class ** || You treat the teacher with respect and pay attention to your lessons but need some redirection. Some homework is done. Minimal participation in class. || You treat the teacher with respect and pay attention to your lessons. Most homework is done. Good participation in class. || You treat the teacher with respect and pay attention to your lessons. All homework is done. Excellent participation in class. || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">X 5 || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/15 || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/15 ||
 * ** Chinese arts classes ** || You treat the teacher with respect and pay attention to your lessons but need some redirection. Poor participation in class.
 * ** Final Chinese Essay ** || Your essay is submitted late or is written in English only. The essay minimally explains what you have learned from your experiences in Xi’an. || Your essay is submitted on time and is written in Chinese and English. The essay superficially explains what you have learned from your experiences in Xi’an. || Your essay is submitted on time and is written in Chinese and English. The essay effectively explains what you have learned from your experiences in Xi’an. || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">X 2 || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/6 || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/6 ||
 * ** Eagle block and prep ** || You attend most meetings (or miss only a few and with notice to your teacher). You minimally participate in all discussions. You do not complete all assigned tasks. You do not provide your teacher with a copy of your assignments or devise a study plan for your time in China. || You attend all meetings (or miss only a few and with notice to your teacher). You actively participate in all discussions. You complete most assigned tasks. You provide your teacher with a copy of some of assignments and/or do not devise a study plan for your time in China. || You attend all meetings (or miss only a few and with notice to your teacher). You actively participate in all discussions. You thoroughly complete all assigned tasks. You provide your teacher with a copy of your assignments and devise a study plan for your time in China. || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">X 5 || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/15 || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/15 ||
 * ||  ||   ||   || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Total || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/200 || <span style="display: block; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">/200 ||

**Exchange Behavior Contract** I realize that my experience in China will be a great experience. If I make the most of my time, I will learn a great deal and grow as a person. I also realize that it is a privilege. I will remember that I am representing Sharon High School and the United States of America. Given all this, I plan on behaving accordingly. Therefore:

I promise to respect myself: · I will apply myself to my Sharon and Tangnan studies. · I will be open to new experiences. · I will use Chinese as often as possible but also help my hosts learn English. · I will dress properly (no cleavage, tight clothes, or exposed underwear). · I will not play video games or ping pong excessively. · I will not drink, smoke, do drugs, or gamble. · I will not cheat on any assignments or assist others in cheating. · I will not leave the hotel or school without my teacher’s permission. · I will let my teacher know if I am feeling sick or upset.

I promise to respect others: · I will treat the other members of the exchange with courtesy and respect. · I will help the other members of the exchange as needed (luggage, school work etc.) · I will treat my host parents with respect and respect their household rules. · I will treat my home parents with respect and respect their household rules. · I will be sensitive when speaking to others. · I will respect a 10:00 weeknight curfew (unless out with host parents). · I will treat the Tangnan School teachers with respect by paying attention in class. · I will not date anyone or engage in any public displays of affection (friendly hugs are OK). · I will be on time and meet at appointed places. · I will participate in the buddy program for all field trips.

I promise to respect the place: · I will keep my home stay room clean. · I will help keep my classroom clean. · I will clean up my lunch table. · I will respect Chinese laws and customs.

Print Name Signature __Date__ __Parent Signature_____ Date____