What Is Literature
We began the year with the question: What is literature? We took a look at the different interpretations that one poem can have depending upon how each individual views the poem. We then learned about Sonnets and compared the sonnets of Shakespeare’s secular love with John Milton’s more spiritual love of God and learned that God’s love provides healing and protection. We then read Les Miserables by Victor Hugo and focused on the question of whether or not there are limits to redemption. We learned what makes a man truly heroic through studying the character of Jean Valjean and that only God can change a man from bad to good through the redemptive cross of Calvary. We also went on to read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and asked ourselves – Does greed rule the world? We concluded that, though mankind can be trapped by the greed of this world, God will not allow us to live life without showing us that we need to change our motives and keep the golden rule, which is to help our fellow man on this journey we call life.
Miss Topale
People and Places
In September a new course was launched for the high school international students at Evangel: Intermediate Literature. It is designed to train the students in reading strategies used for deeper understanding of texts and to give the students more exposure to the English language. So far it has done both and more! The Queens Public Library found out about the class and asked if we wanted to participate in their People and Places Program in which thought provoking short stories (mostly written by immigrants) are read and reflected upon. Although each story had to be screened and the program modified for use in a Christian environment, it grew into a valuable experience for all and culminated in a party hosted by Ms. Echols at the newly built 21st Street Public Library. 9th, 10th and 11th grades each divided into groups and created posters for the event. Some groups focused on the symbolism found in a given short story, such as Abalone, Abalone, Abalone, others on comparing and contrasting two stories, and some added the adages, idioms and similes we learned. I was very impressed by the 11th graders who were able to compare given verse from the Bible with the prose poem Girl by Jamaica Kincaid. They did such a fabulous job that Mrs. Echols sent the posters to the founder of the program. I am so proud of those students who participated!
As we wrap up this section on short stories and do review for midterms, I look back at the interesting ways the students showed what they learned; from complex graphic organizers to acting out different parts of a story, from making big books about symbolism to making posters for all the stories, and I am amazed what the students have accomplished. Our next adventure will include nonfiction as we segue into the Academic Fair time of the year.
Mrs. Kemp
God’s Providence
Since September, our school’s freshmen have engaged in historical events and creating connections with events that are happening today. More importantly, each student is learning how to observe the history of the world through a Biblical perspective to illustrate God’s providence throughout all of history. They have discussed and worked in groups and wrestled with thought provoking questions to encourage critical and analytical thinking.
Mr. Keeks
Don’t be Sheeple
Since September, our high school seniors have constantly engaged and wrestled with concepts of American Govt. and comparing it’s ideologies to biblical based principals in understanding our American’s governmental foundations. I have emphasized through lessons and real-life experiences the theme: Don’t be Sheeple, Be People. This overarching theme is essential and cherished to these students in preparing them for college in order to distinguish between things of this world to the principals of God.
Mr. Keeks
Algebra
Students have been studying a unit on Integers and Expressions. They have been learning the importance of mathematical principles, as compared to using God’s principles in our daily lives.
Mrs. Christian
Our Brain and Senses
We have been studying what psychology is and how it affects the body. The students have learned about our brain and senses, our perceptions and nature vs. nuture theory. This year I am teaching in a flipped classroom so the students will copy vocabulary and examples into their notes for HW (kind of pre reading for the next day’s lesson). In class the next day, they will watch a mini lesson of how to and practice the application in front of me. This has been helpful in not only the student understanding during homework/classwork, but in starting up math conversations during class about what to do and why. Currently, we are studying how we learn. Today we talked about making good decisions and judgements.
Miss Stahler
Forensics Scientists
We have been studying what a forensic scientists job is, what evidence is located at the crime scene and which types are not, and many types of tools that forensics experts use to help solve a crime. This year I am teaching in a flipped classroom so the students will copy vocabulary and examples into their notes for HW (kind of pre reading for the next day’s lesson). In class the next day, they will watch a mini lesson of how to and practice the application in front of me. This has been helpful in not only the student understanding during homework/classwork, but in starting up math conversations during class about what to do and why. Currently, we are studying questioned documents and forgeries. The students are learning how to spot handwriting that is altered and therefore a forgery.
Miss Stahler
Algebra 2
We have been studying number operations and reviewing algebra 1 topics for the first half of this school year. This year I am teaching in a flipped classroom for math and so the students will copy vocabulary and examples into their notes for HW (kind of pre reading for the next day’s lesson). In class the next day, they will watch a mini lesson of how to and practice the application in front of me. This has been helpful in not only the student understanding during homework/classwork, but in starting up math conversations during class about what to do and why. Currently, we are studying radical equations and how to solve for x if it is in the radicand.
Miss Stahler
Geometry
We have been immersing ourselves in geometry vocabulary, symbols and diagrams this first half of the school year. This year I am teaching in a flipped classroom for math and so the students will copy vocabulary and examples into their notes for HW (kind of pre reading for the next day’s lesson). In class the next day, they will watch a mini lesson of how to and practice the application in front of me. This has been helpful in not only the student understanding during homework/classwork, but in starting up math conversations during class about what to do and why. Currently, we are studying how to prove theorems by writing a 2 column proof.
Miss Stahler
Algebra
We have been exploring equations this half of the school year. The class has been looking for patterns in solving, graphing and writing equations. This year I am teaching in a flipped classroom for math and so the students will copy vocabulary and examples into their notes for HW (kind of pre reading for the next day’s lesson). In class the next day, they will watch a mini lesson of how to and practice the application in front of me. This has been helpful in not only the student understanding during homework/classwork, but in starting up math conversations during class about what to do and why. Currently, we are studying linear equations and the slope of a line.
Miss Stahler