Hi! I do this - an integrated ELA/Social Studies course called "Humanities 7" (and yes, my school has a Humanities 8). Our Humanities 8 is very similar to Lise's course - we have alternating units in history and literature, with the literature unit making use of and building on the knowledge acquired in the previous history unit. The whole thing is bound together by the theme of community.
My Humanities 7 course is taught via completely integrated units designed by the kids using democratic techniques such as those mentioned in Mark Springer's "Soundings" and James A. Beane's "A Reason to Teach." For example, they designed a unit entitled 'What is beautiful?" during which we had "Pictures of Hollis Woods" as a morning read-aloud, we did "Chasing Vermeer" as a class novel, we had a variety of in-class activities connected to the theme question, and they worked on research papers or persuasive speeches to present their thinking and learning during the unit. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have, on- or off-list as people desire. It's a blast, and an excellent opportunity for you and your kids. Have fun! Take care, Bill Ivey Stoneleigh-Burnham School _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive
