High School English
April 06, 2017
English I is in the middle of reading Maus, a graphic novel focused on a father’s experiences during the Holocaust reported by his son, Artie. Artie spends time interviewing his father and learns many things about his father’s life before the war and about his relationship with Artie’s mother, who suffered from depression and has since committed suicide. Through this shared time, Artie discovers more about himself and can sympathize with a man he has struggled to know his entire life.
As part of our Maus unit, the freshmen are interviewing someone over the age of 65 to gain another perspective of someone who has lived a life different from their own. Students have developed their own interview questions and will be requesting to voice record their interviewees’ answers. They will use their interviews to develop a presentation in which their voices will be blended with those of their interviewees. The students will incorporate commentary and images shared by their interviewees into their finished presentations.
English II is wrapping up Julius Caesar. Students are translating individually chosen passages from the play into modern day English. They will have the opportunity to reenact their scenes for the class for additional points. They are encouraged to use props and humor to make the play experience more memorable.
- Wendi Buggi