Treasure Chest of Thoughts

I accessed this article “Single-Sex Classes Being Praised on Many Levels” via Smart Brief’s e-letter.  Interesting, this author debates the pros and cons of such a setting. 

This article caught my attention because of a conversation I overheard my daughter and some of her friends having as they were discussing the “boys” in their classes.    The gist of their conversation was this:  “We would get more done if the boys were in another class.”  Now, this, of course, is not a scientific study…maybe just common sense?

When I ponder on my upcoming classes this fall, I know that if my classes were split by gender that I would be researching for very different sources for each class to read and my “hands-on” activities would vary also.

What I appreciate most about the school district being featured was the principal’s comment:

Principal Maribel McAdory said everything from the color of classroom walls — boys had blue, girls yellow — to the volume of the teacher’s voice was a research-based decision intended to foster educational progress.

Research is always a good place to start…even if that research comes from fifth and sixth grade girls!

This week, my English 11 began the research process…with a cross-curricular connection:  this paper is both for our class and their US History class, as well as for possible entry into the National History Day competition.  Ah, the possibility of a trip to Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, DC!

The topic:  The Individual in History.  What person has had a significant impact on society, on history?

The assignment:  Gather four sources, create the bibliographical information, annotate the article, and determine whether each article is a primary or a secondary source. (This resource can be found at the above link.) Could be sources on four different individuals; could four sources on just one individual.  The student determines the variety as he/she finalizes the selection of the person who is to be the focus of the research paper….or documentary or exhibit or performance or website, for the student also chooses the format in which to present.

The reaction:  Everybody likes a good deal, right?  A two-for-one deal.  A grade for English, as well as for history class.  The light bulbs began to go off when I mentioned that!

I was really proud of their reactions.  For while I struggle with how to fit all aspects of the Language Arts curriculum within my allotted timeframe, I also realize that these are some very important skills that my students must learn to utilize:  to learn how to learn.

English 11 students are creating various genres to present their research on their chosen topics in place of writing the tradition formatted research paper.

Research is the name of one of the games being played in English 1o.  Who are the players?  What are the rules?  What does the winner receive?  Let’s preview the game! (more…)