Humanities!
In this class, Ms. Small blends English and History into the class of Humanities.
Here, we answer the question, “What does it mean to be human?” We explore new perspectives on
human nature and how they shape societies. This journey began with Walden, in which the author
stressed simplicity in his surroundings, and continued with various other historians, such as
Jonathon Swift, writer of “A Modest Proposal.”
In August, we started the year learning about education as a whole. We asked ourselves,
“What goes into a system of education?” It soon occurred to us that education is ever-changing
and also that no two people have the same vision for their “perfect school.” But these disparities
aren't as shallow as what should be served for lunch; they are questions about the ethics of teaching.
Questions such as “What is AI’s role in education?” At this point, Ms. Small encouraged us to form and
express our own opinions, which we voiced in an essay that synthesized evidence across numerous sources. Have trouble viewing the file? Click Here.
Soon, we moved into our unit on rhetoric, where we
focused on how writers utilize language to express their voice. One particular assignment asked us
to read and prepare one of three texts for a timed, in-class essay. While all three authors effectively
employed rhetorical devices to strengthen their writing, the one that stood out to me was “Girls Who Code”
by Reshma Saujani. This piece empowers young girls to follow their dreams and redefines bravery as something
that develops over time and is not inherited. Ultimately, these themes were only as effective as they were due
to Saujani's use of language, which I expand on in my essay. Have trouble viewing the file? Click Here.