Independent Study
Calculus students were amazing this year. Students completed an independent study. They had a minimum goal to reach each week, but they far exceeded that goal. Some students worked at an extremely fast pace because they wanted to learn as much material as possible before they entered college. Other students elected to work at a slower pace and to complete extra problems to make sure that they understood all the new concepts presented this year. All students learned how to use a math text as a resource and to take ownership of their own learning. They practiced skills that will serve them well in college.
Mrs. Wong
¡Llegamos al fín del año!
It was a literature-filled year with new vocabulary extracted from renown novels such as El CID Campeador and the mischievous doings of Lazarillo de Tormes. The highlight of our year was at a Peruvian infused restaurant, Pio Pio, where fellowship, culture, language, and laughter combined to bring closure to Spanish language acquisition within the classroom; though Spanish cultural and language growth remain for a lifetime. It was an honor journeying with you through language. Blessings,
Sra Jean-Pierre
¡Llegamos al fín del año!
What a wonderfully fun-filled year it has been for this year’s Level 3 Spanish. Students continued to solidify the bridge of Spanish communication through verbal practice and immersion, while essays and PowerPoint presentations increased their ability to construct phrases and expression through written form. Cultural highlight included a trip to El Museo del Barrio to view and write about the Tres Reyes exhibit, as well as fun fellowship through Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Looking forward to next year as we delve deeper into Spanish culture through literature.
Sra. Jean-Pierre
¡Llegamos al fín del año!
Learning about the past is crucial, especially when it’s in Spanish. From preterit past-tense forms, to the ongoing/habitual imperfect past tense, students are introduced to patterns building from the English language and scaffolding onto the language they know. All this, while learning about the various cultures of Spanish-speaking countries, as well as the positive Spanish-American influences within our country. Looking forward to growing with you as you continue to solidify the bridge of Spanish communication.
Sra Jean-Pierre
Abstinence
In our 8th and 9th grade classes, we were given the opportunity this year to implement an abstinence program. We were able to sit in a chapel where the author of the book spoke about the program. In both 8th and 9th grade we tackled the important issue of purity and the reason why God wants us to remain on track to achieve our dreams. The lessons were really impactful. On my Final exam of the year, I asked them to define the most meaningful lesson and to my surprise 78% of both classes cited that this particular lesson meant the most to them. All in all during the course of this year I have seen a steady growth in the area of God in the lives of the middle school and the High school students which I taught. Glory be to God.
Pastor Racoma
Intelligent Comment Points
In order to stimulate more class discussion, I started giving Intelligent Comments points. Each time a student answered a question related to World History or current events, I noted this down and every few weeks I would enter into the gradebook either a homework grade for class participation, or for the top two or three contributors to the class a quiz grade. Since it is so important for a Social Studies class to have input and feedback from students, I found that this was a good way to get more students involved in more lively discussion of the topics we study in World History.
Mr. Drake
Enlightenment Age
Students in the Fall took the role of philosophers and scientists during the Enlightenment and presented to the class information about their lives and contributions to mankind. By the end of this activity there was more understanding of Rousseau’s Noble Savage and the Natural Rights of Man of John Locke.
Mr. Drake
Student Debates
Students have been debating current event topics, especially those relating to the presidential race in the Fall of 2012 between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. As the news changes, we also have taken up the issue of Gun Control and reasons for violence in U.S. society. As the year continues, topics of interest to the students will continue to be looked into.
Mr. Drake
Federalists
The most interesting project we did so far in our study of U.S. History was to have groups take the role of Federalists and Anti-Federalists. After getting in groups the students worked on deciding what were the strongest arguments for and against the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
Mr. Drake
Sonnets
We began the year with The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare and asked the vital question: How do you measure strength and power in an individual? We concluded that real strength comes from treating people kindly and not through force or bullying. We had several class discussions on how we are to treat one another and God’s design on marriage according to the Bible. We then took a look at how literature and art can fight injustice in society and compared the different rhyme schemes of Shakespearean sonnets with Petrarchan sonnets. We compared sonnets from Shakespeare to John Milton and found that Christian poets tend to focus on God, salvation and eternity, whereas secular poets focus on the things of this world that will one day waste away. We then read The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emperess Orczy and asked the question: Is a vigilante a hero or a law breaker? We had many in-depth class discussions on what makes someone a true hero and learned that part of being a hero is protecting those that cannot protect themselves. Just like the hero in the story, we are expected to protect the lives of those around us, as God’s word says that Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. – John 15:13.
Miss Topale