Hi! We have two models for our Humanities classes, which essentially are 90-minute-long block classes integrating ELA and History/Social Studies.
In Humanities 7, the kids design six of the units based on their own questions. They are required to design units in Aesthetics, History, Psychology, and World Cultures, and the other two units may be in any area they choose. There is a list of required genres and formats used as "final presentations of knowledge," and a list of skills to be developed, both of which must be factored into the kids' units. This model is based on Mark Springer's "Soundings" course, where the kids work to integrate all the state standards into their unit planning. Oh, and I choose a group novel or other book for each unit, plus a read-aloud book. There are three additional units; one (the first of the year) is a decade study, one a theatre unit, and one a poetry unit. They also do independent writing (essentially Writers' Workshop), independent reading with Readers Response Journal entries, and individualized vocabulary lists. Grammar, we do through daily "Grammar with a Giggle" work which takes about five minutes. In Humanities 8, the year-long theme is community. There are six or seven units, each of which is taught is two stages. First is a cultural and historical perspective, to set the stage for a novel which is taught in the second stage. Essentially, it alternates history units with related literature units, following the theme of community through time and within different cultures. They also do independent reading and RRJ entries, but I don't think they do writer's workshop, and I think they use teacher-written vocabulary lists. I believe they do direct grammar instruction as well. I hope this gives you some ideas - please send us another round if questions if you have them!!! 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
