by Jane Collins | Jan 8, 2019 | 11/12th Grade, 9/10th Grade, Authenticity to the Discipline, Literature
In my first blog post I talked about our department’s mission to create authentic responses to literature beyond the traditional structure of a five paragraph essay. My solution this semester was to require two forms of response for every project: one...
by Greg Fisher | Oct 31, 2018 | 11/12th Grade, Authenticity to the Discipline, Literature
These are my students outside of a candy shop down the street from our school. A diverse group of students, each with their own style, interests, opinions, and voices. In the photo, this range is evident in the juxtaposition of an I-don’t-ever-smile and a...
by Jackson Shafer | Oct 23, 2018 | 11/12th Grade, Literature, Personal Authenticity
I was excited! I had been searching for a text that authentically engaged students about issues of immigration (with a particular focus on immigrants from Latinx communities). These students filled my classroom, but rarely saw themselves reflected in the literature....
by Jane Collins | Oct 19, 2018 | 9/10th Grade, Authenticity to the Discipline, Literature
I just finished teaching “Born A Crime” by Trevor Noah to my class. In the memoir, Noah describes his childhood during and after apartheid in South Africa. The book discusses a wide range of themes related to identity, including race, gender, language, education,...
by Jenny Platow | Oct 17, 2018 | 9/10th Grade, Authenticity to the Discipline, Literature
In our co-taught 9th & 10th grade literature classroom, Caitlin and I are currently living by the motto, “teach the reader, not the book”. While we are thrilled when our students understand and enjoy a book, we are also deeply committed to ensuring...