Category Archives: Language Arts

Summarize THIS! (Scobie)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this long-running developmental writing class, you’ll be able to start right where you are as a writer, and then improve all your fundamental skills. 

What do we write? 
In Summarize THIS, we listen to an audio or video source piece several times (excerpts from This American Life, The Moth, and other well-produced audio/videos are common). Listening to the piece, you’ll take notes, make a draft summary, and improve it using a custom checklist created just for your current writing skill set. The idea is to communicate as much of the piece as possible in a limited number of words. You’ll often have time in class to get started, but you’ll always need to spend more time to produce your best work, so work with your advisor to plan for work outside of class!

Then what?
After writing each piece, you’ll respond to a very detailed edit of your original work to further improve it.

For most students, it’s at least a few hours of work each week OUTSIDE of class, but a great investment in becoming an effective listener, logical thinker, and competent, efficient writer.

  • Credit for the class requires all summaries to be complete and up to the standards in your checklist.
  • If this is a repeat class for you, no problem, you can take it as many times as you want…. but I’ll be asking you to up your game!

Comic Books: Heroes v Villains – LA (Sam)

Language Arts Credit

This class will meet once a week.

Welcome to an exciting journey into the world of comic books! In this class, students will explore the art, storytelling, and history of comics, from classic superheroes to modern graphic novels. Through reading, discussion, and creative activities, students will learn how comics combine words and visuals to tell powerful stories.

We will analyze different genres, study character development, and even experiment with creating our own short comics. Whether you’re a longtime comic book fan or just curious about the medium, this class will help you develop a deeper appreciation for this unique form of storytelling.

Get ready to read, discuss, and immerse yourself in the colorful and creative world of comics!

 

Note: To receive credit for this class, you must complete all assigned readings , participate in group discussions, and all other related classwork.

Voices of Resilience – ENG (amy)

In the second of the two-term class “Voices of Resilience,” we will deepen our understanding of Japanese internment through a blend of literature, personal connection, and cultural exploration. We have the opportunity to engage in a live Zoom call with Jamie Ford (the author of the book) and we will visit the Wing Luke Museum, where we will explore powerful exhibits that bring history to life. Together, we’ll connect the lessons from the book to contemporary issues, fostering meaningful discussions about resilience and community in today’s world. This course is not just about learning history; it’s about understanding the human spirit and finding our own voices in the face of adversity.

*This class is open to, and required of, students who were in the first term of the class.

Poetry Lab (ELA) (hannah)

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

A continuation of the winter term class but anyone can join. We will continue to study and practice specific poetry skills and styles. Work will include analyzing, interpreting, and annotating poetry; writing your own poetry; giving and receiving feedback on each others’ work. 

In order to earn credit for this class, you must complete all of the work required. HS only.

HS Lit – The Fifth Season (ELA) (hannah)

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

We will read, discuss, and analyze The Fifth Season, which is the first volume of the Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin. 

The Fifth Season is a science-fantasy novel, set on a supercontinent called the Stillness. This setting is constantly rocked by seismic activity, some of it devastating to civilization and causing an extended winter referred to as a “Fifth Season.” The society of the Stillness is broken up into many “comms”, “use-castes”, ethnicities, and species. The story is split into three separate narratives.

The novel received the 2016 Hugo Award and Jemisin was the first black woman to win the prize. She’s also the only writer to have received the prize in three consecutive years (for the latter two volumes of the series).

To earn credit for this class, you must complete all of the reading, in-class work, and the culminating project at the end of the term.

Required texts/materials:

MS Lit – Before We Were Free (ELA) (hannah)

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

We will read, discuss, and analyze Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez. See the summary of the book below (from social justice books):

In Before We Were Free, Alvarez explores the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic through the eyes of Anita de la Torre, a 12-year-old girl in 1960. In the beginning, Anita has little knowledge of politics and the underground movement to assassinate Trujillo. In fact, at the start of the novel, Anita looks to El Jefe’s picture at times when she needs strength. She slowly becomes more aware that life under Trujillo has become increasingly dangerous for many, including her own family members who are a part of the movement to kill the dictator.

To earn credit for this class, you must complete all of the reading, in-class work, and the culminating project at the end of the term. MS only. 

Required texts/materials:

WORD (ELA) (hannah)

This class is all about WORDS! Focusing on both linguistic and cultural contexts, we will study the etymology of various words, phrases, idioms, concepts, etc. Students will prepare a “word of the day” presentation and be tested on these throughout the term, developing their own WORD dictionary. Students will analyze texts, play games, and do some creative writing. 

In order to get credit for this class, you must complete all work including a “word of the day” presentation and the final vocabulary test. Open to all.