Essential questions: How does the environment impact history? How does history impact the environment?

United States Studies takes a chronological approach to history while enriching grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, and study skills. Special emphasis is given to the role of the environment in shaping American history and the experiences of minority groups. Students develop a foundational skill set needed for the researching and writing process. Historical fiction helps students develop a deeper contextual understanding of the time periods we study. Project-based learning opportunities change yearly, and have included Soil, the Space Race, a Lewis and Clark Expedition Project, and an Inventions Project.

Book List:

• Children of the Long House by Joseph Bruchac
• Blood on the River by Elisa Carbone
• Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
• Forty Acres and Maybe a Mule by Harriet Gillem Robinet
• Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
• The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

Essential Questions: What does it mean to grow up? How do unique cultures emerge from common elements? When and how might the value “Respect for Self” be in tension with “Respect for Others”?

Humanities 7 students “travel the world” through literature to explore the universality of the adolescent experience. In this course, students study how preteens fit into and can potentially change the cultural and geopolitical realities into which they are born. Sample units include: ancient Egypt, early 20th-century Russia, 10th-century Central America, early transatlantic slave trade, and present-day New Zealand. Students in Humanities 7 are introduced to the five-part essay model and learn to write strong paragraphs with vivid support. Through hands-on projects and significant writing assignments, students continue to develop skills in grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and literary analysis. Previous project-based learning opportunities have included creating a Mesopotamian city-state, reporting on the realities of the transatlantic slave trade, and participation in National History Day.

Book List:

• Wonder by R.J. Palacio
• The Kidnapped Prince adapted by Ann Cameron
• The Whale Ride by Witi Ihimaera
• Cleopatra Confesses by Carolyn Meyer
• The Night Journey by Kathryn Lasky
• The Examination by Malcolm Bosse

Essential questions: What are human rights, and why are they difficult to protect? What are the different frameworks for understanding rights, and which is best?

Humanities 8 introduces students to the concept of human rights, the causes and consequences of human rights violations, and how people have sought justice around the world. To this end, students study geography, history, culture, and religion in modern Asia, Europe, Africa, Latin America, and the United States. They take on the role of historians, anthropologists, journalists, and literary critics to grapple with challenging fiction and nonfiction texts. Students hone the writing and oral presentation skills necessary for success in high school and beyond, and star in an annual poetry slam that showcases their creativity. Project-based learning opportunities have included examining race and policing in the United States, interviewing Thai Buddhist monks and musicians, and documenting research with Holocaust survivors who live in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Sample Book List:

• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Warriors Don’t Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals
• China’s Son by Da Chen
• Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez
• Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
• Night by Elie Wiesel

AP Psychology introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, including principles and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice and complete the course with a month-long project in which they create a podcast on a topic of interest in psychology. Students then submit these podcasts to National Public Radio for possible publication.

AP European History is a college-level introductory survey course that prepares students for upper-level European history courses in college. Students examine how historians interpret the past and look at the differences and intersections between political, social, economic, intellectual, and cultural history. The course also prepares students to analyze historical documents and express historical understanding in writing. Starting in the mid-15th century with a consideration of the Renaissance the course ends with an analysis of contemporary European political issues, including the European Union, the rise of a totalitarian Russian state, and the influence of Brexit.

If you have ever thought about being a news broadcaster, radio personality, producer, or editor, Barrie TV Productions may be for you. During this course, students will design, create, and execute various media projects on campus - including, but not limited to, a bi-weekly newscast for students and parents, video streaming of various athletic and campus community events, and photography projects to help capture campus memories. This course is hands-on and will include off-campus learning experiences to learn from those in the communications field.

What is feminism? “The advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes”, or so says The Oxford English Dictionary. This elective explores the origins and expressions of feminism from ancient myth to today. Students read literature (Lysistrata, I’m Judging you, Invisible man and the whole world watching, various English language blogs from around the world, Declaration of Sentiments, letters from Abigail Adams, The FEM). They look at and analyze examples of feminism in US and world popular culture. Finally, students also write critiques of books, blogs, films, and philosophy.

The Stonewall Riots of 1969. The assassination of Harvey Milk. The overturning of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. These moments represent a small fraction of the history of the LGBTQ community, but are often the ones taken to represent the realities of the broader community. In order to understand the larger implications of these trends, as well as other current events affecting the LGBTQ community, this elective serves as an introduction to LGBTQ literature, with a particular focus on understanding the inequalities related to sexuality and gender identity. Through literature and other forms of media, students explore early and contemporary understandings of sexuality and gender identity, different forms of oppression and activism, and the ways LGBTQ studies intersects with feminism and race studies.

Model United Nations (MUN) introduces students to the arena of diplomatic debate on issues of international concern.

Students practice public speaking, different forms of analysis, geography, parliamentary procedure, and the jargon of diplomacy. Students conduct research on the countries they represent, draft resolutions, and evaluate the work of their peers. Students participate in one regional MUN conference as part of the course, and have the opportunity to participate in multiple others throughout the year.

What are the conventions for different subgenres of fiction, and how can these conventions effectively be manipulated by authors? What does it mean to develop a literary voice? This elective challenges students to answer these questions for themselves by experimenting with different writing techniques. Students explore creative writing within the framework of fictional short stories. Through reading and writing in a variety of subgenres, students work throughout the trimester to develop their own literary voices, and have the opportunity to focus on subgenres of interest. In the past, these have included travel writing, rites of passage, magical realism, and mystery.

The course investigates diplomatic rhetoric as a form of art. Students observe and analyze a series of speeches by prominent political figures. Students also write and deliver speeches in class--some of these are delivered extemporaneously. A series of guest speakers in the field of foreign affairs/politics visit the classroom to discuss their experiences. The course provides ample opportunity for students to practice public speaking in competition and at local conferences.

The goal of Yearbook is to not only create a yearbook but to teach basic project management and business skills. At the beginning of each trimester, students will receive job descriptions. Students will participate in meetings to keep the project on schedule and give input on structural decisions. The course is divided into two trimesters; students may take either or both. Most of Trimester 1 will include sales and creating the basic structure of the book. Trimester 2 will primarily involve loading photos and creating yearbook pages.