Author Archives: Hannah Blacksin

Girl, Woman, Other (hannah)

Note: This class is open to high school students only.

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo “follows the lives of twelve very different people in Britain, predominantly female and Black. Aged 19 to 93, they span a variety of cultural backgrounds, sexualities, classes, and occupations as they tell the stories of themselves, their families, friends and lovers, across the country and through the years” (from Evaristo’s website). It is written in a hybrid poetry-prose style that illuminates themes of modern womanhood and intergenerational histories. 

In 2019, the year it was published, this book crushed many bestselling lists and, more importantly, was on the favorite-books-of-the-year lists of Barack Obama and Roxane Gay. It also won the Booker Prize. 

In this class, we will read, analyze, discuss, and write about this stunning book. It will be really fun. Take this class if you wanna learn how to read with purpose and write with power and engage with an excellent narrative.

MS Washington State History (hannah)

Note: This class is open to middle school students only.

How did Washington’s unique location and natural resources influence its development, demographics, and interactions between people and environment? In this class, we will trace our beautiful state’s history through time. Students will examine the struggles to control territory in the Pacific Northwest, including the conflicts and treaties surrounding indigenous sovereignty. We will look at how Washington became an agricultural and technological center of industry. Students will practice skills of historical analysis to examine the interconnected strands of history, culture, geography, government, and economics. 

We will be using curriculum from the UW Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest and Department of History; Washington State Historical Society; and the text Washington’s History; The People, Land, and Events of the Far Northwest by Harry Ritter 

Soccer and Kick It (hannah and elizabeth)

MORE SOCCER AT YESLER WE LOVE IT

Recess! (hannah)

MORE RECESS. We will continue to play together, practicing the skills of communication, negotiation, coordination, collaboration, and more. Some of this term will be spent playing outside, too. More spikeball! More frisbee! Kickball? Slackline??? Come to recess class and find out.

HS Washington State History (hannah)

Note: This class is open to high school students only.

How did Washington’s unique location and natural resources influence its development, demographics, and interactions between people and environment? In this class, we will trace our beautiful state’s history through time. Students will examine the struggles to control territory in the Pacific Northwest, including the conflicts and treaties surrounding indigenous sovereignty. We will look at how Washington became an agricultural and technological center of industry. Students will practice skills of historical analysis to examine the interconnected strands of history, culture, geography, government, and economics. 

We will be using curriculum from the UW Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest and Department of History; Washington State Historical Society; and the text Washington’s History; The People, Land, and Events of the Far Northwest by Harry Ritter 

Danny Woo Community Garden (hannah)

Come join us as we plant, pull weeds, feed chickens, enhance the infrastructure, sort the compost, and care for our local community garden.

The Poet X (hannah)

Note: This class is open to middle school students only.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo is about a girl’s discovery of slam poetry “as a way to understand her mother’s religion and her own relationship to the world.” The main character, Xiomara Batista, feels unheard and unable to hide in her home of Harlem. “But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers…So when she is invited to join her school’s slam poetry club, she doesn’t know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out, much less speak her words out loud. But still, she can’t stop thinking about performing her poems. Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent” (from Acevedo’s website).

A National Book Award winner, this novel – written in poetry rather than prose – examines themes of religion, sexuality, immigration, and culture. In this class, we will read, discuss, analyze, and write about the book, including writing poems of our own.

Beginner-ish Yoga – (Meta)

Learn some simple yoga poses and stretches, along with breathing exercises to go along with the poses, and general ones to calm your body. Chill class, do what you can! I’m not the most skilled so I’ll be learning along with y’all.

Mr. Gingolds Musical School For Music – (Charlie)

Note: This class is open to middle school students only.

Do you go to PSCS? Are you looking to get into the music scene? Whether you’re a proficient musician, or have never touched an instrument, one thing is for certain: This class will make you better at music.

Mr. Gingolds Musical School For Music will teach you all the necessities of becoming the next greatest musician- Music theory, Rhythm, An instrument of you choosing, Coordination with a band, and even some performance tactics.

You may say to yourself… “Hmmm, I don’t know Charlie, that sounds complicated and hard, I don’t think I’m good enough to learn at your amazing music school for music…” You are not meant to be perfect, nobody is. The point of this class and learn more about music, and have some fun. Any skill level is welcome. Come and learn at Mr. Gingolds Musical School For Music.

Writing 101 (hannah)

In this class, we will practice the foundations of writing: how to craft a strong variety of sentences and paragraphs; correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling; parts of speech; detailed word choices, etc. This class will be composed of mini-lessons, writing prompts, and editing sessions. It is open to all – I will adjust the lessons based on what kind of practice students need and where yall are at. This can also be a space to receive help on writing assignments for other classes.

Philosophy (hannah)

Note: This class is open to high school students only.

MORE PHILOSOPHY. This term will focus on morals and ethics; logic and reasoning; and more epistemology. 

Chess Club (hannah)

Chess is an ancient game of strategy and patience. It’s challenging and fun. In this class, we will play chess together! We will learn some strategies and eventually play each other, tournament style. This class is open to all – those who have played chess for years, those who will be playing for the first time, and everyone in between! Come try the game that has captivated and puzzled players for centuries.