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
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
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
Tasty Labs
Chemistry students have been busy exploring concepts in lab. They have enjoyed eating the results of their candium lab when they found the weighted average of their samples. They used the results of their flame test lab to predict the composition of colorful birthday candles. They used accurate measurements to determine the best paper towel in their consumer lab.
Mrs. Wong
Quadratic Equations
Juniors have been using math to solve problems. They found the best ticket price to maximize profits. They have used formulas to model data. They have learned to work with complex numbers and to solve quadratic equations.
Mrs. Wong
Soccer Playoffs
The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.
Vince Lombardi
This month in Gym we have begun our Soccer Playoffs. These games are highly intense being that rivalries have been sown from the year before. Whether students are playing goalie, defense, offense, or midfielder they are determined, focused, and resolute to win the game. Often that means jumping in the path of the ball. Even though these games are intense, students maintain a high level of sportsmanship thought the season.
Mr. Wong
College Level
College level Spanish Literature students have read the historically, epic novel of El CID. They have created poetry, artwork, and research inspired by the novel.
Mrs. Jean-Pierre
Field Trip
On December, the Spanish department’s Ms. Rivera & Mrs. Jean-Pierre took their 10th grade classes to El Museo del Barrio for a exhibit of Three Kings Day.
Mrs. Jean-Pierre